Twelve candidates filed their paperwork before the end of the working day Jan. 22 to be considered for the vacant City Council position in National City.
The vacancy arose when then-councilwoman Alejandra Soto Solis was elected mayor in November.
The following are hoping to be appointed to a two-year stint on the council:
• Javier Alvarado has been a National City resident for eight years and lists himself as a business representative with the Labor International #89. He has a bachelor’s in digital art from Platt College. He serves on the city’s Traffic Safety Committee.
•Ruble Mitchel Beauchamp is a consulting biologist and president of Pacific Southwest Biological Services Inc. He has been a resident of National City for 72 years. His civic experiences include city treasurer, City Council member, Planning Commission, director of Sweetwater Water Authority. Beauchamp states he immigrated as a Mexican citizen in 2004 with bi-national citizenship.
• Stephen De La Cruz is a cashier/assistant manager at ARCO, member of the Sweetwater Water District, and active youth sports coach and parent. His educational background was listed as having a high school diploma, San Diego City College and Mid-Way Adult School. He states his experience includes working with parents, describes himself as a motivator, innovator, and a positive force.
• Sherry L. Gogue, a 15-year resident of National City, owner/agent with Sherry Gogue Insurance Agency, founder of Adrian’s Way, and past president of Las Palmas Little League board member, and National City Girl’s Soft Ball board member.
• David Leland Hernandez, a resident for 54 years, is a cart and range attendant for the National City Golf Course. Professional memberships include National City Host Lions Club, NCN & Las Palmas Little League and Paradise Hills Little League. He is a 1983 graduate of Sweetwater High School.
• Moises Iavarone, a resident of National City for four years is a manager for Keurig Dr. Pepper. He states he has some college and has occupational experience in sales and marketing throughout San Diego County focused around volume, distribution, coaching, and community involvement. He has been a resident of California for 18 years.
• Daniel Perez has been a resident of National City for 7 years and 11 months, he has a bachelors from Cal State –San Marcos. He is a loan officer and a new member of the National City Historic Society.
• Gonzalo J. Quintero, a resident of California for 38 years, eight years in National City, manages employees in a family owned and operated restaurant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration, a master’s in public administration, and a doctorate in education. He is on the planning commission, vice chair, for National City from 2016 to the present.
• José Rodriguez is a community organizer at the San Diego Organizing Project and has a bachelors in history from San Diego State University.
• Richard T. Shigley, a retired colonel from the USMC, has been a National City resident for four years. Shigley’s board memberships state he was a director of United Senior Advisory Council, a founder of Air Space America 1988, and a director of CARR board. His educational background includes graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s in electrical and mechanical engineering in 1956.
• Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, a sixty-nine-year resident of National City, was a self-employed business owner in construction for 35 years. His appointments and public service include United Port of San Diego, National City Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Water Authority Board.
• Ditas Delossantos Yamane is a principal with DR Enterprises & Associates, Inc. and a 25-year resident of National City. Her professional memberships include California Department of Real Estate, San Diego Worksforce Partnership, and FIlam Chamber of Commerce. She attended the University of Santo Tomas.
On Jan. 29, in the city council chamber at 6 p.m., the council will hold applicant interviews, at which time they may choose to fill the vacancy or take some other action it deems appropriate.
