Azusa Races Rev Up

Alison Hewitt reports in the SGV Trib on the "first candidate forum prior to the March 6 election."

Council candidate Andrea Cruz - former Mayor Cristina Madrid's sister - focused heavily on ending eminent domain in the city. Uriel Macias, former city treasurer and failed mayoral candidate in 2005, highlighted his business experience. Council candidate Robert Gonzales talked about the need to redirect taxes toward hiring more police.
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Most of the night, applause reverberated from the standing-room-only crowd, but the mood turned sour toward some candidates when they were asked about donations. Each was asked whether they had accepted campaign contributions from Vulcan [Materials Co.], Athens Services trash company, chemical recycling and management company Onyx Environmental Services, or companies outside the city.

Councilman Angel Carrillo said he accepted a $2,000 contribution from Athens, and praised the company for providing the lowest trash pick-up rates in the Valley. He also said he had received donations from developers expected to build on Block 36, a corner downtown that the council has voted to redevelop. The admission earned him a chorus of boos.