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| Roy de los Santos |
Voters never know for certain how candidates will perform once in office, but interviews and campaign forums, if attended, shed some light on a candidate's sensitivity or viewpoint on certain issues.
The goal is to elect candidates who will actually perform for the citizenry, not a timid Joel Munguia, combative Charlie Atkinson or someone who becomes a "no-show" at city meetings.
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| Jessica Puente-Bradshaw |
With the above in mind, let's contrast or compare the viewpoints expressed by Roy de los Santos and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw, candidates for City Commissioner District 3.
Barton: With respect to Mexican Nationals or Central Americans and their children who cross the border illegally, how should these be dealt with?
De los Santos: When it comes to those here who are not citizens, I think there are a couple of categories. We have those seeking asylum, and those who are likely just here illegally. I believe anyone who wants to come to the US has an obligation to do so in compliance with the law. I think there should be consideration given to children who were brought here illegally at a young age and were likely unaware of their status until they were older, so I agree with DACA. All efforts to discourage illegal immigration are on the table, and when it comes to asylum seekers, we need strict screening/vetting to ensure we’re not bringing in criminals, and testing against disease to ensure they will not pose a risk to US citizens if the federal government is going to require that they be released in the US for a future court date. The system as it applies to refugees and asylum seekers is far from perfect today and needs serious attention from our federal elected officials.
Puente-Bradshaw: The original D.R.E.A.M. Act failed to be approved by either party. It was poorly written with too many loopholes. It allowed, not only "Johnny" to get citizenship, but, in certain cases, to bring with him father, mother, brothers, sisters, aunt, uncle, etc. Why not simply work to qualify for citizenship as so many have done in the past? I'm not even opposed to private sector companies qualifying individuals or bringing those who qualify to the attention of the federal agency and doing so for a fee. I believe private enterprise can sometimes do a better job than the bureaucracy."
Barton: Do you recognize same sex marriages?
De los Santos: While local governments have no authority in this area, I recognize and fully support same sex marriage. Marriage used to be a religious institution, and even precedes modern Christianity. However, once the government began to license it, extend tax benefits for it, and grant automatic rights and privileges for it, then it is no longer solely a religious institution, it is now a civil institution and as such the 14th amendment, ensuring equal protection of the laws, applies. Whom a person chooses as their spouse, to hold all the rights and privileges that go with it, should not be limited based on the sex of the individual.
Puente-Bradshaw: I believe marriage to be a spiritual union between a man and a woman. That doesn't preclude same sex couples from entering into a civil union. That's the approach I would take. All the issues you mention like medical decisions, inheritance, etc. can be handled by a civil union and a contractual agreement without changing the definition of marriage.
Barton: Do you feel GBIC's main emphasis should be to lure large corporations into the area or to accelerate the growth of already-existing local businesses?
De los Santos: I think the primary focus of GBIC should be economic development which includes raising the average income in the area. There is or should not be any limit to whether the business is coming from out of town or is a local business. Any efforts which create higher paying jobs should be the focus of GBIC .
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