Moses Zapien has some clear ideas of what he wants to see happen in San Joaquin County if he’s elected to a four-year term on the Board of Supervisors.
And so does his opponent.
On Tuesday, both Zapien and Stockton business owner Tom Patti – who is running against the former Stockton City Councilman and appointed supervisor – laid out the framework for their platform to Manteca’s business community in a candidate’s forum sponsored by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce that took place at The Emory.
“I have deep love for this community,” Zapien said. “It’s important to me that we have safer, healthier communities and that’s something that I want to push for.
“It’s important that we invest in things like our airports and growth and making sure that San Joaquin County is a hub of transportation, entrepreneurship, and a place that can compete at a state level.”
Zapien, who worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the San Joaquin District Attorney’s office prior to his appointment to the Board of Supervisors last year when Steve Bestolarides was hired as the county assessor, said that the board has been working to listen to what residents want recently – evident by the evening board sessions that have ben adopted to allow working people the chance to attend and voice their concerns – and noted that good government means fiscal responsibility and taking care of the people who call this area home.
He reiterated the theme that San Joaquin County was a “region on the rise” and pointed to the fact that the county is one of the leaders in the State of California in economic growth this year – clocking in at nearly double the state average to this point.
While the remarks were mostly cordial, Patti took his opportunity to point out some things that Zapien was part of that he felt didn’t fare well for his overall record.
According to Patti, Stockton has been on a downward trend for several years – including the time that Zapien was on the Stockton City Council. He stressed that as a small business owner with deep roots in the community, he’s investing in making sure that residents and business owners get the leadership that he feels they deserve.
And he also pointed out that while a Presidential election will likely draw people to the ballot box this year, it’s the local offices that will impact their lives much more than those who are going off to Washington, D.C.
Patti said that his business experience has taught him how to find solutions and create a pathway to success, and noted that his life experience – including stints in multiple fields and time in multiple countries – gives him the perspective to see the bigger picture.
“Being experienced in leadership doesn’t necessarily mean being book smart,” Patti said. “It’s about having diversity in your background – diversity in where you’ve lived in the world, and the regions that you’ve called home and the different sectors of business you’ve been a part of. I think I have that leadership.”
Supervisor District 3, which both candidates are vying for, includes Manteca north of Yosemite Avenue as well as Lathrop, the area west of Stockton in the Delta and portions of northwest Stockton.

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