DINUBA — Revitalizing downtown, developing low-income housing and creating job opportunities are the main issues candidates in three Dinuba City Council races say they'll tackle if elected.
Three incumbents are facing three newcomers to city government in the Nov. 7 election.
Races in the normally quiet community of about 17,000 people have attracted attention in recent weeks. Questions about one candidate's residency qualifications have been raised while another candidate's criminal history has surfaced.
In Ward 2, three-term incumbent Thomas Payan faces Francisco Villanueva. Armando Longoria is trying to unseat Mark Wallace, who is seeking a second term, in Ward 3. In Ward 4, Robert Cervantes is challenging incumbent Terry McKittrick, who also is seeking a second term.
Payan, 63, said he is seeking a fourth term because he wants to continue ongoing city projects, such as controlling growth and creating low-income housing opportunities.
Payan said his experience with the City Council sets him apart from his opponent. Although Payan has lived in Ward 3 for the past three years, he said he knows Ward 2 well because he grew up and works in that area.
"The only thing I promise is to do the best I can," he said.
Don Gallian, Tulare County assistant district attorney, said Payan's residency will be investigated only if he is re-elected, as outlined in the state elections code.
Villanueva, 48, said he decided to run for the Ward 2 seat because it's time for a change. He sees areas in need of curb, sidewalk and road improvements. He also would like the city to develop more parks.
He is concerned about population growth in Dinuba. Schools aren't keeping up with growth and there is a lack of affordable housing, he said.
"If elected, I will listen to people and meet with them ... understand their concerns," Villanueva said.
In Ward 3, Longoria said he is challenging Wallace because he wants to address dangerous intersections and roads frequented by children.
He also would improve city-operated after-school programs. Longoria said he would push for additional medical and Fire Department staff.
Longoria, 35, admits a criminal past, including felony convictions for drug possession and vehicle theft in 1999. But he said he has turned his life around and learned from his mistakes.
"Everyone tells me I'm a good person to talk to," he said. "That's what it should be about ... listening."
Convicted felons, except for certain circumstances, can run for elected office as long as they are not incarcerated or on parole, said Hiley Wallis, Tulare County Elections manager.
Wallace, the 43-year-old incumbent for Ward 3, said he wants to return to the City Council to see current projects come to fruition. He points to a vocational center, park gazebo and movie theater as recent major improvements.
Wallace said he wants to see more development in downtown, including town houses and restaurants. If elected, he would push for more technical training and job opportunities.
"They sent me to do a job," he said. "We've done a tremendous amount, but there's a lot to be done."
In Ward 4, Cervantes, 43, said he sees a need for traffic signals at various intersections, street lights in some neighborhoods and a "face-lift" for downtown.
Cervantes, who moved to Dinuba from the Bay Area three years ago, said the city's growing population means more job opportunities are needed. He wants to bring in large factories to create steady employment.
"I think Dinuba is a nice place to live, but work needs to be done," he said. "It's growing and we have to make sure it grows the right way."
McKittrick, 71, said he is proud of what the City Council has accomplished, such as Dinuba's entertainment plaza that includes a skate park and movie theater. He also has worked to attract more retail businesses while keeping growth at 3% a year.
If elected, McKittrick said he will work on road repairs — especially along Road 80 and Avenue 416 — and planning for new schools.
"I want to see a lot of things I helped get started completed," he said. "I just want to make Dinuba the best place to live."
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