Peter Rodriguez runs for El Centro City Council

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) - Peter Rodriguez said his main priorities are providing resources for first responders and assistance for seniors. Rodriguez is one of eight candidates running to fill two seats on the council.

He has been outspoken against the planned data center in Imperial County, speaking at several board meetings.

"I'm against the data center totally because I've seen the harm it's going to do in the future if it isn't solved. I've seen the lack of leadership from our own county Board of Supervisors," the candidate said in an interview.

Rodriguez hopes Measure T, a half-cent local sales tax increase, will help tackle homelessness, and support youth and seniors among other things.

"No seniors should be concerned about starving. Where's my next meal gonna come to? A lot of them are on fixed income. And they depend on that meal. A lot of them because the cost of rent, have moved in with their sons and daughters," Rodriguez said.

"When they talk about measure T. It's not a single person living by himself. That's what they advertise. They, they forget the nuclear family and extended members that live in the family because the cost of rent has gone ridiculously high," he explained.

When asked about his past track record in leadership, Rodriguez stated he took part in several big projects.

"I'd like to mention that from 2008 to 2016, I was the chairman of the Community Service Commission. And part of that, what I did with grant funding, not general fund funding, was a senior center. The senior center, east side, splash pad behind," Rodriguez answered.

He also mentioned that the skate park and Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion were all grant-funded.

For a list of other candidates running for El Centro City Council, and other candidates running in different races, click here.