A POST on COUNCIL VOTE:

I have been watching our current council and this year I will not vote for LeAnn Garcia. While she is a sweat girl, I find that she cannot comprehend the issues brought before the council to vote on. LeeAnn should be in interior design.

Dontay might be young, but he is right on. But it isn't that the council is out of touch. They just don't care because facilities for young people don't bring in any revenue.

The only thing Maryetta and Steve Berry care about is making money. They have said that the city is already making money. So why do we need a mall of any sort. Grand Terrace is too small for that sort of thing. If they do need to build, why not near the freeway in the ol "Outdoor Center Project".

I know who Walt is and I don't believe he lives in Grand Terrace by full choice. He is a business owner in GT and only moved to GT only after the Fires burned his home. His home was in the mountains.

Bob Mendez is a plant by Steve Berry. Steve Berry, who also doesn't live in GT is supporting this guy. Bob Mendez is completely out of touch.

My votes go to Doug Wilson, for being very knowledgeable and always having time to listen, Jim Miller, for supporting the people of GT and Dontay for supporting the children. (I just hope he has the backbone to stand up to Maryetta.)

08:46 AM PDT on Thursday, October 9, 2008

By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise

A new high school, centralized town center and fiscal responsibility are among the top concerns of two incumbents and four challengers vying for Grand Terrace City Council seats on Nov. 4.

Incumbents Jim Miller and Lee Ann Garcia are up for re-election. Councilman Dan Buchanan, who was appointed in 2007 to replace Councilwoman Maryetta Ferre, who was elected mayor, is not running.

The four challengers are Doug Wilson, Bob Mendez, Walt Stanckiewitz and Dontay Nunn.

The candidates generally agree on some issues, including development, programs for residents and a new high school.

As far as residential development, Grand Terrace has no more room to grow.

Commercially, however, the city is moving ahead with several projects, including a Town Center and the Grand Crossings retail center.

Garcia said she supports development but said the city must protect its interests and ensure that new projects are compatible with the town.

"We have to be very cautious and careful about what we allow into our city," she said.

Wilson, a Grand Terrace planning commissioner for 17 years, said discussions with the developers of the Town Center and Grand Crossings are crucial to bringing the right projects to the city.

Financially, the city has to plan ahead, Wilson said.

"Economics are going to play a big role," Wilson said.

Stanckiewitz said he would like to see Grand Terrace grow beyond the kinds of businesses it has now, like hair salons and sandwich shops.

"We've got plenty of those stores, but we don't have destination shopping," he said.

Mendez said Grand Terrace needs more restaurants.

"I'd like to see another restaurant," he said. "I'd like to see another mini mall where people could shop, more unique kinds of stores like Trader Joe's."

A new high school also is at the top of the list of the candidates' concerns. The site is on the edge of Grand Terrace, near Highgrove.

"Colton Joint Unified School District is going to fulfill its obligation and provide us a high school," said Miller. "I think it's going that way."

Wilson also is in favor of a high school but said the city isn't directly involved in the planning of it. "The city really doesn't have a whole lot of involvement," he said.

Nunn, the youngest candidate at 22, said he believes city leaders don't understand what the young people in town want.

"I think the Grand Terrace City Council is out of touch and I don't think they really want a high school," he said.

Nunn and Wilson said more programs are needed for children and teens and they would like to see a youth center and skateboard park in the city.

"Let's get these kids somewhere to go," said Nunn. "That's what I need to be there for."

The city gets high marks from the candidates for its fiscal responsibility. Garcia said Grand Terrace historically saves its money and has healthy reserves.

"We try to rely on as little as possible outside funding," she said.

Stanckiewitz said the city is doing a good job but needs to be certain that it hangs onto its reserve fund of more than $5 million.

"They have done very well," he said. "The budget has stayed on track. I know there is a rainy day fund but we have to make sure it doesn't disappear on us."

Miller said increasing sales tax revenue would add more money for programs the city can't afford to cut.

"We don't have a very large budget for being a small city," said Miller.

Mendez, a first-time candidate with a background as a firefighter, said there is one service that Grand Terrace needs.

"My goal is to bring paramedics into the city," he said.

Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com

GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

LEE ANN GARCIA


AGE: 46

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: One son

OCCUPATION: President, Garcia, Overstreet & Associates

EDUCATION: Certificate, international relations; bachelor's degree, political science; master's degrees in national security studies and public administration, Cal State San Bernardino.

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Board member, Omnitrans; member, Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council; board of directors, California League of Cities Inland Empire division member; member, Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce; member, Friends of Grand Terrace Library.

BOB MENDEZ


AGE : 56

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: Single, one daughter

OCCUPATION: Fire prevention specialist, San Bernardino County.

EDUCATION: Graduate, Colton High School, Cal State San Bernardino; Loma Linda University, Crafton Hills College.

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: San Bernardino County Fire Prevention Officers Association; Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 997

JIM MILLER


AGE : 60

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: Married, four children

OCCUPATION: Real-property manager for San Bernardino County

EDUCATION: Master's in business administration, Pepperdine University

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Board member, Grand Terrace Lions Club; board chairman, Goodwill Industries 1997-99

DONTAY NUNN


AGE: 22

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: Engaged, one daughter

OCCUPATION: In-home care provider

EDUCATION: Graduate, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: None

WALT STANCKIEWITZ


AGE : 58

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: Married, one daughter

OCCUPATION: Owner, La Pasta Italia, Grand Terrace

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, Southern Illinois University

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: American Compensation Association

DOUG WILSON


AGE : 54

RESIDES: Grand Terrace

FAMILY: Married, one daughter

OCCUPATION: Business consultant

EDUCATION: Certificate, light-construction and development management, UC Irvine.

TOP FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Chairman, Grand Terrace Planning Commission.