WHY I’M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL

I’m running for Redlands City Council to provide a fresh perspective to our Council. I’ve lived in Redlands for many years, and want to serve my community by helping people be heard and heeded in City Hall.

Redlands and its people are unique, and during the 33 years I’ve lived here, I’ve learned to listen and serve people’s interests and needs at the neighborhood level. I’m a creative and critical thinker, an inquisitive person, and a lover of people.

These are important qualities for a servant leader, which is what I think a city councilmember ought to be. The specific skills for the Council can be learned, but character is shaped over a lifetime. People are looking for leaders with character, and I believe I’m qualified in this way.

I’M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT

I’m the only candidate with a different perspective, one that favors people over insatiable government. As the key leader of SAVE REDLANDS-No on G PAC, I led a winning strategy against the city’s March ballot Measure G. Redlands voters agreed with our “no” argument, and Measure G lost. The city has presented another ballot measure for November, Measure T, a 1% city sales and use tax. I’m the only candidate in District 4 who opposes this tax.

T is for TAX: Measure T

There’s never a good time for a new tax. Now is an especially bad time, when so many people are out of work, struggling on a limited income, or have had to close down their businesses. Measure T doubles the city’s portion of sales tax to 2%. In addition, it’s also a use tax.

What’s a Use Tax?

Use tax applies when you make a purchase without tax from a business located outside the state. You can’t avoid this tax by buying out-of-state or via the Internet.

Sales and use tax in Redlands will go from 7.75% to 8.75% for practically everything we buy. That increase is harmful, not helpful, to already-struggling businesses and families.

What the city doesn’t want you to know

The Redlands City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure T says, “The sales tax would remain in effect until rescinded by the voters. Measure T does not obligate the city to use the proceeds of the sales tax for any particular services, facilities, or programs.”

So no matter what the city CLAIMS will be done with this additional tax money, there is NO GUARANTEE those claims will be fulfilled. And, there is no end to this tax because it requires Redlands residents to end it by their own efforts in an election—not an easy task when you’re up against seasoned government “experts.”

The bottom line on Measure T

  • It’s the wrong Time
  • It’s Twice our current city tax
  • It never Terminates

Covid-19

Covid-19 has changed everyone’s life. We’re cooped up at home, with online school only, and closed businesses. Anything the city can do to help businesses open and stay open helps us all. The outdoor dining that’s been instituted is a good start, but we need to look for more ways to help small businesses and families.

“TRANSIT VILLAGES” & DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

In the March primary election, Redlands voters overwhelming rejected the City’s solution to “fix the Mall,” as presented by Measure G. Voters rejected the idea of high-rise apartments downtown. But the problem of what to do downtown still remains. The city has done nothing to acknowledge the will of the people. Lingering questions concern many residents about what is being done to amend the General Plan that led to Measure G since it was defeated.

I share this concern, and promise I will work to make sure the people’s voice about “transit villages” and downtown development is heard in City Hall. Most of the city plans were written long before the defeat of G. The city planners and the Council assumed G would pass. They’re not motivated to change anything.

I support the initiative petition from Redlanders for Responsible Growth Management.

Hard work is ahead, but I believe there is a solution that the people of Redlands can support, and I will be working towards finding that solution. I believe getting the initiative on the ballot is a reasonable start.

 

REDLANDS IS UNIQUE

Redlands is a unique location in the IE. No other city “feels” quite like Redlands. We have a unique small town atmosphere and charm, yet we also have a nationally recognized university and an internationally recognized and hugely successful business in ESRI. Our population is young, and for the most part, highly educated. We can build on all of these and much more for our future in Redlands.

I’ve been involved in building community at the neighborhood level. One of our neighborhood successes has been a partnership with the University of Redlands, Redlands Police Department, and many of our neighbors in fostering better understanding and cooperation between residents and UR students who live off campus. When people know their neighbors, quality of life and safety in the neighborhood improves.


Paid for by Lane Schneider for Redlands City Council 2020 ID#1429890