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Election debates set for Lancaster City Council, mayor

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debateLANCASTER – The League of Women Voters Antelope Valley is sponsoring election debates for the City Council and Mayoral Office of the city of Lancaster.  

“Here’s a great chance to see the candidates together, stating their positions, responding to questions, and being available afterward to meet all of them personally,” said League of Women Voters Board President Denise Latanzi.

The City Council debate will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 14, in the Lancaster United Methodist Church Grand Foyer, located at 918 West Avenue J in Lancaster.  Dennis Anderson, recently retired editor of the Antelope Valley Press, will moderate this debate.

Lancaster City Council Candidates invited are:  Ken Mann (incumbent), Oscar D.
Mejia, Michael P. Rives, and Angela Underwood-Jacobs (incumbent).  Michael Rives and
Oscar Mejia have confirmed their attendance.

The Mayoral Debate will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the same location. Judi Owens will serve as moderator.

The Mayoral debate candidates invited are: Gualberto Melendez, David Paul and R. Rex
Parris (incumbent). David Paul and Gualberto Melendez have confirmed their attendance.

“The League of Women Voters Antelope Valley is totally committed to a civil and respectful discussion of the significant issues we all face together,” said Larry Coltin, Elections Debate Coordinator for the League of Women Voters Antelope Valley. “We must demand this of all our candidates… These forums are one step in that direction.”

For more information, contact Larry Coltin at 661-993-9346.

The next General Municipal Election for the city of Lancaster is Tuesday, April 12. [Click here for election information.]

[Information via news release from the League of Women Voters Antelope Valley.]

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71 comments for "Election debates set for Lancaster City Council, mayor"

    • Tough on crime? Blaming the homeless for crime is not being tough on crime. If you haven’t checked our crime rate is going up, yet we continue to spend $10 million on the failed Eye in the Sky, owned by Rex’s political pal.

      Have you checked city finances lately? Been to East Lancaster? Live near Quartz Hill where he wants to shove a Wal-Mart, or on the West Side near the solar fields? Like dust and dirt?

      We’re screwed.

      • Rex could always win on one issue alone, crime.

        Just tell folks that you’re pushing against section 8 fraud and abuse as well as the funneling of these people sent to the AV, sex offenders and parolees with no ties to the community dump in the AV, and continuing the efforts of demolishing drug apartments/houses and embracing the gentrification of those areas.

        Whether the elections were held in April or November or Christmas day he would always win, because the literate educated folks will always push back against the bottom feeders.

        • No reporting of the results on here. Very interesting!

          Tim and his crew are a wacko fringe element with no backing in the community (other than criminals, welfare cheats, and sex offenders).

          They’ll get a real shock in January when President Trump is inaugurated!

        • Lol like Rex’s crime rate rise? People of lancaster are stupid. They support a guy who TALKS against crime, but never bother to see crime has risen every year except 1 under Rex’ leadership. Lancaster has the highest crime stats in the av.

        • Rex declared “war” on Section 8 with his big fat mouth and did NOTHING about it. He ended up costing the tax payer millions of dollars and did NOTHING about the issue.

    • Anybody else think the whole Lancaster election smells fishy? Like three day old dead fish? Would Rex really let someone else decide who runs the city? I suspect bags of pre-marked ballots with exact numbers, in amounts that would stroke Rex’s ego, in the same city cars picking up ballots at the polls. Swapped before they’re ever walked through the door for counting. But that could never happen! Could it? Who prints up the ballots for Lancaster elections anyway?

      • You suspect? That isn’t proof, nor is it anything to really build an argument on. Rex is the best person fit to run this city as compared to Paul or Melendez. Thank your lucky stars Rex won.

        • Paul is delusional! A white guy who thinks black people who are members of an organization that espouses the extermination of the white race are his friends.

        • An election in April…mail in ballots and election day ballots counted at Lancaster City Hall…what could possibly go wrong?

  3. Whine all you want! You turned a blind eyes when he moved elections to April enabling elections to be won with a mere 5,000 votes when there are 75,000 voters. You turned another blind eye when you allowed him to allow the city clerk count the votes. (Lancaster and Compton are the only two cities in LA that do so) Frankly you can do alot worse than him so shut up and enjoy the mess you allowed to take place!

    • Right on! Lancaster deserves what it gets. It is the people of Lancaster who have allowed this crooked system to continue year in and year out. Not everyone in Lancaster, but way too many. There are some who speak up and get bullied but at least they are trying.

  4. Rex absolutely needs to go. He has destroyed much of the local music scene with ordinance 966 by making it nearly impossible to get a permit and in that ordinance he even banned reading poetry out loud. Yeah…

    He has made some weird war on the local metrolink station and on homeless people (remember that a large number of them are vets in need of care), and he was talking about closing it down. There are plenty of people that use the train to commute to work, so those are the people that are going to feel the brunt of that.

    Don’t even get me started on the travesty that is “The BLVD”. Driving through there is a nightmare that is just begging for pedestrians to be run over and everything is overpriced to the point that it’s just not worth even going near that part of town. Ironically it’s just a couple blocks away from the heart of “blood” gang territory that continues to thrive while Parris continues taking foreign money to build useless things that don’t actually provide jobs or any real gain for the city.

    My worry though is that while yes, we gotta get T-Rex out of office and way the hell away from anything to do with city affairs, we can’t be too quick to vote in another one like him. I’ve been trying to read up on the stances of his opponents and on those looking for a seat on the council, but that is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The first big step any candidates could do to impress me as a voter is to make an easy to locate website (only David Paul seems to have something to that effect) where their political viewpoints and vision is clearly stated, with no double speak and no word salad thrown in. The more info given, the more informed as voters we can be. If any candidate is actively thwarting this kind of transparency, then they CLEARLY are not the people we need to be electing.

    • Thank you Jessica for a well written, well thought out essay on why R. Rex Parris must go. Tell everyone you know to vote for David Paul.

    • Driving through the BLVD area is a nightmare? I wouldn’t know, I refuse to go anywhere near it.

      Okay, yeah, I did go down there once not too long after it was done. That’s why I don’t go back.

      Speaking of driving in Lancaster though, I saw something today that I genuinely can’t recall seeing in at least a decade. I was at a MAJOR intersection, with three through lanes, a right turn lane, and a double left turn lane on every side. It had ZERO feedback…no video, no induction loops in the pavement…just running an old style timer system. Needless to say, this single intersection was providing traffic congestion beyond the scope of mortal man. Took me three lights to get through it. Only in Lancaster.

      • You must not be a good driver I have lived in Lancaster for over 20 years and never faced this dilemma.

        • Okay “good driver,” please explain how I could have gotten through the intersection faster. Here’s what I did:

          Pulled up behind line of stopped cars in leftmost of three lanes. Watched light turn green long enough for about four cars to get through in each lane. Moved up far enough to get into the left turn lanes. Stopped behind other cars. Watched light turn green and cycle through about four more cars. Stopped behind car that stopped when the left arrow turned red.

          Just what would your heroic driving skills have done?

          Anyway, while sitting through that light I had time to check…no video feedback cams, and no mag loops in the pavement. Apparently Lancaster either can’t afford such “luxuries” or the officials just don’t think the citizens deserve them.

      • STOP COMING TO LANCASTER,ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMEWHERE YOU DONT LIVE,DONT LIKE.NOW WE HAVE BAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS.YOU OBVIOUSLY HATE LANCASTER,STAY AWAY!!!!

        • I think they and a lot of people have stopped going to Lancaster. Aside from the fact there really isn’t anything to entice people to go there other than the Jethawks or the fair, it really doesn’t have a good vibe anymore. Rex’s influence has created a sense of negativity and ill will. When he’s gone hopefully things will improve.

          • That very well may be.only they don’t constantly complain about it.if I don’t like the channel,I don’t watch it.I don’t like mcdonalds food,so I don’t go.but some people like to hear themselves complain about a place that they don’t live in,for political reasons.run for office,change it,or stop complaning.

          • And yet,he keeps ending up there?how many people on here,hate a place,but they keep going back?

          • The squeaky wheel gets the grease. I wish more people would speak up and reveal all the crap that goes on in this town. I know I tell everyone I know to vote and make a change. Not everyone wants to run for office. I encourage everyone to vent here and vote them out in April.

        • My sister insists on shopping at CostCo. Now that I think of it, maybe I can convince her to switch to Sam’s Club when her membership runs out. Thanks Rex!!!!

          By the way, I get to complain about the bunghole Rex has made of Lancaster by right of birth, so sod off.

        • Tell your mayor to stay out of Palmdale’s business and we’ll stop trashing the city he’s ruined.

          Have you done so?

          Payback is a witch.

          • What does Mike hate? “Libs,” which is a convenient label he assigns randomly whenever he feels emboldened by distance.

            Bigotry has no more obvious demonstration.

        • I will never stop revealing the truth of the megalomaniac Rex who has managed to tarnish our reputation like no other and who has totally isolated us from our neighbors. Not in a good way, either. We can only imagine how much better our business would be if he wasn’t such a deterrent.

          • tarnish our reputation like no other and who has totally isolated us from our neighbors. Not in a good way, either. We can only imagine how much better our business would be if he wasn’t such a deterrent? Are you talking about rex or obama?

          • LOL…if you think the US has a more tarnished reputation among our neighbors now than we did when he took office following the war criminal that tried to obliterate all trace of international cooperation from our national behavior you really need to think again.

          • I was talking about Rex. I’m not a fan of Obama, but he certainly isn’t a megalomaniac like Rex and I have yet to see him say something as idiotic as bird sounds lower crime. That wasn’t a slip of the tongue or a mistake. That was Rex showing us what goes on up in that twisted cavern on top of his shoulders. It’s the reason he gets in fights in the local gym with residents, ruined our relationship with Santa Clarita and Palmdale, spend $10 on an untried, unproven, and unsuccessfully spy plane, sue businesses out of town, lose money on failed ideas like Ecolution, have junk bonds, and have paid millions of dollars in lost lawsuits.

            Feel free to list Obama’s failures. There are many. Right now, I am focused on getting Rex out so we can truly begin to heal and thrive.

          • @Fed Up More

            I’m afraid it’s too late for Lancaster to even catch up. It will attract some kinds of companies because land is cheaper there (BYD) but the kind of businesses that residents want such as retail, dining and recreation will go to Palmdale.

            About 5 years ago, I emailed Mayor Ledford suggesting that Palmdale should strive to be the ‘premier’ city in the Antelope Valley.

            Well, he was already a few steps ahead of me on that one. Palmdale continues to attract businesses which further attract more businesses.

            Palmdale’s location in the south valley is naturally more desirable and closer to Los Angeles. The areas around the AV Mall and the 47th Street East corridor will continue to thrive in the future along with the transportation hub in Palmdale. Then, there’s the airport down the road, er, tarmac.

            The blvd is a failure. rex doesn’t even mention it much any longer. The are numerous old, half empty shopping centers scattered around Lancaster are aren’t desirable for anything but low rent thrift shops or other such businesses.

            I haven’t heard suggestions here on what would really make a difference for Lancaster other than someone wanting a particular restaurant. Yeah, that’ll do it.

          • William, you may be right. Lancaster may be too far gone. Rex will most likely be re-elected and unless someone investigates what’s going on and puts a stop to it, the misguided and cronyistic practices will continue to hurt the city.

          • I watched the interview with Rex on Time Warner last night. He didn’t look good. He wasn’t very fluid and struggled to present his case for reelection. He pointed to his greatest achievement as the revitalization BLVD, yet it is so unsafe his wife won’t go there. He also claimed that Lancaster was the first zero city, but there is been several cities who’ve already reached that goal. He did not win my vote. There is too much going on in terms of crime rising, lack of services on the east side, panhandling, cronyism, and more. I voted for him last time, but this time I will not.

      • Ever try getting out of the Planet Fitness parking lot? The lovely grasses will almost kill you every time!

          • Try to exit the west side of the valley central way plaza. Anyone that has ever attempted this task will know the story of rex’s failure to understand physics and how deadly Newton’s laws can be. His four foot decorations make it near impossible to see traffic in a car, or for traffic to see you. That and the fact that he put them at blind curves makes for even more of an adventure. The blvd is a pale comparison of ignorance.

            Those who have lived here all our lives , awaited the property selling prices to spring up so as to escape. They never returned. Its like silent hill in Lancaster. Consider yourself a lucky past member.

          • Ah. Back before I pried my mom out of Lancaster she lived right near there, and yeah Valley Central Way is a pure disaster. Another street worth going out of the way to avoid. I never noticed the grasses, but I saw plenty of people sweep around the blind curve and then slide through the red light at Lancaster Boulevard.

    • Ridiculous. Rex is best fit to run this city. All of your arguments are conjecture and have no basis. David Paul was horrendous at the debates, whats why he doesn’t post them fully up on youtube.

  5. They have done so much to manipulate the voting process in their favor you can’t get them out. I have voted in every election since moving to Lancaster in 2000 and you don’t even need to guess who will win each and every time. We need all who are against Parris and his cronies is to get out there and VOTE period!!! Need to stop Lancaster Baptist Church. there is where all his votes are coming from…

    • This city is filthy dirty. A young, hungry reporter would make a name for him or her self exposing the dirt.

  6. Angela Underwood has a seat on the council?!? Ha! She couldn’t even manage a bank fairly and properly. I feel bad for the people of Lancaster if this type of incompetent manages to snake her way into ANY public office.

    • Why is she making $100,000 a year from an energy company on the east coast? Coincidence? Lancaster Choice? Energy? $100,000 a year? Don’t worry, the paper will get to the bottom of it. Bah ha ha ha ha.

    • I don’t need to hear Parris tell more BS at some debate. His record speaks for itself. Fiscal mismanagement leaving us with junk bonds. A failed $10 million dollar spy plane owned by his political contributor. Lawsuits against our own businesses and VFW Posts. Sticking his nose in the business of our neighboring cities. Crime on the rise. Failed projects like Ecolution and highly suspect propositions like Traction Seal. Bullying at public meetings. Forcing an unwanted Super Walmart on residents. Lawsuits against the city because of his conduct and words. Bringing the Department of Justice to our doorstep by declaring war on Section 8. Racist hit mailers.

      He’s done enough damage for any one mayor. Time to send him packing. Vote David Paul.

  9. Will the candidates be asked this question:
    Lancaster’s crime rate has gone up over the last year, despite spending over 1 million dollars a year on LEAPS. We are now over 300 crimes per 10,000 residents. As an elected person, what would you do to lower the crime rate?

    • Crime stats must be misleading or in error. Lancaster is crime free. I know this because King Rex broadcast birdie sounds on The BLVD. He said it would eliminate crime. Ole King Rex wouldn’t lie about something like this now, would he? He even told this BS (uh, . . . er, story) to the Wall street Journal.

      • How could a reasonable, clear thinking, and sane person tell a reporter from the Wall Street Journal such a thing? I didn’t believe it when I first read about it here, but then I saw the article for myself.

      • Everyone who is voting and opposes the blatant ignorance of R. Rex Parrisite should band together to march a peaceful protest against him and all vote for David Paul. If Bernie Sanders supporters were able to stand up against the ignorance of Donald Trump (a bigger version of Parris) in Chicago, why can’t we all do something about this? I say we all work together and overcome this unprofessional nonsense, racism, xenophobia and tyranny. Trying to take away our voice is enough.
        Anyone who is interested, please feel free to reply here.

    • He doesn’t just lie when he’s on the witness stand or in court. You should hear him when he’s running s council meeting. Anyone who believes him is either a fool or they benefit from his corruption.

      • Do you think he is really lying? Or is he so out of touch with reality that he actually believes what he is saying is true?

      • Occasionally, I’ll catch rex on TWC28 giving a lecture to a room full of people on climate change or something.

        Who are these people that sit around tables with glazed over eyes as rex walks about doing his sermon, er, I mean lecture?

        Meanwhile, rex is in hog heaven, talking to a captive audience.

  11. Here are some questions that I hope are asked by the panel:

    1. Lancaster’s crime rate has gone up over the last year, despite spending over 1 million dollars a year on LEAPS. We are now over 300 crimes per 10,000 residents. As mayor, what would you do to lower the crime rate?

    2. Currently, there are no representatives on the Lancaster City Council from East Lancaster. East Lancaster has the highest crime rate in the Antelope Valley. It lacks retail and business opportunities. What would you do to improve conditions in East Lancaster.

    3. Mayor Parris has committed the City of Lancaster to spend $10 million dollars to LEAPS over 10 years. It was billed as a crime fighting sentinel and sold to the public as a revenue generator as something that other cities would buy. To date, its crime fighting results have been limited to a few Walmart shoplifters. It is now being remarketed as a device to be used in the event of an emergency and to find homeless encampments. It is time to pull the plug on LEAPS?

    4. Do you think it is the place for the Mayor of Lancaster to sue other cities for voting districts when Lancaster still holds at large elections?

    5. Lancaster consistently has low voter turnout in its April municipal elections. Would you like to see Lancaster’s municipal elections be held in November of even numbered years to coincide with the congressional and presidential elections.

    6. Mayor Parris is on the record telling the Wall Street Journal that piped in bird sounds on the BLVD lowered crime city wide. Is there any proof to that claim, and if it was true why did the City of Lancaster stop playing the bird sounds on the BLVD?

    7. Hundreds of Lancaster residents showed up at City Hall to voice their opposition to changing the zoning requirements of a parcel of land from residential to commercial so a Super Walmart could be built across the street from Quartz Hill High School. If elected Mayor of Lancaster, will you work to stop the building of the Super Walmart across from the high school?

    8. If the City of Lancaster is sued by something an elected Mayor or Councilperson says or does that is considered discriminatory or hate speech, should the elected official be personally responsible to pay any and all legal fees?

    9. Are you for or against birth tourism in Lancaster?

    10. Lancaster has a growing number of solar farms, particularly on the west side. Do you support the growth of solar farms in West Lancaster or do you prefer other locations that are away from homes? Or do you support more rooftop solar?

    11. Lancaster’s bond ratings are junk bond status and the overall debt is in the millions. What will you do as mayor to restore Lancaster to final security?

    12. Every day we see and read about new stores opening in Palmdale, while very few open in Lancaster. What will you do to bring new businesses to Lancaster?

    13. Many people feel that Lancaster is under the control of a very few people and that cronyism is rampant. What will you do in office to assure that every resident has an opportunity to participate and contribute to the community?

    14. Lancaster is well known for rough and tumble politics. Last election a political hit mailer was sent out by Mayor Parris calling an African American candidate a “gang candidate.” Will you pledge to refrain from sending racist hit mailers?

  12. No veteran I know is voting for Rex. He is no friend to veterans. He never shows up at our parades or functions. He is suing two VFW Posts here in the AV. He told lies about two veterans who ran for council and congress. He cares more about the Chinese then about vets. Good riddance.

    • Not voting for him is not enough to be rid of him. You need to get those people to turn out and vote against him. He will get thousands of votes organized by his cronies, and at the usual ten percent or less turnout that will be more than enough to give him another turn.

    • Chinese businessmen with cash and wanting to open more massage businesses to support their human trafficking and sexual slavery The Feds need to poke around in what Rex is up to. So close to Edwards AFB and Plant 42, perfect spot for commie spies with cash.

  13. David, Oscar, and Micheal are the best option. They only owe the citizens. The incumbents are dirty politicians who use public trust for their own benefits. Vote them out by voting in Oscar Mejia, Micheal Rives, and David Paul.

  14. David Paul for Mayor, and Michael Rives & Oscar Mejia for council! We need a more respectful mayor who will give all citizens a voice in the community – who is not pompous and arrogant and who will not bully it’s citizens – don’t you think Lancaster? Its time to break up the power brokers and work together for the betterment of Lancaster and AV!

  15. Finally! the Citizens of Lancaster can rid themselves of Mr, R.Rex Paris.. VOTE ..

  16. Michelle Egberts… Bring it on Rex… you don’t care about the citizens in Lancaster