Four candidates are on the ballot for two open seats on the Yucca Valley Town Council: incumbent Robert Lombardo, Planning Commissioner Jeff Drozd, Parks and Rec Commissioner Eric Quander, and postal employee Jeri E. Wilson. Council member George Huntington is not running for re-election. Managing editor Tami Roleff talked with all the candidates about their priorities and wish list for Yucca Valley…
Jeff Drozd has been a Yucca Valley resident for 40 years, is a graduate of Yucca Valley High School, is a member of the planning commission, and teaches at the high school. He said that’s why he’s running for town council. “I’ve always loved the desert and in particular, Yucca Valley. My knowledge and experience can benefit Yucca Valley.”
He listed his priorities for Yucca Valley: “Police protection, improving our roads, and an obscure thing that is a priority of mine is the development of North Park. The park has been ignored and has great hiking opportunities and access to San Bernardino mountains.”
His “magic-wand wish” that he would change if he could? “Bike trails are a goal between Yucca Valley and the rest of the Basin.”
Robert Lombardo has been a Yucca Valley resident for 31 years and a member of the town council for six years. He listed his three priorities for Yucca Valley: “Increase public safety within the budget; More long-term planning for facilities that would make Yucca Valley more complete as a town: community performance center or arts center. I think we’re the only town up here that doesn’t have a performing arts building; Increase our revenue sources to make our revenue sources more diversified. We have counted for too long on just property taxes and it hasn’t been enough.” Lombardo talked at length about his vision for a performing arts center and said it was one reason why he is running for re-election. “I have some dreams that are unfulfilled at this point and would still like to work toward seeing them happen for Yucca Valley.” It’s also number one on his wish list if he could wave a magic wand. “I would want to have an outdoor concert area similar to Red Rock in Colorado, where you magnify the natural beauty and make a place that has special acoustic timbre, that signature to make it a place to attract the quality people to perform both music and performance art in our area. Kind of like a summer night festival where we could use our wonderful weather in the evening with our beautiful dark skies.”
“I’d like to serve my community with a fresh perspective, a commitment to serving humanity and the community at large.”
Eric Quander, a Yucca Valley resident for nearly 10 years, was appointed to the Yucca Valley Parks and Recreation Department in 2015. He listed his priorities for Yucca Valley: “Education, economic development, and environmental awareness.”
His “magic-wand wish” that he would change in Yucca Valley if he could? “A light manufacturing company in the community, one that employs a couple hundred people and provides a livable wage and social and economic opportunities for more of our citizens. We need more jobs.”
Jeri Wilson, has worked at the Yucca Valley post office for 16 years, “I have been a resident for 20 years. I have served the public for over 16 years, which has given me the motivation to serve this community and residents the best way I know how.
She listed her three priorities for the town:
“Number one, public safety; number two, the roads; number three, helping residents with the sewer.”
For Wilson, first impressions are important, and that’s the first thing she’d change if she had a magic wand.”
“I would try to help change the appearance of the approach to Yucca Valley.”
