“I thought the answers were well thought out by all of the candidates, but especially by Roxann P... Council runners offer thei
October 12, 2005Downtown revitalization and small-business growth were the hot topics at a forum Tuesday that showcased five candidates running for City Council.
Questions presented by a moderator also touched on the number of police patrolling streets, the Wal-Mart Superstore opening later this month and housing developments being considered for the Chino Cone.
At least one of the 80 or so residents in attendance at the Mizell Senior Center on Tuesday said he changed his mind about who to vote for, following the forum.
"My first vote is for Foat, but (the forum) did change my mind on the second vote," said Bill Caine-Gonzales. "I won't say who I was going to vote for, but I think Roxann Ploss has come out way ahead of the person I was thinking about.
Responding to a question about how the city could improve relationships between landlords and business owners, Ploss proposed a tax for landlords who do not rent out downtown businesses.
"We should look at a long-term vacancy tax, so it's no longer profitable to keep (businesses) vacant," said Ploss, a teacher at San Jacinto High School.
John Williams, owner of the Inndulge Hotel, said live street entertainment is a good idea for bringing energy downtown, but the focus should be on what to do with the beleaguered mall of Palm Canyon Drive.
Tom Tucker was a candidate until he pulled out of the race at a candidate forum last week. Carlos Cueva is still on the ballot, but has not returned phone calls and has not been at any of the recent candidate forums.
Sanders said the solution was to increase spending on a public safety budget - one that, at $17 million, is already the highest in the Coachella Valley.
"I don't think the solution is to throw more money at it," he said, suggesting that more of the department's 80-some officers be deployed on the street.
Development at the foot of the San Jacinto mountains has stirred some discussion of late, as city officials, developers and residents debate how best to bridge the gap between development and preservation of the landscape.
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