by Breeanna Jent on 2014-09-17

Resident Donovan Saadiq hopes to win election to represent Moreno Valley’s District 5 if residents vote for the recall of its current representative Victoria Baca this November. Saadiq, whose background is with the United States military and in aeronautics and airport management, said he saw mistreatment of the residents by former councilmembers, spurring his decision to run for council. “Witnessing the mistreatment firsthand in addition to learning more about the corruption within the city council, I felt compelled to…take action,” Saadiq said. Saadiq holds 11 degrees, including from renowned aviation university Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he received bachelors and associates degrees in professional aeronautics with a minor in aviation safety. He is also a graduate of Riverside City College, with a degree in management. “I consider myself quite inquisitive and feel that learning is a lifelong pursuit,” Saadiq said. If elected, Saadiq said he hopes to address water issues faced by residents in the Edgemont community, including cloudy tap water and old infrastructure. “This is a human issue and the city has a responsibility to step in and solve the problem,” Saadiq said. Other focuses of his, if elected, Saadiq explained, are the restoration of the city’s police force and budget, along with creating a policy to end euthanization in overcrowded animal shelters. As such, Saadiq explained he supported the “strong push for shelter adoption that was recently started so that we can save as many animal lives as possible.” Overall, Saadiq shared, his vision is helping the city move into the future. “I can help move the city forward and present possibilities to the youth of Moreno Valley. I myself am a product of the youth center experience. If it were not for a youth center, my life might have turned out differently. When we invest in our children, we’ll get that back in good citizenship.” Saadiq finished, “My goal is to bring optimism back and to re-earn the trust of the citizens that call the wonderful city of Moreno Valley home.” Saadiq runs against candidate LaDonna Jempson for the seat in the event of a recall.