SAN FERNANDO : Council Candidates Discuss Rebuilding

San Fernando City Council candidates discussed rebuilding after the Northridge earthquake and rerouting the ruptured Four Corners oil pipeline during the final candidates forum before Tuesday’s election.

All eight candidates were present at the Wednesday night event, sponsored by Valley Organized in Community Efforts (VOICE) at San Fernando’s Santa Rosa Catholic Church. About 100 people attended.

Incumbents Dan Acuna, Jose Hernandez and Doude Wysbeek, and challengers Joanne Baltierrez, John Becker, Raul Godinez, Edward Guzman and Arthur Kay were questioned by a four-member panel and the public on a variety of issues, mostly related to rebuilding the city and the pipeline. The line ruptured near San Fernando’s O’Melveny School as a result of the Jan. 17 earthquake.

Hernandez, 63, said the city should consider purchasing land from people who decide not to rebuild.

Guzman, 38, was critical of the current council’s response to the quake, proposing an earthquake-preparedness plan.

Godinez, 32, said he would strive to better the city’s image and proposed building “quality” affordable housing similar to the Casa Loma project in downtown Los Angeles.

Acuna, 53, said he sees the quake as an opportunity to re-evaluate the council’s aims and attract new business to the area.

Becker, 42, repeated his central campaign pledge: to keep people informed of the issues facing the city.

Wysbeek, 55, said his voting record shows that he is business-oriented, concerned with “the most government for the least dollars.”

Kay said San Fernando needs to find more help from outside agencies to rebuild. He offered his home telephone number to the audience to show that he is approachable.

Baltierrez, 36, said the council should create a plan to attract new businesses to the city.