Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Wendell Kelly
Current job title: College professor – educator
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Corona
Campaign website or social media: www.instagram.com/wendellcitycouncil
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents?
As a resident since 1995, I served on the Board of Directors of Local 47 Musicians Union LA, negotiating contracts and overseeing a membership of over 10,000, served on Staff Senate for Christian Community College and current president of CHAAMP (Canyon High Alumni Association Music Program) a nonprofit. I have the skills to represent our community.
Our residents deserve reasons to live, learn, be educated, celebrate, entertained, dine, worship and shop in Corona, and it is essential that we focus on these areas to enhance our city’s appeal and vitality making Corona a destination for residents and visitors alike.
Know your leaders. Residents deserve faster action in its development. It is your right as a citizen to be informed and involved in your city’s development. We must ensure safety, security and that the voices of our residents are heard and valued.
As an entertainment business owner, professional musician, educator, family man and parent, I taught K-12 and currently college level schools for over 35 years and learned what our students and parents need for a positive future. Practice your right to know and get involved in making our city the best it can be.
How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely?
Trimming the budget is crucial. Having more revenue from businesses and homes as well. The city must have ways of bringing in money such as parking structures and paid parking that will serve the public and keep neighborhoods safe and clear while raising revenue. Cultural events such as festivals in art and music bring revenue.
In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it?
Safety and access to get around the city quickly. We need school transportation with designated drop-off areas and different release times to relieve traffic and parking. Corona needs to build up not out. Parking should be up not out.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city?
New ideas with new faces should be considered to lead any organization to a better place. I pride myself in learning and letting others contribute to a venture satisfying them emotionally and professionally. My father said, “All places live and die with management.” I took what he said and learned how to manage. I actually became an assistant manager at a prominent fast-food restaurant at 18. I trained the crew, ran crew meetings and hired the staff. After being shopped (critiqued) by the company I had the second best restaurant in Orange County. This was major in my young life and proved my father’s adage. A leader delegates tasks to others to show their strengths and develop their weaknesses. A good leader surrounds themselves with qualified people so if the main person was not there, the ship is still afloat and sailing full steam ahead. Thank you for your time in the reading of my cover letter.
Related Articles
Angela Talarzyk, Temecula Valley Unified School District. Trustee Area 2, 2024 election questionnaire
Candidates in San Bernardino council runoff election pledge to fix homelessness, revitalize downtown
These measures are on the Nov. 5 ballot in Riverside County
Inland Empire election workers have faced harassment and threats, documents show
Murrieta police captain will become department’s next chief
