SAN FERNANDO : Candidates for Council Discuss Their Platforms

The San Fernando Chamber of Commerce held a forum Wednesday introducing the City Council candidates for the upcoming April 12 election.

The purpose of the forum, held at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills, was to allow each candidate to outline a platform for San Fernando’s business leaders.

Five of the eight candidates for the three at-large seats were present: incumbents Doude Wysbeek and Jose Hernandez and newcomers Raul Godinez, John Becker and Joanne Baltierrez.

Candidates Ed Guzman and Arthur Kay did not attend.

A statement on behalf of Mayor Dan Acuna, who is also running for reelection, was read on his behalf. Acuna and San Fernando Police Chief Dominick Rivetti were in Washington on Wednesday to meet with President Clinton for an anti-crime briefing.

Godinez, an engineer who works for the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, told audience members that one of San Fernando’s most significant problems is its negative image. He proposed hiring a public relations firm to help change it.

“The earthquake has provided us with a challenge and an opportunity to rebuild San Fernando,” he said. “We need to change the city’s image.”

Baltierrez, a lifelong San Fernando resident, said that retaining earthquake-damaged businesses, creating more youth programs and improving the area’s literacy rate are the city’s important issues. She proposed waiving business fees for one year to keep damaged businesses in the city and possibly lure merchants from other areas to San Fernando.

Becker, a member of the San Fernando Transportation and Safety Commission, said the city’s residents are uninformed about the goings-on of the City Council. He said that if elected he would make more of an effort to involve residents in city politics and keep them in touch with government.

Wysbeek, who emigrated from Holland to San Fernando in 1958 and has been active in the city’s politics for years, said safety within city boundaries and a laissez-faire climate for business are his main concerns.

“I say, leave the businessman alone,” he said.

Hernandez, a professor of urban studies at Cal State Northridge, said his goal if elected would be to “maintain the high level of services the city is providing without raising taxes.”

The chamber also sponsored a forum Wednesday night in the San Fernando City Council chambers for candidates to make statements and answer questions from chamber members and the public.