Potential candidates get five more days
BY ALEX CANTATORE
Staff Reporter
As the clock struck 5 p.m. Friday evening, the first filing deadline for the Nov. 4 City Council elections came to a close with seven candidates set to contest just two available seats. However, as the incumbent councilwoman Beverly Hatcher failed to apply for reelection, the due date was automatically extended to this Wednesday at 5 p.m., allowing yet more last-minute candidates to apply.
“I can’t find my desk because of what’s going on,” said City Clerk Rhonda Greenlee jokingly in reference to the piles of paperwork generated by the nominees.
While crowded, the current field of seven competitors pales in comparison to the 15 that filed paperwork for the 2006 city council race and three more who ran for mayor that year.
Several familiar faces are returning from last year’s races, including near-victor Amy Bublak. A Modesto Police Officer and Turlock Planning Commissioner, Bublak lost to Councilman Kurt Spycher by less than 200 votes and 0.8 percent in the 2006 race.
In this election, Bublak hopes to focus on improving roadways, expanding youth recreational services, and increasing the health and safety of our community and neighborhoods, even in the face of declining budgets. She believes that through prioritization, important programs can still find funding.
“I will use my experiences, commitment to the community, and desire to keep Turlock a great city to work with others as Turlock residents face the challenges and opportunities of the next several years,” Bublak said.
Also returning to the electoral field this year is David “DJ” Fransen, who ran for mayor in 2006. Fransen serves the city in many ways, including as a Turlock municipal services employee, owner of www.turlockcitynews.com, member of both the Stanislaus County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Turlock Centennial Committee, and host of the Turlock City Radio talk show.
Fransen has already found widespread support from the Turlock community, receiving endorsements from notable Turlockers such as Turlock Irrigation District Director Rob Santos, Turlock historian Scott Atherton, almond farmer Steve Soderstrom, and Turlock Parks, Recreation, and Community Commissioner Dave Shabaz.
“This ‘old’ Turlock background, combined with my participation and interaction with the ‘new’ Turlock, makes me a true representative of today’s Turlock,” Fransen said. “I am open-minded in discussions about future change, but know and won’t forget the past that made Turlock great.”
Fransen’s platform focuses on a Turlock street funding plan, an economic engine for local businesses to capture online sales and exposure, and supporting local youth and active citizens through initiatives such as the Turlock Bicycle Park. Additionally, Fransen will work on fiscal prioritizing, the renovation of Turlock’s downtown, and revisiting the General Plan with a focus on sustainable growth.
Also returning to this year’s race will be 2006 city council candidate, agri-buisness marketer, and Merced College journalism instructor Mary Jackson. An active member of Turlock’s political scene, Jackson is a Turlock City Arts Commissioner, was involved with the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Search Committee, and once worked as a television reporter.
“I am running because I want Turlock to be a model of smart, planned growth and financial stability, without sacrificing our small-town sense of community,” Jackson said. “As a main priority, I will work to support our current businesses, commercial and agri-business, and to attract new companies that will strengthen our revenue base. I want to prepare our city for the future - let’s move Turlock forward.”
Jackson, who burst onto the election scene with a float in the Centennial parade, plans to address on quality of life issues, economic development, and public safety issues. Additionally, she wants to focus on making sure that all candidates’ voices are heard throughout the campaign.
California State University, Stanislaus student Jeremy Rocha will also be returning from the 2006 city council election field. Rocha, a Political Science major who managed to garner less than 1 percent of the vote in the 2006 campaign, intends to go to law school upon graduation.
“I’ve always been interested in government, even since high school, and I’ve always wanted to get involved,” said Rocha. “At my age, it is the perfect time to get involved and to show others my age that you can be involved.”
Rocha’s campaign will center on supporting a volunteer-funded homeless shelter, focused on rehabilitation, and the creation of a working relationship with State Senator Jeff Denham and neighboring communities in order to campaign for gas tax revenue sharing in Sacramento.
Last among the returning candidates, but certainly not least, is incumbent Vice Mayor Kurt Vander Weide. Hot off a failed run for mayor in 2006, Vander Weide looks to retain his seat on the council in a crowded field.
In addition to his existing involvement in the city council, Vander Weide is very involved with politics on the state and federal level, currently serving as a representative for Republican U.S. Congressman George Radanovich. Previously, Vander Weide served as senior field representative for Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, and as district representative for Assemblymen George House and Dave Cogdill.
On a local level, Vander Weide serves as a Trustee for the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District. Should he be reelected, the Vice Mayor hopes to continue to responsibly plan for the future of Turlock and the Valley with responsible growth, job development, and cooperation with other regional governments.
Two newcomers have thrown their hat in the ring for the city council race thus far.
Jeff Anderson, electrical distributions systems designer and estimator for the Turlock Irrigation District is among those seeking election for the first time. He also serves as a board member of the Walnut Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, and is a California State Certified Journey-Level Electrician formerly of Kirkes Electric where worked on several notable local buildings.
Anderson’s campaign will focus on encouraging new companies to do business in Turlock, developing long-term solutions to the homeless situation, and maintaining Turlock’s place in the Central Valley as an excellent place to live and work.
The latest entrant in the race, Jim Sarnowsky, filed his papers with the City of Turlock just an hour before the deadline was set to expire. Sarnowsky, a political unknown, is believed to be an evangelist and proprietor of Spiritual Life Ministries and Jim Sarnowsky Ministries on Minnesota Avenue in Turlock.
“Spiritual Life Ministries was born out of a deep desire of Christians from all denominational backgrounds to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” according to SLM’s Web site. “It was realized that Churches and Ministries band together under the anointing of the Holy Spirit to attack the strongholds of Satan, much can be accomplished.”
The Journal was unable to contact Sarnowsky to confirm this information before deadline.
On a sad note, Dave Truax, an Information Technology worker with the City of Modesto who had previously announced his candidacy, announced on Thursday that he would no longer be seeking office due to his wife suffering a stroke, and heart problems, which are suspected to be a linked to the chemotherapy she had received for breast and ovarian cancer.
“To my former political opponents - I wish you a healthy and strong campaign season,” Truax said in a press release announcing his retirement from the race. “The City of Turlock is lucky to have your passion and love for our town.”
To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.
Originally published in the Turlock Journal 8/8/2008.
Retrieved from the Turlock Journal Web site.