For Victoria Montoya, it wasn’t “a natural thing” for her to run for the District 2 city council seat, but others encouraged her to go for it. For Mickie Solorio Luna, a career in city finance and leadership with the League of United Latin American Citizens prepared her for the role.
The two political newcomers are facing off in the District 2 Hollister City Council seat formerly held by Councilman Robert Scattini, who recently moved to District 3 and is running for the open seat there against newcomer Karson Klauer.
“Many people encouraged me to run,” said Montoya, an avid volunteer whose family migrated from Mexico to Texas when she was 8. “It wasn’t just a natural thing. I’m already involved in the schools.”
Luna, a county native, said she saw the city “from the inside” for 30 years while working in the finance department.
“I became aware of so many of the issues and was concerned at times how they were being handled,” she said.
If elected in November, Luna said her goals would focus on making sure any budget cuts wouldn’t affect current employees.
“I am very concerned about budget cuts and how that impacts the city services,” she said.
Montoya said her goal would be to talk to constituents about what matters to them. She said the council would be a learning experience for her.
“Once you’re in, I think you have to take what I think you can handle,” she said.
As for the distict’s needs, Montoya said there are many.
“We don’t have a quality restaurant, a quality store, a quality park, that we could call it a friendly park,” she said.
Luna said she would focus on existing city plans such as the Westside Beautification Plan and a downtown strategic plan. Other important issues for her include ideas such as having a community center in her district and getting the bookmobile back and in her district.
“I can tell you, I’ve been through Central Avenue when children are running across the street with no adult supervision,” she said.
Montoya said important issues for her include “family issues” and said the area needs to improve all around.
But Montoya said when it comes to crime, she would focus on family issues.
“I hear a lot about gangs but I have not seen it,” she said. “Maybe I’m naïve. Gangs, prevention, is not my biggest issue.”
Luna, however, said she wants to provide afterschool activities and time for parents to talk with her about issues.
“Heaven knows what they do after school when their parents are at work,” she said of young children.
Luna said as a top budget priority, she would have departments stay conscientious of their spending.
“I think the protection for the citizens is a priority,” she said. “Services should be a priority as well. I really believe those things I would certainly be looking at.”
Montoya said she is “not good in numbers.”
“I’ve got to be honest with you,” she said. “Numbers have never been my big thing. I would ask people, what does this mean for us?”
Montoya said she believes in having a positive attitude and being cooperative.
Luna said she would “be there for the people,” she said.
“It’s not just for district – it’s for everybody,” she said.
