Race for mayor of Stockton is heating up. Hear from both candidates
With just over a week left to vote for mayor of Stockton, the two candidates, Christina Fugazi and Tom Patti, are speaking to voters.
With just over a week left to vote for mayor of Stockton, the two candidates, Christina Fugazi and Tom Patti, are speaking to voters.
With just over a week left to vote for mayor of Stockton, the two candidates, Christina Fugazi and Tom Patti, are speaking to voters.
With just over a week left to vote for mayor of Stockton, the two candidates, Christina Fugazi and Tom Patti, are speaking to voters.
Christina Fugazi is an educator and former city councilor while Tom Patti serves on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
One thing they have in common is that both candidates grew up in the city. Their top priorities come from being so familiar with the area.
"We all need results. We want quality of life. We want public safety. We want to clean up our community," Patti said.
"Number one is public safety. We need to have a fully staffed police department. Now people want to talk about homeless, you know, they want to talk about other issues that we have, but public safety touches everyone," Fugazi said.
Both candidates were also asked about any specific plans they had to address homelessness.
"I've encountered many homeless people living in unsheltered environments, and if they're not from here, let's get them back to where their support network is and that's actually something they want, to get back to where they're from," Patti said.
Patti said his goal for the unhoused is reunification and getting them back to their families or support networks.
On the other hand, Fugazi wants to create more space for the homeless, like transitional housing.
"Many people aren't real keen on safe parking or safe camping, but if we don't provide that guests who are homeless are there in our parks, they're on our streets, they're in front of businesses. We have to have a place for them to go," Fugazi said.
Another subject both candidates addressed is how they would increase the staffing of law enforcement agencies in the area.
"We want to show appreciation for those serving the community," Patti said. "There's no more 'defund the police.' How about let's enhance community services, community involvement and appreciation for law and order?"
Fugazi said a pay increase would help.
"$25,000 today, $25,000 at the start of year two, and $50,000 at the start of year three. I've looked at the budget, the money is there," Fugazi said.
Both candidates agree the city needs a makeover.
"I see city properties, sidewalks, streets full of weeds, overgrowth, neglect. We have planters that are empty. We need to improve and improve our curb appeal," Patti said.
Fugazi also noted some infrastructure that needed to be fixed.
"We also need to make sure that our roads are taken care of," Fugazi said. "We have so many potholes in the city, broken curbs, sidewalks. We have trees that have died. We have healthy trees that are being cut down. Those things are part of our quality of life."
For more information about the November election, including key issues and other races on the ballot, check out the KCRA 3 Voter Guide.