HANFORD — The midterm election is Nov. 6. In preparation for the election, the Sentinel asked candidates in local races to answer questions so voters can get to know them.
Hanford City Council: District E
Art Brieno
Contributed by Art Brieno
Art Brieno
Q. Brief history.
A. I am a lifelong resident of Hanford and am a proud product of the Hanford public education system. The education I received attending local Hanford schools was integral in helping me develop into the person I am today.
After graduating from Hanford High, I enrolled at the College of Sequoias and worked during the summers at Beacon Oil Company in Hanford as a draftsman. Through the guidance and mentorship I received by the COS faculty, I was able to transfer to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering degree.
At the conclusion of my collegiate studies, I returned to the Central Valley to live close to my immediate family and to start my own family. My experience in construction and building prompted me to start a small construction company.
I began my career in public service in 1986 when I ran for Hanford City Council. I was compelled to run because southwest Hanford was not represented on Hanford’s City Council at the time. At that time in Hanford’s history council members were elected at large.
A. I am running as a candidate for Hanford City Council because I believe we need experience and strong advocacy for District E. I believe we need to continue to invest in our youth and families by providing additional recreational opportunities in Hanford. Specifically, I believe we need to begin work to develop an additional park in District E.
As an advocate for District E, I will support the Hanford Police Department and the valuable work they do to protect our community. I will strive to develop sound policies which will seek to increase greater economic development for the city. I will also advocate on behalf of small businesses which are the backbone of our city.
Q. How are you different from the other candidates?
A. I believe I am clearly distinguishable from the other candidates running for District E because I am the most experienced candidate running in this election and bring a strong track record of proven success. From 1986-1990, I served on the Hanford City Council as Vice-Mayor and then Mayor and was integral in bringing Centennial Park to South Hanford. From 2010-2018 I served as trustee on the Hanford Joint Union High School Board.
Q. What is the biggest issue in your district and how will you solve this issue?
A. A major issue impacting District E is the general lack of meaningful recreational opportunities for families and youth. As a member of the Hanford City Council, I would like to see another park planned and developed for District E.
Additionally, homelessness is a growing issue impacting District E and the city of Hanford generally. As a member of the Hanford City Council I will work to see additional transitional services offered to homeless individuals within our city.
Q. Why should voters select you?
A. As a lifelong resident, parent, taxpayer, elected official and small business owner, I have a vested interest in our community and have diligently worked throughout my life to help improve it.
As a Hanford City Council member, I was primarily responsible for bringing Centennial Park to South Hanford.
More recently, as District E’s Hanford Joint Union High School Board Trustee from 2010-2018, I have diligently represented the constituents of this district by working to improve the classroom curriculum and extracurricular activities offered to our students.
I am the most experienced candidate running in this election and bring a track record of proven success. I would now be honored if you considered voting for me to represent you on the Hanford City Council.
Jason Kemp Van Ee
Contributed by Jason Kemp Van Ee
Jason Kemp Van Ee
Q. Brief history.
A. My wife and I purchased our home in District E in 2003, where we are raising our two school-aged children. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and have worked as a social worker my entire career. I have over 12 years of experience working with developmentally delayed individuals and the last two with seniors and the handicapped. A majority of my career has been in management.
A. I saw a need for change within District E and the entire city of Hanford. As a concerned citizen, husband and father, my life’s work, which is evident in my career path, has always been to put the needs of others first and I would like to see change for all citizens of Hanford.
Q. How are you different from the other candidates?
A. I have lived and called District E home for 15 consecutive years. As a private citizen who has no hidden agenda or motive other than to see improvements in our community, my objective is to improve the city of Hanford for its current citizens, my children and future generations. I believe we need to be a more business friendly community, so that businesses can invest in the community, which essentially keeps sales tax dollars in Hanford and not surrounding communities.
Q. What is the biggest issue in your district and how will you solve this issue?
A. I’ve identified five major areas of concern. They are:
Police and Fire- There aren’t enough officers/ firefighters for a city our size. I’ve pulled city budgets for eight surrounding communities. In doing so, I’ve found Hanford’s staffing ratios are low and not comparable.
Parks- I believe we need to improve and increase the number of green spaces. Currently Hanford counts schools as green space, however these green spaces are locked after hours and weekends. I would propose to increase green space while saving money with corporate sponsorship of parks. I would additionally propose putting the Hidden Valley issue on the ballot allowing citizens to decide, as it’s their park.
Homelessness- While we are sympathetic to those who do not have housing, the issue needs to be addressed, I propose working with community partners in improving resources within our community.
Downtown- Not only downtown, but throughout the entire city, Hanford’s zoning laws and ordinances are outdated and driving businesses away. If elected, I will work with department heads, business owners, and other councilmembers in improving business laws and ordinances. Downtown has such great history that we need to preserve and utilize.
Q. Why should voters select you?
A. As previously stated, my sole objective is to improve the lives of the citizens of Hanford. I strongly believe this can be accomplished by electing Jason Kemp Van Ee, concerned citizen and father to the Hanford City Council. I will be the voice for the citizens of District E and the city of Hanford.
Savino Perico
Contributed by Savino Perico
Savino Perico
Q. Brief history.
A. I was born and raised in Hanford attending Washington Elementary, JFK and Hanford West. I attended Fresno State where I graduated with a bachelor’s in Health Science and received my master’s degree in Public Administration from National University. I have worked for the city of Hanford, Kings County Job Training Office and currently at Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO). At KCAO, I created and manage an after school/ summer program. I also implement a tax program where I’m responsible for training staff and volunteers to do tax returns in Hanford, Corcoran and Avenal. I’m also a member of the Hanford Planning Commission, Kings Rehabilitation board, Sunset Rotary and Hanford Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
A. I was inspired to run after the 2016 presidential election and have recognized that I can no longer sit on the sidelines and let politicians create policies that don’t benefit the majority of people in our community. I feel politicians don’t represent their people, which has led to low voter turnout (Below 30 percent). I want to practice politics differently and represent my constituents by holding community meetings, creating opinion surveys and empowering my constituents by listening to their concerns.
Q. How are you different from the other candidates?
A. Growing up in Hanford, I made great childhood memories with my friends and family in this special city. My best memories include my neighborhood friends and I going to the people’s ditch where Freedom Park sits today. I also have fond memories of attending community events in downtown Hanford that I still enjoy going to today.
All my memories and love for Hanford has created this passion inside of me to make Hanford one of the greatest places to live in this country. My commitment to service to others and helping people become self-sufficient over the past decade has given me the skill set to represent people in our community.
Q. What is the biggest issue in your district and how will you solve this issue?
A. I feel the biggest issue in the district is getting people informed about what’s going on in our community. We need to get people excited about issues such as city growth, revitalizing downtown Hanford, youth development/family entertainment, finding a solution for homelessness and about new job industries coming into Hanford. I want to work for you in District E and be the person who informs you about all the remarkable developments in Hanford.
Q. Why should voters select you?
A. I have been fervently serving people in our community for 14 years. I have taught and coached swimming to over 200 youth, placed over 50 individuals on job sites, helped over 50 individuals get sponsored to go back to school, have been working with over 400 youth in the Coe Park and Home Garden area, trained over 50 staff and volunteers on how to do tax returns and my team and I have helped over 1,500 individuals/families with their tax returns, which has brought back over $2 million to our community over the past four years. I have a proven track record of serving the community and would like to elevate my service by joining City Council.
Cheyne Strawn
Contributed by Cheyne Strawn
Cheyne Strawn
Q. Brief history.
A. Born and raised in the Valley and a transplant from Tulare, I have been active in public service at the local and state levels for many years, having served two terms on the Tulare County Grand Jury, served as a district field representative for the California State Assembly, and immediate past Student Senate President for College of the Sequoias. I’m currently a manager of a local business on 12th Avenue and will be receiving my associate’s degree in Political Science in the spring of 2019 from College of the Sequoias.
Q. Why are you running for this office?
A. I'm running to make a difference in people's lives. My goal is to provide leadership so that the citizens of Hanford can live in a wonderful city, safe and secure. One of my goals is to make sure that Hanford is one of the safest cities in the Valley to raise a family and grow old.
Q. How are you different from the other candidates?
A. I’m different from my opponents because I firmly believe in a smaller but yet efficient local government. I believe that local government has the ultimate responsibility to provide a quality of life that each citizen deserves to have. We cannot continue to look to federal and state government to solve local problems and local issues.
Q. What is the biggest issue in your district and how will you solve this issue?
A. The growing amount of homeless people creating homeless encampments is a major growing problem in the district. The second issue that most people in the district are concerned about is the lack of infrastructure; i.e., curb, sidewalks, lighting, stop signs, speed signs and potholes.
Q. Why should voters select you?
A. The voters of District E should select me because I'm prepared through my experience to fight not only for what is best for the district but also for what is best for the city of Hanford. We select our Council by district, yet we are responsible for the good of the whole city. Of all the candidates running for office, I pledge to do what is best for the city of Hanford.
