There are three city council positions up for re-election in the City of La Center this year, but only one will feature an incumbent facing a challenge to retain their position.
Council members Randy Williams and Kristine Carmona are running unopposed for their positions on the council but Al Luiz is being challenged by two candidates for Position No. 2.
Luiz, former La Center Chief of Police Tim Hopkin and Nathan Stokes, a construction project manager and current president of La Center Little League, will face off in the Aug. 6 primary election. The two who receive the most votes will move on the general election on Nov. 5.
Here’s a look at the three candidates (in alphabetical order):
Tim Hopkin
Hopkin served the City of La Center for 28 years as a police officer, including a tenure as chief of police (1996-2012). In all, Hopkin had a 41-year career in law enforcement.
“I want to continue serving this wonderful community and sitting on the city council is the best way to continue that service,” said Hopkin, who has regularly attended council meetings since his departure as police chief.
Hopkin, who will turn 66 in September, believes La Center’s expansion to the I-5 junction is the top priority in the city in terms of the budget and continued growth. He would also like to see members of the council, city staff and its other departments work together better.
“I would like to be part of a more cohesive council that can work together,” Hopkin said. “We need a council that can meet the city’s challenges as a team, that can get to the root of a problem and work towards solutions in a timely manner.”
Hopkin believes his strength as a candidate lies in his lengthy experience serving the city.
“I would bring a historical perspective to the council,” he said. “I have been part of the inner workings of the city for over 20 years. The community has had 20 years to see me in action, to get to know how I work, play and live, and for us to earn each other’s trust. It’s pretty simple, really, those who like me will support me, those that don’t wont.”
Al Luiz
Luiz prides himself on serving the La Center community.
“I’ve been involved in this community for eight years,’’ said the 67-year-old Luiz. “I served on the Planning Commission for three years as vice chair. I’ve served on the City Council the past four years and was elected by my fellow council members to be mayor pro tem. Consequently, I’ve been involved in all facets of city government.
“I’m also active in the community as president of the La Center Lions Club and I was instrumental in getting the (La Center) Farmers Market set up,” said Luiz, who is also proud of what the city has accomplished in his time as a council member. “Many of the things I really wanted to do were for the youth of our town. We just completed that splash pad and skate pad (at Holley Park), which is being used heavily.”
Like his opponents, Luiz agrees the development of the recently-annexed land near the La Center I-5 junction is a top priority for the city moving forward.
“Development of that I-5 corridor and the completion of the revitalization of the downtown are the keys,” Luiz said. “I think we’ve done our homework and the groundwork so I think La Center is prepared for when ever the economy turns around and we start. I think we’re prepared to grow intelligently.’’
But, Luiz doesn’t want La Center to lose its charm.
“To me, it’s always been important as we grow that we still maintain our small town atmosphere,” he said. “La Center has always been a bedroom community and to me it’s a jewel in Clark County.”
Nathan Stokes
The 42-year-old Stokes is clear why he decided to run for a position on the La Center City Council.
“I wanted to get somebody on the council to represent my demographic,” said Stokes, who has two children who are students in the La Center School District. “I just think it’s important in the overall picture to have somebody with the outlook of my generation on the council right now. I don’t see that (currently) happening from the meetings I’ve been to.”
Stokes is a project manager for a construction company. He currently serves on the La Center Planning Commission and has served as the president of the La Center Little League for the past two years.
“I would say the key issue for La Center is financial, getting more of a tax revenue base,” said Stokes, referring to developing the annexed area near the I-5 junction, which includes an expansion of the sewer treatment system.
Stokes believes his experience in construction could serve La Center as it addresses those expansion issues.
“I’m a project manager for a construction company and have been for 15 years, so I understand the logistics and budgets of managing multiple projects,” he said. “I will help bring economic development to our community and promote programs and activities that serve the youth of La Center.”
