Napa Citizen Meets the Candidates for Election 2020

I took on the mammoth task of doing one-on-one interviews with the candidates for mayor and city council of Napa. It was a little out of my skill set, but at the same time, it was an incredible two days. I am not a policy wonk and I am not involved with local politics beyond trying to keep my cool as I see a real lack of leadership. I was going to try and edit them a little but I thought it best and most timely to just release them before the election.

Two candidate interviews are missing. I never intended to interview Doris Gentry, a current council member who is running for mayor of Napa. Napa has a lot of problems and Gentry as mayor would add to them. I’ve refrained from making any endorsements but I will urge you to do a small amount of research on Gentry, probably easiest on Facebook. I asked her if homosexuality was a sin and it took her days to reply, “I’m running for Mayor not Nun.” A simple no would have made things easier. Her problems run much deeper than her lack of support for the LGBT communites.

I was unable to interview Sushi Mambo owner and longtime Napa Renee Cazeres due to a family emergency.

And now, the interviews:

For Mayor

Scott Sedgley
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/X9EoCgMatKhbGCqdgqcIbV2jeoznsgRgD9AOEEmfwWqAjZVIMQHskasinbL47mL-._Lz3YOFFsGxtkDGZ

Gerardo Martin
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/eA6s-CGFgS9tRTwru0zQr0KpzA6p_7sSFiHjHIieZW78CrGGtDDFnE564YCaISrp.VXrmX2qVYkpAMGIR

Doris Gentry
https://www.facebook.com/FrontlineUSA/videos/2321075637971190/

As I said above, I don’t want to give this candidate any more airtime but here she is at a local event opening for Frontline America’s Ben Bergquam, who is a self-identified member of the Proud Boys. Note his alt-right White Supremecy hand signal as Gentry speaks. If this seems appropriate for you, Gentry is your candidate.

City Council, Distric 4

Rene Cazeres
Renee had a family emergency and was unable to be interviewed. Renee writes, “My campaign is 100% grassroots. I have raised less than $2,000 since July, all small donations from individuals between $5 and $100 each. I never want to be beholden to any large donors, businesses, special interests, or developers. I am beholden to the citizens of the City of Napa.

By not accepting money from special interests, I will review each development project from an objective standpoint. I remain firm that we need to protect open spaces and watersheds from urbanization, and we need to evaluate our ever increasing hotel growth, and how it negatively impacts our economy (we need economic diversification) and environment. I am a natural leader, with over 25 years owning and operating a successful local eatery in the Napa Valley, 18 of those years operating in the heart of Downtown Napa. I am honest, approachable, patient, and transparent. I am a good listener and have common sense. I have the knowledge and experience to lead. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my position on issues affecting the City of Napa, as well as my candidacy for District 4.

You may email me at: reneecazarescitycouncil@gmail.com
Please visit my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/cazaresfornapacitycouncil2020
To donate, please visit my website: www.reneecazares.com

Bernie Narvaez
Date: Oct 13, 2020 10:58 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/fDOWD5nF-7WCkddc2_PfxpPfQiIWOuamwGcZWcehko-1gkY9PO2i9WVIzDDjkBnQ.23ggrfDRPI0w6Dpr

City Council, District 2

David Campbell
Date: Oct 13, 2020 01:56 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/h7eCeawaQde52UuIt2fAYI8JHkSezWd6YPDck3z6mlvQVAkjFz4H4G6aB2XV2Agb.YpW7e030spep4SRt

James Hinton
Date: Oct 13, 2020 03:51 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/hu4rBehAlnU6W8xgKK7SvCRH-GUE96ngWPxIkDyk9R9SmCNWVtpyVstORcQm9Oso.Ag5br-s03cixxEdI

Beth Painter
Note: I offered all of the candidates the opportunity to correct anything they wanted and I love that it’s left in on this clip. It’s worth noting that none of the candidates asked for a time out or to reshoot the segment. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XMJTfUjQN5iTlTSvt-Gg94KfwnagSzdPGiYcC-Lf0BsSEYg8taB1WLBBu3kLNgWH.lQpCSHH_qlcX851L

Paul Stoddard
Date: Oct 13, 2020 04:57 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/T6GB1sPWWftvmEjHDpYGjdd4pzfBhmG1JhFooTeZhDWH4Ko3qRXhGtKv8wimGY0L.mDBSRECc5PPoZevg

My final thoughts, I liked something about almost all of these people. I love that they are serious and putting themselves out there, which can’t be easy. As you watch the videos, think about the candidates and if they’d be approachable on issues you don’t agree upon. Are they really up for tackling the issues that matter to you or is it business as usual?

I have a business in Napa but I can’t vote as I’m not a resident and I’m chosing not to endorse any of them. I like them and with the exception of Doris Gentry, I wouldn’t be upset if any of them won. I have my preferences but you’ll need to buy me a beer after the COVID-19 crisis to get them out of me.