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Jenna Guzman-Lowery is running for re-election in City Council District 4.
Guzman-Lowery was elected to the City Council in 2020.
Key actions on City Council:
Guzman-Lowery is a lifelong Redlands resident who grew up in the district she currently represents. She is well known in the community for her time as a teacher and director at the YMCA and in the Great Y Circus.
She currently works as a marriage and family therapist in Redlands.
Guzman-Lowery is running against Marc Shaw and Jesus Cisneros in District 4. Click the map below for a detailed view of districts.
Guzman-Lowery's campaign for City Council has raised $26,658 as of Nov. 1, 2024 from 45 individuals, 4 committees, and 1 business.
For this section, Community Forward Redlands asked each candidate the same five questions. These are their responses. Candidates were asked to keep their responses around 100 words. Responses were edited only for grammar or spelling errors. We also made candidates aware that we will make note of any statement that includes factual inaccuracies or conjecture.
I am a working-class person who represents the people of Redlands. I am of my community.
Redlands has been more than just a place to live; it's been a nurturing ground for my growth, a source of inspiration, and a community that has shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up, I was immersed in the vibrant culture of Redlands, spending countless hours at the YMCA, participating in various activities, and forging lifelong relationships.
The Great Y Circus filled my childhood with wonder and excitement. Co-creating incredible performances, forging deep, lifelong friendships, and experiencing the joy of community were critical foundations of the person that I grew into. As I grew older, my involvement with other service organizations deepened my connection to the city. My community has shaped my worldview, encouraged my passion for making a difference, and ultimately led me to pursue a career as a therapist.
My role as a City Council member has allowed me to give back to the community I love and contribute to its continued growth and prosperity. Serving the people of Redlands has been a deeply rewarding experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a positive policy impact.
The people of Redlands are what truly make it special. From the friendly faces at the local grocery store and coffee shops to the supportive teachers at school and the neighbors who always have a kind word to share, the sense of belonging and community is palpable. Sunny Wallick, my dear friend, taught me the importance of activism and encouraged me to always fight for what is right. Her guidance, along with the support of countless others, has been invaluable.
Redlands is more than just a place; it's my home; it's our home.
As a Redlands City Council member, I am committed to serving our community and addressing the pressing challenges we face. The job of a council person is to be ACCESSIBLE and AVAILABLE to the public. The most important aspect of that role to me is that I am truly representing the voters who put their faith in me. This means that I will always make myself available for phone, email or in-person meetings with constituents. I work full-time, but I am always willing to find time in my week for a phone chat with concerned citizens.
My job as a council member is to be responsible and steadfast in upholding our shared community values. This means I must work hard to prioritize housing affordability, homelessness mitigation, smart growth development and public safety. These interconnected issues require a collaborative and comprehensive approach. I envision a Redlands where everyone has access to affordable housing, where homelessness is a thing of the past, and where our shared resources are managed sustainably. We can improve our public transportation options, and invest in better road infrastructure (and parking), while also encouraging alternative commuting options such as walking, biking, etc.
To foster economic growth, we need to support local businesses and work WITH community leaders (such as the Redlands Chamber of Commerce) to continue to develop/enhance our thriving downtown. To ensure public safety, we must invest in community programs and maintain our public spaces so that families can enjoy a safe and walkable community.
By working together WITH residents, businesses, community organizations and other stakeholders we can develop innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing Redlands and build a stronger, more resilient Redlands for all.
Addressing homelessness: The homelessness crisis is a complex issue that affects many communities, including Redlands. I'm dedicated to supporting the Step Up in Redlands project and exploring additional strategies to address this challenge. This involves advocating for increased funding (from the state) for homeless services, partnering with local organizations, and implementing innovative solutions to provide housing and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. By working together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling and create a more compassionate and inclusive community.
Housing affordability: I will continue to advocate for continued investment in housing projects that prioritize affordability and address zoning limitations that currently make it difficult to create affordable options.
Supporting small business: I'm committed to supporting our local small businesses. We must streamline our regulatory process to make opening and running local businesses in the city EASIER, not harder for our Redlands residents. I am proud of Redlands' business community and am proudly endorsed by our Chamber of Commerce.
As a leader in Redlands, I've had the privilege of serving our community for four years. My background as a therapist has deeply influenced my approach to leadership, particularly in addressing the pressing issues of housing and working-class issues. I've been a dedicated and prudent leader in this city and have demonstrated accountability to Redlands residents. I always prioritize the community over anything. I have sided with people over profit, and I will continue to do so.
As a therapist in this city, I see firsthand the negative impact that a lack of housing has on working families. I am actively involved in local housing policy development and am supported by the Inland Gateway Association of Realtors. We share values related to the importance of creating more affordable housing for our working families in the city. I believe that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, which is why I work tirelessly on initiatives to increase affordable housing options and improve our city's infrastructure.
I am a working-class person who represents the people of Redlands. I am of my community. This life experience and my strong problem-solving skills have allowed me to develop effective strategies for addressing the complex policy issues facing our city. I've worked closely with community organizations, local businesses and government officials to identify and implement solutions that benefit everyone.
My passion for creating a more caring community drives my work. I believe that by addressing housing and infrastructure concerns, we can not only improve people's lives but also strengthen our community as a whole.
I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that our community faces. My personal journey has been deeply intertwined with the city's growth and development. Because I've always been drawn to the power of human connection and the potential for positive change, I am eager to continue our movement forward in compassionate ways.
I've made it my mission to create a Redlands where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing and a thriving community. To achieve this goal, I've focused on several key strategies. First, I emphasize community engagement. I've actively sought out opportunities to engage with residents, businesses and community organizations. I pride myself on being an accessible leader in the community. I believe our elected officials should be easy to reach, easy to talk to, and easy to advocate community needs. By listening to the concerns and ideas of my neighbors, I've been able to develop initiatives that truly reflect the needs of our community. I will continue this effort when reelected.
As we all know, community engagement must be paired with policy change. I will continue to work closely with city staff to implement policies that support affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, address parking concerns, and sustainable development. In this work, I will always try to encourage others to understand the human impact of these policies and advocate for solutions that benefit all residents.
I believe that by combining these strategies with a compassionate and collaborative approach, we can build a Redlands that is a model for sustainable, equitable, and thriving communities. I am committed to working tirelessly to achieve this vision, and I invite everyone to join me in this effort.
Website: Jenna for Redlands
Social media: Instagram
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