Meet the Candidates : Oxnard City Council

Five candidates, including two incumbent council members, are seeking two seats on the City Council in November. The key issues include battling gang violence in the city, providing affordable housing and controlling development.

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Andres Herrera

Age: 50

Occupation: Small-business owner

Education: Bachelor of arts degree, UCLA

Background: Herrera is seeking reelection for his second term on the City Council. He was born and raised in Oxnard. He serves as a director for the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, the Oxnard Airport Authority and is the corporate president for Future Leaders of America.

Issues: Herrera says the major issues for Oxnard are public safety, economic development and youth and senior services. He promised continued support for providing resources to police and fire services. In addition he will support senior services and securing affordable housing. He says he will work toward completion of a youth master plan and support community-based organizations to create more after-school programs. In addition he says he would like to see Oxnard’s city image improve.

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Roy W. Lockwood

Age: 76

Occupation: Retired federal fire chief

Education: High school diploma

Background: Lockwood has been running, and losing, bids for public office in Oxnard since 1972. He has served on several committees, such as the Oxnard War Veterans Memorial, Oxnard Charter Committee and other veterans organizations. He has been attending council meetings since 1970 and speaks frequently during the public comment session.

Issues: Lockwood is concerned about the economic health of Oxnard, citing financial and economic troubles. He says it is important to keep business fees at reasonable rates so that businesses are attracted to Oxnard. He also supports preserving farmlands, restoring Oxnard’s historical Plaza Park, providing affordable housing and mobile home tenant concerns.

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Bedford Pinkard

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired recreation supervisor

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Cal State Northridge

Background: Pinkard is seeking reelection to a second term after sitting on the City Council for four years. He has served on the CSUN/Ventura campus advisory board and was past chairman of the Parks and Harbor Commission. He was founder of the La Colonia Youth Boxing Program.

Issues: Pinkard emphasizes public safety, including addressing youth crime and gangs through finding preventive and proactive programs that will help keep youth out of trouble. Another issue for him is maintaining affordable housing and appropriate living conditions throughout Oxnard. In addition, Pinkard says he will continue to support and work with the Greater Oxnard Economic Development Corporation.

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Emmett Whatley

Age: 44

Occupation: Small-business owner

Education: Associate of science degree in business management, Oxnard College

Background: Whatley has been a resident of Oxnard for more than 20 years. He has been active in his community as a coach in Southside Little League.

Issues: Whatley says he is concerned with the everyday issues facing working men and women. He says he wants to establish community action teams to increase community involvement. To deal with crime and gang violence, he would establish a forum where young people can meet and express their concerns. He would encourage local government to take a more proactive role in working with churches and schools to restore family values and strengthen the morals of the community.

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John C. Zaragoza

Age: 55

Occupation: Real estate broker

Education: Bachelor of arts degree in business management, University of La Verne

Background: Zaragoza is running for Oxnard City Council for the second time. He was a city employee for about 31 years working in the solid waste management division. Currently he has his own real estate and tax business in Oxnard. He has been a member of several civic organizations such as the Oxnard Kiwanis club and Chamber of Commerce and was past chairman of the Oxnard Community Boy Scouts of America.

Issues: Zaragoza says he will emphasize public safety by providing training opportunities that keep police and fire employees up to date with modern equipment. He also sees youth and after-school programs as important to keep kids out of trouble. Economic development and protecting greenbelts are also key issues.

Oxnard mayor race, B5