It is that time again. The time where we, members of our respective communities, take the time to carefully consider the people in whom we believe and trust in. The ones we feel will do their best to lead the city and make the difficult choices that will ultimately lead to making our city a better place.
With the November 6th election rapidly approaching we want everyone to understand and know who their candidates are. Knowing them is just the beginning. As the political season makes its way through the communities everyone will get the opportunity to hear and see how each candidate plans to make a difference in their community.
Candidates for Mayor:
• Lawrence Baird - Retired Salesman
No information at time of publication.
• Denise Fleming - Realtor/Committee Member
Dr. Denise Fleming’s career as an educator and business professional spans throughout California. She has spent over twenty years as a dedicated business professional in education and teaching students. Fleming served our country for almost ten years in the United States Navy Reserves. Since Dr. Fleming’s election to the school board the high school graduation rate has grown as much as 17 percent to almost 90 percent. Fleming states,”We must create opportunities for residents to mingle and celebrate each other. I will listen and engage our sister cities, local nonprofits, associations, community business partners, and advocates.”
•Jeffrey Giba - City Council Member
Jeffrey J. Giba was elected to the Moreno Valley City Council in 2014 to represent Council District 2. His vision is to be a catalyst for dialog to bring the community together to make the great City of Moreno Valley a place “Where our future begins.” He is a US Navy veteran with 24 years of service to the country. He is an experienced medical device design developer with more than a dozen patents, and is President/Owner of Eclectic Medical Device Consulting. Giba served on the Planning Commission from 2011 until his election to the City Council.
• Yxstian Gutiérrez - Incumbent/Teacher
Gutierrez has served as a City Council Member, as Mayor Pro-Tem and now as Mayor. He has increased the budget for police officers and firefighters while at the same time balancing the city’s budget. He voted to install the citywide camera program which has directly lead to over 3,000 cases being solved. Gutierrez voted YES to bring an estimated 27,000 jobs to Moreno Valley. He has also voted yes on other projects such as Aldi and Pro-logis. Gutierrez has committed to bringing more jobs in the city, better funding for education, safer neighborhoods, and lower taxes.
• David Marquez - Council Member District 3
A resident for more than 30 years, David Marquez was elected to the Moreno Valley City Council in 2016 to represent Council District 3. Marquez has long been an active volunteer with the City of Moreno Valley, participating in and coordinating neighborhood clean-ups since 2004. For his work on the city clean-ups, he was honored as the recipient of Riverside County’s “2016 Volunteer Award from Moreno Valley.” Marquez believes that accessibility is key to effective leadership. He is regularly “out” in the community to be sure he hears the concerns of his constituents.
• Mary McBean - Nurse/Educator
Mary McBean’s goal is to “Make A Difference” in the city of Moreno Valley, California. She believes that with your support, we can “Make A Difference” in our standard of living, raising the minimum wage to a living wage of $15.00 per hour, access to more jobs, healthcare affordability, impact homelessness, build more senior affordable housing, and much more. She has been a resident of this city and has witnessed many, many changes taking place. McBean states, “Some good and some not so good. These changes have had some inappropriate and unsuitable effects with drastic consequences in the lives of the citizens who reside here, where we all call home. The changes should have a positive effect on where we live, work, worship and play.”
Candidates for City Council Member District 2:
•Leroy Holt Jr - Business Owner/Realtor
Leroy Holt may be a new face in politics, but is a well known, and respected figure in his community. Leroy is best known for his excellence on the football field, having played for the USC football team in the late 80’s. Sources and researchers will state that Schools and Safety go hand in hand. Holt, understands the importance of these entities; placing them at the top of his list of issues to address and resolve. With this thought in mind he intends to secure the safety of schools; by directly targeting crime and lessening it within the county.
•Corey Jackson - Business Owner
Corey Jackson has dedicated himself to service. As a small business owner, he currently serves as the founder and chairman of the Sigma Beta Xi Inc. Academy for Young Men who’s mission is to establish strong families and communities by building an organization of diverse men who will exemplify leadership and professionalism based upon the organization’s six principles. Continuing to serve his community, he serves on the Moreno Valley Traffic Safety Commission, the advisory board of the Moreno Valley Salvation Army, NAACP Executive Committee Member, and Assistant Youth Minister and Vacation Bible School Director at the Moreno Valley Church of Christ.
•JoAnn Stephan - Planning Commissioner
JoAnn Stephan has lived in the city 40 years and currently serves on the Planning Commission.With nearly 40 years living in Moreno Valley’s District 2, JoAnn Stephan understands and has knowledge of the community.
•Keri Then - Educator/Telecommunications Engineer
Keri Then served for 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. She is a life-time member of a local Veterans organization, where she is the Senior Vice Commander. Then is the Chair and two-term member of the Moreno Valley Unified School District, Measure M Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. She has lived in Moreno Valley, District 2, for over 20 years. She fights for her neighbors by hosting information sessions about upcoming housing developments, attend City financial briefings, as well as documenting her concerns about the issues my neighbors are concerned about.
•Carla Thornton - Educator/Retired Military
Carla Thornton grew up in Moreno Valley and is a graduate of Canyon Springs High School. She served in the United States Air Force for twenty years and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. Carla currently serves as the Chairperson for the Moreno Valley Traffic Commission and previously served as Chair on the Environmental and Historical Preservation board. In 2016, she was appointed by Governor Brown to serve on the California Department of Veterans Affairs Board. She also is a Board of Director for the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center.
Candidates for City Council Member District 4:
•Cheylynda Barnard - Social Worker
Cheylynda says that she is a concerned citizen that does not like the direction the city is heading in. She states, “The rapid growth of warehouses and the rise in property crimes in recent years have proven one thing, the current City Council is does not understand the needs of the citizens in this community. I believe in holding our representatives accountable for their actions and their votes.”
•Ulises Cabrera - Councilman/ Business Owner
Ulises Cabrera was elected to the Moreno Valley City Council in 2017 to represent Council District 4 and is the youngest elected Council Member in Moreno Valley’s history. His mission is to help make Moreno Valley a model City for the State of California, the country, and the world. Cabrera has quickly assumed leadership roles on several City boards and commissions and in inter-agency capacities. He launched SpiritLift - a charitable organization which provides mentors for at-risk youth in the City. He also volunteers regularly in various capacities including neighborhood clean-ups.
Good luck to all of the candidates this election. Be sure to get to the polls and make your vote count.
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