Get to know the local candidates on your Woodland, Winters ballots for the 2024 election
Woodland City Council, District 4
Two candidates
DAVID MORENO
Age: 31
Residence: Woodland
Title/occupation: Assistant Supervisor’s Deputy
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree, political science, UC Davis, 2018
- Bachelor’s degree, sociology - organizational studies, UC Davis, 2018
My political science studies equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of political concepts, institutions, and processes, covering areas like American politics and international relations. In sociology, I focused on organizational studies, gaining insights into sociological theory, research, and rigorous methodological training. The combination of these disciplines has sharpened my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of community dynamics, preparing me to effectively address the needs of our local community.
Work experience:
- Assistant supervisor’s deputy, Yolo County Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, since 2023
- Assistant supervisor’s deputy, Yolo County Supervisor Gary Sandy, 2018-2023
- Economic development intern, city of Woodland, 2017-2018
My internships in economic development have provided me with a practical understanding of how to foster growth and create opportunities within our community. Working for County Supervisors has offered me a unique vantage point into the intricate dynamics of community partnerships. I have the privilege of collaborating with nonprofits, government agencies, and various stakeholders to address local issues and drive impactful initiatives.
Civic engagement:
- Member, Da de Los Nios Committee, since 2019
- Board member, Yolo County Women’s History Month Committee, 2019-2024
- Chair, City of Woodland’s Advisory Redistricting Committee, 2020
- Volunteer, Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project, since 2011
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your constituents today, and what will you do to address it?
Public safety: I will promote community-oriented policing to build trust between law enforcement and residents. This includes encouraging outreach events like ride-alongs, Coffee with a Cop, Shop with a Cop, and supporting National Night Out events. I’ll advocate for data-driven approaches to invest in violence prevention and conflict resolution programs. Funding to ensure officer safety and support our officers is also a priority.
Housing: Housing is a pressing issue for Woodland’s working families. I will push to find opportunities for in-fill development and collaborate with private partners to finance housing development, focusing on city-owned properties within the urban limit line. I will work with my council colleagues to update ordinances and encourage future housing opportunities.
Homelessness: Homelessness is a nationwide challenge. I support the Homeless Outreach Streets Team and advocate for specialized mental health training for police, as well as integrating mental health professionals into emergency response to better assist with people experiencing a crisis. We must approach encampment cleanups humanely while providing resources and funding to improve our city.
Workforce/economic development: Workforce development requires collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses. By partnering with Yolo County, Woodland Community College and UC Davis, we can create an educational pipeline aligned with regional needs. Expanding apprenticeship programs will provide hands-on training and job placements, enhancing skills and driving sustainable economic growth.
Child and senior services: Addressing the needs of children and seniors is a top priority. I will push for affordable, high-quality childcare and support for caregivers through professional training and facility improvements. For seniors, I’ll advocate for community ride-sharing programs and better access to in-home supportive services. Together, we can create a more inclusive community for all ages.
FRED LOPEZ
Residence: Woodland
Title/occupation: Planning Commissioner
Education:
- High School
- Two-year apprenticeship for auto-body
- Trade certifications with PPG, I-Car, ASE, Sherwin Williams, 3M mostly in the automotive field.
- Nan McKay certificate on housing development
Work experience: Ag; construction; automotive industry; business owner since 1993
Civic engagement:
- Yolo County Housing Commissioner, 2004-2007
- Woodland Planning Commissioner since 2008
- Current vice chairman of the planning commission
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your constituents today, and what will you do to address it?
Community safety: The community safety for the city of Woodland is linked to homelessness and other criminal activities in the city. We will address this issue by enforcing laws that are already on the books but are not being enforced. We will work with the Woodland PD and Sheriff’s Department to find resolutions for the issues that we are facing and, if necessary, we will possibly reach out to federal and state agencies. In addition, if needed, we will apply for grants to help support additional staff for the undertaking of dealing with community safety in the city of Woodland. The most important aspect of this is having a strong city council committed to protecting the citizens and businesses of the city of Woodland.
Woodland, like other cities, faces the challenge of addressing housing needs both in density and cost. What is your vision for the issue of integrating higher-density housing without compromising the city’s existing suburban character?
This is a subject the Planning Commission in the city of Woodland has been dealing with since I was appointed in 2008, and we have worked very hard with staff to find solutions. And, with the passage on SB 9 in 2021, it started opening the possibility for homeowners to develop their properties to include a duplex, an additional single-family home or an ADU (additional dwelling unit).
Also, SB 9 did not address affordability directly, leaving gaps in affordability for many citizens. More laws added after SB 9 have been passed by the governor, which includes SB 423, to aid cities in streamlining the approval process for housing; SB 4, which allows religious and nonprofit rezoning options; and AB 1033, which allows ADUs to be sold separately. With the passage of these new laws, it created other challenges to smaller cities like Woodland that had completed all of their general plan updates for their 2035 plan adopted earlier this year. This caused them to have to revise city general plans that had already been approved locally.
SACOG (Sacramento Area Council of Governments) is also an option which, if needed, can provide some resources and other possible grants moving forward in assisting municipalities with housing.
Do you support Measure U, the one-cent sales tax increase, that proponents say will help pay for a variety of programs from public safety to climate change to road repair?
No.
Woodland City Council, District 5
Two candidates
CHUCK AMAJIOYI
Age: 46
Residence: Woodland District 5
Title/occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: B.A. in Political Science, UC Davis, 2014
Work experience: Small business owner, 2017-present
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your constituents today, and what will you do to address it?
District 5 faces many challenges today, such as a new middle school, a new fire station, building more shades at Rick Gonzales Sr. Park and the water park to use during those extremely hot days, more frequent termite treatment at the parks.
I will work hard for my constituents to address these issues when I am elected. I will also work with the school board member representing my district to tackle the middle school issue. As a team we can accomplish a lot.
I believe that with responsible leadership, thoughtful planning, accurate budgeting and my constituents’ input, we can solve these challenges and make a positive change.
Woodland, like other cities, faces the challenge of addressing housing needs both in density and cost. What is your vision for the issue of integrating higher-density housing without compromising the city’s existing suburban character?
The City of Woodland is developing with many new housing constructions in District 5. which increases the population of people living in the district. This is why the middle school and a new fire station are needed in District 5.
However, my vision is that I support the new housing constructions in my district because it helps to oil the economy of our city, because more people will move to Woodland and open new businesses and hire new local employees. which will help accelerate job growth in Woodland.
Do you support Measure U, the one-cent sales tax increase, that proponents say will help pay for a variety of programs from public safety to climate change to road repair?
Yes, I will support Measure U to keep Woodland safe and clean.
OTHER CANDIDATE
Candidate who did not respond: Mayra M. Vega
Winters City Council
Two seats open among two candidates
Bill Biasi, Jesse Loren
Woodland City Council, District 2
One candidate
Tom Stallard