Salinas mayoral candidates face off for another debate

Emma Garcia is too young to vote, but that didn’t stop her from bringing her entire family, including her six-year-old brother to Salinas’ mayoral debate Thursday night.

“I mean, we are technically tax payers because when we go to the store, when we buy those bags of hot Cheetos, when we go to McDonald’s, we are paying that percentage of tax,” Garcia said.

The two men running to lead the city, current Mayor Joe Gunter and businessman Amit Pandya, faced off in another debate that covered a variety of issues including public safety, youth development, economic plans and homelessness.

Garcia hoped the debate would help her parents cast informed votes

“I think it’s really important that they come out to have firsthand knowledge, not necessarily something you read off the internet,” Garcia said.

During the hour-long debate, Gunter tried to convince voters that the city is on the right track, and he needs more time.

“We’ve got money; we are hiring cops; we’ve got the right fire equipment; we are working on the parks; we are fixing the sidewalks,” Gunter said.

But challenger Pandya says changes are not coming fast enough, and he can do more. Pandya is running with a 12-point plan, which includes having 200 cops by 2020.

“It’s extremely realistic. I have a list of 89 police academies sitting in my folder. Somebody just have to go out, find the recruits and hire them,” Pandya said.

Some voters have already made up their minds, while others who have yet to decide say the debate helped.

“I’m going to be definitely considering the comments made by the candidates. Like many citizens in Salinas, I’m concerned about crime, the housing situation, of course, the homelessness,” said Salinas resident Noelia Sheets. “I really am leaning towards one now.”

And Garcia said she will continue to do her part at the dinner table,

“I’m usually the one to bring it up: ‘today is the debate, we have to watch it’,” Garcia said.

Despite their disagreement on issues like Measure Z, both candidates say, once elected, keeping the city safe will be their top priority.