East County Times endorsement

By Chris Becnel

Becnel Best for Brentwood

EDITORIAL

Vote for Bates, Becnel

THERE IS A CROWDED slate of 11 candidates seeking to fill the two open positions on the Brentwood City Council. There is general agreement among those running that Brentwood needs better roads and highways, and more well-paying jobs. Most of the candidates also favor local control and some expansion of the county's urban limit line.

Selecting candidates based on the issues facing Brentwood is difficult because of widespread agreement on the city's future. What is most important for voters to consider is the experience and expertise candidates have in dealing with public policy.

Among the 11 candidates, all of whom are qualified to serve on the council, we believe Richard Bates and Chris Becnel would be the best choices for voters. Becnel and Bates came in third and fourth, respectively, in the City Council race for two seats two years ago, losing out to Pete Petrovich and Bob Taylor, who is running for mayor.

Becnel served on the Brentwood Planning Commission from 2002 to 2004. He also has been involved in the Brentwood Rotary Club and the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, and he sits on the Delta Hospital board. He has degrees in accounting, taxation and law, giving him expertise in areas that would make him a valuable addition to the council. He is a strong supporter of revitalizing Brentwood's downtown and attracting small businesses with decent jobs to the city.

This is Bates' fourth try for a seat on the City Council. He understands that growth in Brentwood is inevitable, but that it needs to be managed, especially in dealing with traffic congestion.

He also would concentrate on attracting small businesses to Brentwood to help create a better jobs-housing balance. Bates is in favor of building a new senior center with redevelopment money. However, he sounds a note of caution about spending too much for a new City Hall or on consultants.

Both Bates and Becnel have a strong commitment to Brentwood. They also have the background and skills that would make them assets to the City Council and deserve voter support Nov. 7