City Council District 1 Candidates clockwise Denise Davis, Tom Berg, Andrew Hoder, Rodgir Cohen
Update: This post was updated on 11/04 to include the response from City Council District 1 candidate Tom Berg.
REDLANDS, CA - Early voting is underway and if you live in Redlands District 1, 3 or 5 you will find city council candidates on your ballot. Earlier this month, Community Forward Redlands reached out to all the candidates in the Redlands City Council races and asked each candidate the same four questions:
What do you love most about Redlands?
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
What would be your top three priorities as a City Council member?
If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?
We’ve received responses from all but two candidates, one of whom is running unopposed. If either of these candidates responds before election day we will update you with their profiles.
This week and next, we’re sharing their responses just as the candidates provided them. It is important to us to present each candidate in a similar manner and in their own words. We hope the profiles provide a chance for residents to learn more about the candidates’ priorities and goals if they were to be elected to the Redlands City Council.
What is My District?
Redistricting after the 2020 census changed the lines for City Council districts in Redlands. The map below shows the new City Council districts. If you live in District 1, 3, or 5 there is a City Council election on your ballot.
Follow the link to see a street-level view of the City Council districts.
District 1 City Council Candidate Profiles
There are four candidates running for the District 1 City Council seat. Three candidates, Denise Davis (incumbent), Rodgir Cohen, and Andrew Hoder answered our request. Tom Berg responded after publication and the post has been updated to include his answers below.
Here are their responses.
Denise Davis
What do you love most about Redlands?
I love the strong sense of community in Redlands. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing a familiar face. I also appreciate the fact that people are willing to share their ideas and opinions because they care about improving this great place we all call home. I’ve been here for nearly 20 years and I think it’s only gotten better over time.
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
As a member of the Council, it has been important to be an active and patient listener. People have a wide variety of opinions about any given issue, and I think it’s important to take everything into consideration when making a decision. I also have a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Psychology from the London School of Economics and feel that I’ve brought greater awareness to the Council as it relates to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I learned a lot of great research skills at LSE too, and that’s been helpful on the Council.
What would be your top 3 priorities as a City Council member?
My top 3 priorities are continuing to provide resources for the unhoused community in Redlands and working on preventing the root causes of homelessness. This includes pushing for more affordable housing in Redlands. I also feel it is important to continue to support our public safety units and make sure they have the resources they need to serve our community well. Finally, I want to continue to be responsive and innovative in our approaches moving forward. I appreciate the ideas and feedback from my Climate Policy Council, Redlands Youth Council, and other residents who reach out.
If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?
I will continue to work on the issues that our Redlands community identifies as most pressing, as well as research what other cities are doing that is working well. I attend conferences regularly and meet with other elected officials in our region often. I think the idea exchange is important and it helps me better serve the Redlands community. In my (limited) spare time, I started the Redlands Youth Council and the Climate Policy Council because I want to keep moving our community forward and know that these groups are integral to bettering our community now and in the future.
Endorsements and Campaign Information
Redlands Professional Firefighters Association
Redlands Police Officers Association
Inland Empire Labor Council, AFL-CIO; San Bernardino/Riverside Counties
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
As a candidate, I am fiscally conservative and socially pragmatic. With me, you won't get fundamental division based on partisan politics. I am a candidate who can cross partisan lines. I believe in liberty and freedom. In me - you will get a councilman who is analytical and practical with a passion for serving. I strongly believe in restoring governmental power to the grassroots level. I hold the values of justice and equality for all people.
What would be your top 3 priorities as a City Council member?
Crime
Homelessness
Infrastructure Development
If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?
Liberty is primal. Government should be serving the interests of the people and not the reverse. This is fundamental. Freedom is the ultimate. I fully believe in a government that protects your freedom. Government is not here to dictate to you. Government is here to serve you.
It's the rich history and heritage of the City that I admire the most. In the decades since its founding (in 1888), there have been numerous examples of citizens making substantial contributions to the fabric of our community without expecting anything tangible in return. We have the A.K. Smiley Library (from the Smiley Twins), the Lincoln Shrine (from the Watchorn Family), the Redlands Bowl (from Grace Mullen), Kimberly Crest (from Mary Shirk), the Burrage Mansion (beautifully restored by the Tim Rochford, now functioning as an event center for the children of Redlands). Of course, we could mention the University of Redlands, Sylvan Park, and so much more.
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
For the last ten years, I have probably attended more meetings of the City Council and the Planning Commission than most of the current members, which gives me considerable insight to the issues faced by our community and how the Council has (or has not) responded. I'm also Chairman of the Redlands Street Tree Committee which functions in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations directly to the City Council. Further to all of that, I previously served for more than a decade as president of a major Homeowners Association. HOA's are really a microcosm of City government, entailing the preparation of an annual budget, maintaining the physical property, and complying with the regulations and covenants mandated by the State.
What would be your top 3 priorities as a City Council member?
Focus on the will of the voters. In 2020, Measure G was defeated by a margin of 2-1, and that's a pretty strong message from the constituents in this community. Yet the City insists on granting the Developers the freedom to construct the very buildings that were opposed by the voters. In the latest initiative to limit the height of new buildings in the Transit Villages, 7,710 voters gave their signatures with the expectation that they would have the opportunity to cast a vote on this matter. Instead, the Initiative was canceled by one single person, and all those voters were kicked to the curb. That's just WRONG. Related to the plans for unbridled development, decisions by the current Council would result in THOUSANDS of new dwellers in the core of our City, but we don't see any plan to ensure that our Police Force grows in proportion. We have to give Law Enforcement the resources they need to ensure our safety.
If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?
This is my message: On the proscenium above the stage at our beloved Redlands Bowl is the following inscription: “Without Vision, a People Perish.” It’s from an old Proverb that tells us about the importance of clear leadership. The challenge now is to find a common vision that will determine the best future for our community, without sacrificing our rich heritage and history. With major developments on the near horizon, we need enlightened leadership more than ever. And leadership with a sensible long-range vision is my commitment to the people of Redlands.
Update: This post was updated on 11/04 to include the response from City Council District 1 candidate Tom Berg.
What do you love most about Redlands?
It’s the evidence of the good and positive spirit and love Redlanders originally had and continue to have for their city. That evidence can be seen in the beautiful historic houses-built years ago and which are still being maintained along its well-laid-out streets. Not only the houses and homes but also the beautiful church structures within the city. When one looks at old photos of the city before its development the countryside did not have the large and beautiful trees that now line the city streets. Redlands is a city whose founders and citizens worked hard to design and create a unique and beautiful city. All of this, and more, speaks of the creativity and thoughtful planning, plus the philanthropic spirit, and forethought of the city’s founders and citizens had and which hopefully, will continue to have.
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
As a Registered Civil Engineer, responsible for many capital improvements / public works projects over the past forty years I believe, as a council member, I’ll be able to provide the helpful insight necessary for the development projects the city will soon be facing because of the recently approved Transit Village Plan. Such projects require experienced individuals to ask responsible questions so often overlooked. which could ultimately cost the city, namely its taxpayers, burdensome infrastructure bonds, etc. The developers’ projects soon to be presented to the city will need to answer those questions of which the city will face after the developers have departed. And it will be important to make certain such projects maintain the character and family-friendly charm the city is known for. It is evident to me the existing council members do not have that expertise in their portfolios.
What would be your top 3 priorities as a City Council member?
To make certain the development projects soon to be presented to the council for approval have been properly vetted so that such projects do not possess hidden and burdensome costs to the city’s residents. Because of the Transit Village Project recently approved by the City council, which has made major zoning changes within the city, there will be many projects that will require the council’s approval. I look forward to making certain such projects reflect the will of the city and preserve the architectural uniqueness of the city.
To respect and honor the vote of the people of District 1, namely their past disapproval of Measure G and, most likely, future disapproval of Measure F. Such measures do not reflect the desires of the city’s residents. Construction of tall “stack and pack” buildings in downtown are not the desire of the voters. And they are not the desire of District 1 voters because they are not family-friendly and because they may relegate the citizens to having to use bicycles and mopeds for transportation.
To make certain the city does not become hostage to various divisive social agendas presently found within our society. Specifically, that Redlands should not become a Sanctuary City for the many social issues facing our nation unless the residents of Redlands have voted their approval.
If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?
Redlands has been a success because it’s a city that has nurtured a family-friendly and active community spirit. It’s my goal to preserve and be an advocate for the continuation of that spirit. That includes support of the many small businesses that have made the city a success: active support for the Police and Firemen / First Responders. To advocate for the continuation of the values that built and preserved the city. To make certain our children understand and appreciate those values. Let’s remember Redlands’ motto is a “City that Works”. Our youth should be provided with volunteer and intern work activities to contribute to their personal development. And our city needs to remain a clean and healthy environment for all. The homeless who visit our city shouldn’t have to defecate/urinate at will wherever. The city may have to provide some sanitary facilities for their use to keep our city clean and safe for everyone.
