With Councilmember Rhonda Shader termed out, there is guaranteed one new face on the City Council, while two Placentia incumbents are seeking reelection.
Looking to win that District 1 council seat are Joshua Correa and Thomas Hummer.
Kenneth Stevenson is challenging incumbent Jeremy Yamaguchi for the District 3 seat and in District 5, incumbent Ward Smith is facing challenger Colson Teal.
District 1
Correa, a minister, said he has “consistently invested in Placentia and has helped to navigate challenges surrounding our financial struggles as vice chair on Placentia’s Citizens Fiscal Sustainability Task Force.”
“I know what it takes to balance conviction and understanding to seek solutions that are good for our neighbors as we navigate difficult decisions,” he said in response to the newspaper’s Voter Guide question about leadership. “We need councilmembers who are responsive and willing to work with passionate neighbors on the hard issues at hand. We need leaders to bring us together over local issues that need not be politicized.”
Hummer, an educator, said in response to what he would bring to leadership that he has “learned how to navigate and lead in all types of situations,” from being a father, from teaching teenagers and from “guiding those who are lost.”
“I work hard every day, have strong family values and come home every day to a city that I love,” he added.
Hummer said public safety is the biggest need he sees facing Placentia.
“We need to maintain and build an even stronger relationship with our very own police and fire departments,” he said. “I also feel just as strongly about supporting our small businesses to ensure they continue to flourish, and, in turn, bring even more success to our great town.”
When asked about the most pressing need facing the town, Correa said, “Our biggest challenge has been building for the future while creating financial stability without sacrificing our identity as a community.”
“We need a council that can guide pending development with decisiveness while engaging the community,” he said. “We must value understanding of our rich history and heritage that has made Placentia what it is today.”
District 3
Stevenson, an athletic director, said listening skills, open communication and responsiveness are important for leadership, and he would “ensure all communities are well-represented” if elected.
“I prioritize actively listening to community members, understanding their concerns and valuing their experiences,” he said. “I believe in maintaining transparency in decision-making processes and clearly communicating the rationale behind policies and actions.”
In response to the Voter Guide’s question about the biggest need facing Placentia, Stevenson said, “Finish the pavement for the streets, and there are a couple of businesses in strip malls that are outdated.
“Involve residents in the planning process to ensure that new developments meet the needs of the community and respect existing neighborhood character,” he added. “Implement programs to maintain and upgrade existing affordable housing units to prevent them from being lost due to disrepair or redevelopment pressures.”
Yamaguchi was first elected to the council in 2008, and at age 19, was one of the youngest elected to office in the state.
“Through my experience in local government and community engagement, I have developed strong relationships with residents from all backgrounds and have a reputation for being a collaborative and inclusive leader,” he said in response to the Voter Guide question about leadership, adding, “Time after time, I’m not afraid to hold staff accountable for balanced budgets, transparent accountabilities and fair and equitable policies.”
Prioritizing public safety, including having “well-equipped” police and fire departments, to maintain the quality of life for all residents and provide a sense of security, is one of the biggest needs he sees facing the city.
He also said that “investing in maintaining high-quality public roads and safe parks is essential.”
District 5
Smith, a former police chief in the city, was elected to the council in 2016.
In his candidate statement for the ballot, he touted the implementation of programs to address homelessness, the addition of a faster fiber network for internet, the new public safety building under construction and road improvements while he’s been on the council.
“By collaborating closely with community organizations such as Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Veteran’s Advisory, and LOT318, we have created a unique partnership with the city to address the critical needs of our residents,” he said in the statement.
Teal, a political science student, said even before launching his campaign, “I have made it my mission to talk to and listen to as many people within Placentia as possible.”
“I care about listening to the needs and wants of all communities in Placentia,” he said in response to the Voter Guide question about what he would bring to leadership, “and because I have the experience in leadership necessary to help create solutions.”
“The biggest need of Placentia is to get a fresh perspective on the City Council for issues of public infrastructure and finance,” he said. “The City Council needs to be more fiscally responsible.”
He said he would cut back on “unnecessary spending while redirecting our money back where it belongs: fixing Placentia’s lacking public infrastructure and crumbling roads and providing proper funding and competitive pay for our first responders.”
The newspaper’s Voter Guide also asked the candidates questions about meeting the demand for housing, budgeting and climate change. Check out what they said at ocregister.com/voter-guide. The guide includes all the races on the ballots.
