By K.P. Sander
Eastvale – With the General Municipal Election just around the corner, citizens are beginning to formulate decisions about who they will be voting for. Three seats are open on the City Council, with only two of the five incumbents seeking reelection. Council members Kelly Howell and Jeff DeGrandpre have resigned within the last year, and Councilman Richard Welch will not run for a second term.
When voters cast their ballots on Tues., Nov. 4, they will select from a field of nine candidates: Ramon E. Aguilar, Steven Daniel Aguilar, Richard Duran, Anwer Khan, William Link (Incumbent, Council Member), Clinton Lorimore, Cesar Morales, Adam Rush (Incumbent, Mayor Pro-Tem), and Brandon Matthew Villalpando.
City Council members are elected at-large for a four year term. Council members serve “staggered” terms, meaning that either two or three seats are open for election every two years. Council members receive a $400 per month stipend as compensation for their service.
To qualify, candidates must reside and be registered to vote within the jurisdiction at the time nomination papers are issued. More specifically, they must be at least 18 years old; a U.S. citizen; a resident of the City of Eastvale; registered to vote in the City of Eastvale; and must not be on parole or serving time for a felony conviction. All candidates have met these requirements.
The Eastvale News asked each of these candidates the same two questions in an effort to provide some information toward voting research.
| Q1: What do you feel are the two most important issues facing the City of Eastvale?Q2: What do you plan to focus on if you are elected as a council member for the City of Eastvale?
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Here, now, we offer up feedback from the last three candidates, Cesar Morales, Adam Rush, and Brandon Villalpando.
Cesar Morales: Could not be reached for comment.
Adam Rush: My plan within the Eastvale City Council is the same plan I began prior to the City’s incorporation. This is to ensure our children enjoy safety at school so they can learn without additional stress. Since incorporation, I have been working on keeping our schools safe and reducing traffic within our schools and around our City, including progress on several major construction projects that will alleviate traffic conditions and bring families together sooner. In addition, I have helped create hundreds of jobs in Eastvale and with the support of over 200 families and Eastvale leaders I will continue working on the creation of well-paying careers in our community. Growing up locally, I am a candidate who understands the challenges that the young commuter families of Eastvale face. My wife and I are raising three young children in a home filled with family, friends, and the projects that I am continually involved in as a small businessman, local planner, and leader. I was a key designer of Eastvale, first in my ten-plus years as a Community Planner at the County of Riverside Planning Department, and secondly as the Chair of the Fundraising and Education Subcommittee for the Eastvale Incorporation Committee (EIC). For the last four years, I have created an infrastructure of professional staff that includes proficient public safety personnel, a top-rate City Manager and a conservative budget with surpluses and $7.4 million in reserves nearly each year since our 2010 incorporation. As an active member of my local church and community, I understand that for continued success in the city we must focus on three tasks: 1) Keeping every school, neighborhood, and business safe from violence, drugs, and gangs. Even during the recession, Eastvale has continued to be a vibrant real estate market because of our commitment to public safety. With my proven leadership skills, Eastvale will continue to thrive as one of the safest Cities in
California. 2) Focus on creating well-paying careers – not bureaucratic red tape. The families and businesses that signed over 5,500 letters and petitions for cityhood demand a city that attracts jobs, develops quality projects, and consistently focuses on building the economy – and the dozens that already support me know I am a leader for the future. 3) Stop the traffic that separates families’ morning, noon, and night. As a commuter family, I thoroughly understand the challenges my fellow taxpayers face. My experience in community development, land planning and business experience have shown I can develop better roads and infrastructure getting parents home earlier and safer every day.
Brandon Matthew Villalpando: I feel the two issues facing Eastvale are we need more local jobs and places for small businesses, and a stronger financial infrastructure to ensure the future of this great city! I feel my first call of action will be working to see more desirable places for residents to shop and eat in Eastvale to keep our money local. I also feel we need to desperately address major traffic problems. I know it is concerning to many here, especially those who deal with “school traffic”.
