As the Nov. 3 Orange City Council election approaches, The Panther compiled a series of interviews with the various prospective candidates for mayor and Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5 that will be divided into five installments differentiated by the open positions.

The Orange City Council election Nov. 3 offers open seats for mayor as well as Orange Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5. To break down candidate perspectives and values for our student and community readers, The Panther asked these local politicians about their respective platforms, initiatives and goals to address concerns raised by the community.  

District 5 candidates Ana Gutierrez, a nonpartisan, grassroots politician, and Rick Ledesma, member of the Orange Unified Board of Education, are dueling for the open seat on Orange City Council. Though Ledesma did not respond to The Panther’s request for comment, Gutierrez opened up about listening to community voices and providing more resources for Spanish-speaking residents.

The candidate responses have been lightly edited for clarity and stylistic standards.

Ana Gutierrez

Q. What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?

A. I am new to politics, I am a grassroots candidate and I am 100%community-minded, with no political ties nor special interests. As an educator, I know what it is to be a public servant. Therefore, I will be the public servant that will be the voice of the residents and businesses in District 5.

Q. What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?

A. The initiatives I want to push for on the Orange City Council are to allow for more transparency, improved oversight and a focus on the residents’ needs. I want to seek out other sources of revenue to aid and enhance our police and fire departments in order to uphold public safety and build community with our residents. I will push for protecting our neighborhoods, parks, trails and open spaces to ensure our quality of life. Lastly, I will work on annexing into the city the unincorporated section of the El Modena barrio.

Q. How do you plan on utilizing your position to uplift community concerns and voices, especially those of marginalized groups?

A. I plan on walking my district bi-monthly to check up on the businesses to discern their needs.   I plan on having virtual and in-person, “Coffee with the Council Member” sessions to speak with the residents on a bi-monthly basis as well. To reach marginalized groups, I plan on holding these meetings in Spanish and making certain to visit the Spanish-speaking business owners as well. Finally, I will reach out to and work with the El Modena Family Resource Center to make contact with the families that seek services through them in order to build relationships with them and determine their needs.