Seven Candidates Vie for Bell Gardens City Council Seats
By Gloria Angelina Castillo, EGP Staff Writer
With campaigning in full swing, seven candidates for the Bell Gardens City Council, three incumbents and four challengers, have been busy canvassing voters, sending out mailers and posting campaign signs around the city. Three seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election, they are currently held by Daniel Crespo, Priscilla Flores, and Sergio Infanzon who was appointed to replace former councilman Mario Beltran. EGP asked each of the candidates some questions and the information they provided follows. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Crespo and Javier Sanchez have told EGP they are running mates. Flores, Infanzon and Luis Arias have also confirmed they are running as a slate.
Luis A. Arias, 25, Realtor, Air Force Reservist
Arias says he is a life-long Bell Gardens resident (excluding time on active military duty), a realtor with RE/MAX VIP, United States Navy for 5.3 years, and is currently an Aerospace Medical Serviceman for the Air Force Reserves.
Arias says his leadership experience comes from serving as Master at Arms, in the Military Police.
“Serving my country has taught me the true significance of service, beyond one’s own interest. Having been raised within our community, has giving me true light and understanding of what our city/community has endured and continues to confront. Although I have decided to run for office for all righteous reasons, to just simply serve as I have served my country is at my utmost reason.”
He says his top priorities if elected are: Education, including more after school tutoring and recreational activities; public safety; and jobs and economic development.
Daniel Crespo, Los Angeles County Probation Officer/Investigator
Crespo has been a Bell Gardens resident for 22 years, a city councilmember for 8 ½ years and a Los Angeles County employee for 17 years. He has been endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Crespo is running with Javier Sanchez, and has endorsed the candidacy of Cristina Garcia. His website is http://www.votebg2009.com.
Crespo says his leadership experience includes serving as a Bell Gardens Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem, and chairman of the city’s Planning Commission. He says he formerly served as president of his homeowner’s association, former president for SEAACA (Southeast Area Animal Control) in Bell Gardens, and founded Student Political Action Club at East Los Angeles College.
—“I would be honored if the Bell Gardens residents re-elect me because I have the experience it is going to take to get the city back on track. I look out for the interest of the residents first, and will work hard to restructure the cities spending so that money goes to programs that will benefit the residents. I am here for the residents and unlike others, I do not begin taking an interest in what I can do for my community 2 or 3 months before an election …”
If re-elected, Crespo says his priorities will be: Public Safety; Technical school for the Youth; Rent Control for City Owned Housing and ending Red Traffic Light Camera ticket abuse.
Priscilla Flores, 31, Special Education Teacher at Bell Gardens High
Bell Gardens resident for 22 years, MUSD employee for 8 years.
Flores is running with Luis Arias and Sergio Infanzon.
Flores says her leadership experience comes from her work with the Bell Gardens High School student body, and serving on the Bell Gardens City Council for four years. She is currently mayor and a member of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Board District, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the League of California Cities Southeast Cities Committee, and the Southeast Community Development Corp.
—“I want to continue expanding police services to combat gang violence, build more affordable housing, increase youth and senior programs, and bring additional jobs and new sources of income to our community so there’s never a need to raise taxes. I’m committed to making Bell Gardens an even better place to live and raise our children. I have decided to run for office because I believe that there is still so much to be done. We are facing difficult times and this is why I believe that my experience is crucial in continuing to serve Bell Gardens.”
Her top priorities if re-elected: Education, ensure that the city is financially sound, programs for youth and seniors, and public safety.
Cristina Garcia, 32, Adjunct Professor at USC and East Los Angeles College
Garcia is a life-long resident of the city (excluding her college years), Professor at USC since 2007 and ELAC since 2008.
Garcia’s website is www.cristinagarcia09.com
Garcia cites as her leadership experience: Being a former math teacher, math advocate, and a tutor for the CAHSEE to College program at East Los Angeles College.
—“Like many Bell Gardens residents, I am disappointed with elected officials who care more about themselves than solving problems … I can’t change everything overnight but I will promise to work everyday to put the community’s needs first… These are three ideas to improve Bell Gardens: (1) Bring police closer to the community by starting bicycle and walking patrols. (2) Start a community service program to keep students engaged away from gangs and drugs, and help foster their empathy and leadership skills. (3) Cut city councilmember perks like car allowances and credit cards and put the money back into the community.”
If elected, Garcia says her top priorities will be: Improving access and communication with city government, promote economic development, youth volunteering and skill development, reduce traffic congestion and make the city cleaner.
Sergio Infanzon, 43, LAUSD Project Manager
Appointed by the City Council in March 2009 (replaced Mario Beltran), more than 8 years serving Bell Gardens.
He is running with Flores and Arias.
Infanzon says his leadership experience includes serving on the by-laws committee, SDA Southern California Conference, 2004-2008; a student representative for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (1996-1994) and he is currently a member of the Board of Directors, Gateway Cities Council of Governments. He is responsible for administering a $117 million asbestos abatement program for the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as other District responsibilities.
—“ One of the goals of my campaign is to send a positive message to voters to let them know that positive change is composed of more than just good intentions, it is composed of experience… I believe that with the proper tools and resources a person can create opportunities that will open doors to become better individuals and benefit society. For the last 18 years of my life I have been advocating for social and educational justice, and I strongly believe that I have been able to develop the necessary skills and a strong leadership to provide those tools and resources to every resident in Bell Gardens.”
–Top Priorities if Elected: Public safety, Higher Education and Business Development.
Javier Sanchez, 43, Bicycle Casino Section Floor person Supervisor
Has lived in Bell Gardens since childhood and a Bicycle Casino employee for 25 years.
His website is http://www.votebg2009.com/
Sanchez says his leadership experience includes being the former vice chairman of Bell Garden’s Planning Commission: 20 years coaching local sports, managerial and supervisory experience at the Bicycle Casino, former member of the Rotary and Boys & Girls Club. He describes himself as a community activist.
—“My goal as your councilman is to implement: At no charge programs for Bell Gardens residents, youth and adults intervention programs for your community and environmental innovation for a cleaner, safer community. As [I did as] the former vice chairperson of the Planning Commission, I will implement business opportunity. I’ve helped bring to your community a productive Ross & Marhall Shopping Center. As a long time resident I’ve seen the growth of our city but also witness the downfall due to wrongful decision making within our council which affects the outcome of our community.”
If elected, Sanchez says his priorities will be: Public Safety, free and affordable programs for kids, teens and seniors citizens, economic development and stopping the city’s wasteful spending.
MarthAnne “Martha” Viurquiz, Workers’ Compensation Specialist/Paralegal
Viurquiz has lived in Bell Gardens for over 20 years; She has worked as a paralegal for 20 years.
Her website is www.viurquiz09.com
Viurquiz says her leadership experience includes being the founder and president of the Viurquiz Scholarship Fund from 2006 to present; president of Friends of Bell Gardens since 2008; Bell Gardens High School Compensatory Education Advisory Committee (CEAC) president; School Site council member and community liaison; Bell Gardens Community Services Center board member and vice president; former Suva Intermediate School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president.
—“I’m running for office with our next generation in mind. I am ready to make practical decisions in the interests of the people of Bell Gardens. I will correct the problems our community is facing. I have the knowledge, experience and the know-how to lead and move Bell Gardens forward. I will work for $1 a year and will contribute my entire council salary to an education fund for the youth of Bell Gardens. I will give the money back to my community (This is my way of showing what public service is all about). To the People of Bell Gardens, ‘Vote for me and you’ll see what I can do for Bell Gardens with just $1 a year.’”
If elected, Viurquiz says her top priorities will be: public safety, parent/student empowerment, city job and economic development.
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October 22, 2009 Copyright © 2009 Eastern Group Publications, Inc.
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