In their own words: City Council and Mayor candidates on development
During the next week, the Desert Dispatch will run responses to several questions put to candidates running for the City Council and mayor. Each day, answers to a different question will run.
MONDAY • CRIME
TUESDAY • DEVELOPMENT
WEDNESDAY • THE HOMELESS
THURSDAY • EDUCATION
FRIDAY • CANDIDATES ASK AND ANSWER THEIR OWN QUESTION
SATURDAY • HEROES
What ideas do you have to revitalize downtown and bring jobs into Barstow
CITY COUNCIL
Willie Hailey Sr.
Retired California Highway Patrolman
The downtown area of Barstow is in a true redevelopment area of the city. But what is wrong with downtown Barstow? Of course there are some empty stores downtown, and we need to find tenants for the empty stores, but downtown Barstow is fine.
In order to revitalize the flaccid job growth in the Barstow area, we must first understand that the people of Barstow are our dearest commodity. And if we truly understand the job of any elected official on any level in America, is to keep our citizens working, then the solution of our sagging employment rate is all to clear.
First we must inventory the skill and diversity of our local work force, then we must survey our local geography and geology. I have come to the much-studied conclusion that we must go green in order to prosper as a people in this new millennia.
What do we have the most of in Barstow? Sunshine, sand and wind are industries that are non-polluting, low water consuming and safe to the desert environment. Solar cell and wind energy is just one idea. Another industry that we forget about is the film industry and how many movies have been made in the Barstow area.
Barstow is located on Interstate 15, Interstate 40 and State Route 58. The Barstow area is the only places in the nation were Burlington Northern Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad shares the same railroad tracks.
The opportunity for Barstow to grow is here.
Herchel “Gene” Deaton
Plant Operations Supervisor, Barstow Community Hospital
When driving through town and seeing empty store fronts, my questions frequently are; “What can we do with this part of town? Can we bring it back? Do we want to bring it back?” Understanding the new commercial area for Barstow is out on Lenwood Road, I suggest and analysis of downtown should be completed. We need to document details about the town’s current condition, explore what changes are occurring, verify what residents of Barstow want from the downtown area, and discover what businesses the downtown market will support, if any. After we find answers to our questions, then the city needs to create a “downtown” development plan that could be a completely different use from what it is now.
Two new industries could bring both growth and jobs to Barstow, solar energy and bulging retirees. According to Forbes.com, Arizona’s electric company, Arizona Public Service, is building the nation’s largest solar plant in Gila Bend, Ariz. The plant will cost around $1 billion to build, but it will power 70,000 homes from only the sun’s rays and create thousands of high-tech, green-type jobs. If you’ve ever been to Gila Bend, then you’ll know it has nothing on us. With our available land and our 300 plus days of sunshine we are well positioned to pursue these types of projects in our area. In addition, a new industry is beginning to grow. Catering to the growing number of retirees with comfortable retirements. They don’t need jobs but create demand for housing and shopping.
Timothy Saenz
Southern California Regional Manager of Technical Services, Vulcan Materials Company
The current city manager has experience and knowledge with redevelopment. I will work with the city manager to utilize this experience and knowledge as well as city staff to utilize the RDA funds to improve and revitalize downtown. I will ask the Chamber of Commerce to think outside the box along with city staff when addressing downtown. I would also encourage the property owners to work with and support the RDA and city staff addressing downtown. I would ask if we could convert the downtown area into a location for professional services, such as doctors, lawyers, finance companies, insurance agents, etc. Can we change the look of downtown with the help of the city and property owners? It would be great if the downtown area were transformed into an Old West downtown theme. This would capitalize on tourist traveling to Calico and create opportunities for Barstow. Many cities have developed their downtown into themes to increase tourism and business. Cities' such as Temecula and San Dimas have revamped their downtown towards a Western theme and created opportunities and growth for them. Barstow can do the same.
I will focus on Barstow's strengths, which are land, transportation hub (I-15, I-40 and Highway 58) and the railroad to bring jobs to Barstow. Barstow is the only location where BNSF and Union Pacific share tracks; we must take advantage of this. Businesses are looking for what we have, which is vacant land for warehouse distribution, manufacturing and a transportation hub.
Marvin Ellis
Program Analyst, Fort Irwin
To bring jobs into the Barstow area we must take advantage of our location! We are in an ideal location to service the entire southwest. We are located on two interstates, one major transportation highway (58), a large rail support system; we are also close to yet a third interstate, logistics airport, and deep water port. If elected to the council I would push to pursue companies that provide living wage jobs, not minimum wage jobs! I would pursue jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. While pursuing these businesses, I would also push to ensure that we have trained employees to fill the positions created to help prevent the jobs going to people outside our immediate area. To revitalize our downtown area we must first ensure that we protect our business on Main Street. As we grow, we must do so responsibly. This means that we do not over saturate our new growth with business that will put Main Street out of business! We must also attempt to put new businesses on Main Street as we grow. Continued outward growth without infill would be irresponsible and hurt local business. We must also capitalize on the tourism industry. I believe that we can do this by targeting visitors before they leave home and not when they arrive at the outlet center. I would push to establish a tourism commission that included the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce tourism committee with elements affected by the increased tourism.
Richard Villegas
Law enforcement officer
I would like to start with my Main Street/Historic 66 Project, which I have already started. It involves bringing downtown Barstow back to the “very marketable” 1950’s era. I’m talking about a face lift that will give our downtown, the same wholesome look of the 1950’s, making it a huge tourist attraction in itself. I’m talking about old fashion soda and ice cream shops, a vintage dinner, a formal restaurant, a nearby skating rink, clothing shopping, a small Barstow information center, an art studio , a place for people to display classic cars, a Barstow Museum that will bring in tourists, combined with the great current shops. Those of you who have visited the Village Area of Big Bear, have an idea of how lucrative this can be. I want to make the downtown area a place where tourists and locals can walk, enjoy the day shopping, or just enjoy the classic architecture.
For other parts of Barstow I plan to use my chamber of commerce experience, my vast knowledge of the local area, and my motivation to bring in low, medium, and high tech jobs for OUR citizens. I will bring Barstow beneficial growth: We need to bring in businesses that will make the city more tax dollars while providing jobs with well paying salaries and services to the citizens of Barstow.
I will also work with owners of abandon buildings, burnt down buildings, and empty lots to make Main Street, a street full of business.
Manuel Gilbert Gurule
As far as downtown, I have been saying this for years. The local businesses and property owners must take the initiative to do something for themselves. Bring their buildings up to par. Establish a theme for downtown, as other old town communities have done. Organizing themselves as a shopping area. I as a previous business owner downtown know how hard it is to make a business go in this area. Other cities have turned their old downtown areas into progressive commercial enterprises. We should look to them for ideas. The city can help in that way.
As far as bringing in jobs for the city, there is not much the city can do but to be development friendly. To encourage any businesses into the Barstow area. To be open minded to the wants of businesses. To be fair with all developments and not play favoritism to any. We must have a specific person to sell and promote Barstow to all investors and be accountable for this process. We as a city must act in unison with this goal, instead of being counter productive as before.
I proposed a state prison in 1989 that would have brought twelve hundred high paying jobs with an added thousand directly related to that industry. This was defeated by my opponents. I proposed a high caliber hotel/golf course/card casino backed by the Imperial Palace of Las Vegas in 1990. Again this would have made Barstow a tourist destination. Again it was defeated by my opponents.
Carmen Hernandez
Planning Commissioner
I would involve the Barstow Chamber of Commerce and the downtown merchants to brainstorm to come up with creative and innovative ideas to attract customers. For example, they could close downtown, as they do for Route 66 car show, or have sidewalk sales, which includes all of the businesses in our community including Wal-Mart and Home Depot. They could have a market night as they have had in the past. The schools could take turns presenting programs in the parking lot of Union Bank. They could have concerts downtown, discounts nights, civic club nights, crafters nights to name a few.
I approved along with my fellow commissioners the Wal-Mart Distribution Center that will bring between 500 to 900 jobs to Barstow. I would continue to have the economic director attend the different trade shows to promote the positive assets of Barstow starting with our location as the hub for 15/40 freeways and rail transportation. I would focus our public relations on promotion of our assets: the enterprise zone, warehousing opportunities, and cheap land to encourage investment in Barstow. Economic development reports need to be made to the City Council as to the progress of our promotion so we can best utilize our services in seeking investors and developers for Barstow.
MAYOR
Nathaniel Pickett
Retired Lieutenant Colonel/Transportation Consultant
In the first ninety days, we will canvas the community and establish a framework to create jobs, attractions, improved community-based organizations and health care. We will sell Barstow to the 500 Club and to Hollywood and make “quality of life” the foundation of the community and not a “goal.” I will continue to correspond with businesses that would promote “quality of life.”
If Council is willing, we will update our General Plan and divide the city up into wards, but will not alter the city's charter. We will walk the streets to discover what would and would not work and establish priorities based upon our budget.
Land use is key to job enrichment and downtown revitalization. The city is in dire need of a resort. Theproposed downtown plan is not working. It does not contain the proper mix of businesses/attractions. The Redevelopment Agency must be active and query businesses to ascertain their needs, but never place fairness before morality. We need several businesses that would entice travelers and the residents of this community to our downtown.
We must change the business atmosphere. As soon as I am elected, we will exploit our existing resources to create a wellness center, which will be connected to the hospital and the college. I will work with BLM to use their resources in the city to support the proposed establishment. We must request BLM to postpone circulating their environmental document until November 4, 2008.
Joe Gomez
Barstow City Council member
Why is downtown revitalization needed?
A healthy downtown is a symbol of community pride and history. I'll encourage planned mixed -use developments such as retail, dining, residential, hospitality and office space that embrace community gathering spaces.
With the combination Route 66 historical theme, we can make downtown Barstow a destination point and revive a once popular highway.
First, we need to fix the streets and sidewalks and improve the landscape. And we have to work with downtown business owners to help them improve the appearance of buildings and rehabilitate historical signs and sites.
We've missed many other opportunities to capitalize on the thousands of tourist who travel through Barstow. We have to take advantage of the many motorcyclists who travel to the "Laughlin Run" every year by coordinating events and promoting downtown business. We are missing opportunities for the off-road enthusiasts that visit our desert weekly. We can do a better job by promoting events such as "Calico Days."
As mayor, I'll promote Barstow as "film friendly" community. That can bring needed revenue to Barstow and our business community. With locations around town and those surrounding Barstow such as Calico, Sawtooth Canyon and the sand dunes, we can assist film makers obtain location permits, equipment, meals at restaurants and local hotel accommodations. We have to reduce the number of burdensome permits in the city and county to make it cost-effective and easier for film/video producers to come to Barstow.
Lawrence Dale
Mayor of Barstow
I am a member of the Barstow Chamber of Commerce Economic Development committee. There is a young lady in our group that is very involved in this particular project (Ms. Aaron Lepeomanher). It is the goal to establish a Business Improvement District (BID). The goal of this district is to get the involvement of those who presently have businesses in downtown along with the property owners to help. This will include code enforcement, when needed, to bring necessary changes to turn the old downtown into a location people will enjoy shopping and visiting.
With regard to jobs in Barstow, we have an excellent opportunity with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center as well as the Barstow Industrial Park to do just that. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center will bring 500 to 750 jobs. The industrial park, with its 16.5 million square feet of rail-served warehouse, when built out will bring between 8,250 and 12,400 new living wage jobs. Barstow is on the move.
Compiled by Aaron Aupperlee, City Editor
