Raj Singh Nagra wants to make jobs the focal point of his push for the Lathrop City Council.

And if the city is able to secure enough businesses to boost its existing tax base, Nagra – a political newcomer – say that he wouldn’t mind looking at the possibility of doing away with the one cent sales tax increase that was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2012.

Comments made by Nagra – who is one of four people currently vying for two available seats on the Lathrop City Council – about Measure C began circulating on social media this week and prompted a clarification from the candidate that says he’s called Lathrop home for the last six years.

“It has been taken out of context,” said Nagra of a post circulating in local groups highlighting where his official campaign page clearly states that “we are trying to eliminate Measure C” to alleviate the tax burden on local residents. “When we get businesses to come here – when we can get some stores – we can go and look and see if it offsets what we generate from Measure C.”

“Right now, Lathrop is lacking in businesses and there are certain areas where businesses are needed and if all of the funds collected from them can offset Measure C, then maybe we can do that.”

More than 70 percent of Lathrop voters approved the general sales tax increase in 2012, and since its inception the money generated has gone to pay the annual salaries of police officers, firefighters, essential city services, and equipment and apparatus for local first responders.

As a local business owner that specializes in vocational training, Nagra said that he would like to see the number of businesses grow in the city over the next few years to provide retail opportunities for families that are moving to Lathrop from the Bay Area and keeping the money spent on regular purchases in town where it can benefit residents most.

He said he believes that Lathrop’s high standard of living is one of the city’s strongest assets and wants to make sure that sustaining that is a priority for the council and the city moving forward.

“People are moving here because they can live peacefully here in Lathrop,” said Nagra, who has begun holding events in the community to meet prospective voters and outline his policies. “If we can improve our infrastructure and add more jobs for the people that live here Lathrop will be an even better option for people who are looking for that living standard.”

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.