New Councilmen Stake Out Priorities

After finishing on top in an election that drew the lowest voter turnout in years, both of San Fernando’s newly elected city councilmen said this week that they would work to make local government more relevant to residents.

Only 1,922 people, 28.6% of San Fernando’s 6,730 registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday, down from 37.9% in 1994 and 34.7% in 1992, according to the city clerk.

“I think [the decrease] is partly a reflection of the fact that 1994 was a presidential election year, which brought more voters out,” said Silverio Robledo, who, with Jose Hernandez, was elected to a four-year term on the council.

“There are quite a few younger voters who are registered but did not vote. If you don’t give them a voice in government then you discourage them from participating,” said Robledo, who added that one of his priorities as a councilman would be to appoint young people to city commissions.

Hernandez, a former San Fernando mayor and councilman and the top vote-getter Tuesday, said his election was largely due to the support of new citizens voting for the first time. He said he would continue to encourage immigrants to apply for citizenship and register to vote.

Hernandez, with 916 votes, and Robledo, with 865, finished far ahead of their closest competitors in the six-person council race. Virginia Mendoza received 407 votes; Donald Mauran, 397; Juana Mojica, 389; and Robert Villafana, 209.

In the city’s only other race, incumbent Elvira Orozco, who ran unopposed in six previous elections, beat out challenger Gerald Olmsted by more than a 4-1 margin.

A swearing-in ceremony for Robledo, Hernandez and Orozco will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers.