Forums to shed light on candidates

The Wasco Woman’s Club will host two candidate forums for the upcoming City Council, Board of Trustees of the Wasco Union Elementary School District and Board of Trustees of the Wasco Union High School District elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The City Council forum will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, and the school boards forum on Thursday, Oct. 20.

For over the last 20 years, the forums have been organized by the Wasco Woman’s Club.

Five districts make up the City of Wasco. Three seats are up for election.

In district one, candidate Mayor Gilberto Reyna is running unopposed.

District three candidates are current Mayor Pro Tem John P. Pallares, who is facing Valentin Medina.

In district four, appointed Councilmember Mike Lynch is running against Eduardo Saldana and Myron Williams.

Four people are vying for three openings on the elementary school board.

They are incumbent Richard K. Reding, incumbent Cheryl Wegman-Craig, incumbent Anna Poggi and Ernie Sanchez, who has previously served on both the elementary and high school boards.

One unopposed candidate, Petra Rueda, will fill out her late husband’s unexpired term.

Five people are running for three positions on the high school board.

They are incumbent Joe Hively, incumbent Juan Bernal, Tony Perez, Mario Juarez and James Adams.

At the beginning of the forum, each candidate will have an opportunity to introduce themselves, the floor will then be open for questions and a closing statement will be given.

Club President Jill Drescher will moderate the discussions.

She said, “We are a nonpartisan organization, and we want all citizens to be aware of the issues. A strong democracy demands educated people.”

The Woman’s Club has new video equipment, and it is hoped that the forums will be able to be streamed online.

Light refreshments will be served.

The forums will take place at 6 p.m. at the Wasco Woman’s Club clubhouse, 1601 7th St. For more information, call Drescher at 661-868-9953.