FIVE VIE FOR POSTS TO LEAD LANCASTER.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer LANCASTER - Two former mayors, a chamber of commerce leader, a state prison employee and the Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle chairman are vying vy·ing v. Present participle of vie. vying vie for the two seats up for election on April 9. Running for the two seats are incumbent Henry Hearns, Andrew Banks, George Root, Steve Malicott and Ed Sileo. The other incumbent, Michelle Idleman, decided against seeking re-election so she could spend more time with her family. Vice Mayor Henry Hearns is seeking his fourth term on the council. A retired Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. administrator and pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Littlerock, Hearns was first elected to the council in 1990 and served as the city's mayor in 1991. If re-elected, Hearns said, he wants to focus on job creation, including continuing commercial and industrial development of the area between Fox Field airport and the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. . Hearns also wants to see the city complete the north downtown revitalization re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. project that it just starting. ``We've got a lot of things started right now, and I want to see them complete,'' Hearns said. Banks, a correctional officer at the state prison in Lancaster, said the city is doing a good job for its residents but needs to step up its efforts, particularly in the area of law enforcement. Banks said the city should push harder for federal and state grants for law enforcement and work with the schools to expand youth programs. Banks said he wants to establish a community activity center that would offer youth and adult programs and would be available for organizations to hold programs and meetings. Banks said the city needs to improve its marketing to attract businesses. ``You have to talk to people and find out their needs. You have to keep the contacts and let them know you are looking,'' Banks said. Root, a retired Jet Propulsion Laboratory “JPL” redirects here. For other uses, see JPL (disambiguation). Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a NASA research center located in the cities of Pasadena and La Cañada Flintridge, near Los Angeles, California, USA. engineer and administrator, served on the City Council from 1990 to 1994 and was the city's mayor in 1992. Root said he is running because Lancaster's government needs reform and because City Manager Jim Gilley has too much influence on the present council. Root said Gilley should retire. ``They (the City Council) aren't doing anything. They are just approving whatever Jim Gilley puts before them,'' Root said. Root said the city has abused its redevelopment agency, racking up large debts on questionable projects. Root said is highly critical of the recent deal to relocate re·lo·cate v. re·lo·cat·ed, re·lo·cat·ing, re·lo·cates v.tr. To move to or establish in a new place: relocated the business. v.intr. the Costco warehouse store onto Avenue L, calling it a giveaway of taxpayers' dollars and city park property. Root said he would push for a number of projects that have been discussed for years but have yet to come to fruition fru·i·tion n. 1. Realization of something desired or worked for; accomplishment: labor finally coming to fruition. 2. Enjoyment derived from use or possession. 3. , including a recycling recycling, the process of recovering and reusing waste products—from household use, manufacturing, agriculture, and business—and thereby reducing their burden on the environment. center, a golf course and a teen center. Malicott, an Air Force retiree, served as executive officer of the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Board of Realtors before being hired in 1999 to run the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, which is now called the Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce. ``My primary concern is the need for additional commerce in Lancaster,'' Malicott said. ``Commerce drives the revenue base for the city.'' Malicott said the city needs to be more aggressive in marketing itself to potential businesses. The marketing should highlight the region's quality of life, relatively low cost of living, and its strong work force base. Malicott also believes the city needs to do a better job of letting residents know what issues are coming before the City Council and suggested that council meetings be televised. Sileo is the chairman of the city's Planning Commission. Sileo works as a cardiovascular stenographer An individual who records court proceedings either in shorthand or through the use of a paper-punching device. A court stenographer is an officer of the court and is generally considered to be a state or public official. at Antelope Valley Hospital. Sileo said he is running on his record during his six years on the Planning Commission. That record includes rezoning 430 acres from apartments to single family homes, restricting adult oriented o·ri·ent n. 1. Orient The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia. 2. a. The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality. b. A pearl having exceptional luster. 3. business to industrial zones, and restricting billboard advertising for phone sex, alcohol and tobacco. ``I'm the only candidate with planning experience, which is one of the things our City Council needs,'' Sileo said. Sileo said the city needs to have a more focused effort in business attraction. Lancaster needs to identify industries that are expanding or looking to relocate, he said. Sileo's endorsements include all five members of the City Council. CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) BANKS (2) HEARNS (3) MALICOTT (4) ROOT (5) SILEO |
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