RCPG Candidate Forum: How Do You Hope to Retain Ramona's Character During Growth?

The Ramona Equine Industry Network (REIN) hosted a forum on Sept. 19 at the Community Center to allow the public to hear from the Ramona Community Planning Group candidates and their stance on hot-button issues.

Each week leading up to the Nov. 6 elections, Ramona Patch will post one of the questions asked at the forum, along with each of the present candidate's responses.

Keep a look out each week to see what the group hopefuls had to say on things like vineyards, the equine industry and road safety issues.

You've got a taste of what the planning group hopefuls thought of Ramona's ever-growing grape industry and their vision for safety on Highway 67.

This week, we take a glance at Ramona's rural character and thoughts on preservation.

How do you hope to retain Ramona's character during growth?

Jim Cooper: "It's part of the reason I'm on the design review board," he said, noting that growth in Ramona is inevitable. Cooper stressed that he wants input from the community, calling it "vital" and saying growth in town needs to carry its own weight.

Barbara Jensen: Jensen called for a balance between growth in Ramona and rural character.

Jim Piva: "Ramona has a community plan," Piva said. "It's well-thought out." Piva said he shot down the idea of the Target center for Ramona and is currently fighting the solar farm on Warnock because it "doesn't fit our community plan." Piva said we need to "stick to the plan" when it comes to growth.

Richard Tomlinson: "The County's vision is different from Ramona's vision," Tomlinson said. "Any growth needs to match the character of what we have here."

Torry Brean: "I believe in supporting the community plan," incumbent Brean said, agreeing with Piva. "I'm really big on supporting small businesses in town."

Robin Joy Maxson: Maxson said the town needs to "maintain rural character."

Kathy DaSilva: DaSilva agreed with Piva, calling it "imperative" that the town maintain the "rural character that all the residents come here for."