City Council hopefuls address issues
On Tuesday, Corning voters will have the opportunity to select two candidates to fill two seats on the City Council.
Voters have three candidates to choose from — incumbent John Leach, Willie Smith and Tony Cardenas.
The Corning Observer provided each candidate with the same eight questions.
Following are short biographies on each and their answers to the eight questions:
John H. Leach
Leach, 70, is the incumbent in the race. He has been married to his wife Judy for 27 years, and the couple have a son John, daughter Kimm and her husband Charles, and grandsons Zachary and Jacob.
Leach was raised in Orland, growing up on a small 10-acre dairy farm and attended all the Orland schools, graduating with the class of 1960.
He jointed the US Navy Reserves in December 1959 and 18 months later joined the Active United States Air Force. Served in the Air Force and supported the Vietnam War in 1967 and again in 1972. Served as a crew chief on a B-52 Bomber nine years, and carried a top secret clearance.
Leach and his family moved to Corning 1978. He attended Bethany Bible College in 1985.
Leach has worked in several capacities, including service station owner 1969-71 in Riverside; Bell Carter 1978-84; waste management specialist for Family Restaurants, Irvine for two years; developed RMG which he owned from 1995 to 2001 and then served as business manager for RMG and Management Services for five years.
In the community, Leach was a board member for the Corning Business Improvement Development District, coached Pony League teams, and was a member of the Corning Exchange Club serving as president for three years and district president and director for several years
He has served as Royal Ranger Conference Commander for Northern California P.H.C. five years and served as regional coordinator for the seven western states for five years.
Leach is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4218.
He formerly served as treasurer, associate pastor and board member at New Life Assembly Church in Corning.
Q & A
Why are you seeking re-election to the City Council?
Due to the fact that I have six years of experience as a city councilman, years of business technology, computer, and communication skill. I believe that type of business experience is needed on the council and that is why I am seeking re-election.
What qualifies you to serve the community as a city councilman?
Business background, employer, current councilman, board member for the Community Action Agency, served as board member on the 3Core in Chico for three years, currently serve as board member on Corning Community Foundation Board, and currently serves as appointed board member for the Corning Senior Citizen Board.
If you could change one thing about Corning, what would it be?
I believe if I could change one thing about the City of Corning, I would want to make our down town appearance so appealing that new business would be knocking on city hall wanting to open new businesses.
What do you believe is the Corning's greatest weakness and greatest strength?
The city's greatest weakness I believe is the appearance of our downtown area and the current condition of the main part of Solano Street. The greatest strength is the way the community comes together for special events and the support from the citizens in supporting most of the decisions we make as a council
What do you see as the City Council's greatest responsibility over the next four year?
Being able to continue having a balance budget, making sure that we as a council are able to keep our employees and staff at full strength, keeping our city equipment updated in order to accomplish the repairs and new construction that will be needed over the next four years.
What do you see as the City Council's job in serving the community?
As a City Council, we must encourage economical delivery or quality services created and designed in response to the needs of our youth and citizens rather than by habit or tradition.
We can achieve this by encouraging planned and managed growth as a means of developing an attractive built-environment and protecting and conserving our nature resources, creating diverse employment opportunities in order to encourage our youth to want to stay and raise their families in our city, and providing and maintaining reliable and appropriate infrastructure.
Also by continuing to provide and promote quality housing, education, cultural and recreational opportunities, providing quality public safety services, operating an adequately funded city government in a financially responsible and fiscally sound manner, and continuing to recruit and maintain a highly motivated work force committed to excellence.
And finally, by facilitating citizen involvement.
If someone questioned you about Corning who was considering moving here, how would you describe it?
I would explain to them all that Corning has to offer as a business friendly city and the friendliness of our local citizens. If they had any questions, I would direct them to the Chamber of Commerce, explaining that they would be able to help them in locating items of interest or business development opportunities, and that our city staff is friendly and willing and able to answer any questions that they might have.
If elected to the City Council, what would be you goals in that capacity?
My goals would be to see the completion of the new City Park in the time frame that is allotted and within grant budget. Complete restoration of Rodgers Theater. The Solano Street 2013-2014 Project. Improve as many streets we can rebuild and to make sure that we stay within the means of our budget.
Willette (Willie) Smith
Smith, 63, is married to husband Jim and has three children, Tom, Maria and Paulette.
She earned her GED and then went to nursing school earning her L.V.N. license. Smith worked at the Los Angeles County Hospital for seven years then moved to Alaska working in a home for at-risk youth for nine years.
After retirement, Smith continued to live in Alaska for 21 years.
She moved to Corning with her husband and opened a restaurant which she operated for two years.
In 2004 Smith became the manager of Corning Christian Assistance food bank where she continues to serve writing grants, ordering food and making sure clients with special needs are referred to the right organizations for help.
She has served on the Chamber of Commerce board for 12 years.
Q & A
Why are you seeking election to the City Council?
To see the city complete ongoing projects, such as the new park, Rodgers Theatre and road work. To make sure we stay within our budget and maintain our reserve funds.
To clean up and help to restore some of the abandoned homes in the city, but, mostly because we, as representatives, need to work as a team and listen to what the needs of the community are.
What qualifies you to serve the community as a city councilwoman?
I care about Corning, the families and the businesses. I have served the Chamber of Commerce for 12 years and attend Council meetings. I listen to what people want to see happen in Corning and the needs of our citizens.
Hopefully, we can work together for the betterment of Corning.
If you could change one thing in Corning, what would it be?
I would like to make it where no one has to shop anywhere but Corning.
What do you believe is Corning's greatest weakness and greatest strength?
Strength — We stick together as a community when things get tough or someone is in need.
Weakness — We lack family orientated/safe activities for our youth and families.
What do you see as the City Council's greatest responsibility over the next four years?
To make sure we fulfill all unfinished projects, and to continue to work within our budget to help Corning become more inviting to new businesses and families who want to settle in Corning.
Also, to support all of the city's employees, in all they do, to make the Corning a better place to live in.
What do you see as the City Council's job in serving the community?
To listen to what the people have to say and try to do as much as we can to resolve these issues. That is why we are elected, by the and for the people.
If someone questioned you about Corning, who was considering moving here, how would you describe it?
Corning is a very caring community. It has the small town atmosphere, but a very big heart. The schools are wonderful, as are all the people.
If elected to the City Council, what would be your goals in that capacity?
To continue to make Corning a safe and happy place, where people want to open a new business and raise their families.
Tony Cardenas
Cardenas, 61, is married to Valanne Cardenas, the Corning Chamber of Commerce manager. Together they have three daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
Cardenas has an AA degree from Shasta College and is a graduate of the Sacramento Law Enforcement Academy.
He has lived in Tehama County since 1972 and in Corning since 1981.
Cardenas began his career in law enforcement in 1982 as a part-time reserve deputy for the Tehama County Sheriff's Department and became a full-time deputy in 1984. During his time with the sheriff's department he was assigned to patrol and to the detective divisions.
In 1990, Cardenas was hired as a police sergeant by the Corning Police Department, and in 1993 was appointed Chief of Police, a position he held until his retirement on February 29.
Prior to law enforcement, Cardenas was a psychiatric technician in the US Army for two years. Between the years of time in the military and police career, he worked for two years as a housing specialist managing a construction company for six years building single and multi-family residences, and for three years was an insurance agent.
Cardenas is a member of the Corning Rotary Club, Hometown Revitalization, Park Improvement Committee, Friends of the Theatre, Corning Community Foundation, Tehama County First 5 Commission, Corning Chamber of Commerce, and Harvest Christian Center.
Q & A
Why are you seeking election to the City Council?
I have been a member of our community for more than 30 years and have been actively involved as a volunteer working alongside other concerned citizens to make improvements to our town. I have the time, energy, experience, and commitment to be an effective council member. I believe I can bring a positive influence to the council and make decisions in the best interest of the entire community. I have been blessed to live and work in our community and I believe in giving back. What I have to offer is my service.
What qualifies you to serve the community as a city councilman?
I bring to the table my positive attitude, an open mind, my ability to look at the "big picture," my knowledge of and commitment to Corning, and my varied experiences. Having worked in both the private and public sector I have an understanding of what's needed to ensure both can work together to accomplish their individual goals. Working for the City of Corning has given me a good understanding of the city budget and the budget process. I have a clear understanding what the city needs are in order to remain effective in its areas of responsibility.
If you could change one thing about the Corning, what would it be?
We are blessed with a community full of people who believe Corning is full of potential and who are willing to help improve Corning. However, many times decisions are made with little input from the community, through no fault of anyone. Generally people don't get involved unless there is an issue that they're aware of and they care about it. Many times, unless individual council members feel the need to contact people about an issue, the council just moves forward with the business of the city. What I would like to see is a means to communicate with the business owners and residents, to make them aware of all the issues facing Corning and give them the opportunity for input. It is sad when I'm told, after the fact, somebody was interested in an issue and had ideas that might be of benefit, only to find out the decision on that issue had already been made.
What do you believe is Corning's greatest weakness and greatest strength?
Corning's greatest strength is its people! We still have a strong sense of community and we care about each other's well-being and the community's well-being. When needed or asked we will come together and give our time and resource to promote a common goal or project for the betterment of the city. A good example of this is the restoration of Rodgers Theatre. Friends of the Theatre, as a group of volunteers, raised over $50,000 from the community and alumni, in order to show the city council there was strong community interest in restoring the theatre. As we move forward individual volunteers and volunteer organizations have assisted on the project. Numerous times I've been contacted by individuals who believe in what is being done with the theatre and have volunteered their services to assist.
Corning's greatest weakness is its reliance on outside revenue sources. As time has progressed we've become more and more reliant on the state and the federal government and we've become more beholding to those organizations. The recession we are in has proven how much we are at their mercy. The city had to make major changes in its budget and spend reserve funds in order to meet its obligations, because of the state's mismanagement. At this point, even though some say we're coming out of the recession, further cuts or modifications by the state may still be forthcoming.
I list this reliance on outside funding as Corning's greatest weakness realizing we have little or no control over this issue. But I believe we need to be aware of the possibility that this "raiding" may continue and we must do what we can to protect ourselves.
What do you see as the City Council's greatest responsibility over the next four years?
I would have to say keeping the city fiscally solvent as we come out of the recession while at the same time providing the level of service required to keep the city moving forward is going to be the council's greatest responsibility.
What do you see as the City Council's job in serving the community?
In part, the answer to the question is part of the question. I believe the Council's top priority is to be public servants to the people.
A council member should be a representative of the people to the city, rather than a representative of the city to the people.
The City Council is the legislative body of the city, enacting ordinances, rules, and regulations to address specific issues and concerns in the interest of the community as a whole.
Additionally, the City Council is entrusted by the community to oversee the expenditure of public funds. The council must ensure the funds are spent in a wise and prudent manner for the common good.
If someone questioned you about Corning who was considering moving here, how would you describe it?
The answer would depend on the person asking the question. While I will tell everybody about the positives like, Corning is still small enough that if you go out for a walk, people will stop and ask you if you need a ride. The residents have a strong sense of community. If you need help people will come out of the woodwork to assist. Corning is seen as a "friendly town."
For those interested in local government I would tell them that Corning has been able to weather the recession better than most cities regardless of size, we've not gone in the "red", due in part, because the city council and the employees were able to reach agreement on furloughs. During this time, the city was able to operate with a minimal impact on city services. I would tell them about the plans to restore Rodgers Theatre and the downtown area.
For those interested in recreational activities, I would tell them Corning offers activities for all ages. For the youth, Corning offers a variety of sporting activities from swimming to rodeo competitions. For families, we have three major parks and we will soon start construction on our largest multiuse park which will include soccer fields and a skateboard park. For those interested in boating, fishing and hunting we have the Sacramento River, Black Butte Lake, and the mountains nearby.
For seniors we have the Senior Center that offers a variety of activities. Though we don't have a hospital we do have two excellent medical clinics, local doctors, dentists, pharmacies and a chiropractor.
In the end our community is as good as we make it.
If elected to the City Council, what would be your goals in that capacity?
I have three basic goals:
One goal is to secure our resources so the City can continue to provide the level of service it has committed to provide. We need to ensure we have the fiscal means to maintain and repair our streets and equipment, operate our facilities, and fulfill our contractual obligations. We need to ensure we have the means to retain quality personnel to provide quality service. We need to make sure we can sustain what we have, before adding additional services and programs.
My second goal is to be a voice, a representative for our businesses. Many of our business owners live within our sphere of influence but not within the City and thereby have no voice in city elections, yet they are providing those services and products and tax base that help us prosper. We need to make sure our business owners are included and being heard in the decision-making process of our local government. We need to be understanding and responsive to their needs.
My third goal is to address the issue of abandoned properties. With the economic downturn we have experienced an increase in property foreclosures which has led to an increase in abandoned properties, in various states of disrepair.
This issue is compounded when the mortgagees are absentee owners and in many cases out of state lenders. While we would all agree we don't need more government in our lives, when an issue has a negative impact on our property, we must find a solution.
