POLITICAL NOTEBOOK : Pomona Candidate Aims for Sky

Thinking Big--Stewart A. Alexander, the second person to announce his candidacy for mayor of Pomona in the March municipal election, does not intend to be out-promised by his rivals.

Alexander, 40, owner of a marketing and advertising company, has proposed a $45-billion economic plan that would make Pomona the hub of everything from country music to electric automobiles. Holt Avenue would be transformed into a financial district with high-rise towers and restaurants, a design center for electric cars, and a music center with recording studios for country and rock artists. And there would be an elevated rail system linking Diamond Bar, Pomona and Ontario.

And where will the $45 billion to finance this plan come from? Alexander’s news release announcing his candidacy was silent on that point, and he didn’t have much to add in a phone interview, beyond noting that Pomona isn’t accustomed to thinking big. Alexander received 274 votes to finish fifth in a field of six candidates two years ago. Earlier, Hal Jackson, the third-place finisher in 1991, announced that he will run again. Mayor Donna Smith has said she will not seek reelection.

Convention Cameos--Their appearances didn’t make the major commercial networks, but Diamond Bar Mayor Jay Kim and supervisorial aide Sarah Flores of Glendora did have moments in the spotlight at the Republican National Convention on Monday.

Those watching the stick-to-the-podium coverage on C-Span saw Kim and Flores deliver three-minute speeches.

Kim, the Republican nominee in the 41st Congressional District, described how as an immigrant from Korea he worked his way up from dishwasher to business owner. He said he is “proof that the American dream can come true.”

He used a theme he emphasized in his primary campaign, saying that government should be run like a business. “I can tell you when times get tough, I don’t raise prices; I cut expenses,” he said. “That’s what the government needs to do.”

Flores, deputy to Supervisor Mike Antonovich, used her time to bash the Democratic Party. She said Republicans “sincerely believe in equality of opportunity, offering a hand up, not a handout,” while Democrats are still supporting failed welfare policies that “fostered dependency, destroyed neighborhoods and drove families apart.”

Fund-Raiser--A $250-per-couple fund-raiser for district attorney candidate Gil Garcetti will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Camino Real Chevrolet in Monterey Park.