SL city council candidates speak out

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Ten candidates are competing for three seats on the city council in the March 9 primary election.

Meanwhile, three others are running for mayor.

Bajo El Sol has been examining the candidates and their positions on the issues in a series of stories that also is appearing in the Yuma Sun.

Below are responses from five of the council candidates - incumbent Archibaldo Gurrola and candidates Carlos Bernal, Monica Borga, Juan Evangelista and David Lara. Upcoming editions will profile the remaining candidates - incumbents Marco Antonio Reyes Jr. and Rafael Torres, plus candidates Abelina Jaime, Africa Luna and Marco Pinzon.

The three mayoral candidates - incumbent Juan Carlos Escamilla, Nieves Riedel and write-in candidate Lilia Quiñones - were previously profiled in the Feb. 16 edition of The Yuma Sun. That story can also be found on the Yuma Sun's Web site at http://www.yumasun.com/articles/san-56327-luis-ariz.html.
 
Why are you running for the council?

Bernal: Because we have to stop the city's waste of money. The administrative chaos has led to 150 city credit cards being granted for fewer than 200 city employees, to the mayor having the benefit of a card with a $5,000 limit and an average of $1,000 being spent monthly.

Borga: My friends and colleagues at work urged me to get into this. I have been involved with the food bank for a long time, and I feel that as a council member I can help more people.

Evangelista: Because I have a lot of experience in my profession as administrator of my own tax preparation and construction businesses. I can apply that experinece within public administration to improve the city administration and management of funds.

Gurrola: Because I still have much to offer the community. I feel much better prepared to take on the challenges that face the city. I have more confidence, time and experience.

Lara: Because I don't get tired of fighting against the bad management of the city and of trying to improve the reputation of San Luis. The is a fight for justice and honesty. I believe that we have to being to stop the abuses and make the changes that are necessary.
 
What proposals would you bring to the council?

Bernal: Historically in San Luis, everything has been promised. My proposal in general is to work for the good of the community, to be vigilant of the use of city funds and to stop the the abuses I have spoken of.

Borga: To bring about the improvements the city needs. There is a lot lacking, principally jobs. Drive is lacking and we need to be part of the solutions.

Evangelista: To improve the parks, schools and athletic areas to keep youth away from crime. If youth can be guided in the right direction, they will grow up to be people of benefit to the community.

Gurrola: Right now, I don't want to talk about any one proposal. The important thing is to see things as they are and see what we can do. Then I would be able to speak about proposals I would pursue.

Lara: San Luis has grown so fast that development has gone out of control. We have to put attention of the neglected areas of the city. There are problems that have gone for many years without being resolved, and San Luis cannot continue growing without paying attention to those.

With which mayoral candidate would you like to serve on the council?

Bernal: With Lilia Quiñonez, because she is part of a group that for many years has fought for the good of the people of San Luis. Fortunately, she agreed to run for mayor.

Borga: With Nieves Riedel. I identify with her because she is a hardworking person, she knows how to move forward and create large developments, and she has the better ideas than the other candidates.

Evangelista: With Nieves Riedel and with Marco Pinzon, because we can do a good job. There has been a certain friendship and chemistry among us for a long time.

Gurrola: With Nieves Riedel, because she has business experience and she has taken her company forward in economic hard times. That experience would help us to help the people. Juan Carlos (Escamilla) had his time, but today there needs to be another type of leadership.

Lara: With Mrs. Quiñonez, because she is the best-prepared person among the three candidates. She is an engineer in electronics and has the title of teacher, and she has the best proposals.

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Cesar Neyoy can be reached at cneyoy@bajoelsol.com or 539-6890.