Candidates running for U.S. Congress, the state Assembly and
local water districts fielded questions and spouted opinions on the
war in Iraq, taxes, Indian casinos and Hollister’s odd tasting
water at an election forum Tuesday night.
Hollister – Candidates running for U.S. Congress, the state Assembly and local water districts fielded questions and spouted opinions on the war in Iraq, taxes, Indian casinos and Hollister’s odd tasting water at an election forum Tuesday night.
Five candidates running for the 17th Congressional District, including Democratic incumbent Sam Farr, Republican candidate Mark Risley and three independent candidates garnered most of the spotlight, with about half of the approximately 50 people in the audience leaving after their closing statements.
Green Party candidate Ray Glock-Grueneich, Libertarian candidate Joel Smolen and Peace and Freedom Party candidate Joe Williams focused on many environmental, human rights and tax reform issues. Farr expounded on the work he’s done in office that has affected San Benito County residents such as working to bolster tourism and procuring funding to restore California’s missions. Risley spoke about the need to reform a political system that has put the country’s budget trillions of dollars in the red.
“Do any of the politicians in Washington manage their finances the way they do with taxpayers’ money?” Risley said. “This political system is broken. Politicians have managed to progressively foul it up for years – anyone who can sit here and tell you it’s working is not being honest with you.”
Assemblymember Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, spoke about legislation he’s introduced during his term in office that have addressed “real problems and real issues,” for county residents. His opponent, Republican candidate Bob Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, briefly outlined his plan to bring jobs back to the state and prosperity to all Californians.
After their opening statements, questions were posed to the candidates about one of the hottest topics facing the county – casinos.
A casino resort is being proposed by the California Valley Miwok Tribe on a parcel of land along Highway 25 in San Benito County, near the Santa Clara County border.
“It’s really a bad deal if we’re making the decision because we need the money,” Perkins said. “We need to fix the problem at the top, not make bad decisions on a local level.”
Salinas said locating a casino on Highway 25 is the worst possible location, and adding thousands of employees who would need affordable housing would create serious issues in a county already plagued with affordable housing problems.
“Locals have the opportunity to weigh in, and the governor has serious concerns if locals are not supportive,” Salinas said.
Congressional candidates responded to questions about problems concerning Social Security and Medicare, which fostered an array of opinions on how to improve the controversial topics.
Farr said the Social Security fund is solid until 2030, and that every time it is in jeopardy, Congress has devised a way to “bail it out.”
“The Social Security system needs to be maintained how it is supposed to be – social and secure,” he said. “But I think the answer isn’t going to be found in the next few years.”
To revamp Medicare, Farr said health care costs need to be brought down, and the way to do that is to repeal President Bush’s tax break to the wealthy 1 percent.
Risley said much of the problem concerning Social Security and Medicare stems from the government’s inability to balance the budget.
“Social Security is headed for a train wreck – it’s going to happen,” he said. “We’re going to be $14 trillion in debt in 10 years. If we double or triple taxes, it will not be enough to satisfy the problem.”
All three independent party candidates expressed their opposition to the war in Iraq, with Libertarian candidate Smolen adding that the Patriot Act is one of the biggest threats to the American people and that it was passed by Congress is a “national disgrace.”
Before Assembly candidates took center state, San Benito County Water District candidate Mike Smith spoke about the need to implement more water treatment plants in the county. Sunnyslope Water District candidates Judi Johnson, John Fitch and Stephen Hailstone capped off the night with promises of better water, cheaper rates and improved communication with all county and city water agencies.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
