The Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors, GOP Commentator Cathy Abernathy as well as Budget Watchdogs have released their endorsements and recommendations for the Tehachapi City Council race and it is of little surprise who they believe to be the best fit for the job.

Abernathy, a political powerhouse in Kern County is recommending Michael Davies for City Council At-Large, Phil Smith for District 1, Joan Pogon-Cord for District 4 and Susan Wiggins for District 5. According to Abernathy "Need these smart, talented and cool hands to help direct more successes for the Tehachapi community." A ringing endorsement for one of the brightest GOP minds in local politics.

Additionally, following a candidate's forum on October 3, the Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors Governmental Affairs Committee has endorsed Michael Davies for the At-Large seat, Phil Smith for District 1, Susan Wiggins for District 5 and Susan Showler for Treasurer. The committee elected not to endorse a candidate in District 4 due to a tie vote, however that makes current councilmember Dennis Wahlstrom the only incumbent not endorsed by the Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors, a telling statement to his lack of involvement and his objection to the City being affiliate members of TAAR, something that was voiced in a recent City Council Meeting.

Finally, as political groups send out their recommendations in the mail, Michael Davies, Susan Wiggins, Phil Smith and Joan Pogon-Cord all received support from the Budget Watchdogs Newsletter. A group dedicated to controlled spending from "the schoolhouse to the White House." Both Wiggins and Smith have been part of balanced City budgets and strong fiscal position. Pogon-Cord and Davies share that same vision and respect for the successful budget process.

The Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors and their Legislative Committee invited all candidates running for City Council and City Treasurer to a Candidates Forum on October 3rd at the Slice of Life Enrichment Center. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, a number of candidates declined to participate.

The event was an opportunity for all candidates to talk about their reasons for running, their platform and to secure the endorsement of the Tehachapi Area Association of Realtors, one of the most-active and influential group of business men and women in Tehachapi.

“It’s unfortunate that several candidates refused to participate,” legislative committee chair Kathy Carey said to open the event. “It makes it very hard to vote for them.”

Phil Smith, the lone candidate to represent District 1 talked about the revitalization of Downtown, which he represents. Smith touched on the recent wave of private investment into the area and building renovation. Coupled with the public improvements years ago, Tehachapi’s Downtown is stronger than ever. With 18 years of experience with the Kern Council of Governments, Smith also touched on major transportation projects that he’s helped secure for Tehachapi including the recent announcement of a study for Highway 58 truck climbing lanes. His opponent Clete Heckathorn declined to participate.

Joan Pogon-Cord, who is running against incumbent and no-show Dennis Wahlstrom in District 4, touched on her love for senior projects, including new housing for seniors and working with City staff and potential developers to include senior accessible housing in new developments. A long-time coach and teacher, Pogon-Cord also touched on her love of recreation and desire for improvements in facilities around Tehachapi. Incumbent Dennis Wahlstrom refused to participate although grassroots candidate Clint Davies to his credit, took part in the event. 

Susan Wiggins, the lone candidate to represent District 5 talked about her involvement and relationships in the City as Mayor Pro-Tem. Wiggins focused on commercial development and how Tehachapi’s new developments are spurning new life into the older commercial buildings as competition grows. Wiggins talked about the importance of building the retail options, so sales tax money stays local to benefit citizens instead of being spent in other communities. Her opponent Clint Beacom continued his streak of not being involved in the community, by declining the invitation. 

At large candidate Michael Davies focused on new housing opportunities and his intent to work with City staff and the planning commission to address the housing shortage in Tehachapi. Davies talked about the new inventory sparking a renovation boom among existing homes and how the sales value in Tehachapi has grown over 27% in the last two years. Davies’ father-in-law was a pioneer of the real estate industry in Tehachapi, so his understanding of the real estate market is beneficial. Davies’ opponent Pete Graff declined to participate.

City treasurer Susan Showler, the lone candidate participating for the position focused on the real role of the treasurer and not the made-up role being fabricated by her opponent. Showler, who is very involved with several organizations in this community talked about her love for Tehachapi, her relationship with the finance team at the City and how she wants to continue to serve this community in this role. Her opponent, Amy Colwell, despite making up several new job duties for the treasurer, chose not to elaborate on them by declined the invitation sent out by TAAR.

While insulting, the no-shows by those candidates were not surprising. They made it clear they only want to participate in events hosted by their puppet master, councilman Ken Hetge, in front of a handful of mostly family members, while only giving interviews to basement-webcast shows that they sponsor for the air time. 

Tehachapi Citizens for Responsible Government would like to thank TAAR for their willingness to host this event and for the room full of voters that saw what real candidates look like, and how their opponents disrespected the public process by declining to participate. 

On July 16, 2018, Tehachapi City Councilmembers Ken Hetge and Dennis Wahlstrom refused to fill the fifth vacancy on the Tehachapi Planning Commission. Two qualified candidates and current planning commissioners who had their terms expiring, Marianna Teel and Joseph Butler were turned down on a 2-2 voted (both Hetge and Wahlstrom voting no).

When asked about this they claim they didn’t like the “same old faces,” and only appointed one newcomer, Linda Hollingsworth, leaving the commission at four members.

That plan backfired when a local man purchased the former Moose Lodge on Curry and F Street, hoping to make the facility a restaurant and event center. His first change of use hearing scheduled for September 10th could not happen because of a lack of quorum. Vice chairman Charles White lives within 500 feet of the facility and must recuse himself from the conversation. With one commissioner out of town, the decision could not be made by just two.

Again, on September 17, the planning commission scheduled a special meeting to hear the request. Once again, a recusal by Mr. White and a late work emergency prevented another commissioner from making the hearing.

This project is now delayed a month and the new owner is losing money, money he is trying to spend in our community. All of this would have been prevented had Councilmembers Hetge and Wahlstrom done the job they were elected to and appoint a full planning commission.

Instead, small businesses suffer.  You can show your support for small business by voting out Dennis Wahlstrom in District 4 and choosing a Warrior for small business, Joni Pogon-Cord.

While many candidates claim Tehachapi "should be like it used to be," we take that as an insult to our community. District 1 candidate Phil Smith and District 5 candidate Susan Wiggins have been an integral part of the transformation of Tehachapi. It was their votes, their financing and their support of City initiatives that built the Downtown we know and love today.

That Downtown is a major part of the region's $100 million annual tourism industry. Tourism that brings revenue to small businesses and local companies dedicated to sharing our way of life to visitors from all over the world. 

Take a look at some of the photos and realize what real progress looks like. Paying it forward and involvement in the community with a servant's heart are just a few reasons that Wiggins and Smith are not only the best candidates for the job, but have real results to back up those claims. Their interests are not self-serving, but have set the table to allow other volunteers to serve as our community matures.

Results matter, your vote should reflect that. Thanks to the efforts of Susan Wiggins and Phil Smith, our Downtown certainly does.