Crime & Safety

Gil Hurtado: Responses to South Gate Police Associations Questionnaire

The associations have provided Patch with the answered questionnaires of each candidate.

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The South Gate Police Officers Association (POA) and the Police Managers Association (PMA) have endorsed the two incumbents seeking re-election to their current council seats.

South Gate Vice-Mayor Gil Hurtado was given an endorsement. Below are his written responses to the questionnaire that was handed to him by both associations. 

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All candidates seeking the endoresement of the two local police unions were asked to fill it out.  

Hurtado's answers are in italics. 

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Local Issues and Campaign Endorsements

Have you ever been convicted of any crime? Are there any criminal or non-criminal cases currently pending against you or your campaign?

No – Never.

What position are interest in running for and why have you chosen this position?

I am interested in serving as a councilmember in order to continue serving the honest government our residents deserve and fought for 10 years ago.

Please include any former offices or campaigns you have either held or participated in before and how would this former experience help you in the position you are seeking? 

I participated in the recall effort, 10 years ago, of Albert Robles and company. Eight years ago I ran for city council on a slate with Bill De Witt. I also ran four years ago on a slate with De Witt. We won each time

Tell us what you know about South Gate politics and what have been some of the concerns of the public regarding South Gate politics in the past?

About 10 years ago, the city was full of corruption. I was a part of a coalition that formed to clean up that corruption. Eight years ago, this coalition selected me and Bill De Witt to run for city council.

How did you hear about the selection committee and do you feel an endorsement from this committee is important?

I have sought the endorsement from this committee in the past and have received the endorsement. This endorsement is very important to me because I have supportive of the SGPD through the years.

What are your views, both either positive or negative of running for office on a slate with another candidate?  Could running on a slate interfere with your views and how will you vote on issues if elected?

Running on a slate can be good or bad depending on the running mate. I have ran on a slate in the last two elections and have been successful. However, once we are on the council we each vote on our own. We have agreed on many issues and disagreed on some issues.

Do you know the voting demographics of South Gate?  If so, how important is it to be bilingual in this particular race?

South Gate is primarily a Hispanic community. Being bilingual helps tremendously. But, I don’t see how it hurts to have a councilmember that speaks only English since there is always someone that is available to translate.

What do you believe the requirements of a candidate for office in this race should be? 

1.) Experience 2.) A history of dedicated service to the community. 3.) Honesty through out the campaign.  If a candidate cannot be honest in the campaign, why should he/she be trusted on the council?

Do you belong to any work unions, associations, or special interest groups?  If so, what would be their commitment or participation on your behalf for this race?

I am president of the SGJAA. This is a youth program dedicated to serving the youth of S.G. 

What goals do you wish to accomplish while your tenure if elected to office?

1) Maintain honest government 2) Continue to provide the services to our community while balancing the budget. 3) Continue to have our city lead in the area of having the best unemployment rates in the southeast area. 4) Continue to work on bringing businesses. Such as the Azalea project.

What other public safety association endorsements have you obtained or seek to obtain for this race?

Only this one.  

List the current and anticipated major financial contributors to your campaign:

Many local businesses such as: Schultz steel, AG Goldschmidt, Bates Realty, Central Ford, Mr. C’s Towing, Bodo Inc., etc.

Please describe your key issue priorities if (re)elected to local office.

Same as above; jobs, sales tax revenue increase, service to the community, and most importantly – honest representation.

What distinguishes you from other candidates in this race?

I have over two decades of volunteer work to the community. I have participated in graffiti removal programs and trash clean-up events for many years. Not just before the election.

What organizations and notable individuals do you consider your base of support and why? Have you ever had an endorsement withdrawn?

No endorsements has ever been withdrawn. I am endorsed by many community leaders such as: members of the SGJAA, Ms. Rosenda from AY50, local  church leaders, such as pastor Menendez, Pastor Moscoso, Pastor Garife, etc. I am also endorsed by Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Santor Ricardo Lara, Assemlyman Rendon, County Supervisor Molina, and former Assemblyman De la Torre. Other leaders; Mrs. Rendon, Araceli Dominguez, Mary Johnson, Virginia Johnson.

Working Condition Issues

Pension compensation and negotiated healthcare for public safety employee retirees have been under attack for several years.  What is your public position on public safety employee retirement costs?

I feel that those critics should look at their pensions first. Public safety employees are risking their lives daily. Compensation should justify these risks.

What can you do to help educate taxpayers and citizens of South Gate of the benefits and costs of having city funded services verses contracting services out?

I grew up in a neighborhood where services were handled by the county. It is a world of difference. City funded employees tend to show more care for their jobs.

 State and Local Budget Priorities, Public Safety Issues

What is the highest current budget priority in your city?  If elected, would you change that?

We need to increase the sales tax revenue. We are in the process of bringing in businesses that will have a positive impact to this problem.

What is your position on civilianization of sworn personnel or trained specialized non-sworn positions such as Custody Officers, Community Service Officers and replacing them with outside contract services in return for savings?

I am not a fan of contracting out. I actually have family that work in law enforcement as civilians. They love being part of the city rather than being contracted into their positions.

We recognized that open communication between elected officials andPOA/PMA have proven to be very beneficial in order to achieve common goals and a commitment to service for the city of South Gate.  How often do you think you can dedicate in maintaining that commitment of open communication with members of the POA/PMA?

Every day.

Please tell us of some thoughts on how to better secure the financial status of the city in order to ensure financial progress and growth in South Gate in order to maintain its services.

We recently worked out the details to bring in a new shopping center. This will bring the revenue that has been lacking. We have been aggressive in obtaining federal, state and county grants to make improvements while not having to use general fund money.

Please list the names of POA or PMA members – up to 6 – working in your community who can provide reference for your endorsement.

Pico Rivera, Tony Mendez, Ricardo Navarro.

Please list any other thoughts or concerns that you feel we have not covered that are important and essential topics for your candidate endorsement consideration from POA/PMA.

As an elected official, my responsibility is to “represent’ the members of the community. Although I was not in favor of a shopping center that would include a WALMART, I pushed my persona views aside and worked on bringing in this shopping center because that is what the people wanted. I am here to represent the community.

Ricardo Reyes’s POA/PMA candidate questionnaire will be published on Sunday.

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