Norwalk candidates engage in public forum

Norwalk City Council candidates (from left to right) Jennifer Perez, Tony Ayala and Dora Sandoval discussed their solutions to the homelessness crisis and improving businesses in the city during a public forum. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK – Three candidates for Norwalk city council engaged in a public forum with city residents on Oct. 21, ahead of the election.

Incumbents Jennifer Perez and Tony Ayala campaigned to keep their council seat, and Dora Sandoval hoped to earn a seat in the upcoming election.

Candidates Luis Navas and Petra Peña did not attend the forum.

The forum consisted of questions submitted to the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce by city residents and business owners. The main topics were concerning the homelessness crisis in the city and improving local businesses.

Mayor Rick Ramirez announced on Oct. 19 that Norwalk is attempting to declare a state of emergency over the increase in unhoused people in the city.

Sandoval criticized the mayor’s decision and said the council needs to find better solutions.

“Instead of throwing money at the problem and moving our homeless from one place to another, we need to find real solutions,” Sandaval said. “One of the solutions is to bring in more mental health services, bring more services for substance abuse, and bring in more job training.”

Councilmember Ayala discussed the HOPE teams that engage with the unhoused who try to find the best way to help them.

“My colleagues and I have a second homeless team, which goes out and engages homeless people who are dealing with intoxication or drug issues,” Ayala said. “It’s our HOPE team that is out there, and their number is reduced.”

Ayala said it will take their team some time to engage with the unhoused in the city to find the best step forward.

Perez expressed that the city needs to work with the state government to provide solutions.

“We also need to partner with our county and our state, not alienate them,” Perez said. “We need a shelter to be able to provide a solution with wraparound services.”

As Norwalk residents expressed the desire to bring businesses to the city, council candidates explained their plan to bring entrepreneurs to the city.

Ayala said businesses would be drawn to Norwalk with public events to showcase the community.

“Our economic development plan shows the destination of our entire city and business communities,” Ayala said. “I think with future events happening in our area we have an opportunity to showcase for businesses.”

Sandoval expressed that giving state funding and grants to small businesses would help them recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to look into getting more business grants to run through the city, funneling more money from federal and state to see how we can help our businesses,” Sandoval said. “Another issue is that jobs are unavailable because wages are going up and small businesses can’t afford to add more people.”

Perez suggested that instead of trying to get back to the way businesses worked before the pandemic, the city needs to adjust and move forward.

“I remember the onset of the pandemic, once we were starting to slowly open up, we brought together key businesses and asked them what they needed from us,” Perez said. “If we don’t become a partner for them, and provide the tools they need, they will close.”

The final day to vote for Norwalk city council candidates is Nov. 8.

Norwalk residents can vote for two candidates during the election.