CANDIDATES & INCUMBENTS: at the forum from (l-r), John Accornero, Councilman Ed Eng, Mayor Steve De Ruse, Anthony Otero, Matthew Morse, Noel Jaimes. The forum was hosted by the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and held this past Thursday at the La Mirada Activity Center.
BY TAMMYE MCDUFF
The first of four La Mirada candidate forums was held Thursday, January 23rd at the La Mirada Activity Center, sponsored by La Mirada Chamber Of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis and Ebell service groups.
John Accornero is running for city council in the third district. If elected he will address affordable housing, “by affordable housing I mean housing that the average blue collar worker – the retail worker can afford and have a place in the American dream.” He wants to provide down payment assistance for first time buyers and education on home ownership. Accornero wants to slash the cost of doing business in La Mirada and promote the family unit by adding dog parks, skate parks and bring back the Olive Festival.
Incumbent Ed Eng’s priorities are his unwavering commitment to public safety, with advance community-police partnerships and adding technology to fight crime. He believes in prudent financial management, strengthening the city’s reserve funds to prepare for an inevitable economic recession and unexpected emergencies. “It has been one of my greatest honors to serve as your councilman over the last five years. During that time there were many historic accomplishments. We remain one of the safest cities in Los Angeles with an emergency response of four minutes and rank number 11 as one of California’s most financially stable communities. I aim to keep going forward,” said Eng.
“When first elected to the La Mirada City Council, I pledged to provide quality leadership and to maintain public safety, financial responsibility and economic prosperity. I believe that my record speaks for itself and I have kept that pledge,” said Mayor Steve de Ruse, who is up for reelection in district four. Under his term the city experienced its third lowest crime rate in three decades. The city was recognized with a double A+, a validation of the city’s strong governing practices and has been awarded the ‘Most Business Friendly City’ in 2014 and 2019.
As a thirteen year resident of La Mirada, Lieutenant Anthony Otero has been involved in La Mirada organizations and activities through youth sports and as a Scout leader “I am lucky and fortunate to call La Mirada my hometown. My experience and education makes me the right candidate for La Mirada and the residents of the fifth district,” said Otero. He has 23 years of law enforcement experience, has a doctorate in Public Policy and Development, a Masters in Executive Leadership and Public Administration. Otero’s governing principles are to build trust and legitimacy in leadership; bring integrity back to public office and govern with transparency.
“Unlike many cities in Orange County, La Mirada was not a master planned community,” says Matthew Morse, “Now more than ever we need leaders with vision to help deal with a state mandate that would force us to triple our high density housing.” A current La Mirada Planning Commissioner, Morse works to ensure the city grows while it modernizes, never losing its strong community oriented roots. He would work to ensure that generations can enjoy parks and quality sports programs, bring in new businesses and update the infrastructure within the city.
With 45 years of community service, Noel Jaimes believes in the city of La Mirada and is running for the council seat in district five. ”My journey of over four decades living in La Mirada has given me a unique insight into the workings of the city,” he stated. “I believe our public safety and economic growth are imperative to continued success, I do not believe in a city imposed utility tax, we need to maintain city programs and support community organizations.” Jaimes has served with former Congressman Wayne Grisham; appointed to the Medical Center of La Mirada; has served on the Parks and Recreation commission as well as Human Service commission; was the State Director for the California Association of Realtors and currently serves as Executive Director for the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.