Six candidates running for three seats on West Covina City Council

For those who think the current city council members have not represented them, districting is a positive measure. For years, the same people continue to run and receive funding from those that get the most benefits, which are not the citizens of West Covina.
Sanderson said. "People will only get to vote for one person versus five, they really need to consider how this will affect them before voting for it." We know how it will affect us. When the majority of the city council member lives in one district, we see it as the same as having one vote. They just raised the city bus fee's without taking into consideration those who will be affected the most by this increase, such as high school students, college students, working citizens and most important our seniors. In addition, my taxes were just raised $45.00 for sweepers that do not even come down my street.
I hope the citizens of West Covina wake up and vote the person who will represent every resident in West Covina’s, the person whose word is their bond, Fred Sykes.

West Covina Resident, how can you argue about the districts being a good thing? Why would you give away 80% of your vote? I will not, I'm not a fool.

And Mr. Sykes being a good vote??? No way!!! I ask, how come he wanted to spend 8 million on a park on the South end of town - where he lives; and then he stated he wanted to CLOSE a park in the South Hills area where two council people live?(not all of them by the way) He also increased taxes in the Southern side of WC in the landscapeing district..

Because he doesn't care about anyone in this city but "his" area. That's why he supports division. Why would anyone buy into this bs?

If you look at the current Councils voting history, their votes show they do care about ALL of WC. They have added parks and shopping "ALL" over town, not just in the Southern portion of WC.

We get to hear some strange things during elections but supporting such an agressive guy just because "He" says "everyone" else is bad is politics 101.....

West Covina Resident, I also do believe Fred Sykes word is his bond. He has made it clear he only will represent the Southside and only the Southside! Why would anyone from another side of town vote for Fred Sykes for an atlarge election. Fred has made it clear he wouldn't represent citizens from the North, West, Central and East, beacuse he couldn't he doesn't live there, that is his arguement. Or if Fred can represent other areas he doesn't live in, why can't any other candidate or current Councilmember do the same? You see Fred believe's if you don't live there you couldn't represent the people from there, yet he's running atlarge not to represent citizens outside his neighborhood. Citizens should remember this in the North, West, Central and East part of West Covina. Fred Sykes the voice for some people and not for all of West Covina!

Would somebody explain which park Mr. Sykes wants closed and why? If it's Galster, that would explain a lot.....

This is easy... Mike Touhey will win and no way WC votes to divide into districts. A lot of you are wasting your time.

I live by Orangewood park. What part of the district do I live in? I always think of it as the southside,the bottom of Cameron. I always forget about Nogales being a part of West Covina.

Agree with those against districts. Give away 4 of my 5 votes. No way.

Fred Sykes has stated that no person is capable of representing those who do not live in the voters neighborhood, but he wants those to vote for him who live outside his neighborhood.

Fred is either an honest politician telling voters he will not represent them while on the council or just a typical politician who will say anything to get elected. Hoping no one notices he is saying something different depending on the audience.

Honest politicians is EXACTLY what we need. Those that make decisions for its constituents and not for themselves or business partners. I myself hold no partnerships and will make all decisions for the best of the community. The current members haven't exactly followed that regimen and now West Covina is in serious debt for projects the citizens didn't even get to decide on. I hold strong my opinion that all public officials should serve their community, after all, the community chose each member to represent them when it comes to making decisions affecting the city as a whole. We need to improve the city while maintaining its integrity. My website is below for more contact information.

www.stevepedroza.webs.com

Well, Mr. Gomez-Pedroza, welcome to West Covina. I have been a long time resident, attend many Council meetings and have served my community for over 30 years. I have NEVER seen you. It's really nice you can step in and make accusations of the current Council people that are just that, accusations and may I add, lies.

Our current members of Council have served this community well. Look around. West Covina in NOT in serious debt for projects! Let me give you a word of advice; you should run your election based on what positive things you can do for your community, not bad mouth the current leaders with lies to get elected. Also you should get rid of the Mohawk, you look unprofessional.

Steve Gomez-Pedroza wrote:

Honest politicians is EXACTLY what we need. Those that make decisions for its constituents and not for themselves or business partners. I myself hold no partnerships and will make all decisions for the best of the community. The current members haven't exactly followed that regimen and now West Covina is in serious debt for projects the citizens didn't even get to decide on. I hold strong my opinion that all public officials should serve their community, after all, the community chose each member to represent them when it comes to making decisions affecting the city as a whole. We need to improve the city while maintaining its integrity. My website is below for more contact information.
www.stevepedroza.webs.com

Pablum Steve, pablum... and I agree with Long Time Resident about the hair. Your running for City Council, not a job at the mall.

we need to limit OUR council members to two terms
period.

schnazzybo - So you would prefer to elect people that are not qualified and/or dishonest, but because they are new, it's okay...

Elections are won and lost at the will of the people. Why do so many of you want to change that? Because you don't get what YOU want....

Some of the most effective leaders in the political world have served for a years. Again, politics 101 for you to use the term limit argument - to say anyone that serves over two terms should go and they are no good.. vote for my guy.. oh brother..

Quite honestly, I don't know the other candidates personally, but what I do know is one specific project, the Big League Dreams project to be specific, cost the city over 40 million dollars.

This is from the SGV Tribune:
"The total cost of Big League Dreams is estimated to be about $41.8 million, according to city records. City officials had planned to pay for it using $25.9 million in bonds, which over the 30-year life of them, would cost the city $57.1 million."

1. All of these funds could have easily been used to improve park properties already in West Covina. Not only would this have been beneficial for property value, it would have made West Covina a much more "visually" enhanced community.

2. At a cost of $57.1 Million, worth more than the project itself ($15.3 million more over time), it hardly seems like a smart decision. Tell me, what would you do with 15 million dollars?

The hair, for one, is irrelevant to the campaign. How anyone's hair looks does not determine the way they perform their position. I do not work at the mall, I work for El Pollo Loco's Corporate office as a Strategy and Innovation Analyst, currently saving the company tens of thousands of dollars yearly, all of this I do, while talking to vendors, with the same exact haircut. No disrespect intended, I only respond in the manner I was spoken to.

Steve Gomez-Pedroza, had you ever been to a council meeting in your life and weren't making chicken tacos at El Pollo Loco you would know the info you are taking about.

1. The money used is from the Redevelopment Agency and can only be spent in the project area so you couldn't spend it at the parks that's against the law. Aren't you a law student?

2. The entire project is considered the Big League Dream project that's also the Heights Shopping Center where your employer benefited from the money spent grading the site, installing the signals and pruchasing the property. So I guess your company that you work for and benefitted from the 57.1 Million is different then another Councilmember having a job. Did El Pollo Loco benefit from the worked performed and paid for by the taxpayers? Did you get paid from El Pollo Loco? Will El Pollo Loco close down if your elected or will your employer continue making money at taxpayers expense?

You represent a City not a private company so your look is the look of the City of West Covina and it's residents!

4. Be innovative move out of your mom's apartment by In-N-Out Burger at Barranca and the 10 Fwy. Pay your own living expenses before you run for an elected office and since your so innovative it shouldn't take to long. Innovative does that mean you were the one that came up with the Grilled Rolled Chicken at El Pollo Loco or were you the one that served me in the Drive Thru, either way they were good!

Steve Gomez-Pedroza your web site says how great Big League Dream Center is but your comment says different. So are you lying here or on your web site?
So Steve says Big league Dreams and Westfield Shopping Centers both doing great both funded in a similiar where using Redevelopment Agency money. The money comes from when you start a project area the property taxes are frozen between the City, County and State. When the property is Redeveloped the new property taxes generated go to the Redevelopment Agency over and above the base when the property was put into the Redevelopment Zone. The growth was created by the new project no General Fund is used the funds come from within the project.
Steve come clean and tell the truth which comment on Big league Dreams is it. You know how we can tell when Steve is lying? It's when he's touching the keys on his computer!
Steve let me help you, I will pay to finish your haircut at Sports Clip at the Heights Shopping Center near your El Pollo Loco.

Okay folks! As an outsider, my impression has always been that West Covina is a nice city with nice homes, enormous shopping opportunities, and safe living environment. Over the years, more Latinos moved in as did some gangs. But overall I would say the current city council is doing something right.

As for the 23 year old candidate, you better have something else to offer than "change". Obama has worn that loggo out. Try joining the military, a city commission, or a civic group. This will give you better exposure. Good luck kid! As for the Sheriff (Mr. Sykes), I would vote for him simply based on his law enforcement background. Public Safety is important to all of us.

Steve Gomez-Pedroza sounds dreamy.

1. What I meant by using these funds was funds in general. It seems a waste to me to build a sports complex at a far end of town when instead of getting funds getting funds for such a complex, the city could have evaluated its current parks and rec. centers and improved upon that instead of asking for a bond to build B.L.D.

2. Whether that store was built or not, my employment would NOT have been affected. I never worked in that store, please, get your facts straight.

3. I would like to make clear that I DO NOT work at the store level. I have at one point, but as management. I currently work AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE IN COSTA MESA and handle financial statistics, vendor agreements, etc. I am in NO WAY including EPL in my campaign, and am not endorsed by them. They are simply my employer. As for being innovative, I think we all are in one way or another. Your way of using my employer as a form of lowering my accountability as a candidate is quite creative I must say, but as so many college and future law school students know, we work from the bottom and eventually end up at the top, just as I will do, life willing. If you went through a higher education and were not assisted by your parents, I am quite sure you understand.

I do not move out of my mother's house because quite frankly in this economy, with school loans at an all time high finance percentage rate in repayment, the housing market in the shape it is today, and my goal of going to law school ahead, I am being responsible enough to handle my financial situation as I see fit so that I do not become yet another over-spending, unemployed burden to us, the taxpayers. Not only that, my mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins' Lymphoma, a type of cancer, which left her unable to care for my family for an extended period of time, leaving me to become head of the household, but of course, people like you, "Just the Facts" seem to think that because I continue to live at home, I...am a freeloader. I guess going after the young, ambitious, politician somehow gives you pride and makes you feel so very accomplished. Nonetheless, I take your banter, and have answered back. For someone that states to have his or her facts straight, there were a large amount of assumptions in your last statement. Remember...when you assume...

Long time resident wrote:

Well, Mr. Gomez-Pedroza, welcome to West Covina. I have been a long time resident, attend many Council meetings and have served my community for over 30 years. I have NEVER seen you. It's really nice you can step in and make accusations of the current Council people that are just that, accusations and may I add, lies.
Our current members of Council have served this community well. Look around. West Covina in NOT in serious debt for projects! Let me give you a word of advice; you should run your election based on what positive things you can do for your community, not bad mouth the current leaders with lies to get elected. Also you should get rid of the Mohawk, you look unprofessional.

Hmmmm this sounds like Touhey? Mike is that you?

Touhey,Sanderson,Lane are all Steve Herfert's puppit's it is time to get some independent members