Merced County supervisors candidates talk homelessness, major issues in District 2 debate
Four candidates vying for the most contested district seat in Merced County pushed their priorities at a discussion hosted by the local NAACP branch this week.
District 2 incumbent Lee Lor was joined at the Merced County Office of Education by her three challengers: Josh Pedrozo, Rev. Angel Barragan and Ricky Aguilera.
The district spans the City of Merced, north of Highway 99.
The District 2 hopefuls were asked questions by the NAACP and the community.
Lee Lor
Incumbent Supervisor Lor, 37, highlighted her first-term successes, pointing to a commitment toward diversity and accessibility.
“I was the one that had staff bring in Spanish and Hmong interpreters,” she said. Instructions for special accommodations at county meetings were only in English before Lor requested the change.
She was successful in advocating that meetings sometimes be held during evenings and at other locations throughout Merced County, she said.
Lor emphasized her efforts to improve safe and affordable activities for Merced’s youth.
“I partnered with a couple of UC Merced professors and community members to launch a children’s museum,” she said, describing it as an interactive nonprofit children’s museum comparable to the Exploratorium. It is set to open this year on Yosemite Avenue across from Merced College.
Lor noted the museum will provide local activities for children, many of whom belong to families who cannot afford to visit places outside of Merced County.
She also voiced her support for a livable wage for In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, who have been in negotiations and without a County contract since 2015.
“There is renewed energy at the county and positive things are happening,” she said in her appeal for reelection.
Josh Pedrozo
Pedrozo, 37, is a social studies teacher at Merced High, a former Merced City Council member and the son of a previous Merced County supervisor, John Pedrozo. He ran for Mayor of Merced in 2016, but lost to Mike Murphy.
Pedrozo said his two City Council terms gave him direct experience mitigating homelessness in the district most impacted by the issue.
“You can’t arrest your way out of the problem, and I think there are some people in the community that would like to see that, but that’s not the way it works,” he said, adding that “studies have proven” permanent supportive housing is the solution.
Pedrozo noted his support of the county’s plans for navigation centers and permanent housing, but voiced concerns over lack of ongoing funding for operations. He said he would push for the budget to include a consistent funding source.
“At the end of the day, we’re talking about people,” he said.
As a member of a union, Pedrozo said he is against IHSS workers operating without a contract. As supervisor, Pedrozo said he would aim to move negotiations forward.
Pedrozo also suggested holding one of the two monthly supervisors meetings in the evening, in order to better accommodate the schedules of residents.
Angel Barragan
Angel Barragan, 39, describes himself as a former high school dropout who was at times homeless. Despite his circumstances, Barragan says he rose from Merced Adult School to Merced College, and ultimately graduated from UC Merced with a bachelor’s in sociology.
He is now a pastor at Yosemite Church and dean of students at Stoneridge Christian School.
“I believe I’m the only candidate who was homeless,” he said. “I’m really looking to bring inspiration to our county (as) someone who started from the bottom and has been able to get to where I’m at today.”
Barragan outlined education and government programs as pathways to success.
A renter himself, Barragan said he would aim to make the prospect of buying a home more feasible in Merced County.
Barragan acknowledged that granting home care workers a raise and benefits would come with a cost, but said he is personally in support and willing to pay it.
He stressed the need for more youth activities, and suggested adding more parks as well as renovating Roller Land.
Ricky Aguilera
Aguilera, 24, is the youngest of District 2 hopefuls. He is the general manager of the Merced Indoor Sports Center, an indoor soccer facility used by Merced youth and adults.
Aguilera stressed the importance of communicating with the community, and not just during campaign season.
“I feel like if our elected officials used a fraction of the reach that they usually do when it comes to reelection, then there would be so much more better decision making throughout the county,” he said.
During a recent conversation with the director of the D Street Homeless Shelter, Aguilera said he was told there are well over 900 homeless people now in the county. He said he would aim to make homelessness less attractive, and would deter homeless individuals from coming outside Merced County.
“We’re getting more and more money to attack this issue, but its only getting worse,” he said. “So we really have to see how this money is managed and how its affecting the homeless.”
Aguilera also said he was open to IHSS workers’ requests on account of wanting his fellow workers to feel motivated.
Election details
The Board of Supervisors candidates will face off on the March 3 primary election ballot.
District 1 Supervisor Rodrigo Espinoza and District 4 Supervisor Lloyd Pareira are also up for reelection. Espinoza is challenged by drug and alcohol counselor Sonia Alshami, and Pareira by Merced College Board Trustee Mario Mendoza.
Districts that do not receive a majority vote for a single candidate will see the top two on the November general election ballot.
Candidates are listed by the county here.
