Montclair candidates square off
Online: Check out Montclair candidates' biographies at www.dailybulletin.com/elections.
Incumbents Leonard Paulitz and Bill Ruh and challengers Chris Agrella and Jose Maldonado spoke at City Hall in the forum sponsored by the Montclair Chamber of Commerce and the Community Action Committee.
The candidates were asked what ideas they have to generate revenue in this down economy.
Maldonado proposed that if the city used a private company, then 75 percent of the labor should come from residents.
"That will bring down unemployment in Montclair because the money will stay here so we can generate more taxes," he said.
Maldonado, a 26-year resident, suggested the Montclair Plaza have entertainment for its shoppers to help generate money.
"I don't know if it's a restriction but if you put in a roaming Mariachi band ... they can come and enjoy the music and shop," he said.
Agrella also brought up the mall, criticizing the City Council for not filling the vacant Broadway building. He said other places have received stores like Forever 21 and other business.
"To raise the revenue you have to have something for the people to spend their money on," he said. "If we're so business friendly how come this council hasn't pulled that off?"
Agrella, a self-employed businessman doing a courier service for trade magazines, said money would be generated by adding a grocery store in south Montclair and promoting the business the city already has. He proposed finding out what business the city lacks, what other cities have and pull "some of those businesses" to Montclair.
However, Ruh said while most revenue is derived from sales tax, most items in grocery stores are not taxable, therefore do not bring in much revenue into the city.
"We have been working towards bringing in more revenue into the city with the commercial development in the north Montclair area directly related to the transit center," he said.
Some of the development will be housing, which brings in property tax into the city, and the development will bring mixed use commercial and office space and the retail which will generate sales tax, said Ruh, a governmental affairs director.
Ruh also commented on the vacant Broadway building saying when General Growth Properties Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy (almost two years ago) it disabled the owners from doing anything with the mall and the empty building.
Ruh said up until recently GPP was no longer in bankruptcy, but when it was it hurt the city.
Paulitz, who has lived in the city for 50 years, echoed Ruh's remarks, and added city officials attend a shopping center conference to help fill vacant spots and encourage its residents to shop locally with its slogan "Buy Montclair For Montclair."
"If we keep our housing structure up and single families homes working well they will be appraised property and when they sell the property tax will go up," Paulitz said.
"That will bring down unemployment in Montclair because the money will stay here so we can generate more taxes," he said.
Maldonado, a 26-year resident, suggested the Montclair Plaza have entertainment for its shoppers to help generate money.
"I don't know if it's a restriction but if you put in a roaming Mariachi band ... they can come and enjoy the music and shop," he said.
Agrella also brought up the mall, criticizing the City Council for not filling the vacant Broadway building. He said other places have received stores like Forever 21 and other business.
"To raise the revenue you have to have something for the people to spend their money on," he said. "If we're so business friendly how come this council hasn't pulled that off?"
Agrella, a self-employed businessman doing a courier service for trade magazines, said money would be generated by adding a grocery store in south Montclair and promoting the business the city already has. He proposed finding out what business the city lacks, what other cities have and pull "some of those businesses" to Montclair.
However, Ruh said while most revenue is derived from sales tax, most items in grocery stores are not taxable, therefore do not bring in much revenue into the city.
"We have been working towards bringing in more revenue into the city with the commercial development in the north Montclair area directly related to the transit center," he said.
Some of the development will be housing, which brings in property tax into the city, and the development will bring mixed use commercial and office space and the retail which will generate sales tax, said Ruh, a governmental affairs director.
Ruh also commented on the vacant Broadway building saying when General Growth Properties Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy (almost two years ago) it disabled the owners from doing anything with the mall and the empty building.
Ruh said up until recently GPP was no longer in bankruptcy, but when it was it hurt the city.
Paulitz, who has lived in the city for 50 years, echoed Ruh's remarks, and added city officials attend a shopping center conference to help fill vacant spots and encourage its residents to shop locally with its slogan "Buy Montclair For Montclair."
"If we keep our housing structure up and single families homes working well they will be appraised property and when they sell the property tax will go up," Paulitz said.
I wonder if the candidates will talk about the horrible SEX cult known as the Nithyananda Vedic Temple at 9720 Central Ave, Montclair, CA 91763-2815.
It seems that this Nithyananda Vedic Temple is a cult that harasses minors to have sex with them and break up their families. This cult has defrauded millions from its cheated followers. The founder of this cult, is Swami Nithyananda. A simple Google search will reveal that he recently was in jail for RAPE! No wonder parents are upset that the Nithyananda Vedic Temple in Montclair is reaching out and trying to contact young 17-year-old girls. Very disturbing. Let's hope who ever wins this election is committed to shutting down this illegal brothel of a cult and placing all of the guilty people in jail where they belong.