As we get closer to voting day, keep in mind that local elections take place as well. Here’s the candidates and what they stand for—both factors that could directly impact the APU community.
Voting day is upon us and as we send in our presidential ballots, we will also be voting for changes in the Azusa community. One of the cornerstones of Azusa Pacific University is community. Whether that’s being plugged into a local church or serving, APU is all about community. Nov. 5,is election day and when the presidential election rolls around we see change can happen here in our community. APU falls within District 2 of Azusa and there are three candidates running.
Running for Governing Board Member of Azusa Unified School District is Sabrina Bow. She currently serves on the Arts, Cultural and Historical Preservation Commission for the City of Azusa and has already had an impact on the school district as President, Vice President And Clerk back in 2020. As mother of two children, her priority is making sure they, and their peers, can play and learn safely.
Safety is one issue Bow plans to work on as a member of the Azusa Unified School District. She hopes to use taxpayer dollars to fully fund law enforcement and first responders. If elected, the youth of Azusa can expect more programs to keep them safe, yet engaged.
As a governing board member, Bow plans to also make an impact with businesses and make an easier way for them to grow and flourish. While protecting the youth and businesses of Azusa, Bow also plans to “protect seniors, Veterans, and our most needy residents, including those who are unhoused.”
Philip Campa is running for Technology Project Manager. Campa hopes to promote economic development zones, a fast-track approval for new business and oppose high trash bills as well as higher taxes. Campa plans include creating safe shopping areas and neighborhoods, creating incentives to build affordable housing and equipping the Azusa Police Department with new technology.
His top priorities include ensuring financial stability for all families without increasing taxes, enhancing safer shopping areas, building affordable homes, revitalizing our local downtown, equipping our police department with the newest policing technologies and fair access and security for metro accountability.
Campa has also claimed “As your council member, I will donate my city pay to an Azusa nonprofit organization.”
Finally, Dennis Edward Beckwith is running for Council Member. Beckwith has five points he wants to help Azusa in: quality of life, economic development, public safety, homelessness and fiscal responsibility.
Beckwith promises to better the quality of life in Azusa by creating more projects to enhance the city. Whether it’s fixing roads or adding two more parks, he will push for a better Azusa.great writing!!!
Beckwith has also said he will continue the work on economic development by “improving our development and planning staff and processes which has led to an acceleration of growth in new businesses and developments.”
What most people look for in a community is how safe it is. Beckwith acknowledges this and says that during his time on Council, they have “approved several new technologies to assist our Police Department to be more affective. We also approved the establishment of a regional SWAT team and beginning a Cadet program to create a local feeder process, training some of our own youth to serve the city they grew up in. As District 2’s representative I support continued investment in our First Responders.”
Homelessness is something Beckwith wants to handle, and while a person probably can’t completely solve the issue, they can help. “We will do our part to help those who are part of our community, while also working on reducing the number of new folks landing in our community.” Beckwith shares that 25 beds were opened in a facility called the Azusa Resource Center which provides short term housing and he plans on opening more.
“During my 3 years on City Council, we managed budget surpluses each year which has grown our reserves to record levels.” writes Beckwith. The plan he has is to work with the Council to continue this financial health and “strategically leverage our resources for improved services and development.”Keep in mind that as we argue and converse on the upcoming election, we shouldn’t forget that change begins in our communities. Voting day is Nov. 5th, you can find voting centers and more resources here.