By Rick Moore / Escondido Democratic Club

You have to give Mayor Sam Abed credit. He tried his best to ‘make nice’ with Escondido’s Latino community, but all he accomplished was to reinforce his image as a disconnected white guy who cannot comprehend how his policies and actions come across. Stephen Siaw was almost as bad, but one wonders whether he may come from a less judgmental place.

The occasion was a Mayoral candidate forum for the Latino community sponsored by the La Raza Law Association of San Diego County, MANA of North County and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It was held at the Escondido Senior Center October 3. About 50 people attended. Carlos Gonzalez of Univision moderated.

The questions were tough and focused on Latino issues. (They were provided in advance to the candidates.) The answers held few surprises for those who have been monitoring the candidates so far in the campaign.

Abed started digging his hole with the first question: “Do you support immigrant integration programs in Escondido?”

Abed started digging his hole with the first question: “Do you support immigrant integration programs in Escondido?” Siaw answered first, and perhaps got everyone started in the wrong direction by saying “the problem is not immigration, it is illegal immigration.” Abed continued that approach.

Deputy Mayor Olga Diaz tried to bring the discussion back to the question, noting that it was not about illegal immigration, but immigrant integration. She listed translation services at Council meetings and on the city website as possible integration assistance and mentioned offering other programs continuously, rather than once each year. She noted how few Latinos hold positions in city leadership or staff. She said library improvements were “priority number one.”

The next question continued Abed’s digging: “Would you appoint qualified Latino candidates to positions in city government and facilitate the hiring and retention of Latino employees?”

Abed mentioned Latinos who had applied for city boards or commissions, saying he had nominated every one. He said he approached a Hispanic candidate for appointment to the City Council. He pointed out a Hispanic campaign staff member in the audience who is helping him “reach out to the Hispanic community.”

But then he told everyone to learn English. “It’s a powerful thing… to succeed we need to assimilate,” he said, speaking as an immigrant himself. He took the opportunity to mention his endorsement by a conservative Latino group and read part of their statement.

Siaw was even worse, blaming lack of representation on lack of participation. “If we want more Latinos in city government, come on you guys, talk to the people in your community.”

Siaw was even worse, blaming lack of representation on lack of participation. “If we want more Latinos in city government, come on you guys, talk to the people in your community.”

Diaz rattled off a list of problems, including lack of women and ethnic groups in the city work force, particularly among police and fire fighters. She commented that the Spanish-language campaign materials Abed had bragged about were not “properly translated.” She concluded by saying “we have to stop attacking Latinos.”

The third question asked about increasing the number of Latinos and Spanish speakers in the Escondido Police Department and releasing data on the number of ethnically diverse officers on the force.

Siaw continued his theme of putting responsibility on the Latino community. “Motivate some of your people to get involved,” he said. He recommended more advertising to the Latino community.

Diaz said it is “critical” to have more Spanish speakers and “absolutely” supports better reporting. She praised community policing as a way of helping people trust the police, but said “some side policies” had resulted in distrust and the city must find ways to help residents feel they can call city police for help.

Abed tried to turn the issue of distrust on Diaz, saying it was “offensive” that she would say residents distrust police, but it did not seem to resonate with the overwhelmingly Latino audience.

Abed tried to turn the issue of distrust on Diaz, saying it was “offensive” that she would say residents distrust police, but it did not seem to resonate with the overwhelmingly Latino audience. He pointed to a reduction in crime, efforts to recruit for the police cadet program and the Neighborhood Improvement Project, which has little to do with crime and more to do with citations for building appearance and code violations, as his effort to build trust.

Next the organizers zeroed in on the inclusion of federal immigration agents in the city police department, noting that it has never been discussed by the Council. “Would you favor such a discussion?” the candidates were asked.

Siaw said yes. Diaz supported a discussion, and noted there has never been a Council discussion of the ICE relationship nor had there been any memorandum of understanding or contract. She observed that the federal priorities are “very different” from local law enforcement agendas. Abed said he favored a discussion but does support ICE. “Enforcing the law is not divisive or controversial,” he said.

After mentioning the challenges Latinos face in starting businesses, moderator Gonzalez asked “What will you do as mayor to ensure Latino businesses have a fair share of city contracts?”

Diaz found this an “odd question,” since she sees Latinos as very entrepreneurial. She said that if elected, she might try to break up city contracts to allow smaller businesses to compete for parts of them.

Abed said little about what the city could do, emphasizing instead his relationship with the owners of several local Latino restaurants and how he had worked to help them meet code requirements. He did mention providing free access to all qualified bidders.

Siaw wondered if Latinos don’t get business loans because they don’t qualify. He complained about the many empty storefronts he sees in town and said the city needs to be more business friendly.

Asked about the quote that Escondido is “a magnet for poverty,” Abed gave one of his more compassionate-sounding answers. He said poverty itself is not the problem, just the “overconcentration” of poverty in Escondido because other area cities fail to “do their fair share.” He said he is passionate about promoting the American dream to everyone and that we “need to be compassionate and provide a safety net.”

Siaw said “the American dream will happen, the question is do you get in the way or out of the way.” He said the City does not need to provide this for people “everyone can figure it out for themselves.”

Diaz noted that non-profit organizations are established “where there is a need” and there is not a disproportionate number in Escondido. She noted that they city provides only $30,000 for homeless housing as part of a regional cooperative, and that all other assistance is provided by private sources. She mentioned that the City of Carlsbad, for example, provided $100,000 just to Interfaith Services for homeless efforts in that city.

Finally, candidates were asked if they agree with Mayor Abed’s policy that requires two Council members to bring forward any item before it can be placed on the Council agenda.

Diaz said she does not agree, even though she “fell for it” when it came up for a vote. She hopes district elections will help provide a solution to the problem.

Abed said he instituted the policy “to avoid extreme and irrelevant” items coming before the Council, and admitted it had been a response to former Council member Marie Waldron, who kept bringing “extreme right issues” to the Council. He said, however, that he agrees with the policy and wants to keep it.

Siaw called Abed on what he termed “the kind of elitism I’m talking about.” He said that when an issue is kept from the Council “that is a government of the elite.” He likened it to the Council telling residents “we need to figure this out for you — we know what’s best.”

Gonzalez asked about district elections, which provided Abed another chance to repeat an often-heard message. “The districts is (sic) divisive,” he said with some passion.

Gonzalez asked about district elections, which provided Abed another chance to repeat an often-heard message. “The districts is (sic) divisive,” he said with some passion. “I will tell you honestly, districts are the biggest setback, economically, financially, culturally… I think this is dividing the community.”

Diaz responded to a comment from Abed about “sanctuary city,” a highly controversial issue. She noted that the issues she had wanted to bring up by herself were things like bike paths, sidewalks, and infrastructure. She said she had been restrained because”they don’t want me to have the good idea.”

Siaw returned to the question to say he does support districts because they give residents “one person” to contact about their concerns instead of having to lobby the entire Council.

This completed the prepared questions that candidates had received in advance. There was a short break and questions from the audience were asked. It was here that Abed demonstrated his lack of sensitivity and understanding.

A question directed to Mayor Abed challenged his claim that “half of the Latino population is not eligible to work.” Where do you get this figure?

Abed cited a government study but provided no information. He said immigration reform “would solve that problem,” then asked if he could have “ten seconds.” He thanked the audience. “I want to thank all of you for being here today and for being civil.” He said it established a good communications channel and “we ought to do more.”

She could not resist calling Abed on his remark about civility. “I’m not sure why we would expect any group not to be civil,” she said icily. “The fact that this is a predominantly Latino group and Latino forum does not set the expectation that it would be uncivil.”

Diaz was next, and said she had not seen the study the Mayor cited. She could not resist calling Abed on his remark about civility. “I’m not sure why we would expect any group not to be civil,” she said icily. “The fact that this is a predominantly Latino group and Latino forum does not set the expectation that it would be uncivil.”

Another question to Abed: You’ve referred to some immigrants as “illegals.” Is that fair, since that is a diminishing word?” Abed responded that he did not “mean to diminish anybody” but wanted to bring them into the mainstream. Fixing the immigration process would eliminate the issue, he repeated.

Diaz encouraged the Mayor to revise his terminology and use “undocumented” rather than “illegal”. He declined. She citied her parents who worked hard to get the family established in the U.S. and said “I would never diminish that.”

Diaz encouraged the Mayor to revise his terminology and use “undocumented” rather than “illegal”. He declined. She citied her parents who worked hard to get the family established in the U.S. and said “I would never diminish that.”

Moderator Gonzalez found it necessary to remind everyone, particularly Abed, that a person is not “an illegal.” They are, rather, a person without documentation.

In the closing statements, Diaz demonstrated her ability to speak Spanish and Siaw surprised the audience by speaking at least a little Spanish. Abed was not able to join them. Diaz emphasized her focus on serving Escondido residents rather than telling them what to do. Siaw said “we need to shake up City Hall a little bit.” Abed read a statement mentioning for the third time his endorsement from the conservative Latino group and concluded by saying “I am passionate about this city that provided me and my family the American dream.”