5 Questions: Diane Martinez, 63rd Assembly District Candidate

Diane Martinez, member of the Paramount City Council and Democratic candidate for the California State Assembly 63rd District that includes South Gate and Lynwood, answered five questions on why she thinks she is the right candidate for the seat.

Patch Latino: What are your greatest accomplishments since joining the Paramount City Council?

Martinez: Bringing community policing to the city’s neighborhoods and dramatically increasing the size and number of services offered at the Paramount Sheriff’s Station. Crime levels today in Paramount are at their lowest since the mid 1970s.

Launching a variety of innovative urban renewal and other civic improvement projects, many of which have been cited as “cutting edge” by national and state organizations.

Beautification projects such as the landmark “Welcome Wall” fountain and the massive public art pieces throughout the city.

Our Pocket Parks have won the U.S. Conference of Mayors Award.

The city’s anti-gang program, Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP), also won the U.S. Conference of Mayors Award.

The Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) strives to better the lives of Paramount residents to continue their education beyond high school. As of today, nearly $400,000 of scholarships has been awarded to students attending a university, community college or trade school.

Patch Latino: How will your background in education come into play should you win the assembly seat?

Martinez: I have been a school teacher for 25 years. I know that education and economic improvement go hand in hand, that you need a good education to get a good job. As your next assemblymember, I will work to ensure that every student in California receives a first-rate education and has the resources and opportunity to, at the very least, get their high school diploma.

Patch Latino: What do you believe are the key issues in the 63rd District?

Martinez: I believe that every single individual deserves quality, affordable health care. As your assemblymember, I will demand that first-class health care be provided to our residents, just as any resident throughout Los Angeles County expects and deserves.

I believe that every family and every individual has a right to safe, affordable, decent housing. As your next assemblymember, I will fight to bring more workforce housing to our district.

I believe that creating and retaining good jobs is critical, not only to a strong economy but to the well being and security of the people in our community.

As your assemblymember, I will supply proven experience to attract more quality businesses and industries to enhance quality of life and economic success.

I believe that every family – every man, woman and child – deserves and should expect to live in a safe and beautiful neighborhood. In my town, public safety programs developed with the Sheriff’s Department are known far and wide. They have been successful in dramatically lowering crime rates. The truth is, public safety is the engine that drives all other quality of life issues. As your assemblymember, I will make sure that public safety is my top priority.

Patch Latino: What professional experience has prepared you to seek a seat in the state assembly?

Martinez: In 1994, I began my service as a councilmember in Paramount, my hometown. I have served as mayor four terms. These 18 years have been a period of incredible transformation in Paramount. A sense of innovation and a spirit of teamwork for the common good have been the guiding force during this time. These are the qualities that I can take to Sacramento for the betterment of our entire district.

Patch Latino: You have said that you would continue to work with your city council if elected. In what ways would you continue to champion local government during this fiscal crisis?

Martinez: I will always work with all city councils when I go to Sacramento. I will be a partner, an advocate and a friend to every city that I represent. I make this pledge in light of recent actions that are having a terrible impact on our cities. I’m speaking, of course, about the elimination of redevelopment agencies. We all know, first hand, how redevelopment has helped our communities, how much good it has done over the years. When I am in Sacramento, you will always be able to count on me. I will start right away to restore what has been taken from us.

Read Patch Latino's interviews with 63rd District candidates  and . Watch for future interviews with the other candidates in the district race.

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