3 challengers take on Pomona council District 1 incumbent
Pomona City Councilmember John Nolte faces three challengers, including a former councilmember, in his bid for reelection next month to the District 1 seat.
Nolte is going for his third nonconsecutive term on the council in the March presidential primary election. First elected in 2012, he took a break in 2016 before he was elected to a new term in 2020.
Luis Cano is a newcomer in the fight for the District 1 seat, while Debra Martin, who served on the council from 2012 to 2016, and John Mendoza, who previously ran for council, are both trying their luck again.
We reached out to all of the candidates and asked them the same questions. Below are their responses, edited for length to conform to required word limits.
Luis Cano
Age: Occupation:
53
Real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices
Southwest Academy of Technology, Phoenix, Arizona
A 23-year Pomona resident who is married with three children.
Education:
Background:
The March 5election for Pomona City Council District 1 includes candidates Luis Cano, Debra Martin and incumbent John Nolte. Candidate John Mendoza is not pictured. environment is not working. There must be a reinvestment in our economy because, for decades, the blight has ruined our communities.
Top three concerns for Pomona:
District 1needs a leader that is connected to our community. Our neighborhoods and businesses deserve public safety, economic opportunity and environmental justice.
Two improvements you want to focus on:
In District 1, we must address housing affordability. Homeownership is a pathway to economic stability, civic connection and community investment. Our families have to find upward mobility to ensure we can have stable neighborhoods, reduced crime and community investment. It’s been a necessity that has been overlooked for too long. We need local investment in our business corridors because they are a lifeline to our economy and also create jobs and opportunities for local residents. Starbucks leaving Pomona is a sign that the business and community
Top three community activities:
Volunteer in cleaning Pomona with Pomona Beautiful
Campaign information:
Cano4council.com, 909568-8424.
Debra Martin
Age: Occupation:
No response provided. Business owner, Precious Times Photos.
Education:
Academy of Arts, Florence, Italy; Cal State Fullerton
A 40-year Pomona resident who is married with one daughter, three sons, and one granddaughter.
Background:
Top three concerns for Pomona:
Crime/prostitution on Holt. This issue also
John Mendoza
Age: Occupation:
No response provided. Self-employed at small business.
Some college and certified licensed water
Education: operator.
Background:
A 35-year Pomona resident.
Top three concerns for Pomona:
Homelessness, housing and business restrictions.
Two improvements you want to focus on:
Less restrictions on business development and real solutions to solve homelessness.
Top three community activities:
Served two fouryear terms on Three Valleys Municipal Water District board. Redistricting commission member, 2022. Appointed member, Six Basins watermaster.
Campaign information:
voteforjohnmendoza.com.
John Nolte
Age: Occupation: 49
Lawyer representing students with disabilities and their families; self-employed; Law Office of John Nolte.
JD, UCLA Law; bachelor’s degree in English, BYU
Education:
Background:
A 20-year Pomona resident who is married to Aimee Nolte and has four children: Miles (24); Ella (22); Charlie (20); Louis (17).
Top three concerns for Pomona:
1) Build and preserve affordable housing and reduce homelessness; 2) Maintain, protect, and expand city parks; 3) Lead efforts with regional partners to create good jobs for Pomona residents, and build community wealth.
Two improvements you want to focus on:
1) Develop and acquire funding for a plan to fully fire-proof, restore, beautify, and maintain the Ganesha Hills park space, and integrate that plan into the development of the Fairplex Specific
Plan, and build community understanding, and consensus in favor, of those plans; 2) Encourage housing and business development along, and clean up, the West Holt corridor, including by completing ASAP already-funded street/median improvements and establishing a West Holt Property and Business Improvement District (PBID).
Top three community activities:
1) City Councilmember in District 1; 2) Current board member of Latina/o Roundtable of the San Gabriel & Pomona Valley (leader of the New Economy Committee); 3) Co-founder and former board member of Pomona United for Stable Housing (tenant protections and rent stabilization).
Campaign information:
nolte4pomona.com; jgnolte@gmail.com; 909938-9991; @johnnoltecitycouncil on Instagram.