Local Elections: The April 12 Showdown : Irwindale Race Focuses on Raiders--and Connections

The Raiders’ proposed move to Irwindale has created the closest thing to a campaign issue in this tightly knit industrial town of just 1,040 people.

In a city where many residents are related by marriage or blood, elections tend to become battles of family connections more than anything else.

But this year, some candidates have asked whether council members have enough business expertise to handle the complexities of the Raiders deal.

The Raiders last year announced their intention to leave the Coliseum and build a new stadium in an Irwindale gravel pit.

The city has offered the Raiders a $115-million loan which includes $10 million in up-front money that the Raiders will keep regardless of whether the deal is completed.

Incumbents Jose Sal Castellanos and Arthur Tapia are facing challengers Richard Chico, Salvador Hernandez and Jacquelyn Breceda Quintero for the two open council seats in Tuesday’s election.

The most outspoken candidate has been Chico, a former general manager for Arciero Companies, a construction firm in Anaheim.

Chico, 47, said the council lacks the business experience to ensure that the city does not bungle its chance to get the Raiders.

“There are a lot of ins and outs that I’m sure some of the councilmen don’t understand. Most of the councilmen don’t know how to read a financial statement,” he said. “Skill against skill, there’s no contest. In a general sense, they’ve done a good job, but I just think I am far more skilled.”

Chico served on the City Council from 1968 to 1976. He lost his bid for reelection in 1976 by two votes and lost again in 1978 by three votes.

He is the half-brother of Asst. City Manager Fred Herrera and a distant relative of Tapia’s.

In addition to his business experience, Chico said he would bring more dynamic leadership to the city.

“I’m younger, I’m more experienced and I have more vitality,” he said. “I just have more to offer.”

Since leaving Arciero Companies in February, Chico has been working as a computer consultant.

Quintero, 29, has made three unsuccessful bids for the council over the last eight years. She lost in 1980 by three votes, in 1984 by eight votes and in 1986 by three votes.

She is the niece of Councilman Joe Breceda, who is not up for reelection; the daughter of former Councilman Richard Breceda; the niece of Irwindale police Sgt. Raul Breceda, and sister of police Officer Richard Breceda Jr.

Quintero, the manager of a Trust Savings Bank branch in Hacienda Heights, agreed that the council needs someone with more advanced business skills.

“They don’t have the financial experience,” she said. “With my 12 years of financial experience”--she started working as a teller at 17--”and all the new businesses coming to town, especially the Raiders, I feel I could be a great asset.”

Fresh Perspective

She said that the council has done an adequate job but that the city could benefit from having someone with a fresh perspective.

“Some have done a good job and others a medium job, but their ideas are older,” she said. “My ideas are newer. There’s a big age difference.”

Quintero took out nomination papers for the elections two months ago but later backed out to support Castellanos, she said.

But last week, she decided to join the campaign again as write-in candidate.

Hernandez, 49, a co-owner of Utility Disposal, a trash collection company in Irwindale, is making his third run for the council. In 1984, he lost by 11 votes and in 1986 by 23 votes.

“I don’t see any big problems in the city, but we have the Raiders coming up, which is very important,” he said.

Also Cites Experience

Hernandez said he is better qualified than the incumbents to help lead the city through the Raiders deal because of his business experience and his ability to “get along with everyone.” He said he had no specific plans if elected.

Hernandez, who has lived in the city for eight years, served on the Planning Commission last year.

“By the way,” he added, “I’m not related to anyone.”

The two incumbents have kept a low profile, and neither seems worried about the competition.

Castellanos, 53, has served two four-year terms and was mayor in 1983 and 1986. He teaches English and social studies at Rincon Intermediate School in West Covina.

He said the Raiders will move to Irwindale no matter who sits on the council.

No Specific Plans

Castellanos does not think there are any major issues before the city and has no specific plans if he is reelected.

“Everything is pretty good in the city,” he said. “I just want to do what I’ve been doing.”

He pointed to the construction of a new senior center, the addition of more residential housing and the financial health of the city as accomplishments.

Castellanos brushed off concerns about the council’s business acumen, saying his eight years on the council gave him ample experience to run the city.

“I’ve gotten to know the issues and the community,” he said.

Uncertain on Budget

But when asked about the size of the city budget, he was uncertain.

“I get confused between $4 million and $4 billion,” he said. “I think it’s $4 million.”

The city budget for last year was $3.89 million, according to the city treasurer.

Castellanos said he did not know how much the city spent for police protection or on redevelopment.

“I agree it’s something a councilman should know,” he said.

Tapia, 66, a retired barber, was one of the five original council members who served when the city was incorporated in 1957. He has been on the council several times since then.

He resigned once in 1961 because of a threatened recall move.

Tapia did not return numerous phone calls from The Times.