Each offer something unique to the City of Manteca.
Judy Blumhorst, Gabriel Galetta, and Regina Lackey are in the running for City Council Area 2 seat.
They shared their various viewpoints at Wednesday’s Candidates Forum hosted by the League of Women’s Voters, a nonpartisan political organization that’s committed to voter education and information.
The forum was held at the VFW Jimmie Connors Post 6311.
Blumhorst has experience in municipality, having worked for the City of Boston shortly after graduating college. She currently chairs the Manteca Planning Commission and, if elected, is “ready to hit the ground running” in serving her district.
Galetta takes pride in “getting things done.”
Having served as a union representative in the solid waste industry along with working as a real estate agent and general contractor, he’ll look to do much of the same for the city.
Lackey is an Air Force veteran, longtime youth group leader, and advocate for the local non-profits. She has no personal agenda and would use the opportunity of being elected “to do something good for others.”
Area 2 is the section of Manteca that’s south and east of the Highway 120 Bypass and Union Road, and just east of Highway 99 with the exception being The Collective neighborhood.
The three candidates agreed that this area currently has limited goods and services such as supermarkets and gas stations. Residents, in turn, must drive over the 120 Bypass while impacting traffic.
Lackey is concerned about the safety, especially with youngsters, who have to cross over the freeway bridge by biking or walking in order to get to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manteca or the new Thomas Toy Community Center.
Questions for this event were provided by community members. Included was Measure Q that’s on the Nov. 5 ballot calling for 3/4-cent sales tax increase to help fund roadways and infrastructure repairs along with enhancing neighborhood police patrols and fire protection services.
Blumhorst supports the new tax as a way “to create a reliable source of income” to help fund the city’s needs.
Lackey came out against it, agreeing on the needs of police, fire, and roads. “I don’t like the format as presented,” she said.
“I’m on the fence on this,” said Galetta, who’s concerned about those on low or fixed income.
He added: “The tax increase may not sound like a lot (of money), but it is to some.”
The candidates also gave their take on several other local issues such as the unhouse, CFD / Developer’s Fees, population growth, and transportation.
“Water is a concern, especially if we’re hit with another drought,” Galetta said.
Lackey mentioned regional concerns such as transportation, given that her husband has spent the past 20 years commuting to the Bay Area.
“I want this to be a place where you can live, work, and play here,” she said, in hopes of alleviating commuter traffic.
Blumhorst said that regional transportation and rail will be important as future plans call for ACE train expanding into the Central Valley. “We also have to get our highways in order,” she added.
The City of Manteca switched to district elections just two years ago – Blumhorst, Galetta, and Lackey not only reside in Area 2, but those casting their votes on Nov. 5 will be limited to those in that area.
