A majority of the mayoral and city council candidates gathered Monday night at the Obreros building, where they spoke briefly about their platforms.
 Xavier Zaragoza/The Daily Dispatch Frank Cruz, standing, opens the Mayoral/City Council political forum last night as candidates look on. |
The candidates’ forum was sponsored by the Douglas Area Democrats.
The candidates came from a wide range of experiences. All 10 candidates, though, want to make Douglas a better place.
The Daily Dispatch narrowed down their speeches to its essence.
Cruz Silva, mayoral: Silva said he was a graduate of Douglas High School and that one of his defining characteristic was that he was motivated and could get the job done, no matter what. He said Douglas has great potential and that he was concerned about jobs in Douglas. He wanted to bring jobs into the area.
“Why are we afraid to bring in industry?” he asked his listeners.
Natalio Sabal, mayoral: Sabal said he is a 35-year resident of Douglas, had been a board member at Cochise College and had worked for Capins in Douglas. Sabal was concerned about the city’s cleanliness, especially it roadway and alleys. As a juvenile probation officer, he was also concerned about the young people in Douglas. He wants to create a youth advisor group in order to get a better feel for what young people’s needs are. He said he’s look forward to the port expansion project because it will be bring other opportunities to the area, thus helping with economic development.
Michael “Smokey” Molina, mayoral: Molina said that there are several kinds of mayoral candidates: Those who run because of their ego, or because of their self-interest, or because someone asks them to run. Molina said he wants to be mayor because he has a deep interest in Douglas, wants to make an impact on the community. He said there was a need for senior citizen advisory group as well as one for young people. He said he was also concerned about the environment in Douglas.
Mike Gomez, mayoral: Gomez said he has spent time in school administration, where he has learned about budget and line items. Before running for city council, he attended city council meetings in 2003, learning more about the process. As a city councilman he attended many meetings representing Douglas such as Arizona-Mexico Commission and the Border Mayors Conference. He said that if he was allowed to be mayor he would have the time to attend all the meeting that are important to Douglas. The mayor is in charge of a $62 million budget and it takes business sense to do that.
Margaret Morales, Ward 1: Morales said she wants Douglas to be a better place and she wanted to start by helping the young people of Douglas. She also said the sidewalks in town need repair.
Ben LaForge, Ward 3 incumbent: LaForge said he has been on numerous boards and commission, including the school board and the Cochise County Fair Board. LaForge said that he owes his career path to the citizens of Douglas and that his running for re-election is his way to pay back the community. He said he was concerned about some of the pollution in Agua Prieta and about some of the flooding that comes into the community from the D Hill area.
Robert “Bob” Fernandez, Ward 3: Fernandez said he has been an industrialist and that he’s now retired. He said he doesn’t have recognitions from governors, bishops or anyone; he said he believes that awards are signs of incompetence. He cited the current Bush administration and the awards given to those in charge of the FEMA during the Hurricane Katrina incident. He said he wants to return the city to the citizens, especially by changing the city council meeting hours to a later time in the day, perhaps the evening. But he wants the community to tell him what time is best for them to attend the meetings. He said that since 1981 he has brought about 30 companies to Douglas and Agua Prieta. He said he as a can-do man.
Ray Shelton, Ward 4 incumbent: Shelton said he has a background in education. He said he wanted to be progressive for the city. He wants Douglas High School seniors to get a two-year degree so that many of them can return to this community. He said that through his previous roles as educator he has made many connections throughout the county that could be beneficial to this city. He said that former City Manager Mike Ortega had done a lot for Douglas.
Frank Ambriz, Ward 4: Ambriz said he has a degree in engineering and landscaping. He has been a member of Planning and Zoning. He said he wants to create good jobs in Douglas and bring more industry here. He said he wants more community members to participate in the process because the taxpayers are truly the boss of public servants.
Comments
Community Watchdog wrote on Feb 19, 2008 4:34 PM:
Douglas Voter wrote on Feb 12, 2008 10:04 PM:
Jesus wrote on Feb 7, 2008 11:07 PM:
jane wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:40 PM:
alex cantu wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:48 PM:
Jesus wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:42 PM:
ed wrote on Feb 6, 2008 8:36 PM:
Gamer wrote on Feb 6, 2008 3:23 PM:
Joe wrote on Feb 6, 2008 3:22 PM:
May be Mr Sabal can hire him after SABAL is elected mayor.
We should ask the current Mayor and council Where's the Hotel? maybe Mr Molina has it in his trash bag? "
voter wrote on Feb 6, 2008 1:52 PM:
Douglas Resident wrote on Feb 6, 2008 12:01 PM:
Chuck wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:21 PM: