Orange Cove fight brews

Two challengers say the city needs change after being under Mayor Victor Lopez's rule for 20 years.

Published online on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006

The campaign signs in Orange Cove tell a rare story: Mayor Victor Lopez has challengers willing to spend money to unseat one of the most powerful small-town politicians in Fresno County.

For 20 years, Lopez has ruled this impoverished town 40 miles southeast of Fresno without much competition.

In the Nov. 7 election, he faces Manuel Ferreira and Frank Martinez, who say Lopez has brought prosperity to Orange Cove — but also disgrace because he spends city money freely and puts relatives on the city payroll.

Each candidate is running on a slate with two other City Council candidates. Each hopes not only to win office, but to lead a majority on the five-member City Council.

Lopez bristles at his opponents' accusations, saying they don't deserve to represent Orange Cove.

"What have they done?" Lopez said. "Nothing."

Orange Cove is in the heart of the citrus belt. More than 70% of the town's 9,639 residents don't have a high-school education, and their lives hinge on favorable weather. Devastating crop freezes in 1990 and 1998 closed nearby packinghouses, forcing Orange Cove to beg for government assistance.

City Administrator Bill Little said Lopez has changed the town's hard luck by obtaining $63 million in state and federal grants for a new skateboard park, a new library, low-income housing and improved city water and sewer systems.

But Lopez's penchant to travel the world — China, South Korea, Mexico and elsewhere — in the name of official business from 2001 to 2005 has cost the city nearly $174,000, the challengers have pointed out. The city's annual budget is about $15.7 million.

In addition, the mayor charges city taxpayers to wine and dine politicians, many times without a council vote. The Bee detailed the mayor's spending in June.

"He kept us in the dark," said Martinez, who was on the City Council nearly 25 years before resigning in September 2005 to launch his bid for mayor.

In the beginning, Martinez said, letting Lopez run free was great for Orange Cove. But over the years, "the power got to him" and the money could have been better spent on roads and public safety, he said.

"Outside Orange Cove, people think he is great," Martinez said. "Inside Orange Cove, he has no respect because he likes to dictate."

Said Ferreira: "This town needs fair leadership."

Council members receive $300 per month. The mayor receives $450.

Yet Lopez said he will spend at least $15,000 on campaign signs and political brochures. Ferreira said he will spend a similar sum on campaign signs, political literature and radio advertisements. Martinez said he plans to spend at least $4,000 on campaign signs and T-shirts.

All of them say the secret to winning will be going to the homes of the 1,519 voters. "Everyone knows what this election means," Martinez said. "Lopez represents the status quo. Manuel and I represent change."

The election will be closely watched. Lopez's opponents contend he will exert undue influence over this predominately Spanish-speaking population by helping them fill out their ballots.

County Clerk Victor Salazar said he plans to assign his most experienced poll workers at the city's two precincts. He also has told election coordinators to be on alert.

Lopez, 63, and Ferreira, 70, work for the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission. Lopez is a rural development specialist. Ferreira is a recycling specialist for Orange Cove. Ferreira also is a member of the Kings Canyon Unified school board. Martinez, 57, is a citrus packinghouse manager.