Responding to a telephone inquiry today (March 12) by LBREPORT.com, RHCC President Sandy Cajas said RHCC is a non-partisan organization, takes no position on the candidates and scheduled the forum to allow all candidates voice their views. Ms. Cajas indicated that her group reached out to all the candidates roughly two months ago and candidate Gonzalez's office indicated she'd be unavailable with no reason(s) cited for her unavailability. LBREPORT.com asked Ms. Gonzalez's campaign manager via email and messaged the campaign's Facebook page, inviting the reason(s) for her unavailability.

[UPDATE] The Gonzalez campaign responded via its Facebook page: "Councilwoman Gonzalez has a longstanding conflict and conveyed her regrets to the organizer in February." LBREPORT.com replied that we'd publish this response but asked for the reason(s). Since the candidate cites a "longstanding conflict," what is it? A response to this follow-up is pending. [end UPDATE]

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As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, candidate Gonzalez wasn't present at a Feb. 27 candidate forum (part of monthly organized Beer & Politics events) and learned thereafter that she was in Vancouver, BC as part of LB delegation to promote trade with Canada. On Feb. 28, LBREPORT.com invited candidate Gonzalez to answer three of the questions emailed to her that were posed to candidates at the forum the night before...and we didn't receive any answers.

On March 9, LBREPORT.com went to an "Ask Lena" candidate event, seeking to get her answers in person. At the event (held at a Lakewood business) we were told it wasn't open to reporters; we let a campaign rep on site know that we wished to ask candidate Gonzalez three questions posed at the Feb. 27 candidate forum, waited outside the business' front door (fronting the business' parking lot) until the event evened...and candidate Gonzalez exited via a backdoor (opening onto an alley.)

Candidate Gonzalez did participate in a LB forum limited to candidates who were Democrats and women. [LBREPORT.com declined to cover an election candidate "forum" restricted by gender and party.]

RHCC's website stated mission is to "Advocate, Promote, and Facilitate the Success of Businesses in the Southern California and its Trade Areas." Ms. Cajas said RHCC's candidate forum -- March 13, 6-8 p.m. at The Pointe at the Walter Pyramid, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd. -- will be a moderated forum. Candidates who appear have been told they will be asked questions regarding three general ares -- homelessness, education and small business -- but have not been told the specific questions. Ms. Cajas said members of the audience will have an opportunity to submit questions on cards.

RHCC's website (as of 3:30 p.m. March 12) listed the candidates' status is:

• 1. Denise Diaz (Democratic) (Confirmed)
• 2. Ali Saleh (Democratic) (Confirmed)
• 3 Leticia Vasquez Wilson (Democratic) (Confirmed)
• 4. Jack M. Guerrero (Republican) (Confirmed)
• 5. Thomas Jefferson Cares (Democratic) (Confirmed)
• 6 Cesar Flores (Green) (Confirmed)
• 7. Chris Garcia (Democratic) (Pending)
• 8. Martha Flores Gibson (Republican) (Confirmed)
• 9. Lena Gonzalez (Democratic) (unable to attend)
• 10. Ana Maria Quintana (Democratic) (Confirmed)
• 11. José Luis Solache (Democratic) (Pending)

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