Voice of the People

So Mr. Gonzales wants us to believe his campaign statements when he says he “Abolished the utility tax.” Sorry, NOT TRUE! Gonzales was not even on the council when that happened. In fact, his opponent for mayor, Mr. De La Rosa, cast the deciding vote to kill this tax when he was sitting on the council. "Return financial stability,” again I don't believe that to be true. How can it be when Mr. Gonzales just voted for the current budget with a $1.8 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT! Doesn't sound like financial stability to me! Then he states, "Lowered utility rates 10%.” Add all the reductions that have occurred since Mr. Gonzales has been on the council and you get about 5.6 percent reduction for some, higher rates for others. Not such a good deal. And he failed to mention that he voted to approve additional pass through money from the electric department to the city to spend as it pleased. This money, if left in the electric department, could have resulted in lower rates for everyone! Last, I have taken a close look at who has contributed money to Mr. Gonzales’s campaign. Very little has come from local residents, but tens of thousands of dollars from outside, special interests. Most distressing of all is the $10,000 plus he has received from several Los Angeles area companies who is managed and/or governed by Allan Steward, who was convicted along with several other then current or past Colton mayors or council members for bribery. Why is Mr. Gonzales now accepting large amounts of money from this person’s companies? We don't need any more scandals in Colton. And didn't Mr. Gonzales ever learn that you are judged by the company you keep? Doesn't look very good from my point of view! Misleading statements and questionable money contributions. Colton does not need to take chances on its future. Please vote wisely on Nov. 4, 2014.