City of Brawley

Ramon Castro

Age 39 Occupation Electrician List your previous civic leadership experience: Brawley Planning Commission 2015-present, Chairman 2017 Brawley Veterans Honor Wall, President 2015-present 56th Assembly Democratic District Delegate Veterans Informational Seminars, Founding Member 2015 56th Assembly District Veteran of the Year. What issue will you focus on? 1) Investment in infrastructure to attract private investments for restaurants, movie theaters, and retail space. 2) Work with our Police Department to increase our children’s safety in our schools and neighborhoods.

3) Work with council and staff to reduce city taxes and fees, such as CFDs and the Utility Tax. Why did you decide to run in your respective race? I have tremendous respect for our elected leaders, but I feel we need a new vision. We need to be proactive, not

just reactive. Our constituents often feel that their concerns aren’t being heard and we must work very hard to change that perception.

What is your strongest asset? I am as stubborn as can be and rarely do I take no for an answer. However, I believe my strongest asset is my strong work ethic. My strong desire to improve my community, and my love for my family push me every day to work harder to improve our city.

Why should the voters vote for you? I have a proven record of service-on our planning commission, I have been a strong advocate for residents of Brawley. As a Marine and veteran, I have worked to help other veterans. As a community member, I have volunteered thousands of hours. Where do you stand on the possible extension of

the city’s utility tax? Measure W needs to pass. It would be irresponsible and devastating for our city if we didn’t extend the tax. However, we were promised this was the last extension and we didn’t adequately prepare. We need to reduce wasteful spending and find new sources of revenue to end this tax.

Sam Couchman

Age 64 Occupation Retired List your previous civic leadership experience: Overall Economic Development Commission, Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program Community Foundation and Rotary Club International. Member of: Brawley Chamber of Commerce Board, Stockmen’s Club of Imperial Valley, Brawley Elks Lodge 1420 and the Air Pollution Control District Committee. What issue will you focus on? Focusing on a single issue does not work. As a member of the City Council, I will prioritize issues such as economic development for Main Street, but also the Walmart/Hwy 86 corridor and the Bypass area, Police and Fire, Public Works, Parks/Recreation, and Library Services. Why did you decide to run in your

respective race? I have always felt that public service is important. I like serving and always try to make positive improvements. I would like to see certain projects that are currently moving forward through to completion. I feel strong, dedicated leadership is important for Brawley. What is your strongest asset? The ability to work together with others and make the difficult decisions that are necessary. Why should the voters vote for you? I am first and foremost a lifelong resident of Brawley. I am accessible, dependable, educated, knowledgeable, dedicated and accountable. My home is in Brawley and my family lives in Brawley. You can be assured that I take my responsibilities very seriously. Where do you stand on the possible extension of the city’s utility tax? Personally, I support this revenue source, part of the City’s budget since 1991. It is not a new or increased tax. The voters must make their decision. If elected I will continue to balance Brawley’s budget, establishing service levels reflecting the will of the people, while constantly seeking increased revenues.

Helen Noriega

Age 66 Occupation HR Coordinator/ Mayor ProTem

List your previous civic leadership experience: Brawley Elks Chaplain, American Legion Auxiliary, Pioneer Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Veterans Memorial Wall Committee, NOCCA, Brawley Library Board, Parks & Recreation Committee, ACC, Hidalgo Society, Sacred Heart Altar & Rosary, Planning Commission. Association of California Cities allied with Public Safety. MANA, League of Cities, SCAG.

What issue will you focus on? Educate our businesses on how together we need to clean up our buildings inside and out. Work together including Chamber of Commerce to welcome new businesses. Also to help them understand with a booklet that has step by step on how to do business in Brawley, treat each one the same.

Luke Hamby

Age 40 Occupation Building and remodeling contractor List your previous civic leadership experience: Past 4-H project leader, teaching 4-H members basic skills in woodworking and electrical; Construction team leader for IV Hope For Haiti orphanage project; Concert master for IV Symphony; Board member for North County Coalition for the Arts, IV Hope for Haiti, and IV Symphony Association. What issue will you focus on? I will work to make Brawley the most business friendly town in Imperial Valley while looking for inefficiencies throughout city departments and working to eliminate those inefficiencies. I will work to engage the public in community service projects to improve our parks and downtown area. Why did you decide to run in your respective race? I’ve watched along with everyone else as Brawley has declined and deteriorated over the last 20 years. This year, I decided it’s time to step up and try to make a positive difference for Brawley, to work to repair instead of watching it continue to deteriorate. What is your strongest asset? I’m very good at working with all kinds of people, at getting different kinds of people to work together for a common goal, and at seeing a job through to completion. Why should the voters vote for you? People in Brawley and throughout Imperial Valley who I have worked for and worked with have described me as being a man of integrity, honesty, and dependability. These are qualities I will bring to the city council, and which I will use to bring positive change to Brawley city governance. Where do you stand on the possible extension of the city’s utility tax? Whether or not voters approve continuing the Utility User’s Tax, I believe the job of the city council and city manager will be to make Brawley as attractive to new businesses as possible, to increase revenue to the city and reduce dependency on this tax. Why did you decide to run in your respective race? I believe I have accomplished some but there is so much more. First Term is getting to know your peers and how the city is. I have lots more to contribute to my city and look forward to working harder to make new streets and helping new businesses.

What is your strongest asset? My strongest asset is being honest and friendly and accessible to everyone. When called with a concern I make sure they get their answer as quickly as possible. Why should the voters vote for you? Because I will always have an open door policy. I will always be honest. I’m not afraid to work. You will always have a truthful answer from me, whether you like it or not. Where do you stand on the possible extension of the city’s utility tax? The utility Tax has been around since 1991 and it use to be 5 percent and it is now 4 percent. Without it we will not have the services we receive today. Cuts will have to be made and it’s not going to be healthy for our children nor our seniors.