The Diamond Bar Republican Women Federated is hosting a candidate forum tonight at the Diamond Bar Golf Course.

7:08:  Diamond Bar RWF President Barbara Carrera called meeting to order

7:10:  Diamond Bar Mayor Carol Herrera led the pledge.

7:11: El Monte Councilman Jay Gomez was introduced as candidate for County Supervisor in the 1st District, which includes Walnut. Gomez stressed importance of public safety to protect all communities.

7:16: Attendees are proceeding to dinner.

BREAK

7:53: Barbara Carrera introduced Anthony Kuo, Communications for Ling-Ling Chang Campaign to make an announcement. Kuo explained that Chang is not present due to a family emergency and she had to leave. Steve Tye joked “My wife was called and she has to go.”

7:57: Phillip Chen introduced himself and appreciated those in attendance taking time out of busy schedule to listen the candidates. Chen thanked Republican Women efforts and being backbone for the party candidates. Chen spoked of his education and as a business owner and endorsements from Assemblyman Hagman, Supervisor Shawn Nelson and host of others joining the campaign.

8:01: Steve Tye introduced himself by introducing his wife, Patty Tye. Tye stressed the reason why he ran for Council in 2005 regarding the library tax and that the county library must step up to the plate to build a new library. Tye mentions experience as President of the Contract Cities.

8:05: Question about Common Core: Chen is against it with reminder to the audience that as a Board Member of Walnut-Valley School District he sees problems as the district is the lowest funded per pupil in the county. The problem is removing bad teachers. Chen stressed importance of change in the education funding formula.

8:10: Tye mentions his wife who is a Special Education teacher and he, too, is against Common Core. Tye brings up the need to audit all aspects of public education and importance to use resources properly with point that we have a spending problem not a revenue problem.

8:16: Question about the bullet train (High Speed Rail). Tye stress that it is time to get rid of it. Tye says, “We have a bullet train and it is called Southwest Airlines.” Tye attempts to make a point that HSR from Los Angeles to San Francisco would take 2 hours as it is shorter by air via airplane. Tye urges transportation funding to be used for infrastructure projects.

8:19: Chen spoke out against HSR as well with emphasis on the dollars currently being spent of $68 billion with no tracks in place. Chen brings up question of where is funding to repair the tracks highlighting example of the Alameda Corridor that flows through the San Gabriel Valley the cost or repairing tracks is at a price of $20 Million alone.

8:24: Who is your personal hero? Chen mentions Ronald Reagan. Tye mentions George W. Bush and efforts in Iraq.

8:28: How to handle the problem of birthing centers being used by women coming in from Asia? Tye stressed that the problem is illegal and spoke with Rep. Gary Miller about the ongoing problem with urgency of problems of the 14th Amendment.

8:31: Chen highlight the problems of “anchor babies” and the birthing centers are wrong as it is unsafe and unfair to neighboring residents in a community. Chen stress that if people want to come to the U.S. they must learn about USA and they must respect laws.

8:34: Former Assemblyman and Walnut Councilman Bob Pacheco spoke up with pressing question: “Are fees and taxes the same thing?”

8:35: Tye rebukes the question stressing that taxes and fees ARE NOT the same thing.

8:37: Chen agrees with Pacheco that fees ARE taxes.

8:41: Forum Closes.