Where do the City Council candidates stand on key issues?

• Eminent Domain (Newhall Redevelopment)
  • Michael Cruz: Reserve this action for roads, schools and hospitals, not for business development.
  • Jo Ann Smith Curtis: Does not agree with eminent domain in regards to downtown Newhall redevelopment.
  • Ken Dean: Thinks eminent domain issues should be decided by the voters.
  • Frank Ferry: Voted to move forward with eminent domain, does not plan to use it in residential areas.
  • Mark Hershey: Undecided, wants more facts.
  • Dwight McDonald: In favor of redevelopment, does not want to disadvantage any current occupants of the area.
  • Marsha McLean: In favor of friendly eminent domain, wants to make decisions on what is the best overall (in other words, not against eminent domain).
  • Jack Murphy: Would support it as a last resort as long as it is for the greater benefit of the community.
  • Lynn Plambeck: Opposes eminent domain unless the current business owners become owners in the redevelopment project.
  • Henry Schultz: Would support it as a last resort.
  • Laurene Weste: Supports it as a last resort to accomplish goals of redevelopment.
• Traffic congestion
  • Michael Cruz: Restripe San Fernando Rd and Sierra Hwy to add lanes, more park-and-ride.
  • Jo Ann Smith Curtis: Have developers put roads in before homes are sold.
  • Ken Dean: Synchronize all traffic lights.
  • Frank Ferry: Build as many roads as possible. "You cannot build enough roads…" OUCH!!!
  • Mark Hershey: Supports building alternative roads, wants roads in place before developments are built.
  • Dwight McDonald: Evaluate traffic patterns and adjust signals, explore restriping, evaluate road alignment.
  • Marsha McLean: Says City is playing catch-up with road deficit inherited from County. In favor of building network of roads.
  • Jack Murphy: Wants to establish more retail outlets in Canyon Country to reduce trips to Valencia Town Center. HUH???
  • Lynne Plambeck: Synchronize lights and reduce construction during business hours, allow less building in outlying areas.
  • Laurene Weste: In favor of completion of cross-valley connector.
• Canyon Country
  • Michael Cruz: Declare an economic zone to encourage businesses to return to Soledad Cyn Rd, update building facades.
  • Jo Ann Smith Curtis: Says the area doesn’t qualify for redevelopment, but wants more sheriff/fire services, restaurants and high-end shopping.
  • Ken Dean: Wants more parks, a mall, police station and restaurant row.
  • Frank Ferry: States that "we have put more assets towards Canyon Country than any other community" because it was not master-planned by a developer. (This is an accurate assessment.)
  • Mark Hershey: Improve Metrolink station, resurface streets, upgrade medians, satellite sheriff’s station. (Canyon Country residents already voted down medians in some areas, saying they didn’t want the $25/yr additional landscape maintenance district fees.)
  • Dwight McDonald: Residents of every community should have the same amenities. (Who’s gonna pay for this?)
  • Marsha McLean: All communities should be treated equally. (Same as with Dwight - no sense of who pays for what upgrades to be installed, as well as the maintenance of the upgrades.)
  • Jack Murphy: Replicate retail stores near I-5 in the Canyon Country area. (Oh, yeah… and how are these busineses supposed to survive?)
  • Lynn Plambeck: Wants a hospital in Canyon Country and more attention to beautification of the area.
  • Henry Shultz: Wants revitalization plan that favors architectural guidelines.
  • Laurene Weste: Favors creating incentives for property owners to regenerate into more exciting shopping, eating and entertainment experiences.

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