By KRISTI MAYFIELD
Staff Reporter
This past week, the community of Escalon came together at the Community Center to listen and learn more about the four candidates running for the two available city council seats. Current Mayor, David Bellinger, and current councilman, Shawn Strohman, faced off against challengers Jeff Kay, businessman; and Gabriella Vargas, cold case investigator; during the candidate forum. The event was staged on Oct. 14; terms available on the council are four-year posts. The top two vote getters in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election will win the seats.
With all four candidates noting that they want to preserve the small-town way of life that defines Escalon, they had different visions for the future of the city. Financial solvency was something that all of the candidates agreed was critical, noting that the addition of Finance Director Celinda Bickner, has greatly assisted in this process.
Speaking to their desire to run for City Council, Bellinger, a lifelong resident, noted that he wanted to “keep that small town feeling” while also being fiscally responsible. Strohman, having been a resident for more than 20 years, emphasized his volunteer work and his desire to balance growth with a “safe and inclusive environment.” Kay noted that he has lived here most of his life and that he wants to “maintain a town that we want to live in.” Vargas, a transplant from the Bay Area, said she fell in love with Escalon as she traveled through to the foothills, and she believes that “transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of being a good public servant” and that she would be “an excellent voice for the community.”
While all of the candidates believe that generating additional revenue and offering visitors more retail options is a good thing, Bellinger reiterated that he strongly supports the slow growth ordinance that is in place and that if elected, he will work on keeping that ordinance in effect and continuing to work with leaders to support a balanced budget while also maintaining the inter-agency cooperation to help secure funds for future projects. Strohman echoed those sentiments regarding financial solvency but he also believes that developing a strategic plan is a fundamental part of achieving future success for the town. Kay is focused on maintaining sovereignty for the town of Escalon and vowed to make sure that city projects are moving forward including those pertaining to water and safety. Vargas is committed to bringing additional revenue to the community while also focusing on projects that emphasize safety and residential welfare.
Each of the candidates supports Measure P, the one percent sales tax increase that is on the ballot as it would generate additional funds to be used within the community of Escalon. They also agreed that bringing new businesses would help generate those funds but had some different ideas as to how to attract them. Kay believes that the key to future success lies with bringing new businesses into the community and retaining them. Kay noted that while thousands of folks drive through Escalon to reach their mountainside destinations, few of them stop in Escalon unless it is for fast food or gas and that the city needs to bring some viable new businesses to town to attract that revenue. Vargas also believes that bringing new businesses to the community will help but she proposed offering incentives and mentorships to new businesses as a way to attract business owners to the community.
Though all of the candidates seemed to agree that the current addition of the new Director of Finance, Celinda Bickner and Interim City Manager, Jaylen French, have been welcome and helpful additions, Kay was still concerned that the community doesn’t have any long-term plan for water accessibility, asking, “What are we doing to set ourselves up for success?” Vargas was concerned that although the city is moving forward with regard to a balanced budget, there is still a fair amount of irresponsible spending.
Strohman acknowledged their concerns and reminded them that through working together with the new city government, they were able to start the year with a balanced budget and that they were developing plans to sustain that budget. Bellinger noted that supporting the infrastructure of the community along with a long-term water plan were key aspects to sustaining the community and that they were still developing ideas for long-term water accessibility with SSJID, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District.
Though they may have differed in their priorities, fiscal accountability, long-term planning and community safety were among the top priorities for all of the candidates. It was a panel filled with candidates with various backgrounds from long term Escalon residents to more recent arrivals but each of them had a clear shared message which was that Escalon is a small town, tight-knit community and they want it to stay that way.
