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Well it is that time of year again when the city in which I live, Temple City, has to make the hard decision about who is going to be on their city council. Given the turmoil of the last couple of years over “Project Piazza” this election is going to be an important one.
With only three seats available on the council and a healthy field of eight candidates the choice should be easy. Unfortunately the pickings are relatively slim when looking at what is being offered. Sadly I have to vote for three because if I had my way I would only vote for two. To bad I can’t use my other vote to vote against a candidate.
I have always voted, despite the office, for experience and competence. So let’s break down the field and see what is left which is a simple task and the easiest way to get to the bottom line.
First we have candidates Miller, Carwile and Sternquist, newcomers all, so that pretty much takes care of the experience part of the equation. I have not received or read anything about the background of Miller and Carwile so I can’t I have nothing to judge their competence on. So those two are out.
Sternquist worked on the parks and recreation board for quite a while, but I haven’t seen anything in that area that I would call noteworthy. Had she spearheaded a movement for a skateboard park, which this city has desperately need for years, I would have put that in the competence column, but she hasn’t so as far as I’m concerned she is out as well.
Then we come to the ones who have some experience, Capra, Vizcarra and Wong. Capra and Wong are up for re-election, but neither one has done anything of note since being in office, well with the exception of causing, in Wong’s case, division in the city by crying over not being made mayor and bringing in the obnoxious mayor of Monterey Park to accuse the entire city of being racist.
For Capra’s part he was named, along with current council member Wilson and Gillanders, in the lawsuit that was brought on the city by former City Manager Martin Cole, which is about to settled out of court. This of course will cost the city money, which is a big check in the negative column, so while he may have a little experience his judgment and competence are obviously flawed, so he is out of the picture along with Wong.
Freddy Vizcarra was on the city council, but after one term everybody saw he was not the man for the job and was not re-elected. Tried that flavor once, didn’t like the taste so why would I want to taste it again? No way.
The final two candidates are so far superior to the others I am almost embarrassed to include them with the afore mentioned. Both have not only proved that they are excellent leaders, but also men of action who can get the job done.
Dan Arrighi is a current council member who during his term has also served as mayor. He is not only a man of honor, but also a man who has shown that he can act in the best interests of the city. He was the only one in the last field of candidates that presented a vision of what he wanted to do and actually did it.
That major feat would be the cleaning up of a serious area of blight, Rosemead Boulevard. Where once every 18-wheeler passing through town would park for days on end they have vanished from the landscape that is one of the major gateways to our city. He has served his term with distinction and deserves to continue to do so. He is unique among councilman and is the shining star of our current council.
Then we have the grand man of Temple City politics, Chuck Souder. Nobody, past or present, has served this city better than Souder. His resume is a glistening example of service and achievement to Temple City that most of us can only aspire to.
He has served the city as a council member for nine years and has twice been its mayor. He knows this city inside out having served on its planning commission, ad hoc committee on mini malls, the Camellia Festival committee for 22 years and also has been involved with service organizations the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. He has also been presented with awards of distinction from both the Boy Scouts of America and the local Chamber of Commerce.
Being an ex Marine, Souder is a fighter and has long fought for what is right for this city. Battle big and small, it doesn’t matter to Souder as long as it is right for the city. With a current city council, with the exception of Arrighi, that desperately needs a shot of integrity, he is the best vaccination on the ballot.
He also demonstrates his soft side every year at the annual “Lights on Temple City” Christmas parade and festival by being the best Santa Claus you have ever seen. And if you can’t trust Santa, who can you trust?
Well there are your choices; well in reality there are only two. Arrighi and Souder are the only sure things, it’s up to you to try and find a third.
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