All the right reasons
Salinas brings knowledge, experience to Lindsay City Council campaign
“If you can’t do it for the right reasons, then don’t do it at all, and I feel like I’m doing it for the right reasons,” said Lindsay City Council candidate Danny Salinas. “I like to be involved with everything, not just the city.”
Salinas is running on a campaign fueled by experience and knowledge. With 15 years as a Council representative under his belt, Salinas is familiar with the ins and outs of what it means to be a Council Member.
“City Council has always been positive for me. This city has always been positive,” said Salinas. “I’m going on the premise that I’ve been here for 15 years. I’ve been involved with the city government for that many years but I’ve lived in the city for almost 53 years.”
Salinas began his City Council journey after retiring form a corrections job, and stated that he felt like it was time to give back. He is also the chairman of the Orange Blossom committee and the Vice President of the Dollars for Scholars program.
“Being retired makes a big difference. I’m always there to help, to answer a question, to ask a question,” stated Salinas. “I make it a point to be accessible and available.”
When questioned about the city’s priority need, Salinas didn’t hesitate in his answer — public safety.
“Public safety has always got to be number one,” said Salinas. “I’d like to hire on more officers.”
Salinas feels that the appearance of the city is vital for a prosperous economy, and stated that he has made efforts to improve the city’s aesthetics. “Being part of the
Lindsay Orange Blossom Festival foundation, we took it upon ourselves to donate money to our sign at the entrance to the city,” said Salinas. “What we did is, we donated $5,500, if I'm not mistaken, and we had students from the school district come out and put plants in. We got new lighting and new letters.”
It doesn't stop there. Salinas and his brotherin-law have changed almost half of the city's lights to LED lights for safety.
Salinas realizes that the roads around Lindsay need work, and stated that the Council is in the midst of developing a plan for the roads.
“Roads are a big deal for Lindsay. They have always been a big thing,” stated Salinas. “I can honestly say that we are going to fix six roads next
year.”
Salinas continued, “We have to keep up with roads. We do potholes sometimes but they are just short fixes. Eventually we will get to every road.”
When asked how he would like to see the economy boosted, Salinas had a clear and concise idea.
“I think we need higher-end homes in town, even apartments,” Salinas said. “I think we need to have some higher-end homes for families that are ready to take the next step. We shouldn't have them leaving town just because they can't find a house here in town.”
Salinas wasn't short on generating ideas to help the city thrive, and weighed in on the upcoming ballot measure known as Measure G.
“City Council decided to go ahead with cannabis growing in town. We don't want it sold here, no dispensaries for now, but we would allow the growing of cannabis,” stated Salinas. “I say we might as well take advantage of it. We aren't doing anything wrong.”
He was hopeful about the idea of the amount of jobs the cannabis industry could create if it were to come into town.
“If it doesn't create 50 to 100 jobs I'd be surprised,”
Salinas said about the potential job opportunities regarding a cultivation operation. “With the taxes that will come in to the city, it will create more police officer jobs. It is going to have to be regulated.”
Salinas shared some of his current strategies as a Council Member in keeping himself in tune with what the city and its residents are needing.
“I meet with the city manager once to twice a week. Sometimes it's nothing and sometimes it something. Sometimes it's just catching up with the locals, what they're saying, what they're needing,” shared Salinas.
“I'm not afraid to go and ask questions or get involved with anything. I don't ever point fingers at anyone. I do my own research to figure out what is going on.”
Salinas emphasized that accessibility and accountability are key qualities that he possesses as a Council Member, and, if re-elected, these qualities would continue to be useful to the city of Lindsay.
“I always have ideas. When I stop having ideas, I'll step down,” Salinas stated. “I'm doing it for the right reasons, I'm doing it because I love my city, and that's a big deal.”