The forum was well attended and the audience had dozens of questions for the candidates. So many questions, in fact, that we could not fit them into the time allotted!

Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club forwarded questions  concurrently to all of the democratic candidates. Answers received from the candidates to date are posted here.

1. What is your position on Senate Bill 827 and generally on the state overriding local control over City planning issues?

Patrea Patrick:
The basic problem remains: It is difficult to build housing due to city and county gridlock. City wants big box retail and thus uses bureaucratic choke points. The state’s residents use its tools to prevent new construction that might infest their neighborhood lowering their property values. Our economy and our communities can work together on this. The Assembly member has to take charge.

2. If elected, how would you work with Neighborhood Councils on a day-to-day basis? [From Kurt Cabrera-Miller, President, Sylmar Neighborhood Council]

Patrea Patrick:
Three main problems: Bad attendance, NASCAR affect, and Special interest.

1) We must engage the community, but that can only be done if the Assembly-member is serving the people. 2) We must get the undue influence of money out of politics. We keep voting the same moneyed interest politicians in! We must question the NASCAR affect. The candidate should be wearing the LOGO’s of their sponsor on their jackets! We then would see why these politicians don’t have time to attend these meetings. They are off doing the bidding of their sponsors. All we get is lip service. 3)This makes the Neighborhood Council ineffective. People feel it is a waste of time to get involved. When special interest rule the community, community’s lose. I would be able to work with the Neighborhood Council, because I would not be beholden special Interest.

3. If elected, would you fight to ensure healthcare is available to all people, regardless of income? [From Kurt Cabrera-Miller, President, Sylmar Neighborhood Council]
Patrea Patrick
Yes.
4. How do you feel about passing, or at a minimum having a discussion, about SB526 regarding single-payer healthcare for California and for the nation.
Patrea Patrick:
I champion Single Payer for the correct reasons. Takes out marketing, adverting, and insurance players. It gets down to the business of health care. I’ve have traveled to many countries and have seen first hand the excellent care possible.

I think we will still have quality healthcare with Single Payer. It will attract people who want to be in that profession for a chance to cure, not just in it for the money.

5. What is your position on a sanctuary state? In particular, California as a sanctuary state?
Patrea Patrick:
So far we are a sanctuary state. The people have spoken.

6. What do you see as the three biggest challenges facing California in the future?
Patrea Patrick:
1) Climate Change. We must focus on local water catchment, storage, green jobs and zero emissions. 2) Education and 3) Economy. Jobs are changing. Training and education must meet new demands of Technology and Automaton.

7. We have tremendously high priced utilities – especially water. The Mayor has indicated that the “drought pricing” is permanent. What will you do to reduce the cost of utilities, especially water?
Patrea Patrick:
The water department needs oversight. Bills are way to high not only “drought pricing”, but utilities. This is an area I will address as I have a lot of background in the vulnerabilities of the utilities and why prices are high. LOCAL WATER catchment must be implemented. We are way behind the times. The technology is here. The system we have profits a few making Southern California water dependent instead of water independent. We must have water security. I have a plan to do this.

8. How will you deal with our homeless issues?
Patrea Patrick:
Address Homeless so it does not disrupt established neighborhoods. Work for safe Neighborhoods. Clean up the streets. Invective’s for small business who will attract families values, nice atmosphere. This community is suffering with dirty unkept streets, inundated with 7-11s and liqueur stores, it is not pleasant to walk around. General dilapidation attracts homeless.

There are over 8000 city lots. We should be build housing with the thought to keep neighborhoods safe. We need to house the homeless but not to bring unwanted drug and transient activity into a neighborhood. Cities are not offering suitable locations as they do not want to offer properties that they deem suitable to utilize as tax revenue for big box. This pushes the homeless to neighborhood lots and as we are seeing this can have negative affect, devaluing property, and as well safety issues looming over neighborhood. Building for affordable housing must take into account transportation needs.

9. When did you move into Assembly District 39?
Patrea Patrick:
5 and a half years ago

10. What special project(s) do you plan for AD 39, especially in Sunland-Tujunga?
Patrea Patrick:
Clean streets, safe neighborhood, great schools, small business, no transients. Better transit system.

11. Do you know the source of funding for the negative ads against the former Assemblyman, Raul Bocanegra? If yes, please identify the source or sources.
Patrea Patrick:
No I do not. But the truth should be known. A public servant has to have moral standing.

12. As a parent and a grandparent of this community, of California, and of America, what are your feelings on the recent anti-gun march, the March for Our Lives? Do you feel our children are being given an opportunity to express themselves? Or are they being exploited for a political agenda?
Patrea Patrick:
We need safe schools. The students are doing a great job challenging the status quo.

13. FOR YOLIE ANGUIANO: Did you personally contribute funds to the last election campaign for Raul Bocanegra?

14. FOR PATTY LOPEZ: In the two (2) years you served in the California State Assembly, how many Bills that you authored individually (not as a co-author) were passed into law?

15. FOR LUZ RIVAS: What is your position on bypassing current building regulations to build high-density units near bus stops in residential areas?

16. FOR LUZ RIVAS: Did you or your campaign accept $130,000 or more from any person or organization on behalf of charter schools? If yes, do you consider yourself unbiased toward public schools despite having accepted charter school funds?

17. FOR LUZ RIVAS: Due to the November 20, 2017, Los Angeles Times article, the public is aware of the allegations against Mr. Gerardo Guzman. After that point in time, did you give Mr. Guzman the benefit of the doubt instead of believing the woman accusing him of sexual harassment? If yes, why?

18. FOR ANTONIO SANCHEZ: Were you in public service to the people of AD 39 five (5) years ago? If yes, please describe what you were doing for the people of AD 39 at that time.