Water Board hopefuls square off in heated debate hosted by LCCN

Candidates running for the Central Basin Water Board of Directors (District 5) held an “open debate” Thursday afternoon that featured incumbent Phil Hawkins and challengers Assemblyman Tony Mendoza and Cerritos resident Jay Gray.
The debate lasted a little more than one hour and was hosted by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper. Editor Jerry Bernstein and Reporter Randy Economy asked the three candidates pressing questions about the campaign, including allegations of corruption, high water rates, how the district is being managed and what they intend to accomplish if elected in the upcoming June 5 election.
The event was held on the patio at the Off Street Café on Artesia Boulevard in Cerritos.
Hawkins was the target of much of the debate with Mendoza and Gray lashing out at the four term incumbent on a wide range of issues.
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper will have the debate uploaded at www.loscerritosnews.net.
Publisher Brian Hews said that LCCN plans to do additional debates in the future in this “open and direct format.”
“We are committed to providing a platform to educate our readers about those who are seeking our vote and to hear in their own words what they stand for on the issues,” Hews said.