Will Smith, former board member for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, has filed papers to run for mayor of Santa Maria. So far, Smith is the only candidate to challenge incumbent Alice Patino.
Smith holds a controversial track record with the school district’s board. He was elected to the board in 2010 after resigning from his teaching position in the district, from which he was suspended several times. In 2012, a community group campaigned for the recall of Smith from the board, although the efforts fell short. In 2014, board members voted to uphold a judge’s decision that an email Smith sent to Nancy Iarossi, president of the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association, was “threatening.” In 2014, Smith also lost his re-election bid for the school board to Ricky Lara.
But Smith insisted that his issues with the district stemmed from his taking radical steps to improve students’ educational experience, and he pointed out that the 2012 recall attempt failed for a reason.
“The people of the community, they believed in me,” Smith told the Sun.
Now, he’s hoping the community will pull through for him again as he races for the top seat on the Santa Maria City Council.
“I’m running for mayor because I believe that I can make a difference in the city,” he said. “I listen to the people.”
Smith pointed to his work with the Latino and African American communities as evidence that he’ll fight for the rights of minority groups. He also said he has a plan to descale crime rates in Santa Maria, including prostitution, burglaries, and youth violence.
“After looking at the condition of the city, looking at the growing crime rate, youth crime has increased in the last three years,” Smith said. “I believe that I’ve got a plan that could involve the youth of the community that could turn the situation around.”
As a former educator, Smith said if he is elected mayor, schools would take high priority.
“I’m concerned about the quality of education that our students are getting in the city,” he said. “The city is responsible to ensure their citizens are getting the best, and I believe that in collaboration with the city and the City Council and everyone involved, we can enhance the community and make this a greater town.”
November’s ballot will also feature businessman Hector Sanchez and City Council incumbent Terri Zuniga, both running to fill the two open seats on the council. And there’s still time for other candidates to join the race—the filing period for nomination papers and statements is open until Aug. 12.
This article appears in Aug 4-11, 2016.
