Two longtime members of the Santa Maria City Council —Leo Trujillo and Bob Orach—are up for election in November. They’ll be joined on the ballot by a newcomer, not to the city of Santa Maria, but to elected office: Santa Maria Police Lt. Mike Cordero.
With two spots open and three men in the race, only the top two vote-getters will be elected to the council. In an attempt to find out more about these candidates, the Sun asked them to each answer the same five questions. Unfortunately, Cordero wasn’t able to return his answers before press time. Here are the questions, and the answers given by Orach and Trujillo:
SUN: The big buzzword in this year’s presidential election is “change.” What kind of change do you see yourself bringing to Santa Maria?
TRUJILLO: The Downtown Specific Plan is the change we need to attract more business to the downtown area. I will support the economic development of our mall and downtown. We must bring change by strengthening our Economic Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce. I will push for more airline service.
ORACH: I don’t see myself bringing change to Santa Maria. What I see is a combined community effort led by the City Council, myself included, along with city staff to address several issues facing our city in the coming years. The answer is not what one person can do, but what the collective heart and soul of the people of our community can do!
SUN: Is there one issue that you would like to see brought to the forefront this year? If elected, what would you do about that particular issue?
ORACH: There are actually two issues that need to be addressed aggressively over the next few years: substance abuse and economic vitality. Substance abuse and its effects are creating havoc with individuals, families, neighborhoods, and our community as a whole. The crime problems in our community are a direct effect of substance abuse. All the different sectors in our community—faith-based, nonprofits, education, police, the court system, and families—have to unite with the leadership of the City Council to attack the issue. The city can set the stage and begin the process to form neighborhood block groups that will be empowered to address their individual areas of concern. These may take the form of substance abuse, truancy, education, deterioration of property, or lack of activities for youth and the elderly alike. The community as a whole must take responsibility for its own recovery in terms of making a change for the betterment of our city.
Economic vitality and job creation to help our community have and hold better paying jobs. Families that can support themselves in a comfortable fashion tend to be more involved in community events and care for themselves and their neighbors.
TRUJILLO: There are two issues that need to be addressed: Stop the increase of drugs to our young people and reduce crimes caused by the use of drugs. Public safety is my top priority.
SUN: What is the biggest challenge facing the city of Santa Maria in the next year?
TRUJILLO: The biggest challenge is to provide city services within our means. We must continue to spend our money wisely and within budget. We need more and better jobs. We must be more aggressive in getting companies to move to Santa Maria. I support greater incentive for companies to locate in Santa Maria.
ORACH: To provide and maintain good quality services to the taxpaying citizens, given the downturn in the economy that’s anticipated. Mandated services must be a priority, but the quality-of-life services need to be provided as best we can. With the reserves that the city put into place many years ago, we should be in good financial order going forward.
SUN: What is the city lacking when it comes to leadership? Sum up your own leadership style.
ORACH: I think the city is not lacking in any way in leadership. The current City Council works well together as a council and has a great staff that carries out the policies set by the council. The City Council takes a businesslike approach in the way we focus on providing quality, efficient services in a financially sound way!
TRUJILLO: The city has good leadership in the mayor, City Council, the city manager, city financial manager, city attorney, the police chief and the fire chief. Our city employees are the best!
I support controlled growth, good planning, and a stable city budget. As a retired Navy Captain, I believe in adequate resources to provide the necessary services to maintain our quality of life. My leadership is a progressive style to lead by example with a well-structured plan.
SUN: What are you going to do to help Santa Maria weather these tough economic times?
TRUJILLO: I will continue to strengthen our economy, oppose new taxes, protect agriculture, develop our downtown, and spend our money wisely. Stability and fiscal responsibility are my goals.
ORACH: Watch the budget like a hawk, but insure that the taxpaying citizens receive all the essential services we are mandated to deliver.
Contact Sports Editor Sarah E. Thien at sthien@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.