Monterey Park Democratic Club President Jeff Schwartz held a Special Meeting in the Barnes Park Service Club House on September 15^th to introduced club members who are running for office in our city.

Hans Liang is running for City Clerk. He has been asked by many residents to still be active in the city.

Thomas Wong said he is a local boy who was born in Garfield Hospital. He is running for a seat on our City Council in District 1. He currently serves on the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. He oversees the funding for our water. He is asking for your vote.

Jose Sanchez is running for a seat on our City Council in District 3. He is a teacher and a parent. He teaches at Alhambra High School. He wants to continue to serve our city. He is a 19-year Union Member. He has three children and wants to serve our city. He thanked the group for their time.

Vinh T Ngo is running for a seat on our  City Council in District 5. He has lived in Monterey Park for his lifetime.  He is  Banker. He has been serving on the Garvey School Board. They secured a $40 million bond for upgrades for the schools. That included $30 million for solar equipment for the schools. They started the Dual Language Program which is very successful. He wants to improve the qualify of life in Monterey Park. We need to improve our roads. The POA supports him. He will move the city forward.

Delario M Robinson is running for a seat on our City Council in District 5. He is happy to stand here to ask you for your vote. He has a family. Diana, his wife, his son Dario and Darlena, his daughter. He has been the President of the United Democratic Club and the Monterey Park Democratic Club. He has lived in Monterey Park for 20 years. He served on our Planning Commission, our Environment Commission and our Economic Development Commission. He knows what goes on in our city. He will do a good or better job in Monterey Park. He will hit the ground running.

The members asked several questions about the candidates’ positions on several citywide issues.

Here are two of their questions and the candidates’ answers.

Question was about the lane extensions and the parking structures using the 710 Funds?

Thomas Wong said no the lane extension. He wants more sidewalks on our main streets. He would spend the money to help move the traffic.

Jose Sanchez said no to the lane extensions. He looks forward to the community. Retailers use the streets for their customers. He  would suggest that the people use public transportation.

Vinh Ngo said no to adding lanes. We need better transportation in the city. The 710 funds can be used to build a parking structure. He rather use the funds to help the city.

Delario Robinson said no to the lane expansion. He is OK with parking structures going up.

Hans Liang said no to the expansion of the lanes. He is OK with a parking structure with electric charging stations. He also explained the Metro projects for the use of their funds. The Council can come up with better ideas.

Another question did you approve of the Project Room Key Program?

Vinh Ngo said it was necessary at that time with the Pandemic. The homeless people needed help and this project kept them safe.

Delario Robinson said we were trying to make the city safe. People needed to be taken care of. It was a good call.

Thomas Wong said it was the right decision to house the homeless people. It stopped the spread of the illness. The city needs to help the homeless.

Jose Sanchez said it helped us face the issues that we need to help the homeless. We need to help people be able to live in homes. We need to help them.

Hans Liang said he was mayor when the State needed Project Room Key. The State would not pay our 12% Hotel tax so he called Hilda Solis for her help since our city needed the funds. The city had help from our Police Department, our Fire Department and our City Manager. We were paid our 12% Hotel tax on all of the rooms used to help the homeless.

After answering several more questions than candidates gave their closing remarks.

Hans Liang thanked the people. He was 44 years old when he ran for City Council. He will do his best as our City Clerk if elected.

Delario Robinson asked for their endorsement. He is all American. He moved to Monterey Park and he does things at the top.

Vinh Ngo said he has plans. He said it is never about the money but the results. He gets things done. Public safety is number one.

Jose Sanchez thanked the members. He has been a public servant for 19 years. He teaches in classrooms. He wants to serve the children and their families. We will work together. Please endorse me.

Thomas Wong said thank you to the club members. I hope to have your endorsement. He lives in Monterey Park and wants to be on our City Council.

Vince Chang was not able to attend this meeting. He asked for their endorsement for City Treasurer.

Mayor Henry Lo said measure MP would increase our sales tax from 9.50% to 10.25%. This would bring in additional funds for our city services. Please vote YES . These funds would keep Monterey Park safe. The funds will have to be used as stated on the ballot. The funds will be an investment in Monterey Park. Our  City motto is Pride in the Past / Faith in the Future.

Jeff Schwartz counted up the results and said that not every member voted on each candidate and the ballot measure.

Hans Liang was endorsed for City Clerk. Vince Chang was endorsed for City Treasurer. Thomas Wong was endorsed  Councilmember in District 1. Jose Sanchez was endorsed for Councilmember in District 3. Vinh Ngo was endorsed for Councilmember in District 5. The MP ballot measure was endorsed.