David4Marina

WRITE-UP

2006-10-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Monterey Herald 10/8/06

Two upbeat, veteran Marina City Council members and a CSU-Monterey Bay graduate critical of some of the city's new developments are vying for two council seats in the November election.

Dave McCall, a construction supervisor, and Ken Gray, a state park planner, are seeking their second four-year terms. David Hernandez, an independent filmmaker who moved to Marina six years ago to be close to college, hopes to snare one of their seats.

Marina Mayor Ila Mettee-McCutchon is running unopposed for another two-year term.

All three council candidates say they want to ensure that plans to revitalize downtown Marina are carried out. McCall and Hernandez say expanding recreational opportunities for city residents count among their top goals. And Gray says he wants to keep Marina's spirit of volunteerism intact as the city faces major growth.

The race boils down to two incumbents who point to experience and knowledge from being on the council, and a political newcomer who criticizes the city's huge University Village project and the takeover of Marina's vacant K-mart store by retail giant Wal-Mart.

"University village was a missed opportunity. I think the leadership went in the wrong direction," Hernandez said. "The city should have insisted on a different direction."

Gray, who got involved in city politics 10 years ago to prevent the city from growing to the north in a big way before concentrating on redeveloping Fort Ord land, said he has become more pragmatic since joining the council.

Gray said some of the "utopian visions" for Fort Ord land have to give way because the realities of economic constraints on redeveloping the former Army base.

Gray acknowledges that his recent, centrist direction has probably cost him backing among some supporters.

"That gets back to the difference between being an unelected candidate who can advocate for a philosophy," he said. "After you get elected, you need to be pragmatic and come up with solutions that really work."

McCall said his personal views sometimes take a back seat to ensuring that the council makes clear and unified policy decisions.

"There are a lot of things I don't feel strongly about, but if I can't convince two or three other members, I'm going to go along with the majority," he said. "It's better than not getting anything passed."

Gray and McCall refrained from commenting about their opponents, while Hernandez blasted the current council as "a rubber stamp. They are not leaders."

Hernandez credited Mettee-McCutchon for her leadership and praised Councilman Michael Moore for opposing a controversial staff reorganization last year that resulted in several longtime city employees losing their jobs.

"He's a good guy," he said.

With big decisions already made on University Village and Marina Heights, McCall said downtown revitalization is his top priority. He said he wants to make certain "the economic heartbeat of Marina is restored."

Gray said he would like the heavily traveled Reservation Road corridor transformed into a more pedestrian-friendly shopping area such as Monterey's Alvarado Street.

"We do have an aggressive proposal for a traditional downtown," he said.

Hernandez said the downtown renovation project has been talked about for too long and needs more action.

Hernandez, a former Salinas resident and Monterey County native, said that gives him a different point of view from Gray and McCall.

Gray and McCall have long roots in the community, having been leaders in Scouting and youth sports programs.

Gray said one challenge as the city grows will be to keep "the sense of community and volunteer spirt." The coming growth will mean more traffic for Marina residents, which could increase the need for light-rail or rapid-bus service, he said.

City finances should get a boost from the big Fort Ord projects, Gray and McCall said.

McCall said he hopes the city will be able to pay its employees more because Marina pay rates now are "pretty much down on the totem pole."

He said public safety is another top concern. He says the city must keep moving toward separate police and fire departments and a merger with Seaside for fire protection.

Gray said Marina still has a lot of work to do to transform its Fort Ord redevelopment areas.

"It is an urgent priority to get on with redevelop," he said. "There are still hundreds of abandoned buildings."

Hernandez thinks he will be able to win a council seat despite going against two incumbents.

"I'm (campaigning) very aggressively with signs, walking and standing in front of Albertsons," he said, referring to one of Marina's heavy-traffic shopping centers.

ENDORSED BY DEMOCRATS

2006-09-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

Last friday I attended an endorse interview with the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee.

I was told that I passed with flying colors because of my work with CAWIM. (Thank you Steve!)

I'm just waiting for the offical endorsement from the Democrat Board.

Next week I have an interview with the Monterey County Hearld and down the future I have an interview with the Californian. Both are for endorsements.

Keep coming back for more!

WHERE I STAND

2006-08-30T00:33:00.000-07:00

"A Change for the Future"

David Hernandez, a life-long Monterey County resident, Veteran of the US Navy, and a father of two, dedicates his life to Marina’s future.

David Hernandez grew up in Salinas, California. After serving in US Navy he decided to get away from the high traffic and high crime that accompanied Salinas’s erratic growth. In 2002 he made a decision to move to Marina because of the “America’s Hometown” community feel.
While living in Marina David graduated with a B.A in Teledramatic Arts and Technology from Cal State Monterey Bay and continues to work on his master degree at San Jose State University. David now uses his experiences from the military, life, and college to advocate his plan, A Change for Marina’s Future.

David Hernandez is Pro-Growth!
David wants Marina to become a city that “offers its residents a broad range of Housing, Transportation, and Recreation choices while preserving irreplaceable natural resources.”

However, Marina can only achieve these goals if we develop in a Healthy, Sustainable manner consistent with the General Plan.

David’s Plan; A Change for Marinas Future, will accomplish this in a timely affordable way.

· Implement Plans and Polices to Revitalize Downtown
· Enhance Community Recreational Programs and Activities
· Foster Cultural Diversity to Achieve Sustainable City Growth

Leadership Matters!
For the past 4 years the City Council has taken a backseat. They carelessly spend city funds than discuss “raising utility taxes.” They -Rubber Stamp- spending resolutions without proper public discussion or debate. They sell our land for “dirt-cheap” to out of town developers even though our land is valued as the highest in the nation. Furthermore, they individually “do nothing.”

Without the alliances to developers, contractors, or out of town consultants David Hernandez has an “independent” voice.

Once in office David promises;
· To Implement his Plan within the First Year
· Create Workforce Housing “Buying” Opportunities
· Improve the Quality of Life within a Safe Community Environment

With these basic fundamental ideas, we together can Change Marina’s Future!
David Hernandez promises to turn Marina into a Vibrant, Diverse, Sustainable Community.

Remember in November David Hernandez for Marina City Council

DEMOCRATS

2006-07-26T00:32:00.000-07:00

I've talked to the Democratic Party within the Monterey County. I have a few meetings planned for this week and weekend. Tomorrow I meet with the young Democrats and Saturday is a Democrat reunion.

If anyone wants to help set-up or volunteer for the registration please email me at David4Marina@yahoo.com

Its going to be in Salinas, Ca

David4Marina

2006-07-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

This is the start of my campaign. Monday July 17, 2006 I picked up nomination papers and Friday July 21, 2006 I turned them in.

This blog will be used to keep people updated with the history of my campaign.

I will use video and audio in this blog to make it more interactive.

Stay turned for more information.