San Luis city assembly candidates speak out

Editor's note: This is the third in a three-part series of stories examining candidates and issues in the San Luis primary election on March 9.

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Three candidates are running for mayor, and 10 others are competing for three council seats in the March 9 San Luis primary election. Early voting is under way.

Below are responses to questions posed by Bajo El Sol to council candidates Abelina Jaime, Africa Luna, Marco Pinzon, Marco A. Reyes Jr. and Rafael Torres.

Why are you running for the council?

Jaime: I have always been involved in the community. I am always looking for ways to service. You can do more from inside than outside. Watching the bull from behind a barrier is not the same as taking it by the horns. I want to contribute with work, action and foresight.

Luna: This has always interested me. I think San Luis has a lot of potential, and being part of the group that makes decisions is something very important and interesting. I can help the city to improve the administration, help to find solutions to improve the water quality and public safety.

Pinzon: There have been no changes. There is no cooperation among the others. There is no teamwork among the council and the administration, and outsiders see that. I am enthused because I live here, my family is here and I want to continue living here. It's very sad we can't reach common ground.

Reyes: The problems that have now as a city are not the same as three years ago. I have learned enough and I have experience I need to help solve them with the new leadership that is needed.

Torres: We have many pending projects that we would like to see finished, like the widening of Juan Sanchez Boulevard. That's a project I would like to see finished.

What projects would you take to the council?

Jaime: Bring jobs, development, so that our people keep growing. To look for ways to bring in investment.

Luna: Find ways to improve potable water, promote improvement of public safety and beautify neglected areas of the city.

Pinzon: Review the administration, (to determine) if the people who occupy the jobs are prepared and qualified for what is required in those positions. In general to try to improve the administration, because if the administration is not strong, we can't accomplish the rest.

Reyes: Focus government more toward private enterprise and support the business that are already in San Luis. I have been thinking we could have a Wi-Fi Internet system that would be free in public areas of the city. There are federal funds that the city could seek to do it.

Torres: Although many projects have been held up by the economic situation, I would favoring pushing forward with until they are done.

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

Jaime: Nieves (Riedel). I have known her since we were in college and she has always been a fighter on behalf of others. She sees needs and says "I can." We have always thought alike. She has more experience than the other candidates, and while she has health and energy, she will continuing serving others.

Luna: Juan Carlos Escamilla, because we are the same age and are natives of San Luis. He brings the same energy and interest that I bringing in trying to attract more investment that generates jobs. Many people can criticize him, but he has very good proposals that, with the support of everyone, we're going to achieve.

Pinzon: Juan Carlos Escamilla. Now that I know him, I know that he is a person who has lots of ideas and is hardworking. But he can't do everything, he needs support, help. His proposals are the best for the citizens of San Luis.

Reyes: It's not so much the candidate for mayor. The three have at heart working for the good of San Luis, but our team (of candidates) is more prepared to focus on the business development and on the new leadership the city needs.

Torres: Juan Carlos Escamilla, because he has no company behind him to protect. He is going to make decisions to protect the city, not to protect his pocket. Perhaps some of the current council members changed their mines and back (Riedel) but everyone has their own opinion.

Previous stories in the Yuma Sun and Bajo El Sol profiled mayoral candidates Juan Carlos Escamilla, Nieves Riedel and Lilia Quiñones. Click here if you would like to read it: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/san-56327-luis-ariz.html.

Yuma sun and Bajo el Sol also profiled council candidates Carlos Bernal, Monica Borga, Juan Evangelista, Archibaldo Gurrola and David Lara. Click here if you'd like to read it: http://www.yumasun.com/news/san-56478-ariz-speak.html.