Denise Rockenstein — Staff reporter
CLEARLAKE — A candidate forum featuring those vying for one of three seats available on the Clearlake City Council was held Thursday night at Calvary Chapel. Candidates fielded questions from members of the church community.
Incumbents Curt Giambruno, Joyce Overton and Judy Thein were joined in the forum by newcomers Estella Creel, Bill Shields and James Reed. Due to a prior commitment, Reed was late; however, he did arrive in time to answer three questions and provide a closing statement.
Candidates were given two minutes apiece to answer questions that were presented on a random draw. Questions concerned candidates” stance on issues facing the city such as roads, youth, homelessness, roles within the community and personal opinions regarding representation.
Candidates were asked their position on new businesses coming into town with regard to an appearance that the city makes the process difficult. Creel said that she doesn”t think that it is an appearance and she thinks the city should relax on its requirements to encourage new businesses.
Giambruno said there are no hang-ups in City Hall in relation to new businesses. “We have been working for a number of years and recently a number of months on the airport property,” Giambruno said. “If that does go through it will be the largest retail center in Lake County. The wheels of bureaucracy run very slow.”
Overton made reference to the past and said that the process has improved. “Now our main problem is the sewer,” she said. “We don”t have the capacity in the areas that we want to grow.”
Shields said the city needs to build its tax-base. “It”s hard to stay in business once you”re here,” he said. “The city is going to have to start working with the businesses and the citizens.”
Thein said the city is working to boost economic development and policies were revised to streamline the process.
Candidates were asked if elected would they remember the people they represent? Giambruno said he never forgets anybody and that he works with the people to answer their needs. Overton said that when she ran four years ago, she promised accountability and that she honestly feels that she has provided that.
“I don”t think I”ll ever forget,” she said. “What I believe isn”t as important as the people I”m representing.”
Shields said his door is always open, 24 hours a day.
“I”ve always believed that the heart of the community is the people from within,” Thein said in answer to the question. “The people are always in my forefront.”
Creel said she would answer the question with a question. “How can you forget those who elected you to be there?” She said.
Candidates were asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to 10 and explain.
Overton rated herself as a 10 stating she feels herself to be of honest character with as much respect for herself as she has for others. Shields, who rated himself an eight, said “You might call me the most honest person in the world.”
Thein said she was a nine because there is always room for improvement. She added that she is not one to ever compromise her values. Creel said she was an eight because nobody”s perfect. “If I tell you I will do something, I”ll do it,” she added.
Giambruno fielded the question humorously, staying he was a 10 because he is a character. He said he is honest and has integrity.
“How would you work with the churches concerning the homeless in Clearlake?” Shields provided no real answer and simply stated that many of the homeless that were chased out of Ukiah have ended up in Clearlake. He also cited a concentration of homeless behind Safeway and in the area of the senior center.
Thein said she would open communication between the city and the churches and use her many resources throughout the Lake County community to build partnerships to assist in resolving the problem. “There are many factors that result in homelessness,” she said. “I think communication is the first step.”
Creel said that it would depend on the needs of churches and that she isn”t opposed to shelters.
Giambruno said that he didn”t know if the city could help financially, but suggested that city staff, police personnel and church representatives meet to discuss options. He said the question enlightened him to think immediate action should be taken and intends to make the effort a priority at present.
Overton said that homelessness holds personal experience for her. She too said immediate action should be taken.
“I would like to see a summit to get this going,” she said. “Whether I”m on the council or not, we need to get involved.”
If not elected, the candidates were asked what they would do help their city anyway. Thein said her heart has always been in Clearlake and always will be. She said she would continue her efforts as founder of Team DUI and would always be open to volunteering her time to help the community.
Creel said she was open to giving a hand to the church. She said she would also continue to harass the city council every chance she gets and remain active in youth sports.
Giambruno said he would go back to volunteering with various organizations. He said volunteering with Code Enforcement was one of his favorites. He said the recent passing of his wife has left him alone and that he would volunteer just to keep busy. “I”m 70-years-old but I think I”ve got a lot to offer yet,” he said.
“I don”t think anything would change. I just wouldn”t be up in a (council) chair,” Overton said, adding she would continue efforts to assist the homeless and the youth, attendance at council meetings and listening to people and trying to help.
Shields said he was to help with a hotdog fundraiser on Friday and would do the same thing he does day in and day out.
Candidates were asked to share their ideas on how to bring more money into the city. Creel said she has a lot of ideas including bringing in box stores such as Home Depot or Costco to create sales tax dollars and more jobs.
Giambruno revisited the pending sale of the airport property. “We have new people who understand redevelopment. When (that property) gets developed, there will be a lot of jobs for a lot of people,” he said. “It will be a viable source of sales tax and we will be able to provide all the services residents demand.”
Overton said tax increments need to be raised. She said development of the airport property is years down the line and a better, quicker way to bring money into the city at present would be focusing on the development of Lakeshore Drive.
Shields said county supervisors didn”t do their jobs years ago in creating jobs for people moving into the area. He said something has to be done.
Thein said that when the airport property is redeveloped, the effects will trickle down to Lakeshore Drive. She suggested forming partnerships with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce to stimulate economic growth.
Candidates were asked how they would handle conflict among the council and how they would compromise. Giambruno said that the council as it is seems to work well together. “I can”t give you a firm answer but we work it out. We all have our own minds,” he said. “We all have the same goal,” Overton said. “We work it out and find the best way to get there.”
Shields said each councilmember should act and think as an individual and in order to make a good judgment, you need to do your homework.
Thein said you have be a team. “We always keep in mind what is in the best interest of the city,” she said. “In order to be successful, you have to be a team.”
Creel said she would see what the issue is and how it is affecting the people being represented. “You have to ask yourself if it”s in the best interest.”
How to fix the roads for the long-term was also asked. Overton said the city is in the process of developing a program for assessment districts. She said she would also like to explore the possibility of gravel roads. “It”s up to the people to have their roads fixed,” she said. “It”s that or a tax.”
“There is no way that the city can pay to fix all the roads in the city,” Shields said. “People need to come together and take a few roads at a time and fix them.”
Thein said that the city inherited 45 miles of dirt roads and 65 miles of paved roads when the city incorporated. Educating the community of the situation is key she said. Thein added that a demonstration assessment district project is in the works and once people see the completed project they may better understand what the program can do. “We have to look to ourselves for the solution,” she said. Creel said she sees no real solution for the moment. She recommended taking the gas tax that the city has been collecting for 28 years and using it for its intended purpose. She said assessment districts will result in people having liens placed against their properties.
Giambruno said he”s seen efforts to form assessment districts fail thus far. He said on two occasions he has contributed to having his own road paved. He reminded the public that the city now has a TRAC committee in place and that city staff is working on ways to improve the roadways.
Shields said he had no answer as to what to do about the absence of youth activities in the community.
Thein suggested forming a partnership with the school district. Creel said video parlors would be nice. Giambruno said he would like to see a small BMX track constructed. Overton said more effort needs to be extended to encourage children to go to the youth center. She said she would also like to see bike pathways and after school programs extended to include athletic activities.
Reed arrived in time to field the question. He asked if there was a perception in the community regarding a lack of youth activities.
He said, by the question, obviously there is. He suggested finding out from the children what they really want. “Once we know what the kids want to do, we can proceed from there,” he said.
Another question fielded by the candidates was whether they see the church as a value and as what role in the community. Thein said she thinks the church is definitely a value to the community as it provides guidance to the residents. Reed said he has a personal relationship with God. “It gives a person a place to go as they see fit; to me that”s important,” Reed said.
Creel said she thinks each church has to figure out what its role is.
Giambruno said he sees the church as a vital place for people in the community, especially the youth.
“Our government was built on ?In God We Trust” so I have a difficult time separating government and religion. Our city, our youth, you are it. People are the city not city hall or the council,” Overton said. “I think churches have an essential part in bettering our community.”
Shields said, “Teaching respect for others, we don”t have that today and that is sad. Parents and the council should be setting an example.” Finally, the candidates were asked about their vision for the city.
Reed said he would like to watch the city grow according to the desire of the people. He would like to see more jobs, beautification and more activities for families to be able to afford. He said he would also like to see a change in moral. “I want us to feel good about our community,” he said. “I want to look at my city as something to be proud of.”
Creel said she would like to see the city become more prosperous and more desirable.
Giambruno said that he would like to continue on the path laid out by the Vision Task Force. Overton said the task force is a great start and that she would like to see more community involvement.
Shields said that he would like to see a friendlier community and Thein said she would like to see a community that economically strong. She said she would also like to see leaders who make sound decisions for the present and the future.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
