YOUNG VOICES |
Editor’s Note: This November, Salinas voters will elect council members in four districts and the next mayor. With five seats at stake, the council’s make up could change dramatically.
In an effort to keep Salinas voters informed, Young Voices correspondent Isaac Díaz González has sent the same questionnaire to all the Salinas city council and Mayoral candidates. Voices of Monterey Bay will be publishing the responses as the candidates respond.
By Isaac Díaz González
ALEX AYALA
VOICES: What is your position regarding the renters’ protections recently approved by a majority of the city council? Will you support a process to enforce them or will you advocate to repeal them?
The recently passed rent-stabilization ordinance is a great start to not only protecting renters’ rights, but also protecting vulnerable families from becoming homeless. My position on the recently passed rent-stabilization ordinance is clear — it is a crucial step toward protecting renters and preventing homelessness. If elected, I will fully support its enforcement to ensure these protections are upheld. Rent stabilization can be divisive, but the focus should be on what unites us; reducing homelessness. To advocate effectively, we must first understand the complexities of the issue, specifically the different levels of homelessness, and address it with meaningful action, not empty promises.
VOICES: According to the U.S Census, nearly 48,000 children lived in Salinas as of 2020 — almost 30 percent of the city’s population of 163,542. Salinas is younger than other cities in California, as its proportion of youth is higher by 8 percentage points. What projects can be offered so children and youth can thrive and feel they belong in the city?
To ensure that the children and youth of Salinas thrive, we need to create more affordable, accessible, and diverse programs. My direct involvement as a volunteer coach with Junior Giants and Salinas American Little League has shown me firsthand the positive impact sports and youth engagement can have on our youth. I’ve seen the challenges families face when they can’t afford rent, let alone the cost of sports, which often leaves kids out of key developmental opportunities. We need to expand affordable youth programs. As a board member of American Little League, I’ve worked to secure sponsors to cover registration and equipment for children, ensuring they have the opportunity to play regardless of financial barriers. We can replicate this citywide, by partnering with local businesses to fund community sports programs. These partnerships can make sports more affordable and accessible for families across Salinas. Mentorship and after-school programs beyond sports is also critical. Mentorship programs that connect youth with positive role models in various fields—whether through local businesses, schools, or non-profits, can help children feel a sense of belonging and provide them with guidance as they grow. I will work to bring programs like City Year to Salinas. Programs like City Year can help us keep our kids on track and help build thriving neighborhoods all around town. We need to meet kids where they are, and we need to start bringing that demographic into our commissions and advisory groups at city hall through community youth councils.
VOICES: Is the city doing enough to build housing? What would be the solution to support people who don’t have stable housing?
The city of Salinas has made efforts to address housing, but has been unsuccessful at keeping up with demand. We need to ensure a consistent focus on affordable housing developments. We need to find the right developers that are willing to work within our incentive parameters. We also need to audit every area of Salinas for possible rezoning opportunities. For those without stable housing, we need to assess our investment and the return on previous investment choices. Are we allocating enough to supportive housing programs that offer not only shelter but also access to social services like mental health care, job training, and addiction recovery
VOICES: Business owners have been complaining about the permit process, arguing that it takes too long to open a business. The challenge has been pinpointed to a lack of employees. What can be done to recruit more city employees? What is your plan to recruit more people to work for the city?
As a general contractor that is licensed to work in several cities, I can attest that the City of Salinas permit process needs urgent attention. I don’t believe the issue is related to a lack of employees, but rather, a lack of leadership, accountability, and direction. Improving leadership within the permit department is crucial. A designated team leader or task force should be put in place to oversee the entire permit process, ensuring there is a clear direction, accountability, and realistic timelines. Regular audits and customer-service tracking mechanisms must be put in place to identify bottlenecks early. The goal would be to eliminate unnecessary delays, adopt best practices from other cities big and small around us, and use technology to simplify applications and approvals. This problem however, is not exclusive to the permit department — the city as a whole needs to become more customer friendly. In a recent city council meeting, a department head stated that there was not enough money in the budget for a “greeter.” This comment says a lot about the current culture within city government. I believe that everyone inside city hall can be a greeter — being courteous and helpful will not break the city’s budget.
VOICES: In which areas could the city work together with schools to improve services? How can they work together to improve student safety?
As mentioned before, when discussing our large youth population , the city can work with schools to offer more after-school programs focused on tutoring, sports, and arts. Jointly funded initiatives between the city and school districts could include access to community centers for some of these programs. Partnering with schools on safety initiatives is also critical. The city can provide resources such as safety liaisons, who are trained in both security and conflict resolution, to improve the sense of safety on campuses. Collaboration between law enforcement, the city, and schools can also help ensure quick responses to emergencies. Joint initiatives that provide safe routes to school will help bridge the gaps between community and law enforcement. How amazing would it be to designate a city-wide day for a Bike Bus for all schools on a regular basis. As a retired law enforcement officer, I know first hand the positive impact our police department can have when programs are thoughtful and intentional to make our community safer.
VOICES: What is the most important contribution that the immigrant population makes to the city of Salinas in particular and the Salinas Valley in general?
Many may argue that immigrants’ most important contribution lies in their role as a large part of the agricultural workforce, which is the backbone of the local economy. Yes, their hard work and dedication is vital to the region that supplies fresh produce to the nation and beyond. However, immigrants do far more than support agriculture. They enrich the cultural fabric of Salinas with their traditions, values, and perspectives. This contribution fosters diversity, which is reflected throughout the city.
Ignoring the needs of our community, particularly the immigrant community, jeopardizes the vitality of Salinas. This includes addressing rental ordinances, expanding mental health resources for our youth, fostering developments that reflect culture, and ensuring everyone has a seat at the table where key decisions are made. The most important contribution that the immigrant population makes to the city is their willingness to live here, shop here, raise their families here, and engage in a city that welcomes them without prejudice.
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