As the November elections shape up and Escalon City Council candidates prepare for a community forum, current Mayor Andy Hagan said he feels there have been several notable accomplishments over the past few years.

And while he said the incumbents, including himself, Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker and councilman Jeremy Engle, are not running as a team, he does see the opportunity for what he calls strength in continuity.

Hagan, Walker and Engle are all seeking reelection to another four-year term on the council. Newcomer, parent Jason Perruquet, is on the November ballot and in his first run for public office.

The Council Candidate forum will be Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Escalon Community Center. Prepared questions have bene sent to all candidates and there will also be a time for impromptu questions. Those in the community that have a question can submit it to Escalon City Manager Jaylen French via email, jfrench@cityofescalon.org for possible use at the Sept. 24 forum.

Hagan pointed to some wins for the city, including adopting three consecutive balanced budgets, adopting a City Disaster Plan, as well as helping secure over $800,000 in county funding for roadway improvements in front of Dent Elementary and improvements at the Escalon library.

He also said a new Community Strategic Plan, working with Caltrans on modifications to improve safety at the Highway 120-Brennan intersection, and implementing a small business support program in cooperation with Oak Valley Community Bank are all initiatives that are beneficial to the community and its residents.

“We have gotten some things done but we still have many in process,” Hagan said.

Other areas of note, he said, include improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, successful negotiations with employee labor groups and working in partnership with the school district for the School Resources Officer position.

Looking ahead, Hagan said he feels it’s important to protect the city from the threat of Data Centers, keep a tight rein on expenditures, and balance the need for housing and business, as he wants to make sure young families can afford to live here.

It won’t be an easy – or short-term – process to get all these ‘wish list’ items in place, the mayor admitted, but he said it seems as though the current council has established a good rapport and also has a solid working relationship with city employees.

All four council candidates will have the opportunity to offer some comments as well as answer questions at the forum, which is open to the public.

The three candidates receiving the most votes in the November election will win the available seats on the council. The positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are filled by a vote of the full council, typically appointing members to the posts for a two-year term.