Mayoral candidate Cannon outlines views
The city of Lancaster will conduct an all-mail ballot municipal election on April 9. There are two full-term City Council seats up and the mayor’s seat up for election. Mayor R. Rex Parris has 10 challengers: Ryan Alzubi, Shawn Cannon II, Miguel Coronado, Johnathan Ervin, Mark Maldonado, Nicolle McMillion, David Paul, Michael Rives, Heather Varden and Timothy Wiley
The Antelope Valley Press sent questions to each of the candidates who left their contact
information with the City Clerk’s office. The Valley Press will publish the responses as they are received. Here are answers from Shawn Cannon II:
Why are you running for mayor? What are your qualifications?
It is time for a new generation of leadership in Lancaster, and a multi-generational approach to issues that affect us all: housing, economic opportunity, public safety and community wellness.
Serving as your deputy mayor, I have worked to make our city safer, fairer, and innovative. We are reimagining public safety in Lancaster. We are on a path towards policy that will set a precedent for justice and accountability for generations to come.
How do you feel the city has done in regard to affordable housing and homelessness?
When I was chairman of the Social Equity Commission, we developed the HOME ARP Allocation Plan, a comprehensive approach to spending $2million on building affordable housing. Also, we advocated for a First Time Home Buyers Program that would offer low-to-no interest loans for our residents. History has proven that housing works. Funding towards projects that
keep people from becoming unhoused works. We will always have more work to do, but I am ready to take our city to the next level.
How do you feel the city has done in regard to jobs and labor?
We need more jobs near home. Our city has taken steps to support job creators, but a theme I’ve found is that outreach for these resources is limited. We have been recognized as the most small business friendly city, but many business owners haven’t felt that. The best way to increase jobs is to update our outreach strategies moving forward, and provide more aide to more businesses. Additionally, as mayor I would push for policies aimed at entrepreneurs to start their business right here at home. Starting with workshops on how to start a business in Lancaster, and how to keep one.
What are your concerns about the environment? Has the city done all that it can do?
Each generation has the responsibility of safeguarding our planet. It’s time for a new generation to take up the baton of leadership on clear air, clean water and renewable energy.
How do you feel the city has done regarding public safety and what would you do differently?
I have long advocated for Lancaster to have its own police department. Our Hybrid Law Enforcement model will give the sheriff’s department the space it needs to do what they do best, while we as a city handle quality of life issues. To be effective we need to gain buy-in from the community on not just the police department, but the public safety department as a whole.