Linda Wagner has been a senior council aide for the City of Chula Vista, and in that time, she said she has seen many things she doesn’t like at City Hall.

That is one of the main reasons why she’s running for Seat 4 of the Chula Vista City Council in the Nov. 6 election, where she will face former Councilmember Mary Salas.

“I have had the opportunity to observe the good and the bad inside City Hall,” said Wagner about her tenure as senior council aide. “That experience has convinced me that I can do a better job than some have done looking out for the taxpayers. I will give my best effort, as I have for eight years, to protect the interests of Chula Vista residents.”

In the June primary election, Wagner received around 26 percent of the vote, behind Salas’ 48 percent.

Although Salas is a household name in Chula Vista because she has also been a state assembly member and in 2010 ran unsuccessfully for the state senate, Wagner has been endorsed by major public officials from throughout the county, and also by many local community organizers, leaders, and activists.

“All of these leaders see how hard I work for the people of Chula Vista and know I will do a good job, serving on the Chula Vista City Council,” Wagner said. “They know I am honest, thorough, and efficient. I have learned the job from years of hard work for the residents of Chula Vista. I have been privileged to have had the opportunity.”

Among her endorsements are State Senator Juan Vargas, Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Steve Castaneda, and Chula Vista councilmembers Patricia Aguilar and Rudy Ramirez.

Among Wagner’s priorities if elected to the city council are public safety issues, although the Chula Vista Firefighters Association and Chula Vista Police Officers Association endorse Salas.

“Public Safety is my top priority,” Wagner said. “We have only 0.87 police officers per thousand people in Chula Vista, way too few. We have not yet trained our firefighters as paramedics, even though they arrive several minutes earlier to medical emergencies than the ambulance. They need the training, equipment and medicines to start advanced life support immediately.”

During her time as a senior council aide, Wagner said that she has been able to promote positive changes in the city. But she said there’s much to be done throughout the city.

I will protect the interests of Chula Vista taxpayers, by directing their money to services they expect and need when they pay their taxes,” she said. “We installed wi-fi in the libraries and rec centers for students, yet lock the doors so many hours. We need to fill potholes and paint out graffiti. We still have some corrugated sewer pipe underground in western Chula Vista. We must stop directing the tax dollars to management compensation. A balanced budget is not the whole goal. Directing the money to services for taxpayers is.”

Wagner criticized Salas for using her time in the city council as a stepping stone to higher office.

“Salas has always sought higher office, whether it cost the taxpayers an expensive special election or not,” Wagner said.

“A special election to re-fill the seat can cost up to $600K, if she decides to run mid term. I am always conscious of the sacred trust the taxpayers’ money is. I will never waste it while I serve. Do the taxpayers want a career politician or a public servant?”

Also, although Salas is endorsed by major Latino leaders, and her name is recognizable among the Latino population, which is the majority in the city, Wagner said that Latino families need to think about their children’s future.

“I want to make sure all Chula Vistans get the services they pay for and deserve,” she said. “Salas got us into $200 million of debt while she served on the council, which will take 40 years to pay off, sacrificing so many city services we need. Our grandchildren will be paying for her extravagance. She also spent down the rainy day fund (the budget reserves) from over 28 percent to under 10 percent by the time she left office.”

If elected to the city council, Wagner said that she will transfer all of her experience as senior council aide to her position as councilmember –always thinking about working families.

“I will give the best of me to serving Chula Vista,” she said. “I will never betray the trust of hardworking taxpayers. I am one myself. I will be fair and square with every decision. I love my hometown and hope the voters will allow me to serve them as their next Council-member. I will be very honored.”

To learn more about Linda Wagner and her candidacy, visit www.wagnerforcouncil.com.