REDLANDS, CA - Three Redlands City Council seats are on the ballot this November.  To provide the chance to consider the candidates side-by-side, Community Forward Redlands asked all candidates the same 4 questions:

1. What do you love most about Redlands?
2. What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
3. What would be your top three priorities as a City Council member?
4. If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?

We’ve received responses from all but two candidates, one of whom is running unopposed. Last week, we shared responses from candidates in the eastern District 1 race. This week, read about the match-up in District 3: Mike Saifie and Mario Saucedo.

We’re sharing their responses just as the candidates provided them. It is important to us to present each candidate in a similar manner and in their own words. We hope the profiles provide a chance for residents to learn more about the candidates’ priorities and goals if they were to be elected to the Redlands City Council.

Where is my district?

Redistricting after the 2020 census changed the lines for City Council districts in Redlands. The map below shows the new district lines. If you live in the red, green, or yellow area of the map there is a City Council election on your ballot. Click on the map for a street-level view.

District 3 City Council Candidate Profiles

Responses are listed in the order the candidates will appear on the ballot.

Mike Saifie, Business Owner

What do you love most about Redlands?

Is there anything not to love or love less about Redlands? I love our neighborhood, open parks, trails, and vibrant city that offers all amenities and facilities of any big city. Our approachable public safety employees. City staff. Redlands is my home and my town which I and many of us take pride to live in.

What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?

The past Mayor of Redlands and current Congressman Pete Aguilar and I have one thing in common: we both are the only ones who are academically equipped to run the government. We both have Masters in Public Administration and Public Policy. However, what sets me apart from any current or past council members is I am a successful business owner who has created over 200 jobs in the IE and over 350 jobs nationwide. I bring the experience of public service and running a successful business to the table, where I can help set city priorities on day one. As a senior business leader, my experience will help the city successfully navigate an era of uncertainty and transformation. I firmly believe I possess the foresight, agility, and tenacity to lead our city to become a better city for us and generations to come.

What would be your top priorities as a City Council member?

• Fully funded public Safety.
• Help create more local jobs and create a better business environment for small business owners. Help them create more local and community base jobs.
• Address homelessness issues
• Lower water and trash rates by 10% for every single household in the city

If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?

I will engage our community to address all their public and social concerns to the best of my ability with fellow council members’ input. I will help cut wasteful spending and move that money for public safety and address homeless issues. I will help and encourage small business owners to grow their businesses in our city and create more local jobs.

Endorsements and Campaign Information

Alex Villanueva, LA County Sheriff

Supervisor Jeff Hewitt - Riverside County

Wendy Hewitt - Calimesa City Council

Bobbie Singh-Allen - Mayor of Elk Grove

Danny Tillman - San Bernardino School board Member

Other school board members and many local business owners.

For more information about Mike Saifie’s campaign visit Facebook: Mike Saifie for Redland City Council

Mario Saucedo, Retired City of Redlands Employee

What do you love most about Redlands?

What I love most about Redlands is there are long-time residents of Redlands with multiple generations, like myself, and also newcomers to Redlands but that we all have the same thing in common: we love the diversity - the people that we shop with, go to school with, worship with - this is a very diverse community. It’s about the people and the community that I love most.

What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?

This is my 4th year on the Planning Commission. I’ve learned a lot about the general plan, land use, zoning, and all the things that are necessary to understand how a city can grow and benefit from the development coming in and also protect our businesses.

On top of that, I have at least 30 years of board experience with the labor and housing boards and a number of nonprofit boards here in town, including the Museum of Redlands and the Redlands Community Foundation. Also, we have been running a community organization [Common Vision Coalition] to serve the underserved and the under-resourced in the community.

With three decades of service, I have a good understanding of my community, the issues, the need, and those things we all celebrate together.

What would be your top priorities as a City Council member?

• Prioritize our public safety and support law enforcement officials
• Work with our public safety, community members, and businesses to combat homelessness
• Support small businesses and give them the tools they need to succeed
• Be responsible with taxpayer funds and make smart choices for future growth

If you were to win the election, how will you contribute to moving our Community Forward?

In canvassing District 3, what I heard from a cross-section of voters is that citizens are most concerned about the quality of life issues within their neighborhood. That basic city services - things like tree trimming, street lights, and paving - are performed well and on time. With 30 years of experience with the City of Redlands, I’ve come to appreciate delivering those services to the residents. If elected, that will be first and foremost part of my ongoing discussions and contributions to the City Council. I would be able to represent not only District 3 but all the citizens of Redlands with shared concerns over responsible growth, taking care of our less fortunate, and making sure we have enough staff and enough resources to be able to deliver services to our citizens.

Endorsements and Campaign Information

James Ramos – State Assemblymember 40th Assembly District

Paul Barich – Redlands Mayor

Eddie Tejeda – Redlands Mayor Pro Tem

Jenna Guzman Lowery – Redlands Councilmember

Mick Gallagher – Redlands Councilmember

Joe Richardson – Redlands Planning Commissioner

Jim Bueermann – (Retired) Redlands Police Chief

Mark Garcia – (Retired) Redlands Police Chief

Jim Topoleski – (Retired) Redlands Fire Chief

For a full list of endorsements and more information about Mario Saucedo’s campaign for City Council District 3 visit: www.mariosaucedo.com

Coming up…

We will explore local ballot measures F and J. Plus a look at who’s running for the Redlands Unified School School Board in Area 1.

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