Getting, Keeping Businesses the Key Issue in Council Race

Attracting and keeping businesses in town is a major concern, so much so that two former members of the City Council cite that as the reason they are trying for a come-back.

Alicita Lewis-Younker, who left the council in 1978, said she hopes to return so she can help struggling Stanton firms. “Businesses are not attracted to the city, and even the ones that come don’t stay,” she said.

Don Martinez, a councilman from 1990 to 1994, said he is in the race because he has experience in the area of business retention. “This is what I have done in my work on the council and also in private industry,” said Martinez, a merchant who serves on the Planning Commission.

They are two of five candidates vying for two open seats on the five-member council.

Al Ethans, an engineering auditor, said he is also concerned about the vacant storefronts.

Ethans advocates cutting the 5% utility tax to 4% as a way of keeping businesses from leaving.

“That is a goal I would push for from the first day,” he said.

Ginger Jordan, is focusing her campaign on the issue of rent control at the city’s 10 mobile home parks. Her goal, she said, is “to create a rent fairness program for mobile home park residents.”

Mayor William C. Estrada said his main emphasis is on safety. Crime in the city has declined by 38% in the past four years, he said, and he feels that the best way to continue the trend is to follow current policy of devoting 40% of the city’s budget to police protection.

“We have a lot of budget constraints, but we try to do our best and give the highest level of service with minimal funds,” he said.