Jeff Drozd has one challenger who is running against him for a seat on the Yucca Valley Town Council in District 2, which encompasses the Yucca Mesa area. Managing editor Tami Roleff introduces us to incumbent Jeff Drozd, and his challenger, David Simmons…
Jeff Drozd sees the biggest challenge facing Yucca Valley right now is the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintaining a sense of normalcy. David Simmons says the biggest challenge is welcoming new residents, but controlling the town’s growth. If they had a magic wand to change anything they could about the town, Drozd said he’d use it to make more easily accessible routes off the highway. Simmons said he would repave Highway 62 and focus on street maintenance.
[Responses printed below are exactly as provided by the candidates.]
JEFF DROZD
- Why are you running for re-election?
Because of my long history as a resident, Yucca Valley High School Graduate, longtime Teacher/Professor, raising kids here, even my parents and step dad are all buried here all together. I have a lot of pride in the Morongo Basin, particularly Yucca Valley where I reside with my wife in the same home I lived in when I moved to Yucca in 1976 with our many rescued animals. Town Council is challenging yet very rewarding.
- What do you see as the biggest challenge/problem facing Yucca Valley?
Things change, sometimes we need to pivot our priorities based on new information. Right now COVID-19 is the most immediate challenge. Most importantly maintaining a sense of normalcy by offering our services to the entire Morongo Basin while balancing a budget during these rough times. What helped a lot was providing $250,000 in $5,000 business grants during this current crisis, this was very helpful to our community.
- What is your view on listing Joshua trees as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act?
I generally support the petition with the caveat that private property, Cities and Towns, the clean energy sector need more flexibility. I am unsure why the Eastern Joshua Tree was omitted from the Petition. I have a long history researching the desert, taking pictures of Joshua Trees 10, 20, 40 and 60 years apart to observe the growth. I am concerned we are not finding enough common ground on this issue and working hand in hand to solve it.
- What’s your top priority as a council member?
As I said all the COVID issues as well as police protection, fire service, maintaining our community services, solving the issue with the Joshua Trees, traffic due to tourism, the infrastructure including completing the new Pool Complex. My other concern are the issues associated with vacation rentals, I feel we need to look it over again.
- If you could change anything (with a magic wand) what’s the one thing you would change about the town/town council?
Better early design would be great so we might have more easily assessable alternatives to29 Palms Highway, no one knew 80 years ago what was instore for Yucca Valley. We have school zones on many alternate routes to the Highway which make planning rather difficult. As traffic builds, the tourists, the Marine Base, Off-Roding, the proposed Speed Train from Apple Valley to Las Vegas and someday the Antelope Valley Expressway also to Apple Valley, will bring more traffic on HWY 62 and HWY 247. This is our biggest issue to me, planning is important.
- Also, do you have a website or FB page? Email or phone number for people to contact you?
Yes, I have a Facebook Page and I use my personal cell phone and email for everything.
Cell Phone: 760-447-4015 (text if I do not answer)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votedrozd/
DAVID SIMMONS
Why are you running for election?
1. I am running for council office because I want to see a change in leadership. We have the same council members year after year. Different people with new attitudes are always welcome and constructive.
What do you see as the biggest challenge/problem facing Yucca Valley?
2. The biggest challenge and or problem for Yucca Valley is growth. We want to welcome new residents, but it must be controlled in an environmental and safe manner.
What is your view on listing Joshua trees as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act?
3. Joshua trees are an endangered plant. They have to be protected.
What’s your top priority as a council member?
4. I want to preserve our unique and rural environment. We must have a safe and quiet atmosphere for all families and children. As a council member I want to have much better communication with the residents.
If you could change anything (with a magic wand) what’s the one thing you would change about the town/town council?
5. Repaving of state highway 62. Better maintenance of streets within the city limits. The council members should have better contact and communication with the residents.
My email address is [email protected]
