November 2nd you will be able to vote for TWO candidates

Question #3: The council has expressed the goal to help local businesses. Where do you stand on city support of local businesses (as we saw with Wm L Morris); and if you have a personal problem with a business could you rise above it and be objective?

Adrian Grimaldo: Small business is all around us. I was raised in a small business atmosphere my entire life. Grimaldo Enterprises has been in the same location and in operation for close to 30 years. Some 90% of California's businesses are run by local entrepreneurs and every year they are forced to pay higher taxes, interest rates, and larger utility bills. We need to curb these fee's to allow business to reinvest and prosper. I see these issues as inspiration for a solution. I am an optimist this is where my passion for education comes into play. Assisting local business could result in money for our schools and investments in key elements of our infrastructure like technology. I am a Business and Environmental Science major with an emphasis on small business with a minor in water science.
The year is 2010. It's time to tech up and embrace our agrarian backbone. By empowering innovation we can create jobs, utilize resources and give our economy a much needed boost. I want to see contract negotiations for a turbine facility to be built immediately in our Industrial Park. A similar facility was supposed to be built in Santa Paula, but their loss could be our gain. This would create hundreds of jobs. Entry-level assembly positions could be provided starting at $13.00-$15.00 an hour. For this to be possible we would need to draft a proposal immediately. This money would come from U.S. Department of Energy to support Wind Energy Development; currently being offered as of 9/13/2010.

David Lugo: First I want to apologize to the voters of Fillmore for not answering last week’s question. Had I answered it I would have said…My vision for Fillmore is to improve the services the city provides without raising taxes, reduce the cost in the budget and assure that the city builds back its’ reserves. In the last two years this Council over spent and reduced the reserve account from 40% of the general fund to only 21%. I remember Councilman Scott Lee lead the effort to have a healthy reserve and pledge to follow his lead. Another one of my priorities is to have a slow well planned growth that pays for its’ self. It is a privilege to build in Fillmore not a right.
Now today’s question.
I feel the city should help its local businesses as much as possible. We need to keep our businesses in town and also figure out ways to make it easier for new businesses to become locals. There are too many empty store fronts in town as it is and by helping our locals we can possibly keep that number from rising and who knows they can probably expand their businesses by opening a second location or renting an open vacancy next to them. I have not had a problem with a business in town but if I did that would be personal and like I always say don’t take your personal problems to work with you so I could be objective. “Your Voice”.

Patti Walker: I will continue to support and help local businesses at every level.
For instance, through the Storefront Rehabilitation Improvement Program a business owner can apply for financial assistance to offset lease payments, make improvements to the exterior or interior of their building or to comply with handicap access or seismic safety requirements.
Financial assistance has been provided to various local businesses and individuals throughout the years and all decisions to do so were based on varying factors with each having their own terms and conditions of repayment.
Policies are in place which provide the Council with the guidelines that govern to whom and to what degree financial support can be given.
In one instance, I did not support providing financial assistance to a local business. In that matter, I and one other council member voiced concern about providing assistance to a business desiring to move from Central Avenue to the Railroad Promenade. We expressed a concern the move would cause a reduction in foot traffic down Central Avenue. My concern was not based on any personal problem with the business but the affect the move would have on the downtown as a whole. The move did occur and that business has since closed.
I strive to base my decisions not only on the application but also on the location of the business and the surrounding businesses, whether the business has a competing business nearby, if it will provide a service to the community, and the financial impact to the City.

Brian Sipes: Being a small local business owner, I know firsthand how important it is to support our local businesses throughout Fillmore. When I attended the City Council's Goal Setting Workshop back in March, I made a presentation to the City Council listing ways that the City Council can support our local businesses. I firmly believe if we intend to be a "business friendly community", then we must focus on eliminating blight. When I served as a Board of Director for the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, I repeatedly heard from potential entrepreneurs that blight was a colossal deterrence in bringing their business to Fillmore. This is an issue that I will tackle if elected.
I was pleased to see the majority on the City Council approve an ordinance that gave a 5% credit to local businesses bidding on City projects. If elected, I will also work to implement reduced business license fees to encourage business growth and assist businesses that are struggling through difficult times.
A responsible City Council member must be objective and rise above personal issues with a specific business. My line of business has given me opportunities to deal with situations and rise above conflict. Just as any legitimate business person recognizes their duty to their customers regardless of personal issues. My professional experience will assist me in fulfilling my duties as a City Council member.