State Senate & Supervisor Debate
By Hatfield McCoy
10/23/12
On a recent weeknight at the Vallejo Historic Naval Museum, current Democratic State Senator, Lois Wolk and the Republican businessman Frank Miranda answered tough questions posed by Rich Curtola of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce. Sadly, there were only about thirty-five attendees in the audience. Some blamed it on the competing Vice Presidential televised debate.
One of the hottest topics surrounding the forum was that of jobs and the state’s current rate of unemployment. “Quit chasing small companies out of this state,” said Miranda, “there are too many rules here, and too many regulations so much so that any business trying to set up here faces a quagmire. We need to simplify things, and become more business friendly, we have recently lost four companies in Solano County alone,” he insisted. With respect to taxes, Miranda had this to say: “Raising taxes is not the answer, we need jobs and more business in this state and then the money will follow.”
Wolk stated that she “enjoys solving problems” and contends that as a former school teacher she has met with many challenges with respect to thinking on her feet and solving issues. She boasted about her current position as Chair of the Senate’s Finance/Governance Committee. In response to the question of what actions she would take to replace redevelopment funds, Wolk proudly talked about her bill SB214 and promised to work with the Governor to “restore this mechanism.” Miranda then reminded the audience that Wolk had indeed voted to end redevelopment funds.
When the question came up with respect to funding grades K-12, Wolk said that she is backing the Governor in pushing for Proposition 30. To that Miranda said that said tax would go to the General Fund, and would not largely be spent on education as is currently being touted by advertising. He said that if Prop 30 is passed, “the money will more than likely be spent foolishly, and may well be wasted.” “Again, we just cannot keep taxing the people, eventually they will leave California,” Miranda said. “Currently we have over governance in the state of California,” he said, “and that has to stop somewhere.” Wolk insisted that Prop 30 will go a long way to help “balance the budget.”
“How would you work with Cal Trans to get more money for Highways 12 and the 80 corridor?” asked Curtola. Wolk immediately stated that she has worked with Cal Trans successfully in the past, and will continue to negotiate with them. Miranda said that he would work with them openly to insure that monies are not wasted, and that a specific plan would be put in place to get the “roads improved and under control.”
When the question arose as to how each candidate would work with the fast growing Solano County Latino population, Wolk shared with the audience that her father (little known to the public) was an immigrant from Argentina. But she hastened to state that the laws of immigration are “primarily a federal issue.” She said that she would work, however, to help with more pre-school funding, and to secure grant funding for small businesses to stay afloat. “I do what I can to forge compromises, and never allow partisanship to get in the way,” she said. Miranda (who is Hispanic) said he would help deregulate some of the rules and barriers which make it difficult for new immigrants to open businesses. He said that he would make it much easier for people to enter and maintain small businesses which he contends are the backbone of our economy. “In the end, we need collaboration,” said Wolk. To that Frank Miranda concurred.
Contenders for Supervisor (District I) squared off.
Current Councilmember Erin Hannigan and longtime politician Anthony Intintoli took the stage for what proved to be a civilized intercourse. Hannigan explained that although she was raised in Fairfield, she has spent twenty-three years in Vallejo and has come to “love it here.” Originally from New York, Intintoli shared with the audience that he has served in public office for thirty-five years. “The issues in the county are similar to many issues within the city of Vallejo,” Intintoli said. “We need to keep the pressure on for social services particularly for children. We must have realignment with respect to our prisons in bringing people into the County jails,” he said.
Hannigan stated that it is imperative that the county take charge and take steps to reduce the county’s deficit. “The county budget last year was $780million dollars with $222million discretionary dollars. However, there is a deficit of approximately $12million right now. That is unacceptable,” she said. Both candidates agreed that some of the ways to decrease the deficit is to renegotiate contracts, increase costs, increase incomes and possibly sell some of the existing county lands.
Both candidates further agreed that some of their top priorities would be to clean up the north end of Mare Island. Intintoli stated that it would take approximately $10million to clean up the north end of the island. “We need to stop being competitive with the county, and get the job done,” he said. Both candidates want to create a recreational/entertainment center at the Solano County Fairgrounds located near Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. “Eventually Solano 360 will provide many jobs,” Hannigan said: “Sixty-one percent of the people living in Vallejo commute out of town to go to work. We need to bring back jobs throughout the county, but particularly here in Vallejo. We need to support our middle class, and bring back jobs so that we can have our heads of households both live and work in the county,” she said.
On the subject of education, Hannigan was adamant “The drop-out rate in Vallejo is now approximately 47%. When I helped to bring State Farm Insurance to Vallejo in 2004, the drop-out rate was not too bad then. It has since increased badly. The schools and the educational system need improvement. I am working with the Vallejo schools now, and will do whatever necessary to continue to work with the schools to get them back to where they once were.” Hannigan said. “Education is everybody’s problem, and affects everything including property values,” she said. Longtime Vallejo educator Intintoli said that “Education is the way out of poverty, and we certainly all need to support the schools in every way possible.”
In response to a question as to how Vallejo can have self respect restored and make residents proud of their city once again, Intintoli stated that “62% of the county is agricultural, but Vallejo cannot make money from agriculture. That is why we need to upgrade and improve our health and welfare facilities to help the people, particularly the children.” To that Hannigan replied: “We must collaborate with other supervisors. Vallejo has unique needs, with much diversity dictating diverse needs. We also need jobs, we do not only need health and welfare services,” she said.
When asked about Proposition 30 vs. Prop 38, they both agreed to support the Governor’s plan of Prop 30. “We cannot afford more cuts to public safety, that would be untenable” said Hannigan. Intintoli agreed “About 10% of Prop 30 will go to support public safety, and perhaps some of those funds will go toward inmate rehabilitation. It will also provide some funds for childcare and certainly education,” he said.
With respect to the needs of the Hispanic population, Hannigan praised immigrants for beginning small businesses and vowed to continually support their efforts. “Not unlike my opponent I too want to help them with social services, but I also think we should help them facilitate new businesses, and maintain those they already have. I would also like to see Hispanics get more job training, and business training. I want to give them a hand up, not just a hand out,” she said. Intintoli stated that he has long worked with the Hispanic community, and would do what he could to support them and their “rich traditions.”
Solano 360 – a term used to refer to the Fairgrounds development on Admiral Callaghan Way – is a hot topic for many people throughout the city and county. Because the county owns the Fairgrounds, supervisors have full and total jurisdiction over the land. In the past, however, they have agreed to share profits and the decision making process with the City of Vallejo where the land exists. Both candidates agreed that they would like to see the land developed into an entertainment center and maintain land for the annual county fair. “Development there will take some time, and will involve tremendous cooperative effort,” said Hannigan.
As to the issue of public safety, Intintoli touted his endorsement from the past District Attorney of Solano County: David Paulson, as well as the County Sheriff. He stated that he would like to address services within the jails in order to help reduce the rate of recidivism. “Right now parolees are given $100 and a bus ticket, with no other services available to them,” he said. “I would like to see that change,” he stated. Currently there are about 1,000 prisoners in local jails. Hannigan stated that she has been endorsed by the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and said that she too would like to see increased training
for parolees. “Right now, however, Vallejo has 39% of parolees released within the county. We need to do something for them and about that too,” she said. “I would like to see a concentrated effort to empower parolees to begin studying for a GED if they don’t have a degree, and begin training for some type of trade,” continued Hannigan. Intintoli stated that he very much wants the ‘Three Strikes’ law struck down. Since it was not a question from the moderator, Hannigan did not weigh in on that subject.
Finally, when the candidates were asked why they chose to run for Supervisor of District I, Hannigan replied first at the request of the moderator. “We are in tough financial times in Vallejo. The county has a severe structural deficit and has bad relations with employees. Communication is necessary, and collaborative efforts are important. We need to strengthen our relationships. We need better representation in District I and in the historic parts of Vallejo. We need to get the resources we deserve to become a better city. We need balance in relationship to other cities within the county in receiving our fair share. I have a talent for finding those resources. As a strong negotiator, I have wide knowledge and know how to work with people in a collaborative effort to get the job done. I believe in open space, and preserving what we have. I have the energy, the passion and the commitment. My love for Vallejo is unchallenged,” she said. Intintoli once again stated that he has had thirty-four years in public service including the Vallejo City Council and Mayor. He explained his work with various groups throughout the city of Vallejo and beyond such as the Vallejo Leadership program, the Children’s Network of Solano County, Transportation Boards and many other organizations. “Make no mistake about it. I too have the energy to do this job. And everyone can be assured that I am in it for the long haul,” he said firmly.
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