San Luis candidates rate issues
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — What can be done to spur employment opportunities in this city at a time when the recession has cost so many people their jobs?
And when the recession is causing a decline in revenues to municipalities such as San Luis, how does the city stay in the black while providing basic services to residents?
The candidates for mayor of the border city have their own ideas about how to do all that.
The incumbent mayor, Juan Carlos Escamilla, will defend his seat against Nieves Riedel and write-in candidate Lilia Quiñonez in the city's March 9 primary election.
The three recently presented their positions in interviews with Bajo El Sol.
If elected, what will be your priority?:
Escamilla: To attract industry and jobs to the community, we need a plan of incentives focused on what we want to attract. We have doors open to new business, but we don't have an incentive plan specifically for what we need. We have to be more aggressive in a specific area, whether it be industry, tourism or business.
Quiñonez: Water and good management of the city's resources. Also improving the (potable) water quality, because now filters are put in and we still have a problem with water that comes out dirty and has an odor.
Riedel: Economic development of the city depends on infrastructure. To do it (bring industry), we need to take infrastructure by the reins.
How do you evaluate the growth of San Luis? Do you believe it's on the correct path?
Escamilla: We are growing at a rate of 15 to 20 percent a year, but we have lost our focus on orderly growth. We have lots of houses, but we don't have jobs for the families. We have to attract more business, jobs, training. There's a lot of growth, but it's not well-balanced.
Quiñonez: No. Right now, (city funds) have gone for many things, but not where they should be spent. There are many things that should be corrected, many fixes that we need. The community deserves and needs more.
Riedel: In San Luis, economic development has been completely defunded. One of the big industries in San Luis is construction and we are in bad shape. We are not on the right path by any means.
What would you do to improve the image of San Luis around Yuma County?
Escamilla: That has been the basis of this administration. No longer are we seen by others as a government of conflicts or personal feuds. As mayor, I have opened doors to the people, being fair and analyzing what is best for our community. We will continue doing that.
Quiñonez: By correcting the internal politics, by working together like we should. But the first thing we should do is guide people about how they must vote.
Riedel: By educating our people. The problem is not the city; the problem is those of us who live here don't want to adapt to the more modern, American system. We have to begin to understand that we are in a progressive country. We have to set a good example in order to be seen in a good light, to prove to everyone we are not a bunch of uneducated louts and bullies.
How can San Luis maintain financial stability in an economic crisis?
Escamilla: By capitalizing on its proximity to the border and to our sister cities. Our population is 30,000, but we can have up to 70,000 people in transit (through San Luis). By promoting tourism, industry, with the (new) port of entry, by linking all our economies. The local revenues are never going to be enough to sustain us.
Quiñonez: By having only the (city) departments and staffing that are necessary. A good (city) administration serves as a model for the community to follow. Cutting unnecessary expenses in all areas.
Riedel: The city subsidizes its services — out of every dollar (of services) it should be collecting (in fees and rates), it's collecting only 55 cents. It is strange how they think they can solve that problem. The city has to be seen as a business that needs to be run professionally. As long as they look up the city as a public benefits center or as a bank that finances private companies, we will go wrong.
For at least the past two years, public works projects have been on hold. What can be done to restart this function of municipal government?
Escamilla: Two years ago, various streets were paved and sidewalks put in, and we have already planned work for this year. We don't have a property tax in San Luis; the revenue that comes in to the city comes from sales taxes. We have to generate more revenue from that tax in order to have more money for projects.
Quiñonez: Through creation of jobs. If there are more people contributing, making their purchases right here, there will be more revenue for San Luis, and as a result of that, there will be an increase in public works.
Riedel: We should stop being a bank for private projects and quit subsidizing services. No new park has been created, there's no street lighting, nor new paving. They don't give employees anything to maintain the public works that there are. Potable water is worse now than three years ago. More resources are needed for public works.
How will you handle the issue of fees for public services?
Escamilla: We have had the same fees for 20 years. But we have to analyze it, to see where there are shortfalls, and whether increases are justified or not. It has to be studied to determine whether the current level of service can be maintained with the existing charges. We have to see what the revenues will be, because each year they are different.
Quiñonez: I don't agree with increases. We are in a very tough recession. We should find a way to continue subsidizing services so fees are not increased. In this city, most people work in the fields and we have to be aware of that.
Riedel: The rates had been set to cover the costs, but this administration has not updated them even though everything costs more. Those services can't be subsidized, its against the law. We've been lucky that the state hasn't come in to take over our services.
