There are three city council seats up for grabs in Lindsay and seven candidates fighting to take them. The incumbents have been serving together for the last ten years and became the target of a citizen proposed recall. New candidates say the city is in desperate need of a change.
The city of Lindsay is no stranger to controversy. Last year, a group of citizens launched a failed recall effort after a city audit showed mismanaged money. City council members were at the center of it.
Pamela Kimball, Council Member says, "The management of our financials was not perfect and council wasn't really aware of that situation either, so we got into trouble. It's history now and we're already moving forward."
Pamela Kimball is one of three incumbents fighting for re-election. She says some changes need to be made.
"I think we do need to do a better job of figuring out how to communicate with the community at large."
Mayor Ed Murray hopes to continue his run. He says tax revenues are up, and he wants to stay on the right path.
Mayor Ed Murray, incumbent, says "The city has gone through some great times. We've done a lot of things over the past years like improving infrastructure and improving downtown."
Incumbent Estaban "Steve" Valasquez says his focus is bringing more jobs to Lindsay, and helping local business grow.
But for the first time in eight years, new faces are giving the council a run for their money and fighting for a fresh start.
Steve Mecum, candidate, says "We have a council that's not listening to the people and not getting any feedback or input."
Steve Mecum would like to create more committees where citizens have a voice. He'd also like to see money spent where it was promised.
"If we have money that we told people we're gonna fix the roads with, whether it's a little or a lot, we need to fix the roads," says Mecum.
Sharon Wyckoff, Lindsay resident says, "A few years ago our taxes were increased and it was mainly to go toward road work in town they were supposed to be redone and maybe four or five roads have been redone and there's potholes all over town that I feel needs work. So I'm wondering where that tax money went too."
"The only problem here is the streets, they need to be fixed. I've been buying tires all year round," says Annette Barajas, Lindsay resident.
Roseana Sanchez says she wants to give power back to the people and bring new resources to the city.
"There's a lot of empty building, hopefully we can get people to occupy those buildings, businesses and having them to retain in the same building, not just come for a couple of months and then not making enough business and having to close their business down," says Sanchez.
Timothy Daubert and Eric Eugene Perfecto Sinclair also joined the race. Our efforts to reach the candidates were unsuccessful.
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