San Bernardino City Council endorsements

The city of San Bernardino is in need of thoughtful, effective leadership on the city council. We have previously endorsed the reelection of Kimberly Calvin in Ward 6. Here, we present our endorsements for the three other council seats up for election on March 5.

Ward 3: Christian Shaughnessy

Residents of San Bernardino’s Ward 3 have their pick of two very different candidates to represent them on the council: incumbent Juan Figueroa and housing community organizer Christian Shaughnessy.

For this editorial, it’s no contest. Residents who are sick and tired of stagnation and corruption in the city need to vote out Figueroa and vote for Shaughnessy.

To be sure, this editorial board doesn’t agree with Shaughnessy on everything. But he is clear-minded on the need for the city to move beyond scandal, beyond corruption and beyond cronyism.

His top three priorities are worth getting behind:

“1. Stopping corruption and the pay-to-play practices that choke our San Bernardino and Ward 3 working families and small businesses.

2. Creating good, local jobs and constructing affordable housing abundance to end homelessness

3. Promoting accountable public safety and cracking down on violent crime and slum lords.”

We can’t say we have much confidence in Figueroa, who is a close associate of disgraced former Mayor John Valdivia

Ward 5: Henry Nickel

This editorial board endorsed the re-election of Nickel four years ago, when he was ultimately defeated by Ben Reynoso. We now endorse Nickel to oust Reynoso, who has proven to be a run-of-themill progressive activist on a

council that needs more practical-minded leadership.

We have had our share of disagreements with Nickel over the years, but we also appreciate his focus-on-the-basics, conservative approach to government.

Nickel vows to promote housing construction in the city, prioritize law enforcement and always work to improve the quality of life in the city. He promises to engage all segments of the community to encourage greater participation in civic life.

The council could benefit from his experience and balanced perspective.

Ward 7: Treasure Ortiz

Residents of Ward 7 have their pick of three very different candidates. Incumbent Damon Alexander vows to keep the city moving in a positive direction. Longtime city fixture James Penman vows to bring his decades of experience to truly move the city in a better direction. And there’s college professor and truthteller Treasure Ortiz, who we have always known to tell it like it is.

As we have in the past, we give our endorsement to Treasure Ortiz. “I will be transparent about what is happening at City Hall, hold myself and my colleagues accountable for our actions and decisions and will continue to engage, educate and empower our community so they can become active participants in their own government,” she promises.

With Treasure Ortiz on the council, we’d expect to see real results on her top priorities of public safety, economic development and addressing homelessness.