By Dianne Anderson

Instead of complaining about the powers that be, now is the time to do something about it.

Super Tuesday is just around the corner, with hopeful candidates for San Bernardino City Council taking all they’ve heard from local voters, and preparing for hard work ahead for the promise to put plans into action.

Benjamin Reynoso – WARD 5

Reynoso wants to continue investing in infrastructure deficiencies, including potholes, street repavement, address homelessness and concentrate on responsible economic development.

“We have a homeless outreach team that provides resource assistance and we are currently building and partnering to build our city shelter and hundreds of shelter beds for men, women, and families,” he said.

Responsible economic development is a big concern. Since on Council, he said he was the only member to oppose all warehouses, while bringing good development to town.

“Such as those who are building the new Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, and Dutch Bros. Coffee off the 215 University exit. We have to keep developers accountable and responsible for their projects, especially during construction,” he said.

Across the 5th Ward, he has brought more LED lighting, as well as outreach on tenant rights and education. He also reopened the street bend and got a wall erected to maintain the mountain, and said helping small businesses has been a priority.

“I championed the micro-grant program for small businesses who operated during the pandemic, up to $35k per business or nonprofit, brought forward the idea and saw the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Resource Center for small businesses and entrepreneurs, [and] declared a homeless state of emergency and created outreach team,” he said.

He introduced ways to restrict truck routes for responsible goods movement, along with bringing forward San Bernardino’s Blair Park to become a Dodger “Dreamfield.  Investments in parks and recreation also created more programming and community events across town, including support for police positions for enforcement across town and the north end.

While on council, standing firm on choices to benefit the city has been his main concern.

“That you don’t have to vote yes just to be with the majority of Council when I know it doesn’t serve the city, that bribery and campaign contributions are how the city remains stagnant and building more warehouses. It’s been the key to corruption here and I seek to weed it out,” he said.

Overall, his priority is encouraging and inspiring a generation of youth to care about San Bernardino.

“That’s why I ran for office in the first place. So ultimately, to stay true to what’s right and for the betterment of our residents’ lives,” he said.

With the economy and inflation still strong, he is concerned about how housing costs perpetuates homelessness, and the lack of rent stabilization or rent control.

“Homes are unaffordable and the price of rent rising is making life tougher and tougher for a city that mostly rents. I have brought forward rent control once before, but I have to continue until it happens because that’s just what needs to be done,” he said.

BESSINE LITTLEFIELD RICHARD – City Council Ward 6 

If elected, Bessine Littlefield Richard wants to reduce homelessness by working to get more affordable housing built in the city, and expanding single and multi-family homes. She also looks to pursue more federal and state resources for homeless treatment centers, including support for Laura’s Law.

“[That’s] to allow our city to seek court-ordered help to get dangerous mentally ill or drug addicted homeless individuals off our streets and into mandatory treatment programs. San Bernardino County recently took this approach and I believe that our city should also,” she said.

Safer neighborhoods include expanding a community policing approach, something she said started during her last five-year stint on City Council. Then, she said her top contributions included a new affordable housing community built at 5th Street and Macy.

She takes credit for planting the seeds for University/State street expansion, Warmington Homes housing track on West Highland Avenue and secured funding for improvements at Delmann Heights and Nicholson Park. Also, supporting the expansion of San Bernardino airport which brought 5,000 new jobs to the city.

Hiring more officers with a community policing plan included a future Police Substation on the Westside of San Bernardino, she said.

But one of the best lessons of her last term was effectively collaborating with other councilmembers and city staff, and going forward she is concerned about the economy.

“I’m very concerned about the impact that the high cost of basic needs like housing and food is having on our community. City leaders need to focus on taking actions that will reduce rents and lower the cost of housing for our families and seniors,” she said.

KIM CALVIN – City Council Ward 6 – Write in Candidate 

Voter apathy and a lack of knowledge about the city’s business tops incumbent Kim Calvin’s concerns for the community, but she said voters must be educated about their rights and what elected officials should or should not be doing.

To help expand that awareness, she plans to continue hosting Ward 6 Town Halls, strengthening Neighborhood Association Councils in the Ward, sharing information with the community through social media and she wants to build better relationships with the Latino community.

Affordable housing options for seniors, transitional age, youth, veterans, along with career opportunities are needed, such as building trades to earn livable wages. She looks to bring more amenities to the Ward, such as eateries, grocery stores, family entertainment and shopping.

“We should not have to drive to neighboring cities to shop for our basic necessities. I am consistently going to conferences to meet developers and retail brokers who may be interested in coming to Ward 6. It is imperative for councilmembers to advocate for their Wards,” she said.

Among her top wins last term include an $8.8 Million award to the abandoned Nicholson Park from the American Rescue Funds, funding received post-COVID from Congressman Pete Aguilar.

When she was elected, she said Nicholson Park had been desolate for over 10 years, with only $1 million allocated to it. Through advocacy, she helped secure additional funding leading to revitalization, set to start this spring.

“The families of Ward 6 and Ward 3 will have a green space to enjoy once again. There will also be a memorial sitting area dedicated to Ms. Charle’ Jacobs, former Terrace West Neighborhood Association President,” she said.

The opening of State Street / University Parkway, a project that she said sat stagnant on the Capital Improvement Project list for 20 years, was also a big win. It was placed by former Ward 6 Councilwoman Betty Dean Anderson, and will bring potential future development for small businesses.

Under her watch, she is proud of the first gated community in Ward 6. The old Meridian Apartments torn down 14 years ago will have new affordable housing built there.

“This project of 140 units is currently in our planning department and will be built by a very reputable affordable housing developer. This project will support our Veterans, Seniors and Multi-Family with varied incomes,” she said.

A collaborative Pepper Street Paving Project was among her other projects, as well as assisting Cimarron Ranch Community members in creating their first Neighborhood Association and San Bernardino City’s First Youth Council. In traveling with the League of California Cities conferences, other cities had youth representing their cities. She pushed for four youths at four city high schools, including Ward 6.

“I proposed our city doing the same so we could educate our youth on all the functions inside of Local Municipal Government,” she said. “After a year of planning, the staff created a wonderful plan to do just that.”

During her term, she saw how the government moves slowly, but that elected officials should not only plant seeds, but nurture and grow them, but understanding the community’s history is important.

“Understanding where the pitfalls, lack of resources and inequities are essential to progressive governing towards a better Ward 6. This is how we do not make the same mistakes over and over again,” she said.

Before she was elected, she said the voice of the people was not fully represented, and the City of San Bernardino has ignored Ward 6 since 1966, apparent by the lack of development. Today, she said changes under her leadership include park developments, new housing, small businesses, street paving, crime reduction.

To continue moving forward, she plans more economic development for the Ward, and voters cannot afford to be represented by inexperienced candidates or candidates who failed the community in the past by remaining silent on the issues.

“As your Councilwoman, I will always be a voice for the people,” she said.

Councilmember DAMON ALEXANDER – WARD 7

Similar to challenges encountered by many large cities in America, Damon Alexander said that homelessness, availability of affordable housing, and retention and attraction of the business community are the most pressing issues facing the 7th Ward and the city of San Bernardino.

“However, we are actively addressing and resolving these issues through collaborative efforts with our federal, county, and community partners. By working together, leveraging resources, and implementing innovative solutions, we can make meaningful progress in tackling these complex issues and improving the quality of life for all residents of San Bernardino,” he said.

Through his last term, he counts his top achievements as actively working with colleagues to propel the city forward. In the past three years, the long-awaited demolition of the mall was one milestone, as well as facilitating new business and housing developments.

His representation on San Bernardino regional boards also ensure that the Ward’s interests have effective advocacy, he added.

“I’ve organized Economic and Homeless summits, facilitated small business grant forums, and overcome bureaucratic hurdles to kickstart stalled projects. Additionally, I’ve fostered a working relationship with the school district to address city issues jointly,” he said.

Under his leadership, he said code enforcement now has 20 officers and a manager, along with additional parking enforcement officers added, based on community needs.

“I initiated negotiations with the county, advocated for a new economic development department, and established the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust for future housing affordability. Implementing a graffiti removal program and supporting Spanish translation at council meetings demonstrate our commitment to community needs,” he said.

Through collective efforts of residents, community partners, and city staff, he said they also collaborated with Caltrans on homeless outreach and enhancing the Police Department’s Quality of Life team, reflecting the dedication to addressing citywide concerns.

While on City Council, he feels that his best lessons learned include building strong working relationships with council members toward passing policy and achieving goals.

“[It] enables us to effectively collaborate and drive initiatives forward. Additionally, active engagement with regional leaders and community partners ensures that San Bernardino is adequately represented and advocated for in securing resources vital for our city’s momentum,” he said.

As a board member of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), he advocates for grant funding and policy initiatives that benefit San Bernardino city, along with the broader regional community.

But his primary concern for overall economic impact is the community, and housing.

“More importantly for our seniors and young students finishing school. they must have a path to homeownership and seniors must be able to retain their residence. Our fastest growing homeless population is our seniors and must address this issue now and not wait,” he said.

Not clear on the easy way to vote? See the League of Women Voters Easy Voting Guide at

https://easyvoterguide.org/

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