The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Meet the candidates for City Council District 1
A former Loma Linda City Councilmember looks to return to the dais as the city switches to district-based voting in the March 5 election.
Ovidiu Popescu, who left the council in 2020 after placing fifth in an election that sent only the top three candidates to the dais, is challenging one of the winners of that race, Councilmember Bhavin Jindal.
The two face off in District 1, one of three districts on the March 5 ballot.
In October 2022, 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.
We reached the candidates and asked them all the same questions. Below are the responses for the District 1 candidates, edited for length to conform to required word
What is the top issue facing the city of Loma Linda?
The top issue facing Loma Linda is housing and intelligent growth while Sacramento is pushing cities like ours to increase housing at any cost. Yes, our city has the capacity to grow; but we need to do so intelligently, putting residents first.
How would you help solve this issue?
Intelligent growth means ensuring that our residents and future residents have the amenities, small businesses and services needed to sustain a growing city. I’ve worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce to improve upon the ways that Loma Linda attracts new businesses, and collaborated with staff within City Hall to retain existing ones. I stood by residents when problematic development arose, and I promise to continue putting our residents first.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponent?
In my first term, we achieved so much: We balanced our city budget, reduced the deficit, built our first city park in 10 years and the first city garden. We did it through partnerships and working together with a wide array of stakeholders, including volunteers, city staff, local nonprofits, and our public safety departments. I’m proud to be the only candidate to have a wide array of endorsements, ranging from our state Assemblymember Eloise Reyes and local elected mayors and councilmembers, including our city’s mayor, Phil Dupper, local organizations such as
IE United, the Inland Empire Labor Council, to local public safety unions, Firefighters Local 935 and the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association.
Top three community activities:
I am an active member of the Sierra Club, Rotary, and our local community garden.
Campaign information:votejindal.com; bhavin@votejindal.com; @ votejindal on Instagram
What is the top issue facing the city of Loma Linda?
Having lived in my district for 40 years, I have seen a recent increase in homelessness, crime, and decreased public safety response times. Also, prices and cost of goods are still too high. This is hurting family budgets and straining the city. Nevertheless, certain vested interests and politicians in Loma
Linda are advocating for tax hikes as a solution to this issue and to garner electoral backing. Yet our families cannot bear such financial burdens, and I am firmly against any proposal to increase taxes on us.
How would you help solve this issue?
Bring back neighborhood watches and citizens on patrol program, increase the number of law enforcement officers, proactively work law enforcement to increase local patrols, support the HOPE program run by the Sheriff’s Department to reach out to the homeless, work with the county and code enforcement to clean up homeless encampments and educate the homeless population about the resources and services available to them. To address the city budget, repeat what I did by bringing in new businesses that will generate new revenues to Loma Linda. There are also ways to streamline our existing budget by reviewing all of our expenses and cutting out waste.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponent?
Four years ago, my opponent pledged to address homelessness, but it has only gotten worse. Public safety has also declined, and there is talk about now raising our taxes. I have a proven track record as a local business leader for 26 years and a city councilmember for 12 years. I helped save the hills and our town back in 2006 by writing and passing Measure V. I successfully brought in new business and helped LLU and the veterans hospital expand, increased our tax base with increased property values and retail sales. I have helped provide thousands of jobs at San Bernardino International Airport with commercial airlines that bring increased revenue. When I was on the council, we increased the number of law enforcement officers, without raising taxes, and I believe we can again.
Top three community activities: Volunteer with LLU in supporting and promoting health education and services to impoverished communities in India and Kenya; volunteer with HYSKY Society to promote clean energy for aviation; mentor with Starburst Aerospace in supporting technology startups in Southern California.