The Riverside Press-Enterprise
4 vie for 2 seats on San Dimas City Council
In the March 5 presidential primary election, only one incumbent seeks reelection to one of two seats on the San Dimas City Council.
Eric Weber, the incumbent for District 1, faces challenger James P. Shirley in his bid for another term.
The District 3 incumbent, John Ebiner, who was first elected in 1990 and has won every subsequent election, has chosen not to seek another term.
Instead, Rachel Ann Bratakos and Julia Panasiti will face off to fill the District 3 position open for the first time in 33 years.
The mayor’s seat was originally on the March 5 ballot, but Mayor Emmett Badar was reappointed in December 2023 to another term after no one stepped forward to challenge him for the seat.
RELATED: Who’s running for local office in the March 2024 election?
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.
District 1
Eric Weber
AGE >>
39
OCCUPATION >> Police detective
EDUCATION >> Master of Arts, organizational leadership, California Coast University. Bachelor of Science, criminal justice, California Coast University.
BACKGROUND >> A 16-year San Dimas resident who is married with two children.
TOP THREE CONCERNS FOR SAN DIMAS >> Addressing the looming budget deficit, addressing the regional homeless crisis, and addressing impacts from the pending opening of the Metro Gold Line.
TWO IMPROVEMENTS YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON >>
1) Continue making improvements to technology in San Dimas government to streamline processes and make obtaining service from the city easier. 2) Ensuring San Dimas has the financial means to maintain the amenities and programming the citizens of the city want and deserve. Shoring up the budget is a top priority.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN SAN DIMAS >> I have always been active in the communities I live in and saw an opportunity to use my professional background, a passion for finding ways to be more efficient, and my even-keeled nature to bring safety progress and stability to the community I love.
TOP THREE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES >>
Nonprofit president, Irvine Police Athletics and Wellness Association; San Dimas Historical Society member.
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION weberforsandimas.com
JAMES P. SHIRLEY
AGE >> 71
>>
OCCUPATION >> San Dimas City Planning Commissioner
EDUCATION >> Bachelor’s degree in social science with emphasis in political science and MBA, UC Irvine.
BACKGROUND >> A 24-year San Dimas resident who is married to Ester Lynn Davis-shirley and has three sons.
TOP THREE CONCERNS FOR SAN DIMAS >> Sustainability and smart growth. Engagement and empowerment: Our strength lies in the collective voice of our residents. Public Safety: I will collaborate with council members, residents, businesses, and law enforcement to maintain a safe environment, provide for our seniors and reduce homelessness.
TWO IMPROVEMENTS YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON >>
Downtown Specific Plan and Gold Line.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN SAN DIMAS >>
San Dimas is a vibrant community of diverse and caring individuals. I am committed to working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for every single person who calls San Dimas home. The importance of diversity in local government decisionmaking processes is vital. Equally important, it increases innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking because teams of people who come from diverse backgrounds can draw upon their unique experiences and a wider range of knowledge, therefore making decisions that will be in the best interest of their constituents.
TOP THREE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES >> Cub/boy Scouts, March of Dimes, and mentoring students at UC Irvine.
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION votejamesshirley.com
District 3
Rachel Ann Bratakos
AGE >> 39
>>
OCCUPATION >> Realtor with Coldwell Banker under Scorp Rachel Bratakos Inc.
EDUCATION: CITRUS COLLEGE, ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE; CAL STATE FULLERTON, BACHELOR’S DEGREE; CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE LICENSE 2015.
BACKGROUND >> A 35-year San Dimas resident who has two sons, Logan (13) and Luke (11).
TOP THREE CONCERNS FOR SAN DIMAS >>
Public safety and increased homeless associated with the Gold Line/a-line station opening, maintaining our smalltown feel, and quality of life services and support for our youth and senior citizens.
TWO IMPROVEMENTS YOU
WANT TO FOCUS ON >> 1) Public safety. I want to ensure that we continue to keep our residents and businesses safe ahead of the Gold Line/a Line station opening with a proactive approach that leverages technology and holds Metro accountable for the safety on the train and on the platform. 2) Revitalizing our downtown. As a member of the Downtown Specific Advisory Committee, I was a part of creating a vision for the future of San Dimas and the downtown core. Pieces of this plan assist with flexible zoning to attract diverse businesses into downtown, as well as conditional use permits to make it easier for small businesses to partner with San Dimas.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN SAN DIMAS >>
I am running for City Council because I am invested in the future of the city, and I bring a new perspective and a proactive approach to positive change. As someone who was born and raised in San Dimas into a family who believed in the value of volunteerism and service, I understand how special our town is. If given the opportunity to serve, my promise is to always do what is best for San Dimas.
TOP THREE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES >>
I served on the San Dimas Downtown Specific Plan Advisory Committee. I am the Live Your Dream chairperson for San Dimas/la Verne Soroptimist. I have served on the executive boards of Ekstrand PTA, Lone Hill PTA, and the Bonita Council PTA.
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION >> Voterachelbratakos.com; info@voterachelbratakos. com, Rachelbratakosforsandimas on Facebook; @Rachelbratakosforsandimas on Instagram; 909455-6302
JULIA PANASITI
AGE >> 39
OCCUPATION >> President, JPI Management LLC; President, H & C Plumbing Resources
EDUCATION >> One year, Grossmont Junior College, San Diego.
BACKGROUND >> A 12-year San Dimas resident who is married with three girls.
TOP 3 CONCERNS FOR SAN DIMAS >>
Combat homeless, businesses that will benefit all of San Dimas, and senior and youth programs.
TWO IMPROVEMENTS YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON >>
1) I support the Crisis Assessment Team and Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse in offering help, shelter, and services to our homeless and the potential increase of homelessness when the Gold Line opens. I’ve had meetings with Azusa and Glendora city council members, and I can say an effort is being made to form a foothill community coalition to be a stronger voice when challenging the county or state when it comes to what we are able to do with unhoused people that may not want the help and services we are offering. 2) I belong to the Chamber of Commerce in San Dimas and South El Monte, and I will work with all surrounding chambers to scout businesses wanting to open a second or third location. We want to support small business growth. San Dimas is showing its motivation to bring in new business; I will make sure that motivation is communicated throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN SAN DIMAS >>
San Dimas has exciting new changes happening, and the Gold Line is one of them. San Dimas has a great charm to the downtown, but I don’t think it is ready to attract people off the train to spend their time and money. We have known about the train for years, and our neighboring cities are far more prepared to take advantage of the added travelers, but we are not! I want to bring new energy and thinking to San Dimas. I want the city to offer a bit more of a nightlife while maintaining the charm we currently enjoy.
TOP THREE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES >> Executive board member, San Dimas Youth Softball Association. Opening and closing day committee, San Dimas Youth Softball Association. Treasurer of San Dimas Youth Softball.
>> juliapanasitiforsandimascouncil.com