• Better Know a Candidate: Carlos Marquez, District 1

I recently sat down with Carlos Marquez for a "Better Know a Candidate" blog. Something I've done since 2014. It's a little different now that I'm on the city council, but Wildomar Rap is still a good source of information. 

Carlos Marquez

Both Carlos, and Chuck Jones (also on the ballot for District 1) will get the same questions, not get a chance to see the questions ahead of time, but have a chance to reword a comment later if they choose. 

I'll use a red asterisk * where the question was edited later through email. My blog is about accurate information, I'm not interested in "gotcha" moments. 

UPDATE: There is now a third candidate that has qualified as a write-in candidate, Jasmine Bearden. I've asked her the same questions and have already uploaded it. You'll notice this blog was written when there were only two candidates. I'm not going to edit it at this point.

UPDATE 2: This comment was left by Jasmine on the "Better Know a Candidate" blog at facebook. It's my practice to NOT remove old stories. 

This was published on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

I have set questions. 

Some are serious questions, and others are fun questions just to give you a glimpse into who the candidate is. This isn't 60 Minutes and I'm not Mike Wallace, so there aren't any hard-hitting follow-up questions.

I suggest that ALL voters contact the candidates and ask directly any questions you have. This is the time to put them to the test, they want your votes, see how well they turn around your phone calls or emails. 

I'll be using photos approved by the candidates. As of the writing of this blog, I will not be publicly endorsing either candidate. Both are likable people, and I believe that I'll be able to work with whichever of the two gets elected... which only applies if I get re-elected. 😅😁

 WR  How long have you been in Wildomar and how did you choose it to be your home?

 CM  I've been in Wildomar for four years now. I chose it to be my home because I had the opportunity to become a homeowner. My wife and I were looking for a place to call home. Interestingly enough, the house that we purchased was the only house that we both agreed on. The moment we walked in the door we both said, "This is home."

 WR  What type of community involvement have you been part of?

 CM  Through my employer (Think Together), I would categorize it as a public service. We partner with schools to change the odds for kids. I've been involved heavily, within the area, locally, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, providing opportunities for STEM programs. 

Also participated in Race For The Cure, volunteering [to help in their] Easter Egg Hunt back when I was a resident in Temecula. Most recently, I've been involved with the Wildomar Beautification Volunteers, because cleaning up our city is important to me. 

Goodbye graffiti!

Helping with Wildomar Beautification Volunteers.

L-R Dan Gonse, Cesar Marmolejo and Carlos Marquez.

 WR  What is your day job?

 CM  In my day job, I design STEM programs for K-12 youth. At first, it began with a lot of coding and robotics and that kind of stuff, but lately, it's moved more into involving invention education. Because we see that as a pathway to really engage more girls in STEM.  

 WR  Time on the job?

 CM  I just had my nine-year anniversary on the job last month. 

 WR  Being on city council can be very time-consuming. When elected will your schedule allow for you to be "all in"?

 CM  Yes! Thankfully, since the pandemic, my role has become remote. My schedule is more flexible to allow me to be more involved in the community, and I've been doing that over the last two months. Attending council meetings, volunteering with the Wildomar Beautification program, and going to other city events. 

Fun question time

 WR  You're at a venue with multiple entertainment options. Do you head for the stand-up comedy, the dueling pianos or karaoke?

 CM  I think it depends on if I'm alone or with my family. If I'm with my family I'd go to the standup comedy, it's a good time to laugh with my wife. If I was alone I'd be a little more interested in the dueling pianos. I think it's really impressive, it takes a lot of skill to play an instrument. 

 WR  Wildomar has changed considerably since the freeway was built in the mid-80s. What will your approach be your approach to balancing the rural areas of Wildomar with the areas that aren't rural?

 CM  *Protecting the rural character and the hometown feel of our community are important factors to keep top of mind as we work to improve our quality of life through responsible growth. 

My approach will be as follows: 

• Be considerate of which land and resources are important to the community to conserve for economic, cultural, or ecological reasons
• Preserve and maintain our distinctive local character while allowing for the responsible growth of great new places by supporting the tailoring of economic development strategies
• Support planning parks and open space into the design of new places

 WR  What are your top three concerns for Wildomar?

 CM  I would say that my top three concerns for Wildomar are public safety, road improvement and responsible growth. However, specific to district one, my main concern would be beautification.

Fun question time

 WR  When you get a break in the action, how do you unwind/hobbies?

 CM  I like to go to the gym. I like to play basketball and make music. Those are more solo activities when I have time to myself, but I like spending time with my family. Family is important and really I take advantage of any opportunity that I get to spend with my immediate family and my extended family. I'm fortunate that they live locally. 

The Marquez family. Taken at the Wildomar Astronomy Night park event.

 WR  What's your understanding of the job of city council members and/or what your job would be after you're elected?

 CM  Ultimately, I would see my job as being somebody that amplifies the voice and advocates for the concerns of the residents in District 1. But also being able to look at the larger picture, working together with the rest of the council to improve Wildomar.

 WR  Currently each council member appoints a planning commissioner. What's your approach to future growth and how heavily would that factor in when choosing a commissioner?

 CM  One of the factors that I'd consider would be how much of a stakeholder this person is? Do they have roots in Wildomar or are they planting roots in Wildomar? Are they looking to be here long-term? I would prefer to appoint someone who is going to be here for the long run. [...] I would also want someone who is involved in the community, I think that's another factor that would be important for me in appointing someone. 

Softball question alert

 WR  Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?

 CM  Dogs. For sure, dogs. I have two dogs that I adopted from Animal Friends of the Valleys when I moved to Wildomar, I absolutely love them. My wife and I have taken Christmas pictures with them, dressing them up for Halloween; I grew up with dogs. I like cats too, I just prefer to have dogs. 

Those faces tell me someone is expecting a treat. ☺

Marquez family pups and Animal Friends of the Valleys alumni - Bagheera (brindle Dutch Shepherd Pitbull mix) and Baloo (Blue Nose Pitbull).

 WR  What got you interested in running for city council?

 CM  Interestingly, I learned of the opportunity through Wildomar Rap. Learning that Mayor Ben Benoit was going to be running for a county position, learning that there was an open seat, and also the fact that I just became a parent a few months ago really inspired me to step up and better serve the community. I'm establishing our roots here in the community, I plan to be here long-term and I want to fill that need. 

Ultimately, I'm establishing roots here. I want to make sure that I'm raising my daughter in a good community; she's the inspiration for my "why?"

The Marquez Family.

Fun question time

 WR  What is your car radio usually set to?

 CM   If I’m driving alone, my radio is usually tuned to a podcast.

 WR  Social media can be a great tool. It can be a great way to communicate with residents, but it can also lead to headaches for those that partake too much. Do you have a plan on how to use it after you're elected?

 CM  I believe that social media is a good way to engage with the community. It's a good way to get information out quickly. I plan to utilize as one of my methods of communication. I recognize that not everybody uses social media so that may not be the only way that I choose to communicate with the residents of Wildomar. I need to delve a little deeper into what the [would be] the best method of communication [...] how to better engage with residents. 

 WR  What strengths do you have that you think will help you as a city leader?

 CM  One of my strengths that I think will work well as a councilman is my responsiveness. I like to provide excellent customer service. My ability to collaborate with others is also very important. My personal desire to ensure that I'm well informed so that I can make informed decisions. That might mean at times I take a little longer but it's because I want to ensure that I'm taking several factors into consideration before making a decision. It's not to say that I'm indecisive, it's that I want to make sure that the decision I make is the best for others. 

Softball question alert

 WR  What is your favorite meal?

 CM  Sushi. I love sushi. I could have sushi every day.  

 WR  How available to District 1 residents do you plan on being?

 CM  I plan to be very accessible to residents. I will have an open-door policy so I want to make sure that I'm building relationships with the community so that they feel comfortable to come to me with their concerns; that they know that I'm going to take them seriously. I'll be available through various methods of communication. Whether it's on Facebook, on the phone, through email, and more importantly seeing my face out in the community at community events. 

 WR  If you had the attention of the Wildomar voters, what would you tell them are some key factors that a voter should be looking for in a city council member?

 CM  One of the things would be is who they elect is someone who they trust to take their concerns seriously. I'm someone who strongly believes that actions speak louder than words, and for me, I want to see somebody who's working towards implementing change or working towards advocating for their (the residents') concerns and needs. I don't want somebody who's going to just provide lip service.  

One of Carlos' campaign graphics. 

Last of the easy-peasy lemon-squeezy questions

 WR  Any go-to phone games that you indulge in (mine is Words With Friends, my mom's is Candy Crush)?

 CM  My go-to is called Jet Fighter. It's reminiscent of the classic arcade game called Galaga. 

 WR  Any closing thoughts that you'd like to share with the voters?

 CM  I would like voters to know that I'm a fellow neighbor, a stakeholder within our community. My objective is to amplify their voice and advocate for their needs. I'm somebody who is establishing their roots in the city and I'm proud to live in Wildomar. I hope to serve the residents of Wildomar as their councilman. 

 WR  What's your contact info, the best way for the voters to reach out to you?

 CM  Voters can reach out to me through email at 

Carlos.Marquez4Wildomar@gmail.com 

or they can reach me through Facebook 

Carlos's official Facebook page 

and they can feel free to call or text me at (951) 551-8688.

link to Chuck Jones blog

Link to Jasmine Bearden blog

• Better Know a Candidate: Jasmine Bearden, District 1 Write-In Candidate

UPDATE: This comment was left by Jasmine on the "Better Know a Candidate" blog at facebook. If she issues an official statement, I'll add it here.

Posted September 28th.

Just when we thought the District 1 city council race was a two-person race, a third candidate qualified as a write-in Candidate. 

Write-in candidates still have to qualify just like the other candidates (twenty valid signatures from registered voters of said district). Then, the votes can be counted but the name WILL NOT appear on the ballot. 

I recently sat down with Jasmine Bearden for a "Better Know a Candidate" blog. We had a good conversation, she's very likable, but due to time crunches, she emailed the answers to the questions. 

That saved me several hours of transcription, which I really don't have at the moment, but allowed her time to contemplate, whereas the other two candidates didn't have that luxury.

I have set questions. 

Some are serious questions, and others are fun questions just to give you a glimpse into who the candidate is. This isn't 60 Minutes and I'm not Mike Wallace, so there aren't any hard-hitting follow-up questions.

I suggest that ALL voters contact the candidates and ask directly any questions you have. This is the time to put them to the test, they want your votes, see how well they turn around your phone calls or emails. 

I'll be using photos approved by the candidates. As of the writing of this blog, I will not be publicly endorsing any of the candidates. All are likable people, and I believe that I'll be able to work with whichever of the three gets elected... and that only applies if I get re-elected. 😅😁

I did add an additional question for Jasmine since she's a write-in candidate. Let's start with that one.

 WR  The regular nomination period was about 30 days between mid-July and mid-August. In fact, since the incumbent wasn't running, District 1 was allowed another three workdays for candidates to get their paperwork in. Is there an explanation as to why you didn't avail yourself of that time to qualify and then be on the ballot?

 JB   I chose to run as a write-in candidate after seeing the nominees. There were two primary concerns. The first concern was a lack of experience in contending with civic issues head-on. The other concerns were [the] values being propagated that are in direct opposition to the majority of voters in Wildomar. 

Too often these candidates run with no one to challenge them and this begins the unraveling of communities at their core.

After much consideration and knowing the long road ahead of me, I felt that it was important to defend the values that have made Wildomar so unique. 

My aim is not to be divisive or discourage diversity but rather to represent all members of our community with deference and integrity. 

Write-in candidate Jasmine Bearden

 WR How long have you been in Wildomar and how did you choose it to be your home?

 JB   I’ve lived in the vicinity of Wildomar for about 11 years, in the city of Wildomar itself (where I currently reside) for about 6 of those years. One of the major reasons for moving to this area was to live closer to my mother and help take care of her when she was grappling with health issues. When my mother passed away, we had already become integrated into the community and had no desire to return back to Orange County where I came from.

 WR  What type of community involvement have you been part of?

 JB   Well, I’ve always been involved in my community in some form or another. Whether it be on a one-to-one basis, helping neighbors to find resources, or grassroots activism, which I have been involved with since I was in high school. Out here in the Inland Empire, two friends and I formed a small patriot group called the California Liberty Dogs. 

We initially met as a small part of a larger group of concerned citizens who “stopped the busses” in Murrieta. Later on, we hosted different patriot rallies including “Back the Badge” rallies in support of our law enforcement and other patriot rallies during elections. 

Passing out cookies to our Law Enforcement with the California Liberty Dogs. 

 WR  What is your day job? 

 JB   My professional background is in healthcare, I started out as a CNA in the MedSurg unit of a major hospital in Orange County. Eventually, I moved into the OR where I worked as an Operating Coordinator, then as the Perioperative Services Coordinator for a major Orthopedic Institute. 

I left all of that behind to focus on caring for my own family members including my mother and my brother. Later my daughter was diagnosed with Graves disease, so we added homeschooling to the repertoire. Currently, I volunteer with the American Cancer Society at the Discovery Shop in Temecula. 

 WR  Time on the job?

 JB   I have worked in healthcare in various capacities for about 15 years.

Before that, I worked in retail, in sales for Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s and then security for Bullocks Wilshire then later I. Magnin. And of course, I was a waitress! I worked for Coco’s for another number of years. It was a great way to get to know the locals in the community.

 WR  Being on city council can be very time-consuming. When elected will your schedule allow for you to be "all in"?

 JB   Absolutely! Is there any other way to be?

Fun question time

 WR  You're at a venue with multiple entertainment options. Do you head for the stand-up comedy, the dueling pianos or karaoke?

 JB   Dueling pianos are fun but I do appreciate good comedy. I have a pretty colorful sense of humor and a strong sense of irony. So I think for the most part comedy would be the first choice. Especially since singing isn’t my strong suit!

 WR  Wildomar has changed considerably since the freeway was built in the mid-80s. What will your approach be to balancing the rural areas of Wildomar with the areas that aren't rural?

 JB   As I had mentioned in our chat, when I first moved here I was told Wildomar was a bit of the last of the Wild West. I loved that! But I think it’s all about balance, I think we should work to preserve the rural nature of Wildomar, while simultaneously wanting it to be a safe and clean environment with quality amenities that complement our lifestyle. 

A place we want to call our home. I love that I live someplace where I can keep my chickens, where people have space for horses and activities that you can’t do in a typical city. But still, we also have some wonderfully creative and unexpected offerings. Continue to do that. 

Personally, I wouldn’t mind a shooting range or an archery range, things that are a little outside the box to preserve the uniqueness that makes us different than the surrounding cities. I’m also a big supporter of small businesses, craft fairs, and farmers' markets. I think these up close and personal experiences do enrich our community. 

 WR  What are your top three concerns for Wildomar?

 JB   Overall, quality of life, and public safety would be the top two. Growth and how to navigate through that reasonably would be the next.

 Fun question time

 WR  When you get a break in the action, how do you unwind/hobbies?

 JB   I love theology, my faith is an integral part of my life. Gardening, raising my chickens, and listening to my daughter's unique take on life are other favorite things to do. 

 WR  What's your understanding of the job of city council members and/or what your job would be after you're elected?

 JB   City council members often serve on a myriad of committees. The hope is that they are here because they want to be good stewards of the community, advocates for those who may be underserved, and facilitators of services that are meaningful to everybody, even to those who don’t necessarily need or use them. 

Nobody wants their hard-earned tax dollars to be wasted on frivolous or unnecessary things. The most important part of the city council is the people they serve. And good city council should be the backbone of their community. 

 WR  Currently each council member appoints a planning commissioner. What's your approach to future growth and how heavily would that factor in when choosing a commissioner?

 JB   While I personally gravitate toward slow growth. I think reasonable and responsible growth is key. I think this almost goes without saying, it’s important to find somebody who understands the character of the city and the needs of its constituents. 

As I had shared with you somebody once shared with me that they would like to see this area grow by way of Los Angeles. That’s a big unequivocal NO! That’s a perfect example of not understanding your surroundings or the people who dwell within it. Let’s avoid that! 

Softball question alert

 WR  Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?

 JB   I am a chicken person! The truth be told, I love all animals. I can’t think of one that I don’t like. 

Chickpea and Dahlia enjoying the fruits of my labor.

 WR  What got you interested in running for city council?

 JB   My major concern was preserving the values that make Wildomar such a special place and whether or not the two conventional candidates shared these same values. But also, how much time have they previously invested in their community; formally or informally. 

I think that it’s important to remember we represent ALL of the citizens who live here not just one’s own personal interests. We want optimal quality of life for everyone. A safe, clean community collectively while remembering each member within is unique. 

Fun question time

 WR  What is your car radio usually set to?

 JB   Sometimes I might catch up on phone calls, sometimes I might go over the rose and thorn moments of the day, what worked and what can I do better. I pray a lot. Sometimes for the bad drivers! I do like music, my musical taste run the gamut, from Yumira, the Japanese pianist, to Stevie Ray Vaughan. I’ve been known to rock out from time to time. So, very diverse. 

 WR  Social media can be a great tool. It can be a great way to communicate with residents, but it can also lead to headaches for those that partake too much. Do you have a plan on how to use it after you're elected?

 JB   I’ll continue to use social media regardless of the outcome of this election. As of now, it’s a tool for people to find some commonality with me as a candidate. Should I be elected, I would most definitely refine my page to what I would hope would be the most beneficial to the community with regard to updates, news, and alerts. 

Highlighting local businesses, and putting the spotlight on local services. Whatever would be the most beneficial for the people reading it. I would definitely encourage productive conversation and engagement. 

 WR  What strengths do you have that you think will help you as a city leader?

 JB  Being levelheaded, objective, and willing to listen. Being proactive rather than reactive. I genuinely like the people I’m surrounded by and I genuinely care about what matters to them. I’m fairly good at navigating through complex situations. 

Another strength that I have is recognizing the limitations of my abilities and listening to others who have more experience and insight. There’s always a learning curve with a new job, so I think that’s an important characteristic to have. 

Softball question alert

 WR  What is your favorite meal?

 JB   Steamed artichokes! I love smoked salmon and I’m veggie eater! 

 WR  How available to District 1 residents do you plan on being?

 JB   As much as they need me.  People are welcome to reach out to me at any time. If I don’t have the answers they’re looking for, I’ll certainly do my best to find them. I think following up and following through are vitally important. Not everyone is going to like my answers, but that’s part of the job. 

 WR  If you had the attention of the Wildomar voters, what would you tell them are some key factors that a voter should be looking for in a city council member?

 JB   I think our representatives ought to have the awareness that the intention of a policy is sometimes different than the effect that it may have. We want our representatives to think things through clearly, be critical thinkers, think, and as importantly, see things through a constitutional lens. 

Last of the easy-peasy lemon-squeezy questions

 WR  Any go-to phone games that you indulge in (mine is Words With Friends, my mom's is Candy Crush)?

 JB   I am a world-class solitaire champion! 

 WR  Any closing thoughts that you'd like to share with the voters?

 JB  I think the point that I would like to stress is that I am genuinely trying to run a principled, authentic, transparent campaign. While there is an inevitable learning curve, what is not lacking is sincerity and willingness to learn. 

I learned from my brother John, to persist tenaciously even through difficult times. My brother was diagnosed with nephritis at a young age and endured three kidney transplants. He completed his master's degree 10 months before his death, it was his lifelong dream. 

My father was a United States Marine for 23 years. After he retired from the Marine Corps, he was a lieutenant at the Costa Mesa P.D. After my father passed on, my mother was a single mom with 7 children, four were still at home. These things all left a definite impact on me. 

It’s given me a unique perception and insight. Being true to my values, maintaining my integrity, but also being willing to consider different perspectives are all valuable assets to me. At the end of it all is what best serves our community.

Her mother and father on their wedding day.

 WR  What's your contact info, the best way for the voters to reach out to you? 

 JB  Whatever is the best way that suits them. 

My email is: jasminelouisebearden@gmail.com

My cell number is: (949) 400-1452 

People are welcome to send me an email or text message or pick up the phone and give me call. I’ll do my best to answer any questions that anyone may have.

link to Chuck Jones blog

link to Carlos Marquez blog 

• Better Know a Candidate: Chuck Jones, District 1

I recently sat down with Chuck Jones for a "Better Know a Candidate" blog. Something I've done since 2014. It's a little different now that I'm on the city council, but Wildomar Rap is still a good source of information and I know I can be fair and even-handed.

Chuck Jones

Both Chuck, and Carlos Marquez (also on the ballot for District 1) will get the same questions, not get a chance to see the questions ahead of time, but have a chance to reword a comment later if they choose. 

I'll use a red asterisk * where the question was edited later through email. My blog is about accurate information, I'm not interested in "gotcha" moments. 

UPDATE: There is now a third candidate that has qualified as a write-in candidate, Jasmine Bearden. I've asked her the same questions and will be uploading a blog about her shortly. You'll notice this blog was written when there were only two candidates. I'm not going to edit it at this point.

UPDATE 2: This comment was left by Jasmine on the "Better Know a Candidate" blog at facebook. It's my practice to NOT remove old stories. 

This was published on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

I have set questions. 

Some are serious questions, and others are fun questions just to give you a glimpse into who the candidate is. This isn't 60 Minutes and I'm not Mike Wallace, so there aren't any hard-hitting follow-up questions.

I suggest that ALL voters contact the candidates and ask directly any questions you have. This is the time to put them to the test, they want your votes, see how well they turn around your phone calls or emails. 

I'll be using photos approved by the candidates. As of the writing of this blog, I will not be publicly endorsing either candidate. Both are likable people, and I believe that I'll be able to work with whichever of the two gets elected... and that only applies if I get re-elected. 😅😁

 WR  How long have you been in Wildomar and how did you choose it to be your home?

 CJ  I've been here a little over two years. 

How I "chose it"? I guess Wildomar "chose me". During the pandemic, with reduction of train service, I didn't know what side of the furlough I was going to be on. So as a preemptive, my family had a house sitting empty out here and so I moved out here just in case I was furloughed and not stuck in an apartment I wouldn't be able to pay for. 

 WR  What type of community involvement have you been part of?

 CJ  As a member of the LGBTQ community I've been involved in a lot community outreach programs one of those being Alliance For Housing and Healing. Aid For AIDS. What they do is provide housing and medication for people living with HIV and AIDS. I participated in their big fundraising event in 2017 and we helped raise $564,000 in one night to go directly towards these programs.

And besides that, just being somebody who's in recovery, just daily working one-on-one with alcoholics and addicts in recovery. Whether they be somebody I know personally or whether it be just somebody I meet and talk to for ten minutes on the street. 

 WR  What is your day job?

 CJ  I work for Amtrak. I am a dining car steward. I work the train from Los Angeles to Chicago.

 WR  Time on the job?

 CJ  It'll be eleven years in October.

 WR  Being on city council can be very time-consuming. When elected will your schedule allow for you to be "all in"?

 CJ  Yeah! The good thing about my job is I don't have to go in 9 to 5. My job can be three days on, four days off. Five days on, six days off. There are a lot of different train routes to choose from, so I can go "all in".

Fun question time

 WR  You're at a venue with multiple entertainment options. Do you head for the stand-up comedy, the dueling pianos or karaoke?

 CJ  Karaoke all the way. I only have two songs, but karaoke all the way. 

 WR  Wildomar has changed considerably since the freeway was built in the mid-80s. What will your approach be your approach to balancing the rural areas of Wildomar with the areas that aren't rural?

 CJ  This is something that a lot of people are concerned about. I do think that there are a lot of areas that honor the rural aspect. Especially in the residential areas and I think that's probably the biggest concern for people. 

I think we need to be smart about development. Is it beneficial to the community? Is it honoring the rural roots? Development is a necessary evil. We want better roads. We want to ensure that our streets are safe, with law enforcement, and those things cost money. I think we need to be smart about it and listen to the people's concerns and make a decision based off all the information that we have. 

 WR  What are your top three concerns for Wildomar?

 CJ  One of the big ones are the roads in District 1. When talking to people that's usually one of the first things that is brought up. I get it, I drive those bumpy cracked roads all the time. 

Another one is development. My big thing, you can go to Murrieta, you can go to Temecula, you can go to Lake Elsinore and see strip mall[s] slapped down one after another.  But there are other types of development that we can do that aren't eyesores [...] that are conducive to community gatherings because that's the biggest thing that keeps me here, is the community. 

When you have a strip mall and you're just driving up to it in your car, you go out, you get your things, you get back in and you leave. Where's the community in that? I think that there are some neat concepts out there that would be really fitting for Wildomar and conducive to small mom-and-pop businesses like Montague Brothers because that's what people want. We want to be able to stay close to home and have something that's genuinely just ours. 

My third one, I want to make sure this is a place where anyone can live. Is it welcoming? I know I've had my issues, but the community at large has let it be known that this is a place for anyone. I just want to make sure that what the community has offered me continues on. 

Fun question time

 WR  When you get a break in the action, how do you unwind/hobbies?

 CJ  How do I "unwind"? I'm wound up pretty tight, so I don't know if there's any "unwinding" (said with a smile and a laugh). My brother teases me, he calls me a hoarder, but I'm a collector. I collect antiques, vintage items, a lot of vintage artwork. I collect California pottery [...] and usually, most of my stuff is found at thrift stores [...] It keeps me busy. It's a distraction. It's [like] my head is spinning, it's like the thrill of the hunt [after finding a new item]. 

 WR  What's your understanding of the job of city council members and/or what your job would be after you're elected?

 CJ  The number one job of somebody who's on city council is to represent their district and listen to the needs of their district. We all may have certain political ideologies or views on how we want things. There may be things that I want personally or that somebody else wants personally, but is it what the community wants? Is it what your district wants? 

One of the most frustrating things is hyper-partisanship and parsing people into teams, and focusing on the differences rather than focusing on our common goals and what we all want.  Listening to the voice of the community and finding that common ground and making sure that people are heard. 

 WR  Currently each council member appoints a planning commissioner. What's your approach to future growth and how heavily would that factor in when choosing a commissioner?

 CJ  First and foremost I want to make sure the person knows what they're doing. Second, is their vision in line with the vision of the community? And third, are they doing things to help build community-based businesses, or are they doing things to serve others outside the community? I want to make sure that we're starting from within rather than from without. 

Softball question alert

 WR  Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?

 CJ  Dog person. I have two dogs. I love cats but my dogs probably love them even more so I have to be very careful having a cat. 

 WR  What got you interested in running for city council?

 CJ  *Running for public office has always been on the radar for me. I always thought I’d make a run in my hometown but when the universe lays things out and presents you with an opportunity you take it. With all the things I’ve been through since living here —dealing with harassment, living next to a health and safety hazard, seeing nefarious activity in my neighborhood— the choice was pretty clear. There were a lot of missed opportunities across the board in regards to my situation and I could continue to just vent about what should have been done or I could take real action to make a difference. That’s what I’m choosing to do. As the old saying goes, be the change you want to see in the world. 

Fun question time

 WR  What is your car radio usually set to?

 CJ  Anything with dance music. I'm usually listening to Apple Music of some sort, Diana Ross is currently in rotation pretty consistently. 

 WR  Social media can be a great tool. It can be a great way to communicate with residents, but it can also lead to headaches for those that partake too much. Do you have a plan on how to use it after you're elected?

 CJ  Social media is a great tool, and generally a lot of people who are active within the community use [it]. A lot of people use it to get information to see what's going on within the community, like The Locals page. But I think it's more so a good way to get the pulse on the community and see what's going on. So you have an idea of what people are saying.

Social media is a good communication tool. It's good communication that goes both ways. For you to get your message out, information out, and also to give people access to you.

As of the time of publishing, I didn't receive a caption for this photo.

 WR  What strengths do you have that you think will help you as a city leader?

 CJ  I'm a fighter. I'm persistent. Some may call me stubborn... but I care. People can say a lot about me, but the one thing they can't say is that I don't care. 

Softball question alert

 WR  What is your favorite meal?

 CJ  Fried chicken. Easy, fried chicken. Preferably Pioneer fried chicken. 

 WR  How available to District 1 residents do you plan on being?

 CJ  I keep my phone on 24-7. If they have a concern I want to hear it. I don't want people to feel dismissed (after a lengthy pause) like I did. 

 WR  If you had the attention of the Wildomar voters, what would you tell them are some key factors that a voter should be looking for in a city council member?

 CJ  Do they care? Are they genuine?  Do you trust them? And, do you believe their heart's in the right place? 

Last of the easy-peasy lemon-squeezy questions

 WR  Any go-to phone games that you indulge in (mine is Words With Friends, my mom's is Candy Crush)?

 CJ  No, no phone games, but a lot of Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up purchases happening? 

 WR  Any closing thoughts that you'd like to share with the voters?

 CJ  Stay involved. Make sure your voices are heard. I think there's a unique opportunity in District 1 to vote for someone who's going to advocate for real change, and that change isn't necessarily about what's going to be developed in the city or the direction the city is going, but really that change is: do the citizens have somebody who is going to listen to them and is going to fight for them and who is going to generally address their concerns, and I think there's a real chance for that to happen in this election; especially for District 1. 

 WR  What's your contact info, the best way for the voters to reach out to you?

 CJ  By cell, area code (310) 999-5095. Or they can reach me via email at charlesmjonesiv@gmail.com. 

Chuck's Official Facebook Page

link to Carlos Marquez blog 

Link to Jasmine Bearden blog