Candidates speak out on Monday

Corning residents had a chance to meet those who are vying to represent them Monday night at a Candidates’ Night sponsored by the Corning Chamber of Commerce, Veteran’s of Foreign War post 4218 and auxiliary and the Corning Observer.

Attending the evening were candidates for mayor — incumbent Gary Strack and challenger Ricahrd Lipari; city council candidates — incumbents Darlene Dickison and Yvette Zuniga and challengers, former council members John Leach and Toni Parkins and candidate Michael Lepeilbet; Corning Union High School board candidates — incumbents Danny Salado and Robert Steinacher and challenger Don Minto; Corning Union Elementary School District board candidates Shanna Long and Marty Mathisen, both are running unopposed. Also attending was candidate Pat Rasmussen for the Corning Healthcare District.

Each candidate had five minutes to give a statement, after which candidates mixed and mingled with those in attendance at a reception. About 40 people attended the gathering held at the Corning Veteran’s Memorial Building.

“We are impressed by the quality of the candidates for the various offices, we think it bodes well for the future of our city.” said Bucky Bowen who conducted the event. “To those of you who have the interest and took the time to attend we also extend our thanks to you.”

All candidates spoke about their desire to serve the community. Strack noted that he wants to stay on as mayor so he can see the projects that the city has started completed. Lipari, complimented Strack for his service, but said that he would like to have a chance to see why Strack enjoys being mayor so much.

Strack added that there is still a lot to be done.

“I looked at the list that I had made two year’s ago and those items are still on top of the list,” said Strack.

He said that some of the projects including some of the roads have been fixed.

“Including the one in front of the mayors house,” he joked. “It’s one of the perks.”

Lipari said that he would bring a lot of experience to the position but fears that rumors about who he is may have an ill effect on his chances and warned about the dangers of listening to rumors.

All the candidates for city council also spoke about their desire to serve. Zuniga and Dickison who are running to keep their seats both said that they had learned a lot from the experience.

“I want to return because I love Corning and can’t stay away,” said Dickison, former city clerk and council incumbent.

Zuniga, The youngest candidate said that she thinks she brings a different outlook to the council.

Two of those running have served as council members before, Leach and Parkins both said that they would like to return to the council. Parkins said that her time on the council was a learning experience. Leach said that he wants to serve because he wants to be part of change in Corning while keeping the good things about Corning the way they are.

Lepeilbet noted that he has many years experience and would bring to the council the things that he thinks would help make Corning better.

Both candidates for the Corning Union Elementary board are running unopposed, but both spoke to the group. Long and Mathisen both complimented the community and said that they felt that running unopposed showed a certain degree of confidence that the community had placed in them.

There are two seats open on the high school board and three candidates vying to fill it. Two incumbents, Steinacher and Salado and challenger former CHS teacher Dan Minto attended the event.

Both Steinacher and Salado spoke about their experience during the past term including success with the high school farm and state funding. Minto talked about his desire to help guide the district into the future and his love for the community.

Rasmussen who is running unopposed to retain her seat on the Corning Healthcare District spoke about the challenges the board has faced and future projects they want to complete.

Also attending but not speaking was Lisa Linnet, incumbent candidate for Corning City Clerk who is running unopposed.

Tehama County Supervisors Bob Williams and Ron Warner also attended the event to provide information on county Measures A and B.