To better inform our readers about the candidates running for Fullerton City Council on November 6th, we sent out questionnaires to each candidate, asking them to give their ideas and positions on issues important to our readers. In addition, Observer contributor Jane Rands examined the campaign contributions each candidate has received thus far to find out their top donors.

We present here a brief introduction to each candidate, their top contributors, and their answers to our questions. It should be noted that, for this election, only districts 3 and 5 are up for election. To find out which district you live in, click HERE. Here’s a map of the districts.

And now, without further ado, here are your city council candidates.

District 3 Candidates

Nickolas Wildstar is a digital marketing specialist who has lived in District 3 for over 5 years. Wildstar has filed a Form 470 stating that he will not spend or receive more than $2,000. Visit www.Wildstar2018.com.

What will you do for District 3?

Lessen taxes to keep money in people’s pockets where it belongs. Repair the roads and improve the overall conditions of living for all residents.

How will you fund road repair?

By out-sourcing the repair work to independent and private ventures which will alleviate the need to spend taxpayers money on fixing any damages done.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

I do support the implementation of any such group just so long as it remains independent and has no governmental affiliation whatsoever.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

There aren’t any to name. I am not asking for donations for my campaign nor have I received any so far.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

It’s our duty as preservers of our planet to protect nature, but public funds shouldn’t be needed to buy property that’s already publicly owned.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

Allowing the library to be leased out would keep it open without the need of public funds and would generate revenue for the city.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

Use money from parking fees to build 3D printed homes in vacant areas for those that want to get off of the streets.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Reduce regulations and taxes on businesses, build better roads, aid the homeless, and encourage security methods that don’t infringe on any person’s individual rights.

Greg Sebourn is a public land surveyor and current Fullerton Mayor Protem. He las lived over 12 years in District 3. Sebourn has raised $13,425. His largest contribution is $5,000 from Virun, a health supplement producer that wants to buy city-owned land at Commonwealth and Basque for manufacturing, the same land the city was considering allowing Pathways of Hope to build permanent supportive housing (PSH) for the homeless. His next largest contribution is $3,000 from JP23, a downtown bar who had a number of permit violations that dissuaded the planning commission and the city council from allowing them to build a second floor onto their restaurant and bar. The next 2 highest contributions were for $1,500 each from the Apartment Association and Milton Security, a network security business in Fullerton. The next highest contributors at $500 each are the North Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Team ABC in Brea, and Red Oak Investments in Irvine who received approval from the City Council in 2015 for a general plan amendment and high-density zoning to build mixed-use “luxury apartments” at the old Cone Chevrolet site on Commonwealth. Mr. Sebourn has spent $4,000 on consulting fees and $1,825 for signs. He has $11,855 in remaining campaign funds. Visit www.GregSebourn.com.

What will you do for District 3?

I will protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods, protect taxpayers, focus on roads, and oppose efforts to construct a new Fullerton College stadium.

How will you fund road repair?

Through using OCTA Measure M2 funding, state grants (safe routes to schools), and FHWA grants.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

I’m open to suggestions, but have yet to hear how a council-appointed body could provide transparency and accountability beyond what State law permits.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

Virun Inc., JP23 Smokehouse & BBQ, Milton Security, & Apartment Association of Orange County PAC.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

Yes. This is a valuable resource for the region and efforts to acquire the land should continue.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

Yes. if we cannot fund it to serve as a branch library, we should consider partnering with organizations and groups to provide community services / events.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

AB448 could provide a means of financing permanent supportive housing and Community Development Block Grant funds to provide some homelessness related services.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Hold nightclub owners responsible for over-serving patrons; nightclubs should pay their fair share for cleaning and maintenance; stricter regulations.

Jesus Silva is a public school teacher and a member of Fullerton City Council. He has lived in district 3 for 12 years. Silva has raised $15,205 with the largest contribution of $5,000 from an administrator at Core Investments. The next largest contribution is $2,500 from the Southern California Pipe Trades. The next 2 highest contributions are $1,000 each from a Fullerton resident and from the campaign committee for Anthony Rendon, the Speaker of the California State Assembly. Mr. Silva’s largest expenses are $1,800 for his website and $600 for printing. He has $33,934 remaining. Visit www.jsilvaforfullertoncouncil.com.

What will you do for District 3?

In canvassing the district, residents indicate that I am the first candidate to knock on their door. I will keep reaching out and hear their concerns.

How will you fund road repair?

A study session will be conducted to present 4-5 road repair options. Input from the voters will help us determine which option(s) to implement.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

Our current council is acting as a de facto oversight committee. The past has taught me to pay close attention to police matters.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

Two Fullerton residents and SoCal Pipe trade union are the three biggest donors to my campaign as of today.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

support securing funding to purchase and open as much of West Coyote Hills as possible. I was the only council member to vote for the $15 million in state funding for WCH.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

I was the council member who requested that we create an ad hoc committee to study options to save the Hunt Library.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

If 127 PSH is our fair share of the 2700 units needed, we need to keep looking for appropriate sites to meet our requirement.

How would you improve problems downtown?

The majority of problems are caused by weekend revelers. Let’s implement the paid parking pilot program and see if it helps address the problem.

District 5 Candidates

John Ybarra is the owner of JL Ybarra Realtors. He has lived in District 5 for 54 years. Ybarra has raised $10,701 (which includes $6,851 he has loaned to his own campaign). His largest contribution is $1,000 from a resident of Villa Park. The next highest are $500 each from retirees in Brea and Fullerton, and Al Bushala of Fullerton. His largest expenditure is $2,162 for signs. In total he has spent $4,757 and has $6,0698 remaining. Visit www.ybarra4fullerton.com.

What will you do for District 5?

Demand equal treatment for long-neglected problems in South Fullerton, particularly the deteriorating streets and poor park maintenance.

How will you fund road repair?

Quicker scheduling of routine maintenance and major upgrades – delays only make them more expensive in the long run.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

As the only 5th District candidate fluent in both Spanish and English, I can help improve police – community communications. Greater civilian oversight can help too.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

I’ve not accepted PAC donations. The three biggest donors are Fullerton residents: Mike Doupi, Paul LaBruna, and Adam Ortega.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

South Fullerton needs its fair share of park funds and adequate maintenance. The city should not take on any added expenses in Coyote Hills.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

Library funding comes from a special share of local property taxes, whose priorities are set by the Library Board. I’ll respect their independent input.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

The homeless burden should be shared by the entire city, and not concentrated in the Fifth District. Homelessness has many causes, and its treatment has no easy fixes.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Work with business owners, law enforcement and patrons in a cooperative, non-confrontational approach.

Vicki Calhoun is a counselor who has lived in District 5 for 50 years. Calhoun has raised $6,454 (which includes a $2,000 loan from herself to her own campaign). Her largest donation is a $500 contribution from an Irvine resident who owns apartments in District 5. She has received five contributions from downtown restaurant/bars. She has spent $4,408. Visit www.vikicalhoun.com.

What will you do for District 5?

Build relationships and support small businesses. Prevent the impact of high density development that encroaches upon surrounding neighborhoods and increases traffic.

How will you fund road repair?

Oversee budgets that come from the city (including the general funds), county, state and federal transportation funds.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

Fullerton needs community oversight as well as, the police department needs more community outreach to improve relationships.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

After the first filing, Sandy Stiassni, Brad Keller, Bowery / Bourbon Street.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

The people of Fullerton voted for saving the hills. I’ve supported Save Coyote Hills for many years and want to preserve the open space as a regional park for all to enjoy

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

As a former FPL Trustee, I am committed to restoring services at the Hunt. We are the “Education Community” and our children deserve that we live up to that motto.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

Low-income housing must be included in new development projects in the city. Fullerton must work with surrounding cities and county agencies to aid in the process.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Business owners need streamlined processes from City Hall to improve their properties. There is a need to work hand in hand with the Downtown Business Associations.

Sabrina Narain is an attorney who has lived in District 5 for 6 years. Narain has raised $3,000 from a single source, JP23, the downtown bar that contributed the same amount to Mayor Protem Sebourn. Ms. Narain has spent $1,185 on signs and has $1,344 remaining. Visit www.sabrinafullerton.com.

What will you do for District 5?

Create more of a business friendly environment while balancing the needs of the individuals to give them better streets, education and equal representation.

How will you fund road repair?

Reconstruct the budget in areas, such as law enforcement to free up more funds for better roads and infrastructure.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

Yes, Civilian oversight provides transparency to Fullerton citizens and creates a much needed check and balance.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

JP23 Smokehouse & BBQ, Sephehr Abdhollahi, and Sanders K9 Inn.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

Yes, I believe that Coyote Hills should be preserved and we should reduce city business dealings with selling city property without residential input.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

No. The Fullerton Library is amazing and centrally located. Hunt Branch’s location is great for additional park/ recreational uses, which is much needed in District 5.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

I do not take a set stance on the issue, but believe we should be requesting assistance from our neighboring cities rather than housing the homeless in Fullerton.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Create a business friendly government, hire independent security to assist in patrolling weekend traffic crowds while freeing up the budget currently dedicated to law enforcement.

Ahmad Zahra is an educational media business owner who has lived in District 5 for 17 years. Zahra has raised $35,867 this year for his campaign. His largest contributor is Karen Thorburn, wife of defeated Democratic Candidate for Congress Andy Thorburn, who has made multiple contributions totaling $2,150. His second largest contributor is the president of a real estate investment corporation who has made multiple contributions totaling $1,600. Other repeat donors who have contributed $1,000 or more include one from Yorba Linda ($1,250), a Manhattan Beach attorney ($1,000), and a bank teller from Anaheim ($1,032). Large one-time donors of $1,000 each include a real estate developer from Laguna Niguel, Jacki Cisneros, wife of Democratic Congressional Candidate Gil Cisneros, the campaign to re-elect Senator Aikin in 2020, and SM&D, Inc. in Alhambra. Mr. Zahra has also garnered contributions from organizations. He received $1,000 each from the Mexican American Bar Association and Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. He also received $500 each from Honor PAC, Planned Parenthood, the National Union of Healthcare Workers, and the Orange County Employees Association. Mr. Zahra has spent about $22,000 mainly on consulting fees ($10,455) to Presidio Strategic Communications, fundraising ($3,215), and information technology ($2,398). He has $26,662 remaining. Visit www.ahmadzahra.com.

What will you do for District 5?

Lower fees on community centers and after school programs. Improve business development and create local jobs. Prioritize policies to tackle rising child poverty.

How will you fund road repair?

Improve our business and economic development policies that attract businesses and emerging industries to increase our revenue, then prioritize reinvesting in our infrastructure.

Would you support civilian oversight of our Police Department?

As in larger cities like LA, this must be comprised of professionals with expertise in law and public safety to ensure fair and proactive oversight.

List the three largest donors to your campaign.

Private individual donors with the majority of donations averaging $100.

Do you support saving all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills?

favor saving all of West Coyote Hills. It remains our last open space and the majority of residents voted to save it.

Should city provide money to restore services at Hunt Branch Library?

My vision is to improve business development and increase our city’s revenue, in addition to seeking public-private partnerships to reinvest in restoring Hunt Library services.

Your vision for housing the homeless?

Quality local jobs, housing affordability and other homelessness prevention policies while collaborating with reputable non-profits to address community concerns and provide our proposed fair share.

How would you improve problems downtown?

Creating a family oriented “day life” to balance the current nightlife. Partnering with business owners to enhance public safety in the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Note: Candidate Paulette Marshall-Chaffee has suspended her campaign, so we do not include information here.

Don’t forget to vote on November 6th! Your vote counts!