ABOUT THE FULLERTON OBSERVER FREE CANDIDATE SPREAD: Each Fullerton City Council Candidate was invited to participate in this traditional feature to help residents get to know the candidates.
Fullerton Observer: What motivated you to run for City Council? What strengths will you bring to the role?
Arnel Dino: I am running because District 3 needs a leader who understands our district and has the experience to serve on day one. While serving as a Planning Commissioner and on several city commissions, I have been actively working on the issues that face our city from infrastructure to public safety.
FO: What policies would you enact to address housing unaffordability in Fullerton, both for homeowners and renters?
AD: I would be in favor of promoting more housing types in the city. I would be in favor of converting unused spaces to residential/multiuse, building more ‘missing middle’ housing, allow more granny flats, and embrace microapartments. I would also promote incentives for developers to build these different types of housing.
FO: What needs to be done to effectively address homelessness in Fullerton?
AD: Build more housing and open the shelter for the Fullerton unhoused which was its original purpose.
FO: Fullerton is understaffed— police, fire, Library, public works, and maintenance. How would you address that?
AD: Fullerton has a new city manager, and I will work with him to address recruitment and retention issues and to establish clear short and long-term budgetary goals with staffing in mind.
FO: What needs to be done for the Council to function better?
AD: The council needs to communicate, collaborate, and compromise. Too often we forget that despite our differences and approaches, we are all neighbors of one community/city. I hope to bridge those differences to effectively communicate and collaborate with my council colleagues, residents, and community stakeholders.
FO: Which is a higher priority for you—fixing infrastructure or fully staffing departments? Are you willing to cut one to pay for the other?
AD: I believe both are equally important. Every city seems to be able to prioritize both. Why should Fullerton residents have to choose?
FO: Would you support an ordinance allowing cannabis dispensaries in Fullerton? What restrictions/limitations would be in that policy?
AD: Yes, I would be in support of an ordinance allowing cannabis dispensaries in Fullerton with restrictions. I would not have them near churches, schools, libraries, or parks and located in industrial areas away from neighborhoods. I would also be in favor increased enforcement and the faster closure of illegal dispensaries in the city.
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