GABRIEL PINA STRIVES FOR "A GREAT EDUCATION" FOR KIDS IN SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT

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By Janis Mork

October 26, 2012 (Santee)- Small business owner Gabriel Pina is running against small business owner Elana Levens-Craig and real estate agent Robin Fries for seat 4 on the Santee school board this November. The seat is opened since Dan Bartholomew will not be up for re-election. ECM has asked all candidates to respond to questions; below are Pina’s responses.

Pina is running because “I have two children in the Santee schools, and with the current state financial problems, I would like to make sure our (Santee’s) kids are given every opportunity to have a great education and healthy education environment.” Below is an exclusive interview he participated in with ECM about his candidacy.

Pina started his own business in 2007 called “Pina Business Services” and he has been a Santee resident since 2006. He believes he is qualified because of his experience as a small business owner, serving on the Santee School District foundation, many Santee School District Board Committees throughout the year, and being involved with the youth in Santee in different organizations.

For his values and budget priorities Pina tells ECM, “I want to make sure that the budget is balanced and to make sure we continue the surplus.”

In terms of Props 30 and 38, “in reading both props I have found that it does not guarantee that the monies collected will go to the schools, so I am not in favor of no accountability with raised taxes. If there was 100% guarantee that ALL the monies collected will go to schools, it would be a different story.”

Pina is married and has 3 children- one at San Diego Christian College, and a third grader and fifth grader at Chet F. Harrit.

As far as disagreements with the board, he says, “I have the utmost respect for the current School Board.”

Lastly, he wants readers to know that, “I love the district. I love what the Board has done for our schools and how they have been fiscally responsible and want to see that continued in the years to come.”

Pina is endorsed by the San Diego Republican Party, the California Republican Assembly and the Pro-Life Council among others.

View a map of the district: http://www.santeesd.net/Page/616.

For more information on Pina, visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/PinaforSanteeSchoolBoard?fref=ts


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