Botello, Shorett for SB City Council

The city of San Bernardino cannot afford to have stooges of Mayor John Validivia on the council.

In Ward 1, incumbent Theodore Sanchez faces off against San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water Director Gil Botello.

Sanchez, who is completing his first term, has in the past gone along with Valdivia. This includes the absolutely bogus move in 2019 to slash the pay of then-City Attorney Gary Saenz and City Clerk Gigi Hanna in what was clearly a politically retaliatory action.

Sanchez not only backed the move to cut the pay but also voted to appeal when a judge ruled the city had no authority to cut the pay of the elected city attorney and city clerk. Months later and tens of thousands of dollars later, the appeal was dropped.

In a survey response to our editorial board, Sanchez downplayed dysfunction in City

Hall, saying, “Many cities have drama like we do.”

“How can we lead, attract and inspire our residents, developers, business community and city staff with a toxic council that chooses to engage in trivial nonsense rather than innovative policy leadership?” asks Botello in response.

Botello vows to end the bickering, focus on attracting quality jobs to the city, back the hiring of additional police officers as well as crime prevention programs aimed at aiding young people, including support for recreational programs. Botello will be a needed counterweight on the council.

Likewise, incumbent Councilman Fred Shorett deserves re-election in Ward 4. Shorett continues to vow to push for public safety, economic development and programs to improve the quality of life in the city, while also standing against the derailing of the city by Validivia and his cronies. “Things were improving until the current mayor was elected in 2018 ... Most of the City Council is working well together along with staff. I’m working hard to foster collaboration and move our city forward. I believe the city is poised for a bright and prosperous future,” he said.

We agree, if only voters can look past the false promises of Valdivia.

We have declined to endorse in Ward 2. Sandra

Ibarra failed to respond to repeated invitations and her opponent, Terry Elliott, is concerningly overwhelmingly backed by police unions.