The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Meet the candidates for City Council District 5
Loma Linda’s longestserving City Council member faces a political newcomer in the March 5 election.
Rhodes “Dusty” Rigsby, first elected to the council in 2006, is challenged by Juan Carlos Belliard, a professor and university administrator, as Loma Linda switches to district-based voting in 2024.
Rigsby was one of the top vote-getters in the 2020 election that sent only the top three candidates to the dais. Since then, the City Council approved new district maps after agreeing to end at-large elections. Before the 2024 election, all candidates competed against one another for open council seats. Now, candidates are grouped by districts.
On the March ballot, voters will choose new representatives in Districts 1, 4 and 5. Districts 2 and 3 will
be up for election in 2026.
Belliard and Rigsby face off in District 5.
We reached the candidates and asked them all the same questions. Below are the responses for the District 5 candidates, edited for length to conform to required word limits.
Juan Carlos Belliard
Age: 55
Occupation: Professor of public health/university administrator
Education: PH.D. and master’s degree in public health
What is the top issue
facing the city of Loma Linda?
Lack of vision and a deficit-focused approach. As a city we have so much to offer; let’s start with our strengths and with what is possible!
How would you help solve this issue?
Engage the community, gather ideas, look at best practices and create a strategic plan that will lead us into the future of what we envision as a city.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponent?
I do community engagement for a living. I am also able to leverage the knowledge and energy of students and urban planners and other experts to help us achieve this vision.
Top three community activities: Canvassing, community meet-ups, and slow bike tours through the city. Campaign information: belliardforcitycouncil.org; @belliardforlomalinda on Instagram; Belliardforcitycouncil on Facebook
Rhodes `Dusty' Rigsby
Age: 61
Occupation: Physician, internal medicine
Education: M.D., Loma Linda University; MBA, La Sierra University
What is the top issue facing the city of Loma Linda?
Crime and homelessness.
How would you help solve this issue?
Our city has worked smartly and diligently on these problems, which is why we are already doing so much better on both issues than other cities in our region. We have increased the number of law enforcement officers and have maintained fast emergency response times. This serves as a deterrent to criminals. We are also cleaning up homeless encampments and working with local and state partners to get help for those who will accept it, while making it clear that camping in Loma Linda is not an option. The city has leveraged its limited resources by supporting nonprofits that house and rehabilitate homeless families and veterans.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponent?
The defining difference between the candidates in this race is experience and philosophy. Serving on the City Council since 2006, including 10 years as mayor, I have tackled the issues that matter in local government. As a result, Loma Linda is a very wellrun city. Ensuring public safety is the top priority, and I oppose those who would defund the police and let criminals run rampant. We have been diligent stewards of taxpayer dollars, ensuring a balanced budget every year without increasing taxes on residents. We have also worked to protect our quality of life, invest in infrastructure, protect open spaces, and attract good businesses and jobs to the city. This is the role of government that I support, while my opponent is focused on other pet projects that will not keep us safe or preserve our quality of life.
Top three community activities: Member of Loma Linda City Council for the past 18years, 10years as mayor; volunteer at Loma Linda University Church, including its shuttle cart ministry; leadership of our local San Bernardino International Airport, developing airline passenger service for our community.