Rogger Gutierrez is not just running for a seat on the Manteca City Council.

The management analyst for Santa Clara County is using the campaign for the Nov. 3 election it celebrate Manteca’s diversity.

Gutierrez — who is running for the District 4 seat representing Manteca north of Louise Avenue except for the Diamond Oaks neighborhood — is staging a Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Northgate Softball Complex.

The free event features:

*Dance instruction for salsa, bachata, and zapateado from 5 to 6 p.m.

*Traditional folkloric dancers from 6 to 7 p.m.

*A mariachi band performing from 6 to 8 p.m.

*A piñata for kids and families at 6 and 7:30 p.m. as well as treats and games.

Gutierrez is billing the event as “honoring our culture” and “building a better community.”

Gutierrez said Manteca did not stage a true Hispanic heritage celebration this year as the event staged at Library Park for Cinco de Mayo by the Downtown Business Association was basically a low-rider car show and not much more.

He decided to stage the event — that is costing his campaign roughly $4,000 — to celebrate Hispanic heritage 15 days after Mexico’s Independence Day that falls on Sept. 16.

In his Santa Clara County position, Gutierrez oversees more than $15 million in contracts.

Gutierrez is a 9-year Army veteran. He has worked with the San Diego Office of Education to develop a pathway for experienced trades people to become credentialed instructors.

He is a former instructional specialist supervising instructors in woodworking, welding, CAD laser cutting, machining, and 3D printing.

His platform includes:

*A pledge to work reduce basic city utility rates that he noted have increased 59 percent since November of 2023.

*Attracting higher paying full-time employment to Manteca with competitive wages and health benefits noting residents shouldn’t have to endure three- to four-hour round-trip commutes simply to find good employment.

*Promising to establish a family resource center in northern Manteca offering free after-school programming focused on STEM, early childhood development, structured play activities, and family resources.

*To support effective law enforcement while addressing underlying causes through youth programs, mentoring, community partnerships, data-driven policing, and violence prevention services.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com