Election 2022: What would Visalia City Council candidates do if elected?
Ten people are hoping to take a seat at the Visalia City Council dais to decide on issues that impact every resident.
Visalia Times-Delta asked each candidate what they hope to accomplish in their first 100 days as a city council member, if elected?
District 1
David Farris: As a contender for Visalia City Council, if elected, my top priorities for the first 100 days in office would be to implement a sound and practical strategy to put our water infrastructure on sustainable footing. This would include expansion of our water reclamation capacity, a re-negotiation of the substantial grey-water allocation to TID from our current reclamation facility, expansion of recharge basins, and engaging with CalWater to have greater agency and influence in the management of our water resources.
Secondly, I would seek to work with our public safety departments, planning department and the wealth of private entities in our community to address our homeless population, coordinate and encourage the development of affordable housing ($600-$1200/month) for the median income of $31,235 in our community. Further, I would like to work with College of the Sequoias, which is a wonderful resource, to develop and expand educational opportunities as well as trade training to help the housing-insecure reenter the local economy. I believe we have an opportunity to be a model for other cities throughout the nation to help uplift these community members while simultaneously resolving the significant labor shortages which local businesses are experiencing.
Our city is on the precipice of significant critical challenges: water insecurity, homelessness, and public safety, all of which can and must be solved together! It’s time for us to step away from mediocrity and build a thriving community in our beautiful city, full of art, culture, and the old-fashioned small-town compassion and love for our neighbors.
Justin Bolton: I have had many careers in my lifetime starting with being a camp counselor all the way up to being a firefighter/EMT. I also used to work for the city at the animal shelter. My passion now is politics and being an entrepreneur. I have a wonderful family including two young beautiful children. I have lived in Visalia for over four years now and I love this city and look forward to raising my family here. I truly believe that being a city council member means that I am only your representative. Nothing more, Nothing less. It is your voice that is important to me and this is your city. Together let’s take it back.
With the help of the people of Visalia, I would like to plan and implement strategies to help the homeless issue that has been plaguing the city.
Liz Wynn (Incumbent): I plan to continue working as a team with city staff and council on projects that are most important to our community now and in the future.
Our goal is to have design alternatives and cost estimates for a new aquatic center to be discussed at our March Strategic Planning Session. This is an opportunity that will enhance our community and we need to do this together. Please join us.
With our new parks and recreation director, we have the opportunity to look at the programs our children have available and take a hard look at what needs to be enhanced and improved. This includes additional parks, pool, sports facilities and programs for all ages. Parks and recreation are key to our quality of life.
Dive deeper: Here are the top takeaways from Visalia City Council candidate forum
On a very different front, the State of California is considering taking away local control over cannabis sales. We need to prepare a taxation plan and determine how the tax revenue will be spent. There has been plenty of opportunity to see how other communities implemented cannabis sales. We will review and learn from those communities. There will be ongoing opportunity for public input.
We need to celebrate the quality of our community and the success of our city leadership. We have an industrial park that is providing thousands of quality jobs. Our police and fire departments work tirelessly to protect our citizens and our property. Strong city staff leaders oversee Visalia’s financial health ensuring a strong future. I would be honored to continue serving our city.
District 3
Brian Poochigian (Incumbent): On my first 100 days in office I will continue to represent and respond to the needs of the residents of Visalia. My top priorities are improving the roads and traffic circulation, keeping our city safe, supporting local business, and working to find creative solutions to improve the homelessness issues in our city.
I will continue working to improve roads and traffic circulation in our city. I will work on widening Shirk, Visalia Parkway, and Riggin Road and use a long-term plan to develop new roads to accommodate city growth.
I will continue to support public safety in our community to ensure the safety of all the residents of Visalia. In my first term, I voted to increase funding to public safety so our police officers and fire fighters have what they need to keep the city safe. I am proud to have the support of the Visalia Police officers Association, Visalia Fire Fighters Association, Tulare County Deputy Sherriff’s Association, Tulare County Sherriff Mike Boudreaux, and District Attorney Tim Ward.
I will continue to support local business because the economy does the best when the government gets out of its way. I will facilitate conversations between local businesses and the city to streamline solutions to problems they face.
I will continue finding creative solutions to help improve the homeless situation in our city. I promise to work to find new ideas to get the homeless out of parks, off of the streets, and get them the help they deserve.
Heather Carter: I am a personal trainer and fitness instructor specializing in senior care. I graduated from Kent State University with a BA in International Relations. My husband is in agriculture and my twins attend El Diamante. My oldest is at UC Davis.
My goal is to serve the city of Visalia and its residents to the best of my abilities. I want all the residents of Visalia to know that I am to open and receptive to discussions and feedback. I speak Spanish and English. I believe that everyone’s input has value.
During the first 100 days in office, I would work with Planned Parenthood to find a better location for their facility in Visalia that provides reproductive care for all the community without traveling outside of the city. Also, I would vote to allow marijuana dispensaries within the city limit. Finally, I would vote for the aquatic community center.
District 4
Bob Ainley: I am running for City Council in District 4 to continue my service to this community in a greater way, as well as bring additional experience and expertise to the council. I am a local small business owner: The Darling Hotel and Ainley Alipaz Webb PC. I was born and raised in Visalia, graduating from Golden West High School where my dad, Tim, was a longtime teacher and coach. I went on to obtain degrees from UC Davis, the University of Warwick, and the University of Oregon. I met my wife overseas where we were engaged in anti-human trafficking operations and brought her home to Visalia. My wife and I have a 3-year-old daughter.
First and foremost, I want to be realistic about how fast government works and temper my expectations. Initially, I hope to build and solidify my relationships with the other councilmembers and City staff in order to be as effective as possible when it comes to assisting my constituents with City departments or advocating for them on Council matters. Next, I want to make sure I get fully up speed on all the current closed session items, as those tend be pressing matters (such as pending litigation) and we, the public, are not privy to the details of these potentially complex matters. I would like to resolve the closed session items I would be inheriting as soon as possible. I also look forward reviewing the plan for a new pool that is to be formulated by City staff for review at the 2023 Strategic Planning Session, and hopefully making concrete decisions regarding that potential project. I would like to have received and reviewed the Ag Mitigation Program study being developed by recently retained consultants in order to either finalize that program or continue to make progress in resolving that matter.
Finally, I would like to see the following items on the agenda: (1) a feasibility study of storm drain projects in Birdland, and (2) a review of the current Traffic Impact Fee program that needs to be reworked and updated to match the city’s priorities, including incentivizing infill, promoting fairness, and allowing for orderly development of city streets.
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Emmanuel Soto: Ultimately, it is my goal to serve you. If you have questions, please contact me at (559) 809-1500.
For too long, North Visalia has been ignored, and I hope together we can work to improve our community. You can count on me to be your voice on the council, listen to your recommendations and concerns, focus on areas of need in our neighborhoods, advocate and support our local businesses and public safety personnel. I will establish office hours rotating at a nearby coffee shops in District 4, it will be an inviting space to talk to residents who wish to voice their opinions and concerns. I also plan to meet with the city manager regularly. I will focus on our roads, sidewalks, streetlights and add speed tables to slow down cars in our neighborhoods. I will engage with our police chief and city engineer to work together to deter those speeding in our neighborhoods. Also, we need to invest in our youth programs and parks and recreation centers. I will meet with local organizations who help the homeless and support their goals to be more successful.
Win or lose, other community members and I are in the process of adopting Dinuba Boulevard to pick up trash in North Visalia on a monthly basis. I will make myself available to my community because I am here to serve you.
Marie Line-Labbee: My family started out in agriculture. My great grandfather planted oranges in Ivanhoe, and that family ranch became the hub for many more generations who call Visalia home. After graduating from Golden West, I graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Organizational Leadership. I’m a mom and small business owner. I have served on the board for Networking for Women, Soroptimist International, Children’s Ark Learning Center, and the Miss Tulare County Scholarship Program. I’ve also served as the chair of the Visalia Chamber Ambassadors and as a volunteer for Visalia Emergency Aid, FoodLink, and Visalia United Water Polo Club. My passion as a community champion has fueled my desire to have a more prominent voice in the community on city council.
As you may know, nothing in any level of government gets accomplished quickly. I truly believe the best leaders are the most educated leaders. I plan on spending my first days on City Council continuing to educate myself on the needs of community members, first responders, and city programs. My goal is to fully understand the ins and outs of our general plan, continue to meet with community members to understand your concerns, and tour city programs and facilities listening to what works well and what needs improvement.
My long-term goal is to bring an aquatic center to Visalia. I’m actively connecting members of the water community with the Parks and Recreation Foundation. The goal is to fundraise for an endowment that covers the long-term cost of the aquatics center, which is one of the significant factors holding up this project. I truly believe if we come together as a whole community, nothing is impossible.
District 5
Kris Korsgaden: I was born and raised in Visalia - graduate of Mt. Whitney High School. After attending College of the Sequoias for a few years, I transferred, and eventually graduated with a bachelors de from San Diego State University (Piano Performance & Composition).
Upon returning to Visalia, I started a couple businesses, including a construction company (Korsgaden Tile). A few years ago, I met my fiancé, Chelsea. We have a one-year old baby boy. His name is Finn.
Housing: Local property owners and small-time developers need more freedom - to provide quality, low-cost homes for our growing community. Government grants only help to provide a limited number of units. It's not enough.
Homelessness: Utilizing local talent and empowering community resources is the key to solving the problem. Government assistance is helpful, but we need strategic planning to face the issue, head-on.
Jobs & Business Growth: Visalia is a special place. Part of what makes it special is the quality, family-owned businesses. If want job growth, we must support family operations.
Steven Nelsen (Incumbent): I sought this position to help provide leadership and tangible benefits for not only the district but the city as a whole. I will continue to strive for a balance budget, sustain our police and fire departments. I advocated for the inclusive park to be built, so everyone has the opportunity to build relationship that benefit the city, such as I did with Caltrans and the 198 corridor litter removal and Dump on Us Days. There's more to be done, I am responsive to the issues brought forth, I will continue to work the constituents priorities and together we can contribute to make Visalia the jewel of the Valley.
Related: Top 3 takeaways from Tulare's informational forum on cannabis, homelessness and roads
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia City Council candidates: What they hope to accomplish in 1st 100 days
