Este martes 7 de junio, se celebraron las elecciones primarias, y ya hay resultados preliminares donde se da a conocer quienes son aquellos candidatos que irán a las elecciones generales para competir por diversos puestos a nivel federal, estatal y local.
The the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors ha hecho su tarea en materia electoral, sin embargo, la participación por parte de los votantes dejó mucho que desear, pues, al menos en un conteo previo, solo participó 14.6 por ciento de todos aquellos elegibles para ejercer su derecho al sufragio.
De acuerdo con la Oficina de Mark Church, oficial principal de elecciones y secretario-registrador del condado de San Mateo, había 433 mil 539 votantes registrados, sin embargo y de acuerdo con las boletas de voto recibidas por correo y aquellas devueltas a los centros de votación y buzones el jueves 2 de junio o antes, fueron emitidos 63 mil 362 votos, de los cuales, 6 mil 481 se emitieron en centros de votación, y 56 mil 881 por correo.
Among the preliminary local results, provided by the county itself, the following stand out:
Al ser la única candidata a Superintendente del condado de San Mateo, Nancy Magée permanece en el puesto al obtener el 100 por ciento de los votos ‒44 mil 963 papeletas marcadas a su favor‒.
In the case of the three contenders vying to become a member of the Board of Supervisors for the 2nd District, Carlos Piedra leads with 44.73 percent of the votes, a discrete advantage of only 1.55 percentage points over his rival Noelia Corzo, who so far has 43.18 percent of the electorate's preference.
For the same seat, but for the 3rd District, Ray Mueller takes first place with 35.81 percent of the vote, followed by Laura Parmer-Lohan with 30.54 percent.
Como secretario-registrador del condado de San Mateo, dos fueron los contrincantes, obteniendo un arrasador éxito Mark Church, quien mantiene el puesto al obtener 83.57 por ciento de los votos.
Para obtener el puesto de Contralor del condado, solo su actual representante estuvo en las boletas, por lo que Juan Raigoza ha obtenido el 100 por ciento de los votos ‒46 mil 386‒.
Como Juez de Instrucción o Forense del condado de San Mateo, su actual oficial, Robert Jon Foucrault ha obtenido 99.98 por ciento de los votos.
Lo mismo sucede en el caso de Juez de Distrito, donde el único en la boleta es quien ejerce el puesto actualmente, Stephen M. Wagstaffe, y que por ende obtuvo el 100 por ciento de los votos ‒47 mil 366‒.
En el caso de alguacil, los números dan como virtual ganadora a Christina Corpus con 54.36 por ciento de los votos, seguido del actual Sheriff, Carlos Bolaños, quien hasta el momento cuenta con 45.62 por ciento del gusto del electorado.
Sandie Arnott, quien actualmente se desempeña como Tesorera y Recaudadora de Impuesto del condado de San Mateo, mantendrá su posición, pues fue la única en contender por el cargo, obteniendo el 100 por ciento de los votos ‒49 mil 160‒.
Los residentes del condado de San Mateo también pudieron emitir su voto respecto a medidas escolares que podrían implementarse en los centros escolares del área.
Así, para la Medida C para el Distrito Escolar de Belmont-Redwood Shores, ganó el Sí con 72.72 por ciento de los votos; por la Medida G para el Distrito Escolar de Brisbane ganó el Sí con 69.59 por ciento de los votos; por la Medida H del Distrito Escolar de Hillsborouhg City, ganó el Sí con 59.47 por ciento de los votos.
En el caso de la Medida J para el Distrito Escolar Primario de Jefferson, ganó el Sí con 61.36 por ciento de los votos; para la Medida E del Distrito Escolar Primario de Millbrae, no se llegó al 55 por ciento que requería para pasar, pues apenas obtuvo 50.84 por ciento de los votos; en tanto, la Medida I para el Distrito Escolar de Ravenswood City, fue aprobada al obtener 68.06 por ciento de los votos.
Con una amplia ventaja sobre sus contrincantes durante la jornada electoral primaria, celebrada este martes 7 de junio, el gobernador Gavin Newsom logró avanzar a las elecciones generales de noviembre, en las cuales ya se coloca como favorito sobre su contendiente republicano para obtener un segundo mandato al frente de California.
De acuerdo con los resultados preliminares, pues aún no se han contado las boletas recibidas por correo y aquellas entregadas en centros de votación o buzones después del jueves 2 de junio, así como los registros condicionales o papeletas provisionales, Newsom ha obtenido un 70.9 por ciento de las preferencias del electorado.
El senador republicano Brian Dahle se coloca en segundo puesto con 8.45 por ciento de los votos, lo que indicaría que sería el contendiente de Newsom en las generales de noviembre.
La ventaja de más de 62 puntos porcentuales de Newsom frente a su más cercano contendiente es una victoria luego de que se enfrentara a una elección revocatoria que amenazó con derrocarlo.
Newsom fue uno de los 26 candidatos a la gobernatura por California que aparecían en la boleta.
Los demócratas se mantienen liderando el estado dorado, pues en la carrera por el Senado de EE. UU., al senador de California, Alex Padilla le fue igualmente fácil llegar a una segunda vuelta en las generales de noviembre.
El designado para el puesto por Newsom el año pasado después de que Kamala Harris renunciara para convertirse en vicepresidenta, ha obtenido 68.79 por ciento de los votos, más de 57 puntos porcentuales por arriba de su más cercano rival, el republicano Mark Meuser, quien ha obtenido, hasta el momento, 10.91 por ciento del gusto del electorado.
Para obtener el puesto de Vicegobernador de California, aventaja la demócrata Eleni Kounalakis, misma que mantiene el cargo desde 2019, siendo la primera mujer en obtener el puesto, con 68.60 por ciento de los votos, seguida por el republicano David Fennell con 11.87 por ciento de las papeletas a su favor.
En el caso de Secretario de Estado por California, mantiene una fuerte posición la actual poseedora del cargo, la demócrata Shirley Nash Weber, quien tiene, hasta el momento, 73.74 por ciento de los votos, seguida del republicano Rob Bernosky con 12.40 por ciento.
Como Contralor, aventaja la actual presidenta de la Junta de Ecualización por el Distrito 2, Malia M. Cohen con 26.34 por ciento de los votos, sin embargo, y pisándole los talones, el republicano oriundo de Carolina del Norte Lanhee Chen tiene, hasta ahora, 23.32 por ciento del gusto para ocupar el cargo.
Para Tesorero, Fiona Ma, con 72.77 por ciento de los votos avanza a una segunda ronda, posiblemente acompañada de su rival republicano, Jack M. Guerrero, quien ostenta 16.01 por ciento de las papeletas a su favor.
El cargo de Fiscal General de California es peleado por 6 candidatos, Rob Bonta lidera el listado, pues cuenta con 68.32 por ciento de los votos, más de 56 puntos porcentuales por delante del republicano Eric Temprano quien ostenta 11.96 por ciento de los sufragios.
En el caso de Comisionado de Seguros, Ricardo Lara, el actual funcionario al frente del puesto, aventaja con 42.27 por ciento de los votos, poco más de 17 puntos porcentuales por delante del también demócrata Marc Levine, quien ha obtenido 25.15 por ciento de los sufragios.
Para obtener el puesto de miembro de la Junta Estatal de Ecualización por el Distrito 2, la demócrata Sally J. Lieber va arriba con 55.90 por ciento de los votos, seguida de Peter Coe Verbica con 24.69 por ciento del gusto de los votantes.
For U.S. Representative for District 15, Kevin Mullin leads with 41.05 percent of the vote; for the same office, but for District 16, Anna G. Eshoo leads with 58.03 percent of the vote. Eshoo with 58.03 percent of the vote.
For state Assembly member for District 9, Phil Ting wins with 78.86 percent of the vote; for the same seat, but for District 21, Diane Papan wins with 44.72 percent; and for District 23, Marc Berman wins with 76.26 percent.
Como Superintendete de Instrucción Pública, el favorito, hasta ahora, es Tony K. Thurmond con 58.12 por ciento de lo votos.
Those interested in following the vote count and state and local results can do so by clicking here. click herewhere, officially, San Mateo County provides continuous updates.
On June 1, the season of natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes began in the United States. Experts are calling for preparation for a prolonged, potentially deadly period of these phenomena, which requires solutions that allow for the construction of long-term climate-resilient infrastructure and prosperous economies.
This was stated by activists from Florida, Oregon, California, Louisiana and Texas during a session with the media held by Ethnic Media Services, where they stressed the importance of pressuring elected leaders to address what they say is the U.S.'s failed disaster relief system.
Ashley Shelton, founder and president of the Louisiana Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, highlighted the importance of monetary assistance for those who have lost and suffered from the effects of natural phenomena such as extreme rainfall, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires, among others.
He said that those affected are using everything they have to survive and save what they can, leaving them bankrupt and owing a lot of money, since the resources they normally have to pay bills and make various necessary purchases are diverted to expenses such as hotels and food available at the time.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be the first to respond to affected areas, but, Shelton said, “they don’t show up until two weeks after the storm. And what that does is it creates this gap where people are desperate, they’re reeling and they’re hurting.”
After Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in 2021, killing more than 100 people, Shelton's organization was able to raise around $200,000 just one week after the event to help those affected cover basic expenses after many insurers failed to respond to their customers in a timely and satisfactory manner.
In this regard, he explained that work has been done to approve legislation regarding insurance companies and ensure that they are responsible to their clients in the event of incidents such as natural disasters.
She also noted that the organization she leads has organized a couple of different workshops throughout the state to talk about what is available in the community at these events, in an effort to obtain economic aid that effectively reaches those most in need, as well as how to make the government accountable.
Having the necessary documentation has also become a critical point during contingencies, because many times, during these catastrophic events, important papers are lost and it is difficult for insurers or banks to obtain them, as it requires long and complicated processes.
"The only thing that really works in a disaster is the community coming together to help each other," Ashley said.
While FEMA's support is important and necessary, the support and networks that the community can weave to support each other in the face of such disasters is critical.
In this regard, he stressed that, in discussions at both the federal and state level, the organization is promoting the idea of granting tax credits to victims, such as the possibility that people living in the contingency area receive $500 during the first three months after a disaster is declared.
Preparing for natural disasters in the US without speaking English
Daysi Bedolla Sotelo, director of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), a union representing farmworkers in Oregon, noted that the information provided to those affected is mostly in English, which limits assistance to people who need it.
Oregon faces severe drought and an imminent risk of serious wildfires that could devour entire towns.
The concern, he said, is latent when, although there are alerts about these fires or contingencies, not everyone can understand the information, since there are no resources in Spanish, or in indigenous languages.
"We have a large population from different countries, of course, but also indigenous languages are often not taken into consideration and we are only talking about Spanish, but there are many other dialects that are also spoken and that has been a great concern for agricultural workers," he said.
He pointed out that these farm workers, who are exposed to heat and toxicity due to smoke, are not taken into account.
"They are the ones who are providing the food on our tables and they were not being protected," he said.
The organization is already working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - an agency of the United States Department of Labor - to make a series of presentations in which agricultural workers can learn, in different languages, how to prepare for forest fires and where to find the necessary resources.
This includes what documents to have on hand and how to prepare an emergency backpack, among other details that they believe they may know, but are not ready.
Bedolla explained that they have gone to labor camps and farms where community members are known to work, in order to ensure that they are informed and prepared for major contingencies.
He recalled that two years ago, when the first major fire hit, it was devastating for the communities, where many lost their homes, and right after that a winter storm came, so they hope that this year things will turn out much better for everyone thanks to the preparation.
Accessibility is another recurring theme in these phenomena, since, in addition to language, people face not having a smartphone or even internet.
Oregon is preparing for another heat wave, one that may be more severe than the one experienced in 2021 – which was classified as the most severe in the last 20 years due to the high temperatures recorded – where even a farmworker lost his life.
While it is unpredictable what will happen in terms of the number of such events, he said, "unfortunately we have to be prepared."
Finally, she highlighted that undocumented farmworkers can receive help from FEMA after devastating natural phenomena, however, “it has been extremely challenging when it comes to agencies. We have made efforts and we have been able to secure funding for our undocumented individuals, because as you all know, they do not qualify for stimulus checks.”
Last season, the state and three sister organizations had to set up an emergency fund for undocumented farmers who were too scared to go to government agencies for help, she said. “They don’t know what the repercussions will be,” Bedolla said.
Mental health and disasters
In addition to the economic and physical impact, natural disasters also have an impact on the mental health of survivors.
According to Chrishelle Palay, executive director of the HOME Coalition in Houston, Texas is no stranger to natural disasters, knowing them well, from severe winter storms to tropical storms and hurricanes.
An example of this was the 2021 winter storm, Yuri, which recorded temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit, and which left thousands in Texas without electricity due to failures in the electrical grid, leaving the community suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
“We were left in freezing conditions and darkness for four days and in some areas even for weeks,” Palay recalled. “After temperatures rose and the pipes heated up, another disaster struck when the pipes burst and we were left without running water.”
The circumstances experienced at the beginning of 2021, and in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, Texans along the Gulf Coast live in concern and uncertainty, not only about the proper functioning of the electrical grid, but also about the deterioration of conditions that are worsened by these extreme events.
“Harvey happened almost five years ago, and unfortunately low-income communities of color continue to live in leaky roofs and homes with moldy ceilings and walls. We are concerned about the continued exacerbation of problems that already existed,” she said.
He stressed that the coalition he leads is already working with the community and Houston County to address the main needs of residents, who are afraid of losing more than just material things.
Climate migration and the need for a home
Activist MacKenzie Marcelin, climate justice manager for Florida Rising, added that housing access and affordability remain a key concern for many, particularly low-income residents in states like Florida where costs have risen sharply, leading to forced migration.
"Many people are experiencing housing insecurity, not knowing where they are going to live next. Going into this hurricane season, it's a big concern," he said.
Marcelin and other activists are coordinating the “Justice on Every Block Campaign,” which seeks to pressure local and state governments for greater accountability and oversight of property owners throughout Florida, ensuring that they comply with local safety ordinances and implement anti-discrimination housing policies.
Among the measures, he reported that they are also promoting 90-day eviction notices for pregnant women and tenants with children.
"We believe housing is a right, so we are trying to pass a bill to protect tenants and make sure they have as many rights as these developers."
She also stressed that they work with other organizations that focus on environmental justice, such as some universities that offer research on the subject.
“Some of them have also been great partners and we know that we have been more successful when we work collectively with everyone. It’s about looking for the intersections where we can all come together. And at the end of the day, we’re all living on this earth and we’re all at the mercy of what’s happening with climate change. It’s affecting us in very different ways. But at the end of the day it’s affecting all of us.”
Preliminary results put the virtual San Mateo County sheriff as Christina Corpus, sin embargo, aún quedan muchas papeletas por contar, pues las boletas de voto por correo que se recibieron el viernes 3 de junio hasta el día de las elecciones y los días siguientes aún no se han contado.
Con un porcentaje de votos de 54.36 por ciento ‒30,503‒ contra 45.62 por ciento ‒25,600‒ de los obtenidos por su contrincante y actual alguacil del condado, Carlos Bolaños, Corpus se coloca a la delantera de la contienda.
Si bien es cierto que los resultados de la noche de las elecciones pueden ser diferentes del recuento final, este miércoles por la noche se publicará una cantidad estimada de boletas que quedan por procesar.
Los resultados incluyen las boletas recabadas en el centro de votación, las de voto por correo y devueltas a los centros de votación y buzones el jueves 2 de junio o antes.
Sin embargo, no incluyen las papeletas de voto por correo recibidas por correo o entregadas en centros de votación o buzones después del jueves 2 de junio.
Corpus no se ha pronunciado hasta el momento de su virtual triunfo a través de ninguna plataforma o red social.
La jefa de policía de Millbrae, quien tiene experiencia de 21 años en materia de seguridad y leyes al ocupar posiciones como teniente, comandante, capitán y jefe, refirió durante su campaña que, de convertirse en alguacil del condado de San Mateo, buscará centrarse en proteger a la comunidad contra delitos violentos, robos de automóviles y robos en viviendas.
A su vez, dijo, reconstruir las relaciones con la comunidad inmigrante para restaurar la confianza con la Oficina del Sheriff; innovar las políticas de uso de la fuerza y adoptar nuevas tecnologías para reducir las situaciones de fuerza letal; y pasar a estándares de capacitación basados en el desempeño con resultados medibles, brindando retroalimentación, herramientas y desarrollo de habilidades para producir los mejores resultados.
Asimismo, señaló que implementará programas de capacitación para atender mejor a los miembros de la comunidad con problemas de desarrollo y de salud mental; apoyará el mantenimiento de la fuerza laboral policial en el condado de San Mateo para construir relaciones más sólidas e inculcar la propiedad en las comunidades a las que servimos.
Finalmente, destacó que liderará un cambio de cultura, pasando de la mentalidad de un guerrero encargado de hacer cumplir la ley a la de un guardián.
Pennsylvania has become a mirror of the fight to make diversity visible in the US despite intense partisan politics bent on restricting voter access, resulting in the creation of maps that reflect the state's growing diversity.
This was stated by experts in the framework of a session organized by Ethnic Media Services which was attended by activists whose organizations have been the foundation for the history of redistricting in Pennsylvania.
They agreed that despite the best efforts of many organizations, African-American, Latino and Asian communities were systematically excluded from conversations about the drawing of maps across the country.
In the words of one of the activists present at the panel, what is happening in Pennsylvania is an effort by a multiracial coalition of organizations that have managed to construct "what a democracy that reflects all of us really looks like."
Salewa Ogunmefun, executive director of Pennsylvania Voice, commented that from his perspective, "Pennsylvania has the best system of electoral redistribution," which has been achieved thanks to the efforts of the commission to generate a relationship with the legislature, so that they could see the communities as people who should be listened to in decision-making.
He also stressed the importance of educating community members on the subject: "In order for them to make the best decisions, they need to have the best information."
Finally, she said that Pennsylvania Voice also seeks to make voting easier and create a democracy that encourages the participation of each eligible voter. "We are in a historic moment, it is the largest social movement in the history of the United States and that gives us the opportunity to create deeper connections and relationships to allow everyone to be part of the process."
For her part, María del Carmen Gutiérrez, director of the organization Membership, pointed out that one of the most important lessons about the redistricting process has been that “we have the opportunity and the ability to participate in all processes related to our communities to make our voices clear,” making sure not to exclude any member of the community, regardless of their color or language.
Maria highlighted efforts to achieve better democracy for all and stressed the importance of educating participants about the right to ask for help in their language throughout the electoral process, as there are cases in which they have decided not to vote because they do not understand the process.
Kris Henderson, executive director of the Amistad Law Project, commented that "there have been many times, laws that for many years could give a second chance to many people who are in prison," however, these bills are stalled, so the redistricting process could be the way to make them a reality.
Finally, he said they want to make sure voters understand the process, that the maps are better and that people can vote.
With the goal of championing the inclusion and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies, the 10th Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration returns and will take place in-person on Saturday, June 11 at Central Park, located at 5th Avenue and El Camino Real.
The free event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be alcohol-free and is intended to have a family-friendly atmosphere. It will feature live entertainment, a DJ, food trucks, resource booths and vendors, as well as a youth area and more.
The 2022 theme “Still Here, Still Proud!” recognizes the event’s 10th anniversary as well as the return to an in-person celebration.
The San Mateo Pride Initiative, a project of the San Mateo County Health Department's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services division, joins with community partners, including the Pride Center, the county's LGBTQ Commission, and many others, to create a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community living and working in the area.
“Eleven years ago, the San Mateo County Pride Initiative marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade, which provided the inspiration to create the local commemoration,” said Dana Johnson, co-chair of the Pride Initiative and county LGBTQ commissioner.
After two years of virtual events due to the pandemic, the county is excited to be able to celebrate in person, “which is critical for emotional support for the community and to remind them that we are still here, together,” said Scott Gruendl, co-chair of the Pride Initiative and deputy director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.
This year's event will be smaller than previous in-person celebrations, spread out and all outdoors.
Face masks will be available to address any additional COVID concerns, and a vaccination and/or booster booth is planned.
"We have identified fun and entertaining activities that can be enjoyed safely," Johnson said.
For up-to-date information on the event, to become a sponsor or to request a booth, interested parties can visit the website www.smcpridecelebration.com.
Los Angeles County has unveiled a restoration plan for the Porciúncula River, known as the Los Angeles River, which aims to improve access and infrastructure along the 51-mile tributary.
The plan aims to involve communities along the river, where they will have access to recreational areas, cycling paths and public roads.
Un juez del condado de San Mateo ordenó recientemente que se procediera con una demanda contra 10 importantes empresas de bienes de consumo por su presunto papel en la contaminación por plástico en las aguas de California. Compañías que incluyen a grandes como Coca-Cola, PepsiCo y Nestlé USA.
Así, el juez V. Raymond Swope del Tribunal Superior del Condado de San Mateo emitió la orden a finales de mayo, negando así el intento de las empresas de desestimar la demanda.
Earth Island Institute, una organización ambiental sin fines de lucro con sede en Berkeley, demandó a las 10 empresas, alegando que no han aceptado su papel en la contaminación plástica, sino que culpan a los consumidores por no reciclar o tirar basura.
«Como los Demandados saben desde hace décadas, el reciclaje de plástico libra una batalla perdida contra el aumento exponencial de la producción de plástico cada año», se lee en la demanda.
Cabe destacar que la denuncia alega que las empresas no han adoptado alternativas más sostenibles, como el cambio de materiales o el rediseño de los envases, con el fin de obtener mayores beneficios.
Además de The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo Inc. y Nestlé USA, Inc., otras empresas nombradas en la demanda incluyen Crystal Geyser Water Company, The Clorox Company, Mars, Inc., Danone North America, Mondelez International, Inc. , Colgate-Palmolive Company y The Procter & Gamble Company.
Representatives of the companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, June 6.
Sumona Majumdar, consejera general del Earth Island Institute, dijo que la orden muestra que las empresas que se benefician de los productos envasados en plástico en California pueden ser demandadas por los daños causados por sus envases de plástico.
«No se puede permitir que corporaciones como Coca-Cola y PepsiCo se escondan detrás de su estatus de fuera del estado para evitar la responsabilidad por su papel en la crisis de contaminación plástica aquí en California», subrayó Majumdar en un comunicado.
La mayoría de las empresas nombradas tienen su sede fuera de California.
Earth Island, representada por el bufete de abogados Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, presentó la demanda en febrero de 2020 contra las 10 empresas.
Marcos Gutiérrez never imagined that one day he would have the opportunity to “give a voice to the whole world” on his radio show “Made in California” Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360P
At just 6 years old, Marcos Gutiérrez was already selling lemons door to door, carrying a small bucket through the streets of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, never imagining that one day he would have the opportunity to "give a voice to the whole world" through his radio show "Made in California" which has managed to reach an audience of more than 70 thousand people every day in the Golden State.
Although he arrived in El Paso, Texas, when he was just 13 years old, the now famous announcer was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, where he was restless from a young age, "always looking for action, I like to move. I compare myself to a shark, in fact, I work at home and I do it standing up," said Marcos Gutiérrez in an interview with Península 360 Press.
He liked to ride his bike on the wrong path and get home late, which caused him problems, especially with his father, who, in the words of the announcer himself, was a man of great discipline, "one of the old-fashioned ones, really."
Marcos has three older siblings, two girls and one boy, but when he was 13, “a little sister arrived and took my crown.” His parents were born in the U.S. but met in Ciudad Juárez, which allowed him to obtain both nationalities.
He learned English at a Catholic school, from which he and his siblings were expelled due to bad behavior. He later went to a school where the majority of students were African-American, where he says he "had a tough time," because discrimination for being from Juárez, Mexico, and not knowing English caused them problems and once again, they had to leave that school.
Finally, they arrived at a technical high school, where half of the classes were theoretical and the other part practical, and there he was attracted to the printing press, his first approach to the media.
By 1966 he had graduated, his father was doing well financially, Marco says, however, he wanted his children to start working after finishing high school, so in the summer he got a job, where for six weeks he cleaned train car gutters, however, it wasn't his thing and he decided to return to school, an idea he had not previously considered.
Western Texas University was a turning point. Without knowing what to study yet, "I was about to decide what my career would be when I was sitting there on a bench and I heard a student radio station, and there was a woman interviewing someone... and I said wow! I can do that... I have a passable voice and that's how I immediately said, I'm going to see where this station comes from," he said.
Marcos Gutierrez at the Pro-immigrant protest on May 1, 2006 in San Francisco, California
At the age of 20, he began working at a student station, where he also got a job as a DJ at a music club called "The Zoo" in El Paso, Texas, where one of the owners was an ad salesman at a popular local radio station, who offered him a job as a DJ.
"We're talking about a time when there wasn't a Latino, much less a Mexican, on the radio in the United States."
And even though at that time El Paso, Texas, had a 60 percent Latino population, the media did not include them in their programming, much less in their talent.
"He understood the market, he played the music that we Mexicans liked and he sees me at the Zoo, I say a few words and I play the music, he takes a risk and hires me. I was the first Latino in El Paso, Texas, as a DJ on an English-language station."
By 1970, Marcos had already developed as a DJ and was popular.
However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of Marco's important moments in the media would have come, due to the violent demonstrations that took place in various parts of the United States due to attacks against the African-American community.
A fact that caused a revolution even in the media, which until then had covered up or not covered what was really happening on the streets with minority communities.
This forced radio and television stations to study the challenges facing the communities, analyze the problems and program for that group of residents.
On January 4, 1970, he set out for San Francisco, where he began to look for work of any kind. After holding down several jobs, the opportunity came that took him to the top.
«At that time, since there weren't many Latinos in the media, I was a unique person because I had already taken not only classes and studied communications, but I also had experience, and one of the Mission districts in San Francisco held auditions among a lot of people to find a producer and a host, and it was my turn. And from then on, that gave me the luxury of being one of the first to have a bilingual program for Latinos in San Francisco,» he said.
From there, he moved to Channel 4 on NBC with the program "Alma de Bronce", then to Channel 5 CBS with the program "Sol es Vida", and 14 years passed where he spent his time doing television, before returning to radio.
She decides to return to her studies and completes university, a master's degree and a doctorate in media.
«As Latinos, no one is going to make the appropriate programming that we need, if we do not move it will not happen, there will not be the programming that we are looking for and that can help us in the community, and based on this program, the opportunity is given to rent air time in San Francisco to create "Hecho en California"with programming that, I believe, is serving the community and finding Latino sponsors to work with us."
Marcos Gutiérrez in the KIQI 1010 AM radio booth, during his program “Made in California” Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360P
Marcos Gutiérrez has new plans, as he is already preparing a book about his life and hopes to have it in bookstores in 2023.
Christina Corpus and Carlos Bolanos, once close colleagues and possibly even friends, are now opposing candidates for the post of San Mateo County Sheriff. Who are they and what do they propose?
Corpus is the current Millbrae police chief. Bolanos is the sheriff of San Mateo County. Both children of Latin American immigrants, they participated in a debate organized in Redwood City by the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County on April 27, which Peninsula 360 Press helped produce. The most controversial topic of the event was the involvement of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office (ICE) with the Sheriff's office in the county.
Bolaños' proposals
The candidate proposed the creation of a model of civil supervision, in addition to an external audit. He assured that work is being done to increase the number of officers with adequate training to better deal with insecurity.
He offered to create a program to ensure that the incarcerated population has every opportunity to succeed upon release from prison. In this regard, Bolaños added that his priorities are to build strong community relations and also implement effective programs to reduce recidivism.
He also said that technology would be leveraged more to improve public safety and build trust through transparency, security and the well-being of the police force.
Corpus Proposals
Corpus spoke of a change in the way security is administered in San Mateo County, where she has held leadership positions such as Lieutenant, Commander, Captain and Chief. She said there is a lack of personnel and attributed it to a toxic work environment.
Corpus proposes, in a similar way to Bolaños, civil supervision, community surveillance, as well as improving relations with the migrant community.
The candidate said that if she wins, she would increase mental health services, address the use of tasers, without specifying exactly what she was referring to but saying that she would open a dialogue on the matter, reduce the excessive use of force and prioritize equity and safety with permits and the carrying of concealed weapons.
ICE: To cooperate or not to cooperate?
Corpus alleged that the sheriff's office has been collaborating with ICE since 2016. He said, "The only way I would collaborate (with ICE) would be if there was an imminent danger to the community, because as a sheriff you have to protect the communities, this would be a very thoughtful decision."
It is striking that Corpus said, on the one hand, that she had felt deeply hurt by the separation of families due to Bolaños' cooperation with ICE and, on the other, that, if she won the race, she would not completely cancel said cooperation with ICE but would do so in specific cases where "the safety of the county's population was put at risk."
Regarding this, Bolaños said: “It is true, I collaborated with ICE within the framework of Senate Bill 54 in relation to serious and violent criminals, but after attending three forums (Truth Forums), of which my opponent [referring to Corpus] did not attend any, I reconsidered after listening to the community.”
The candidate added that after these forums, he realized that ICE's participation undermined trust with the community, and for that reason, he committed that he would not cooperate under any circumstances with ICE. "I am not going to play the game of selective cases; if there is a serious and violent case, ICE can act through a court order and arrest these individuals."
Trajectories
It must be acknowledged that the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, headed by Bolaños and with the participation of Corpus, has managed to build a good relationship with the Latino communities in the area, especially through social programs in which local community organizations participate.
It should also be noted that in terms of security, San Mateo County does not have the level of decay that we see in San Francisco or Santa Clara, to give two examples. However, the involvement of the Sheriff's office with ICE is a disgrace and should not be repeated. Bolaños recognizes the error and assures that "under no circumstances" will it happen again. Corpus, paradoxically, criticizes the link with ICE but leaves the door open to working with them in "specific cases," which is worrying because it could result in something very similar to what we have already experienced.
Therefore, whoever wins, as a community we must follow up on the campaign promises of each candidate so that they are fulfilled. In addition, we must be very firm in that the participation of ICE must be rejected in its entirety.
