City Hall Plays Santa

South Gate’s besieged leaders, one facing criminal charges and others a recall election, seem to some residents these days to be trying to be more like Santa Claus than the bearded fat man in the red suit who rode in the city’s annual Christmas parade Sunday.

They have offered free trash service this month to every home. They have unveiled a plan for some free medical care at a new health clinic. One lucky resident will get a new television set in a lottery being publicized by the city.

And the biggest gift? A new two-story house for the lucky ticket-holder in a free raffle. Thousands are expected to line up at City Hall beginning today to get their raffle tickets.

The council wants to give one resident in this working-class city a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home to “realize the American dream,” said the city newsletter.

The free trash service, the newsletter said, is the result of the council’s concern for the “economic hardship that families face this holiday season.”

To critics, the giveaways are intended to sway voters in the January recall election. Voters will be asked whether they want to oust the city’s perceived political boss, Treasurer Albert Robles, and his three City Council allies: Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba, Vice Mayor Raul Moriel and Councilwoman Maria Benavides.

Robles is on trial, charged with threatening to kill public officials, which he has denied. He was all smiles Sunday at the Christmas parade as he rode down the city’s main drag in a red, white and blue convertible Cadillac, wishing thousands of residents a merry Christmas.

Rosa Hernandez, who was waving a recall sign, jeered as he rode by. She criticized the council for using nearly $1 million of city funds for Robles’ criminal defense in the death-threats case and a grand jury investigation into allegations of electoral fraud. He was not charged in that case. “Robles and the council are trying to buy the people,” she said. “We want Albert Robles and his people out.”

Jose Mer, however, doubted that officials are trying to influence voters. The factory worker and father of three plans to get raffle tickets, but said the giveaways would not influence his vote.

“If I won the house, I’d tell them thank you, but I wouldn’t necessarily vote for them,” Mer said.

Campaign controversy is nothing new in this community where the political landscape includes alleged intimidation tactics, violence and false campaign mailers. One council member was shot in the head, the vans of a political activist who opposed the council majority were firebombed and the city clerk was falsely labeled a drunk driver in a campaign mailer.

Fearing what might come next, the state Legislature took control of the recall election from the city and gave it to Los Angeles County.

The targeted officials reject claims by recall supporters that they are corrupt and have fought the recall effort for months in the courts. State officials, maintaining that the leaders have manipulated the electoral process, have promised to monitor the campaign.

But even with such scrutiny, some said, campaign shenanigans haven’t stopped.

From today through early January, 35,000 people are expected to descend on City Hall to get raffle tickets for the home giveaway. Any resident older than 18 who isn’t a homeowner is eligible for one ticket.

The winner will be picked at a special City Council meeting on Jan. 6. Construction has not started on the $165,000 house, but the city-owned site across from an elementary school is “waiting for the dream house to be built!” the city newsletter promises.

Raffle tickets for the television are being given to residents who register to vote. The television is being provided by an area businessman, but the raffle is being promoted with city funds.

The health-care plan was unveiled earlier this month when the council agreed to pay for rental space for a nonprofit medical clinic, where, they said, some medical care will be provided free.

City Manager Jesus Marez has denied that the free trash removal and giveaways are part of the council’s campaign efforts.

He said that the free-home idea came up in a talk with Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba and that the city’s legal department determined that it would not be an illegal gift of public funds.

But others disagreed. Councilman Hector De La Torre, a Robles critic, said the council is using taxpayer funds to hold “showy events” and buy the public’s goodwill.

“They’re trying to hide the fact that they’re running the city into the ground and the fact that Albert’s on trial,” he said.

Some in this largely Latino city of 96,000 said the giveaways remind them of some Mexican political campaigns in which politicians regularly treat residents to food baskets and free toys before big elections.

“They only do it for the elections,” said Felix Perez, an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico. “Afterward they forget their promises, and only work to benefit themselves.”

Recall supporters have gathered 8,000 signatures, but they fear that the council’s recent moves will sway many voters. South Gate is among the poorest cities in the county, they said, and many people live paycheck to paycheck.

One man even joked that his sentiments could change.

“I don’t think it would influence me, unless I’m the one who gets lucky,” Santiago Fregoso said.

Robles, whose trial enters its second week today, declined to comment. He is charged with threatening two state legislators, a political consultant and a South Gate police lieutenant. Ruvalcaba also declined to comment. Other council members were not available for comment.

Despite their leaders’ troubles, some still support them, saying that they are happy with city services and that Robles shouldn’t be judged until his trial is over.

Resident Manuel Zavala was impressed with the city’s new trash company because employees came to his backyard to help him throw out an old sofa.

“I think [the council] is working good,” said Zavala. “I know many people are complaining about them, but I’m not.”

As the politicians rode down Tweedy Boulevard in separate cars Sunday, they drew scattered applause and a few boos. When Robles’ car rolled by the reviewing stand, a Spanish-language announcer boomed over the loudspeaker:

“Here comes our city treasurer, Albert Robles. He’s the one that manages our money.”

A few people waved, some jeered, but the crowd’s attention quickly returned to the high school bands, Aztec dancers and sombrero-clad cowboys riding horses that danced to Mexican ranchera music.

“Hey, who was that guy?” one young man asked another after Robles passed.

“I don’t know,” said the man. “I think he was the mayor.”