After the debacle of Fagan Canyon, voters in Santa Paula have a chance to make big changes in the city. Three council seats are up for election, and three very good challengers have thrown their hats into the ring. They are Ralph Fernandez, Bob Gonzales and Fred Robinson. They can make the difference for our city's future.
Let's have a clean sweep at City Hall on Tuesday. These three men have pledged to accept and work with Measure L6 if it passes. L6 is needed and is a well thought-out example of "power sharing." A vote for L6 is a vote to retain Santa Paula's small-town character and your right to vote on large-scale development.
— Richard Main, Santa Paula
Mr. Main is right. During the recent Fagan Canyon debacle, our City Council members, ALL of them, steadfastly refused to listen to and ignored constructive citizen input, actively strove to negate our right to vote, filed lawsuits against the citizens’ groups who dared to disagree with them, threatened legal action against those who spoke out against them in Council meetings and, in essence, told all of us good folks we are far too stupid to possibly understand the issues.
It appears to me that in light of their performance on Fagan Canyon, our incumbent City Council members have not done what they were elected to do in the first place – represent the good folks of Santa Paula. On the contrary, our incumbent City Council members have done exactly the opposite – they have represented only themselves. As such, they have shown themselves to be unqualified to represent us and it is time for them to go home. We gave them the opportunity to represent us and they have failed. They have not only failed to represent us, but have openly said that we, as Santa Paulans, are misinformed on the issues – that the issues are just too complicated for us to understand. They have said they intend to file another lawsuit against the good folks of Santa Paula should Measure L6 pass. Can you imagine our own City Council filing a lawsuit – using our tax dollars - to prevent us from voting?
The arrogance of our incumbent Santa Paula City Council members is stifling. They are truly wearing the Emperor’s clothes. It is time to vote them out of office and send them home.
And so, good folks of Santa Paula, please vote for Bob Gonzales, Ralph Fernandez and Fred Robinson for City Council. And please vote YES on Measure L6 to preserve our right to vote on large development in Santa Paula.