Whittier Daily News (California)
September 27, 2013 Friday
Economic development, city image key issues at Montebello City Council debate
by Mike Sprague
MONTEBELLO >> Economic development and the city s image were among two
of the issues discussed Thursday at a City Council candidates forum.
While three of the four candidates present seemed to agree, three
other candidates were no-shows. Three seats are at stake in the Nov. 5
election.
Levon Kirakosian, chairman of the forum held by the Armenian National
Committee of the San Gabriel Valley, said he was disappointed that
challengers Emma Delgado, Flavio Gallarzo and Daniel Hernandez didn t
attend the meeting at the Montebello Armenian Center.
Kirakosian said the forum was intended to provide information to voters.
Regrettably, they ve chosen not to show up, he said.
The three candidates all of whom are backed by Mayor Christina Cortez
and whose ballot statements call for change all gave individual
reasons for their absence in interviews Friday.
Delgado said she had a business meeting with a customer and had told
officials from the Armenian committee early on she couldn t make it.
Hernandez said he was called into meet with a vendor when one of his
employees called in sick.
Gallarzo said he had a parent-teacher meeting at his school where he s
a principal.
During the forum, incumbents Art Barajas and Bill Molinari and
challenger Vivian Romero said it s time to be more positive.
Barajas said when he was elected he heard concerns that Montebello was
going to go bankrupt.
Here we are, and Montebello is still functioning, he said. We have
(development) opportunities. We shouldn t be scaring (potential
developers) by telling them negative things that aren t true.
However, challenger Anna Arriola, said she s not convinced Montebello
is doing well.
I m running for City Council because I don t like the way things are
running, Arriola said. I ll try to change things and move the city
forward.
Arriola said she s concerned about increasing pension costs, what will
happen with the Taylor Ranch property and some of the lawsuits facing
the city.
It s important that we put an end to the negativity that has permeated
the community the last three years, said Molinari. It s hurt the city
s image and made it difficult to bring in new businesses.
Romero also called for a more positive image as well as some other changes.
We should relax some of our ordinances, she said. We should think
about opening City Hall on Fridays. I d like Montebello to become like
South Pasadena. I go to Trader Joe s in Whittier. I d like to see a
Trader Joe s come to Montebello.
The three, who were no-shows, haven t been as positive.
In their ballot statements, they all called for a forensic audit on
all city accounts and criticized a recent water rate increase of 50
percent this year and 25 percent next year.
Council members, who supported the increase, said rates hadn t been
increased since 2004. In addition, the city serves only 1,647
customers. It includes the area south of Slauson Avenue as well as
portions of the north end of town, including the Shops at Montebello.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
