Independent Coalition to Hold Bell Candidate Town Hall Feb. 17
While the fallout from the Bell scandal continues to rock the city as it struggles to remain solvent during a time of great financial and leadership uncertainty, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Next month, voters in the small southeast city will have an opportunity to elect a new group of leaders should they approve the recall of the city’s current mayor and three of its council members.
While much of the news has focused on the city’s problem’s, including eight current and former city employees and council members being charged with a myriad of public corruption charges, the illegal taxes city’s residents were charged, Bell residents have been finding their voices and growing in their civic participation. Many of those residents are now seeking to serve the city as council members, and have thrown their names into the ring for the upcoming recall election.
On Feb. 17, the California Community Foundation (CCF), Office of Assemblymember Ricardo Lara, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, Univision KMEX Channel 34, and Eastern Group Publications/EGPNews, publishers of this newspaper, are inviting residents to participate in a Town Hall event designed to provide Bell voters with a nonpartisan opportunity to hear from and learn more about the candidates on the March 8, 2011 election ballot.
“The California Community Foundation is excited to be a sponsor for this independent candidates’ forum. Its openness and participation by community members and candidates is a big and important step in restoring democratic participation in a community that is rebuilding its institutions and economic well being,” María Blanco, Vice President of Civic Engagement for the California Community Foundation said.
The Town Hall meeting is not a debate, and none of the sponsoring groups have or will endorse any of the candidates. Candidates will be asked to respond to preselected questions from the moderator, a member of the Univision KMEX 34 News team.
The Town Hall will be conducted in English with Spanish translation. It will take place from 6:30pm – 8:30pm on Feb. 17 at the Bell Community Center: 6250 Pine Ave., Bell, CA 90201. For more information, call 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (1-888-939-8692).