Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth visited California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), for a special “One on One with the Mayor,” hosted by Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Wednesday. The event gave students a chance to hear about the mayor’s priorities for Turlock and the growing relationship between the campus and city, as well as ask the mayor questions about the community.
“This event is so important because it gives students access to the people who make decisions in our community and makes the university feel like it’s part of that community,” ASI Government Relations Coordinator Maggie White said. 
About 30 students attended the Q&A, which was held in the Event Center. After a brief introduction from White and Stan State President Joseph Sheley, Soiseth had students sit in a circle around him, encouraging them to ask questions about what they thought were the most pressing issues facing Turlock.
Students called out topics that they believed were important enough to be discussed, including the condition of roads, water conservation and homelessness within the city – all of which Soiseth had thorough explanations and solutions.
Soiseth explained that the reason we see the nicer neighborhoods in Turlock with freshly-paved roads is that those residents pay an “assessent fee,” which is a tax that goes toward services such as fixing the roads. Older neighborhoods do not have the self-generated tax space to repair their roads.
He also elaborated on how Turlock plans to conserve water through its forthcoming Surface Water Treatment Facility, something Soiseth made his top priority upon election. The treatment facility takes recycled water and water from the Tuolumne River, treats it and then that water is available for use.
“It’s amazing what we’re doing here in California,” Soiseth said. “We’re not wasting water.”
Soiseth hopes that construction of the facility will begin by 2018.
One question that arose during the Q&A was whether or not Stan State would once again be home to Fourth of July fireworks this year.
According to Soiseth, the resurrection of the fireworks show at Stan State last year was extremely successful with around 20,000 spectators attending, leading him to announce that the show would in fact be returning in 2016. He stated that the Fourth of July event would be geared toward a campus-wide exhibition, with traditional, patriotic music being performed in the amphitheater and live bands performing near Warrior Lake. 
While having a fireworks show in town is important, Soiseth emphasized the significance of holding the event at Stan State.
“As a first-generation college student, my first college campus experience was coming to the Fourth of July fireworks at Stanislaus,” Soiseth said. “I used to run around and think it was the coolest thing ever. That exposure, especially to the Central Valley that has a lot of first-generation college students…it’s awesome.”
It is Soiseth’s hope that by holding the Fourth of July fireworks at Stan State annually, the younger generation is exposed to the university and what it’s like to be a college student.
“It helps with the town-gown divide,” Soiseth said. “It helps people to know that it’s not just some campus in the middle of Turlock – it’s something we should love and something we should be proud of.”
Continuing on his mention of the town-gown divide, which refers to the perceived distance between Stan State students and the Turlock community, Soiseth mentioned ways that he hopes to shrink that gap. Warrior Wednesday was one way that this was achieved last semester and will be expanded upon this fall. Soiseth is also exploring the possibility of shuttles that will transport students to and from the downtown area.
Soiseth also hinted that there may be new ways for both residents and students to stay entertained coming soon. While he was unable to give specific answers, he did suggest a venue that rhymes with “shmowling alley” may be in the works, as well as a potential laser tag venue and movie theater much like Galaxy Theaters in Riverbank, which is well known for its luxurious seating and digital theaters.
The conversation took a more serious turn when one student asked the mayor about the scandal surrounding the City Council’s recent farmer’s market decision. The vote allowed the downtown farmer’s market to be run by the for profit Golden State Farmer’s Market Association (GSFMA) for the next three years rather after the previous, nonprofit operator, Turlock Certified Farmer’s Market (TCFM) withdrew their application. Many Turlock residents have accused Soiseth of corruption because of this decision, seeing as Soiseth accepted funds for his campaign from the in-laws of the GSFMA’s operator.
“I take money from a lot of people,” Soiseth said. “I need to make sure that I can campaign and get my message out…I have taken money from his in-laws, but I’ve also taken money from people from (TCFM) as well. If I would have voted for them, would that have been considered corruption as well?”
“I’ve been called a liar, a cheat, a jerk,” Soiseth said. “What I’ve experienced the past couple months is exactly why people don’t go into politics. It’s hard because I can look at myself in the mirror. I know if I was taking a bribe or not. I know who I am and I know that wasn’t the case. I’m just trying to do what’s best for the city.”
Soiseth still hopes that within the next 30 days, the two markets can come to a compromise to operate together.
After the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, the topic of refugees in the Central Valley was touched upon. Soiseth took a very firm stance, encouraging the students and community to welcome them with open arms.
“It’s the right thing to do from a human perspective,” Soiseth said. “We need to make sure that the refugees that are coming in feel like they’re a part of the community.”
The Q&A session ended with a student asking Soiseth is he had any advice for those who hoped to be elected into public office one day.
“Have thick skin,” he said.