The four candidates for Yucca Valley Town Council met Thursday evening to discuss their views on various issues facing the town. The candidates’ forum started 15 minutes late and without incumbent Dr. Robert Lombardo, who showed up about 30 minutes later, due to a dental emergency at his practice, he said. Managing editor Tami Roleff was at the forum, and said the candidates agreed on practically everything…
The challengers for two seats on the Yucca Valley Town Council—Jeff Drozd, Eric Quander, and Jeri Wilson—all agreed that public safety and maintaining the town’s infrastructure were their top priorities (incumbent Robert Lombardo had not arrived yet, but Lombardo told Z107.7 News in an interview his top priorities are public safety and maintaining the town’s roads).
The issue that seemed to separate the three challengers was concerning marijuana dispensaries in the town. All agreed that they would support the will of the people—who in 2015 voted down Measure X that would have allowed dispensaries in town limits—but Drozd said he supported medical marijuana dispensaries. Quander said cities that have allowed dispensaries to open have benefitted from the revenue they bring in, while Wilson said she felt very strongly about not permitting dispensaries in the town. While Lombardo was not present during this portion of the meeting, in 2013 he voted in favor of allowing a marijuana dispensary to remain open in Yucca Valley.
The candidates were asked to explain why voters should vote for them over their opponents. Wilson said she was a new face with new perspectives. Drozd said he had longevity in the town; he’s been a resident for 40 years, is a 1979 graduate of Yucca Valley High School, teaches at the high school and he loves the desert and Yucca Valley. Quander said that while he doesn’t have longevity, he represents the direction Yucca Valley is going, a new resident who appreciates how Yucca Valley has been and who has an eye for what Yucca Valley can be. Lombardo was not present.
All the candidates support Measure Y and Measure Z.
When asked how Yucca Valley should market itself to the world, Wilson said the town was once ranked as a top place to retire. Drozd said the town should emphasize all the national parks and national monuments in the surrounding area, which all draw tourists. Lombardo said tourism was a great idea, but that the town should look to other ideas, such as the clear air and night skies, and as a place for those who can telecommute. Quander said the town should take a multi-pronged approach: tourism, affordability for young families, telecommuting, and the quality of life.
When asked about the Morongo Basin’s homeless population and drug addiction, Quander said a major goal was to open some type of in-house rehabilitation facility so addicts and homeless could have access to the help they need. Wilson said resources should be brought in from the county or state, and she’d like to see a shelter where the homeless can go and be supported. Drozd mentioned that passing Measure Y would help these problems by having more police on the streets, not to arrest them, but to interact with them and get them the help they need. Lombardo said it’s hard to address the homeless problem when some of them choose to be homeless and resist help, but that there are programs available through the Sheriff’s Department where they can get shelter.
All the candidates supported prayer to open town council meetings.
The candidates had widely different ideas on what types of recreational facilities they’d like to see in Yucca Valley, from Quander’s proposals of an outdoor theater and putt-putt golf, to Wilson’s Olympic-sized pool and more activities for senior citizens, to Lombardo’s wish for a performing arts center and robotic summer camps for high school students. Drozd said that while the town wants to do all it can with youth, the town shouldn’t be competing with businesses, and that there were so many youth activities sponsored by the town and the high school.
When questioned how they would support youth, Wilson and Drozd mentioned the Boys and Girls Club. Drozd added that the town needs to do more outreach to let residents know about all its programs for youth. Lombardo said the problem is the town’s budget, and that the council has to be realistic with its goals, but then added the town does need some kind of water park. Quander agreed, and said the town needs to work closely with the you ambassadors to ask residents what they want.
