Overview: The Inland Empire region in California is presented as a region focused on building sustainable cities and a sustainable future, with cities that pride themselves on economic development and job creation. However, a University of California Riverside report released last year showed troubling disparities in the region, with levels of well-being below the national average. The report highlighted the need for policy intervention, including expanding access to early childhood education, improving healthcare services, increasing civic engagement, and investing in initiatives that build social connections. The author of the article argues that it is time for a change and that voters should elect leaders who are committed to making the region’s vision a reality.
S.E. Williams
Riverside describes itself as the City of Arts and Innovation, while San Bernardino identifies as the “City of Opportunity.” Among the other largest cities in the inland region is Ontario that prides itself as “A Place to Grow.” Fontana, says it’s the “City of Action.” Corona takes pride in what it describes as its “rich history and cultural diversity,” while the region’s Blackest city, Moreno Valley, notes how it remains focused on the city’s “economic development and job creation.”
Meanwhile, scanning promotional materials describing the Inland Empire region overall, it’s presented as a region that is “building sustainable cities . . . and . . . a sustainable future.
Living up to these inspiring descriptions, projections and expectations of our cities and region, requires strong leadership and even stronger community involvement. In addition, local governments also depend on infrastructures at the state and federal levels designed to enable—not debilitate—local progress aimed at building the kinds of communities described above, the kinds of communities we deserve.
It is written that “all politics are local.” An admittedly trite, yet somewhat true expression, this cliche seeks to capture the idea that what local voters really care most about is what they see and experience in their own communities, their neighborhoods.
Today, as we prepare to go to the polls in June and November, our national leadership is in chaos and our state leadership is muddling through a lame-duck session. It is important that we pay attention to what is going on around us so that we do not “just check the box or fill in the circle” to elect or re-elect a local politician because he/she says nice things and has a nice smile and yet, their actions in local government reflect a “Trumpish” mindset even as local residents continue to struggle.
If we say local politics are important . . . and they are. If we care about building sustainable cities and a sustainable future…and we do. If we see our cities as communities of opportunities . . . and they are. If the inland region is focused on economic development and job creation . . . and it is. Then, I say it is time we stop the delusion that we are voting for non-partisan candidates in our local elections. Instead we should begin to weed out those who are not operating in the best interests of our communities.
Claims of non-partisanship are moot when you watch the actions of far too many of those elected to represent us locally. Consider Chad Bianco, a man who is MAGA to the core. I say this because again and over again he has shown all of us who he is. And, what about members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors who, despite state legislation that gives them authority; despite a federal civil rights investigation in to Bianco’s leadership; and despite increased calls from the public for oversight of the Riverside County Sheriffs’ Department, the Board has refused again and again to heed demands from constituents calling for the establishment of oversight. And more recently, actions by members of the Riverside City Council, who are content with denying housing to low income and unsheltered individuals even with a grant in-held to fund the initiative… how Trumpish can it get?
A University of California Riverside report released last September showed what’s been described as troubling disparities in the inland region. The study highlighted levels of well-being in the area that proved below the national average. Just 41% of the respondents said they were thriving, compared with 53% nationwide, while another 6% said they “saw little hope for the future.” In addition, nearly two-thirds of respondents claimed they felt excluded or unsure about their place in the community.
This is just a guess, but could this be because at least 60% of the region’s population are people of color and trend younger? In contrast all you have to do is visit the websites of any of the regions’ boards, committees or councils and you will quickly see that those who represent us do not look like us. It is any wonder that many of the concerns of minority communities “fester like a sore…”
Among the most concerning findings of the UCR study was although most respondents were registered to vote only one in three said they regularly vote in elections. This must change. If people of color and women in this region do not raise their voices at the polls, we will remain stuck in a time machine where we are ruled by those with pre-civil-rights-era mindsets.
The UCR report stressed clear opportunities for policy intervention, including opportunities to “expand access to early childhood education, improve healthcare services, increase civic engagement, and invest in initiatives that build social connections.”
Once again this year, we as individuals and as a community have an opportunity—when we vote— to elect those who are willing to fight for what “we” value including good jobs and fair wages; high quality Pre K -12 education as well as affordable and locally accessible college education. We must focus on eliminating food deserts in our communities and find local solutions to quality and affordable in-home and/or long-term care facilities for our seniors. And, we must continue to advocate for affordable housing for low-income and unhoused in our communities as well as equity in both charging and policing. In addition to human rights for those held in county jails.
If we believe our cities are communities with cultural diversity, striving for economic development and enhanced job creation, where opportunities abound for everyone, where Blacks are not over-charged by an overly aggressive district attorney and the local sheriff isn’t swaggering around like the last lawman kicking dust in the old west, (although if he loses his bid for governor we are stuck with him for another few years), then you agree with me that it is time for a change. This year—beginning in June and then again in November—we should vote for leaders at all level of government who are truly committed to making this vision, this dream of our community an actual reality, because right now—although we’ve made some progress—it remains a pipe dream.
Of course this is just my opinion. I’m keeping it real.