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The seven candidates sparred at a forum hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, answering questions from business leaders more than a month before local voters head to the polls.
Among the issues they covered were illegal immigration, city planning and the local economy.
The three incumbents, Mayor Laurene Weste and Council members Frank Ferry and Marsha McLean, pointed to their accomplishments, including pending projects such as the Newhall Library groundbreaking and the city’s 21-Point Business Plan.
Challengers brought up what they thought are the city’s biggest problems and were critical of the incumbents.
TimBen Boydston talked about drastically revising the One Valley, One Vision planning document to prevent increased traffic congestion and dense residential development during the next 20 years.
“I don’t want us to turn into the San Fernando Valley,” Boydston said.
David Gauny called some of the leadership on the current City Council weak and said the city is run by City Manager Ken Pulskamp with little input from council members.
“We have a problem at City Hall,” Gauny said “We have a strong city manager and a weak City Council.
“It’s time to rid ourselves of small-minded, limited thinking. It serves too few of us and we are all suffering as a result.”
Ferry responded by saying the City Council leads Santa Clarita by setting policy for Pulskamp to follow.
“Nothing happens with that (city) manager unless this council gives policy to do so, which includes 22 straight years of (being) on time (and) on budget,” Ferry said.
All the candidates were asked where they stand on the illegal immigration debate. All agreed that the problem needs to be addressed.
However, Henry Schultz said discussions at City Hall about illegal immigration in recent weeks have, essentially, been pointless.
“I believe a lot of this discussion about illegal immigration has been mostly a waste of time,” Schultz told the crowd of business leaders. “A lot of people here have probably used illegal labor. Sometimes they’re part of the labor pool you need to run a successful business, so it’s a trade-off. But a lot of people don’t want to admit that.”
All the candidates said the city needs to do more to create jobs in the SCV and support small-business owners.
Challenger Johnny Pride said he is unhappy with the fact there are three Wal-Marts around town, saying the mega retailer is hurting small businesses. He also said Santa Clarita should use more local contractors for city work.
The three incumbents praised Santa Clarita’s 21-Point Business Plan, which includes expanding state Enterprise Zone tax credits, creating the Economic Development Corporation and Industrial Development Authority, that could make available millions in state bonds to local businesses.
Meanwhile, candidate Daniel Henriquez said the city’s redevelopment work in Newhall has driven car shops out of downtown. “One point in (the Newhall Redevelopment plan) is casting out quite a few business in specific industries,” Henriquez said. “That, I believe, is very discriminating and segregating and should not be done.”
