LYNWOOD — The clock is already ticking for next Tuesday’s big election where voters here will be asked to cast their votes for three of seven candidates seeking a seat on the Lynwood City Council.

In her bid for re-election, Mayor Maria Santillan is seeking her official second term in office.

The first Latina to hold a seat on the City Council, Santillan was first elected by the voters in 2003 to replace former City Councilman Paul Richards in a recall election.

Two years later, Santillan was the highest vote-getter in the election of 2005. Up until the election of 2007, which took place after a recall election that ousted all four of her colleagues, Santillan often found herself as the lone opposing vote on many levels at the city. Over the last couple of years, however, under Santillan and a brand new council, the city has seen the lowest crime rate in 25 years, has overseen the opening of three new parks, officially completed the city’s first senior housing project, and has cut over $6 million from the budget with minimum impact in services.

“In 2003, we began working together to end years of corruption in Lynwood,” she said. “Goal accomplished. … Today, we see a better, brighter Lynwood. … I will continue to serve you with integrity, good judgment and an open mind. I have proven that I am honest and have no hidden agenda.”

In moving the city forward, Santillan said she still has a lot of goals. “Change is happening,” she said. But “tomorrow there’s so much more to accomplish.”

Among her priorities are: paving streets in Lynwood, cleaning the alleys, trimming all the trees, improving senior citizen services, implementing more programs for youth, and aggressively pursuing development that will increase “our revenue and provide jobs for our residents.”

In this race, incumbent Councilman Ramon Rodriguez is also seeking his second official term in office. He was first elected to office in 2001. He then lost his second bid for office in the 2005 election. Then in 2007, Rodriguez was successful in winning a seat to the City Council in both the recall election and later in November in the regular election.

In his ballot statement, Rodriguez is described as being instrumental and actively involved with much needed city improvements. Those improvements are listed as: new housing developments, increasing police forces in the city, beautification projects, reducing graffiti, street improvements, retail shopping centers, cutting the budget by nearly $6 million, and reducing City Council salaries and travel stipends.

Rodriguez said he is honored and privileged to serve the Lynwood community and hopes to continue to do so.

“As a Lynwood resident, Councilman Rodriguez has the vision, and priority to make Lynwood the ultimate city to live in, always having the concerns and best interest in mind when making the decisions that affect [residents],” the statement reads. “It is obvious that Councilman Rodriguez has the experience, commitment, knowledge and passion to continue to work for you and lead the city in the best direction it has taken in many years.”

Incumbent Councilman Jim Morton, is seeking his first full term in office.

Although he won a seat on the City Council in the special recall election of 2007, he was unseated soon after in the November election of that same year. But in early 2008, Morton was appointed by the City Council to replace Tony Martinez, who resigned his seat on the council citing personal reasons.

A longtime resident of Lynwood, Morton has dedicated 45 years of community service to the city. He has served on the Lynwood Planning Commission for seven years and on the Lynwood Unified School District’s Personnel Commission for six years.

Morton said he believes in holding the government accountable, and as councilman, he will continue to make sure that people are held accountable, and that individuals on the council represent the interests of the people with integrity, and not as politicians.

Upon his appointment, Morton has also voted to cut the budget by almost $6.5 million. He said he has fought for fair wages for Lynwood employees, and has supported the council’s efforts in installing 16 surveillance cameras throughout the city to fight crime.

“We have a long way to go, but rest assured, I will be working hard everyday to make life better for every family in Lynwood,” he said. “I am appreciative of the incredible opportunity to serve the people of Lynwood.”

Challenging incumbents Santillan, Rodriguez and Morton for their seats are Iris Pygatt, Walter A. Lopez, Edwin Jacinto and Patricia Carr.

Pygatt has 35 years of experience in the city, serving 16 years as city treasurer.

Pygatt said she is committed to serving the needs of the citizens here. “I have been involved in several economic programs that include treasurer investments, management, finance and budget.

“My primary focus is to create financial and economic stability within our community,” Pygatt said. “I am concerned about our public safety, business development and overall improvement of our city’s infrastructure.”

Pygatt said she will work hard to bring more jobs into the community, lower utility user fees for residents, reconstruct streets, improve the air quality in the city, stabilize water rates and keep alleys clean.

Challenger Edwin Jacinto has been a resident of Lynwood for 23 years. He has raised four children in the city. Over the years, Jacinto said he has had many accomplishments to boast that demonstrate his commitment to the city of Lynwood and his leadership.

He has had six unsuccessful bids for City Council in the past, but said he is committed to continue to strive to achieve council integrity, honesty and professional conduct.

“I have a proven record that shows that I am truly capable to serve the public and will continue to do so, with the best of my ability,” Jacinto said.

He said he will be an independent voice of reason, compassion, vision and insight. As an executive financial consultant, Jacinto believes he can bring a depth of knowledge and understanding of federal, state and regional financial issues that affect Lynwood. His experience can help in straightening out the city’s “budget mess,” he said. Meeting the needs of everyone has always been his top priority, he said.

Walter Lopez, a graduate of Lynwood High School, said that as a council member he will look at every issue through the eyes of the people, will listen and help solve residents’ concerns and will treat residents with the respect that they deserve.

Most importantly, he said, he will help bring in large businesses to the community, increase city efficiency through technology, work with and educate local businesses, promote citywide clean-up projects, promote community empowerment projects and expose slumlords.

In his bid for council, Lopez, who lost his first bid to office in the recall election of 2007, also promises to form a partnership with the school board on creating more youth outreach, to help create youth incentive programs, help develop civic pride youth workshops, and to form a partnership with youth community organizations.

The final challenger in the race, Patricia Carr, a longtime community activist pulled nomination papers by the appropriate deadline to run for City Council, but soon after decided the economic hardship would prevent her from running a successful campaign. While she did not have time to officially remove her name from the ballot, Carr said, other personal problems also prevented her from pursuing the council seat any further. Other than that, she said, she preferred not to comment any further on the matter.