Watsonville residents hope candidates will address city needs once voted in
With three city council districts up for election in Watsonville next month, residents went through a list of concerns they have for candidates should they be elected.
One of the concerns has to do with the homeless community.
“I see them they’re out on the levee and they’re kinda taking over,” says Watsonville resident Donald Carter. “That area is trashed so the city has come to clean it up and what-not but those people are lost, y’know. They’re downtrodden.”
Candidates Francisco Estrada and Jenni Sarmiento are facing off for District 4 as incumbent Jimmy Dutra steps down from the seat.
District 4 is next in line for what is a rotating mayoral position, which rotates by district. Last year it was held by District 3 councilman, Lowell Hurst, who is seeking re-election for that district seat next month.
Districts 5 and 7 have multiple candidates seeking election as well.
Rebecca Garcia is seeking re-election for District 5 against Casey Kraig Clark while District 7 sees Ari Parker, Steve Trujillo and Lupe Rivas all hoping to be voted in.
KION heard from a number of residents who are hoping whoever is voted in addresses the housing issue, whether it’s population numbers overpowering the housing available or the cost of housing in general.
Carlos Verduzco: “It’s me my wife and my three kids and right now we’re struggling to find a place,” says Carlos Verduzco. “And I know we’re not the only family in that situation.”
Watsonville residents say they do consider the city “family-friendly.”
They cited the amount of parks for kids to play in plus city events as the reason for that title.
A homeless man, meanwhile, did reach out off camera to express his satisfaction with the city providing services which can assist him in finding affordable housing and a job.
Residents believe proper representation within the city council, nonetheless, is a must.
“I would say my ideal city council candidate is one who is for the people, for the farm workers, for the average joe who works a 9 to 5 job over at Martinelli’s or the gas station over here,” says Donald Carter.
