Talk to Us West Covina

Steve Bennett

Talk to Us West Covina is a podcast about what’s occurring in and around West Covina. We focus on subjects that matter to you – our listeners. The topics we cover are those that are impacting each of us that live in the eastern San Gabriel Valley. Our guests are Residents, Community Leaders, Business Owners, and Politicians – ones that are shaping our community today…and tomorrow. If you would like to be a guest on Talk to Us West Covina or you might know of someone who would be a great guest, please let us know by sending us an email at talktouswc@gmail.com. read less

NAACP San Gabriel Valley-TJ Campbell
Jan 11 2023
NAACP San Gabriel Valley-TJ Campbell
In this episode, we sat down with TJ Campbell of the NAACP San Gabriel Valley Chapter.  TJ is the outgoing President of the chapter and prior to his last few days/weeks he sat down with us to talk about the NAACP and his other projects.  During his tenure with the NAACP he has served in various capacities and for the last few years as the President.  While he is moving past the President role, he is quick to let everyone know he will continue to be very involved in the organization.   TJ was a student athlete in high school and through college where he played basketball at a collegiate level.  He returned to his alma mater to be a coach and to help mentor our youth in their basketball futures where one of the teams he coached won the CIF Championship.   One of the programs that TJ has helped organize and lead is the “Local BSI” program where he is mentoring the community on how to economic stability in a community and how to shop at locally owned business to help the community in development.   We also talked about the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King celebration where the local chapter partners with the City of West Covina to hold one of the largest celebrations in the San Gabriel Valley.  This will happen on Monday, January 16, 2023 between 11:00am-2:00pm.  It is a “Day of Service” and the entire community is invited to attend.  The location is the civic center for the City of West Covina. You can learn more at:www.sgvnaacp.netTalk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
Sue Augino-2022 West Covina City Treasurer Candidate
Oct 11 2022
Sue Augino-2022 West Covina City Treasurer Candidate
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City TreasurerCandidate: Sue AuginoCity: West CovinaElection Date: November 8, 2022Email: saugino@aol.com In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with SUE AUGINO, a candidate for the West Covina City Treasurer this November. This special “Candidate Series” was produced by interviewing each candidate separately.  In addition, all candidates were asked the same questions, regarding the same topics such as what the roles and responsibilities of the City Treasurer entail and also their positions regarding on-going deficit spending by the City, the proposed Municipal Health Department, and the city budget. None of the candidates were provided any questions  in advance of their interview.While all candidates were contacted to participate and make their positions known, some declined. (Listed below)We commend the candidates that were interviewed and shared with the residents of West Covina their thoughts about what’s ailing our City and how to change that.The Candidate Series is great way to get to know the candidates.NOTE: For the "Candidate Series" we have added "Chapter Markers" for each topic discussed.  Please feel free to use these to jump to specific questions and topics.Non-participating candidates listed hereCity Treasurer:Colleen Rozatti (Incumbent)Marsha SolorioTalk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
Fred Sykes-District 5-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
Sep 13 2022
Fred Sykes-District 5-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City CouncilCandidate: Fred SykesDistrict: District 5City: West CovinaElection Date: November 8, 2022Phone: (626) 806-4272Website: www.fredricksykes.comEmail: fredricksykes@fredricksykes.comIn this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with FRED SYKES, a candidate for the West Covina City Council in District 5 this November. This special “Candidate Series” was produced by interviewing each candidate separately.  In addition, all candidates were asked the same questions, regarding the same topics such as their position regarding on-going deficit spending by the City, the proposed Municipal Health Department, and crumbling city spaces. None of the candidates were provided any questions  in advance of their interview.While all candidates were contacted to participate and make their positions known, some declined. (Listed below)We commend the candidates that were interviewed and shared with the residents of West Covina their thoughts about what’s ailing our City and how to change that.The Candidate Series is great way to get to know the candidates.NOTE: For the "Candidate Series" we have added "Chapter Markers" for each topic discussed.  Please feel free to use these to jump to specific questions and topics.Non-participating candidates listed hereDistrict 2:Letty Lopez (Incumbent)District 4:Yara WolffDistrict 5:Richard ReyesRamod SotoodehTony Wu (Incumbent)Talk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
Daniel Luna-District 4-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
Sep 13 2022
Daniel Luna-District 4-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City CouncilCandidate: Daniel LunaDistrict: District 4City: West CovinaElection Date: November 8, 2022Phone: (626) 410-7509Website: www.danielluna4westcovina.comEmail: dluna4westcovina@gmail.comIn this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with DANIEL LUNA, a candidate for the West Covina City Council in District 4 this November. This special “Candidate Series” was produced by interviewing each candidate separately.  In addition, all candidates were asked the same questions, regarding the same topics such as their position regarding on-going deficit spending by the City, the proposed Municipal Health Department, and crumbling city spaces. None of the candidates were provided any questions  in advance of their interview.While all candidates were contacted to participate and make their positions known, some declined. (Listed below)We commend the candidates that were interviewed and shared with the residents of West Covina their thoughts about what’s ailing our City and how to change that.The Candidate Series is great way to get to know the candidates.NOTE: For the "Candidate Series" we have added "Chapter Markers" for each topic discussed.  Please feel free to use these to jump to specific questions and topics. Non-participating candidates listed hereDistrict 2:Letty Lopez (Incumbent)District 4:Yara WolffDistrict 5:Richard ReyesRamod SotoodehTony Wu (Incumbent)Talk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
Ollie Cantos-District 4-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
Sep 13 2022
Ollie Cantos-District 4-2022 West Covina City Council Candidate
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City CouncilCandidate: Ollie CantosDistrict: District 4City: West CovinaElection Date: November 8, 2022Phone: (202) 744-0547Website: www.olliecantos.comEmail: olliecantos@icloud.comIn this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with OLIIE CANTOS, a candidate for the West Covina City Council in District 4 this November. This special “Candidate Series” was produced by interviewing each candidate separately.  In addition, all candidates were asked the same questions, regarding the same topics such as their position regarding on-going deficit spending by the City, the proposed Municipal Health Department, and crumbling city spaces. None of the candidates were provided any questions  in advance of their interview.While all candidates were contacted to participate and make their positions known, some declined. (Listed below)We commend the candidates that were interviewed and shared with the residents of West Covina their thoughts about what’s ailing our City and how to change that.The Candidate Series is great way to get to know the candidates.NOTE: For the "Candidate Series" we have added "Chapter Markers" for each topic discussed.  Please feel free to use these to jump to specific questions and topics. Non-participating candidates listed hereDistrict 2:Letty Lopez (Incumbent)District 4:Yara WolffDistrict 5:Richard ReyesRamod SotoodehTony Wu (Incumbent)Talk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
Homeless Crisis & Possible Solutions-Joe Gardner
Jun 28 2022
Homeless Crisis & Possible Solutions-Joe Gardner
Today we sat down with Joe Gardner, a retired police officer and resident of West Covina, to talk about homelessness.  He provides his first hand experiences combined with keen thoughts and insights into the homeless situation, which today is impacting us all more than ever.   Joe’s work with the homeless spans decades and stretches back to his work as a beat officer and subsequently to his assignment on the Homeless Outreach Program of the Santa Monica Police Department.  In our conversation Joe covers both the causes of homelessness as well as current and proposed solutions from elected officials and civic leaders.   We also cover the history of government run mental health treatment and the legislation and court cases that substantially impact how we deal with mental health and homelessness today.  Joe shares his time, knowledge and expertise widely, including with the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles.  He focus in on creating and sustaining solutions that help the homeless successfully transition to stable living conditions.  Joe discusses options such as tiny homes, treatment centers, temporary living centers, and much more. This conversation was enlightening for me as the host and I think it will be equally so for any listener.  You’ll find few people better versed in the matter of homelessness – its history, the present, what works, and what doesn’t – than Joe Gardener. Talk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
The History of the BKK Landfill-Brian Jobst
Jun 14 2022
The History of the BKK Landfill-Brian Jobst
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina, we speak with Brian Jobst.  Brian is a long time resident of the City of West Covina and co-founder of Livable West Covina (www.livablewestcovina.org), an organization dedicated to making our city and surrounding communities a better place to live.    Brian recently published a book about the BKK Landfill that is located in the City of West Covina.  It’s California’s largest toxic hazardous waste dump.     He traces the history of the land, which was initially to be a housing development for over 20,000 people along with a park, golf course, and cemetery, but instead became one of our State’s most infamous landfills.   While the landfill has been closed since 1996, Brian explains all that’s being done daily to keep the landfill and surrounding land safe.  He discusses the future of the landfill, which now includes a staggering $870 million price tag for cleaning it up.  Brian also shares his thoughts on the city of West Covina’s attempts to develop a massive hotel at the site, the project dubbed by the residents, as the “Landfill Hotel”.  His insight into and knowledge of this landfill – from history to the present – is unparalleled as he holds the listeners’ attention on a subject that turns out, to be anything but dull.Free Book Download "History of the BKK Landfill "The Cracked Colander"Talk to Us West Covina:Website: www.talktouswc.comEmail: talktouswc@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc