HANFORD — The Nov. 7 Hanford City Council ballot features a race where candidates are waging their first campaigns and another where two rivals are going at it for a third time.
Council Member Dolores Gallegos is being challenged in Hanford's Area D by local business owner David Thomas, who narrowly lost to Gallegos in 2002.
In Area E, Council Member Joaquin Gonzales is running against Catherine Willis, an instructional aide at Hanford West High School.
Willis was among the applicants vying for the seat representing southwest Hanford when the City Council picked Gonzales to fill the spot vacated by Dennis Sanchez in 2004.
Council Member David Ayers ran unopposed for his Area A seat. The council simply appointed him to another term, and his name was taken off the November ballot.
The Hanford council has sparked controversy several times in recent years. Gallegos accused other council members of racism in 2003, after she was passed over for the city's mayorship.
A Kings County grand jury investigated the City Council earlier this year about a contract made with former City Manager Jan Reynolds. That investigation led prosecutors to file a civil suit against the city. That lawsuit was settled last week. Meanwhile, Reynolds is awaiting trial on perjury charges.
Thomas, a retired Army sergeant, said he is running against Gallegos to represent southwest Hanford because people have lost confidence in the City Council.
"All they do is argue in there," Thomas said. "They need to stop acting like a bunch of kids."
Thomas called Gallegos ineffective because of a soiled relationship with other council members.
"The council doesn't even like Dolores," Thomas said. "Even if she has a good idea, nothing will get done."
Not true, Gallegos said. She says the City Council is now working well together.
While there have been past disagreements, Gallegos said, things have improved since Reynolds left.
"He kept me in the dark about many issues," she said.
Gallegos said she feels like she has started a fresh term with the September arrival of new City Manager Alan Christensen.
Even though he has been very critical of the City Council, Thomas said he would be able to work with the other members.
Thomas said he has a plan to add more jobs in the city and provide everyone medical insurance.
Gallegos said Thomas is ignorant of the way government works.
"He has a misconception as to what the council's duties are," Gallegos said. "You can't do something overnight. It takes time."
Council Member Gonzales dismissed similar claims by his challenger that he hasn't done enough for their district.
"It doesn't happen overnight," Gonzales said. "It does take time."
Willis said there is an inequality between north and south Hanford.
Her district, Willis said, is riddled with eyesores such as abandoned cars and furniture.
The city also needs to attract businesses to the area other than corner liquor stores, she said.
"I want to see something other than Coors or Budweiser signs," said Willis, who wants to give developers incentives for coming to south Hanford.
Gonzales said the infrastructure needed for more south-side development is not in place.
Still, his campaign credits him with helping bring into the area a $2 million health clinic currently under construction.
For Gonzales and Willis, who applied for the same seat in 2004, this is their first political race.
Gallegos, running for her third term, must go up against Thomas yet again.
The first time, Gallegos said she won in a landslide. It was closer in 2002.
"I'm hoping to landslide him like the first time," Gallegos said. "He doesn't do anything. He just makes me spend money."
Gallegos said she has spent about $4,000 on this campaign, while Thomas did not even show up to any debates.
Thomas said he has sent letters to registered voters in the district, something he didn't do last time.
Thomas said he could win if people turn out to vote, which hasn't happened recently because residents are turned off by City Hall.
"If I can get in [City Hall], I'll be shocked," he said.
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