(CORONA, Calif.) At a recent public gathering leading to the November 4 elections, Louis Davis, Corona City Council challenger, was asked a basic question of would-be council members: “Why are you the best qualified for the seat?”
Without missing a beat, he replied, “I’m not part of the ‘old boy’ system. I’m a new force, a fresh face. And I have the experience, plenty of it.
“For one thing, I understand our water system and our water needs. For another, I thoroughly understand the county’s transportation operation.”
The father of four is also a trained environmentalist. During his 25 years with San Diego Gas & Electric Davis was an Environmental Lab Technician then an Environmental Specialist, with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands.
With years of regular attendance at Corona City Council meetings and those of the Western Riverside Council of Government (WRCOG), “I’ve developed a strong understanding of county government and its operations, particularly as they relate to the city of Corona,” Davis says. Additionally, he is a Region Manager for Local Public Affairs with Southern California Edison, a board member of the Norco Family YMCA and the Riverside Community College Foundation. Davis is also a member of the Corona Circle City Rotary and is on the Board of Trustees of the Corona Library. To these important regional posts, he adds his active role with the Corona-Norco United Way and the Corona Parents Action Group. “I don’t lack for something to do,” he chuckles.
“I’ve spent years involved in community planning and design, too,” he adds, “so I know what makes for a smooth-running city, one that is ready for every opportunity coming our way in this 21st century.”
The legal aspect of City Council membership is another valuable tool for members, with Davis having been named a Fee Arbitrator for L.A. County and the state of California.
“Am I qualified for the Corona City Council? Absolutely,” he states.
There are two open seats on the five-member council this coming November. One is an incumbent’s. Five challengers currently vie for the two positions, with Davis presently leading the way, pundits say.
Though a registered Democrat in a largely Republican community, he fails to see this as a hindrance to his council bid. “People who know me,” he says, “know I would represent all people, regardless of their political affiliation, their education level, their ethnic origins or their financial condition. Ours is a city council, and everyone in Corona should feel they have personal representation on that board.”
At 150,000 population, Corona is the third largest city in western Riverside County. “And it’s time we acted like it,” Davis adds. “Someone has to dream the big dream and see fresh projects through. That’s me.”
Big dream? Fresh projects? The six-year resident has long noted a lack of an “anchor” to the downtown. “I’m talking about a Performing Arts Center, an education facility, a convention center and even a sports complex. All of which would generate major income for the city’s General Fund. I can move such projects from dreams to realities. We just can’t keep building new homes, offices and retail space, then hope for the best.”
Louis Davis urges all registered Corona residents to head for the polls November 4, saying, “Given a chance on the City Council I can help take Corona where it ought to be, a leading and prominent Southern California community.”
About the Louis Davis campaign On November 4, voters willing, Davis will begin initiating three major programs for Corona: “I plan to bring prominent educational institutions to the city; I’ll work hard to guide Corona to prepare for our future by bringing in high-tech businesses with high-end jobs that will survive any more economic downturns; and I’ll bring us revenues for our General Fund.”
(CORONA, Calif.) “Corona has the potential to be a shining star in western Riverside County.” Speaking of his goal for his city, City Council challenger Louis Davis goes on to spell out the how and why of his campaign leading to the November 4 election.
“For years Council members have focused on high-end shops and restaurants,” he says. “But these are things that only appeal to a small part of our population. We have to make sure that we have someone on the city council that focuses on everyone.”
The father of four is very concerned about Corona’s families and its youth. “Corona is populated by families, yet there are no family-oriented facilities for them. And we have thriving youth football programs with no football field.”
Davis has pointed out that young athletes have to practice football on 6th Avenue where it isn’t safe for children. “We have fine facilities for baseball and soccer, but not even a goal post for footballers.”
Davis has long noted a lack of what he calls “an anchor” to downtown. “As in anchor, I’m talking about a performing arts center, an educational facility, a convention center, even a sports complex. And all these would generate significant income for the city’s General Fund.”
He adds, “We just can’t continue building new homes, new offices and retail space, then hope for the best. We’ve got to look ‘outside the box’ and plan in a big way for our future. Otherwise, 20-25 years down the road, we’ll be right where we are now.”
It has been estimated, he says, that by the year 2030, two million people will have moved into Riverside County, “with many of them choosing Corona,” Davis adds. “This isn’t Mayberry,” he says, referring to the old “Andy Griffith Show.” “Corona has the third largest population in western Riverside County. It’s time to act like it. Someone has to dream the big dream, and that’s me; and someone has to see these projects through, and that’s also me.”
Although he is a registered Democrat, he believes that he shares many common and conservative values with his neighbors. “People who know me,” he says, “know I would serve everyone regardless of political affiliation. If I were to be elected to the Corona City Council, every resident will have a true servant to work with.”
While this is Davis’ first bid for a major political office, he’s certainly not new to working in the community. Now a Region Manager for Local Public Affairs with Southern California Edison, he’s also a board member of the Norco Family YMCA and the Riverside Community College Foundation, along with being a member of the Corona Circle City Rotary and on the Board of Trustees of the Corona Library. In addition, Davis has been endorsed by the Central Labor Council of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Davis urges all Corona residents to get to the polls November 4, saying “Given a chance on the City Council, I can help make Corona a leading Southern California city.”
About Louis Davis This active member of Faith Fellowship Bible Church has a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands. Before joining Southern California Edison in 2004, Davis spent 25 years with San Diego Gas & Electric including more than a decade as an Environmental Lab Technician then an Environmental Specialist.
On November 4, voters willing, Davis will begin initiating three major programs for Corona: “I want to bring us venues that will generate revenues for our General Fund; I plan to bring prominent universities and colleges to the city; and I’ll work hard to guide Corona to prepare for our future by bringing in a diverse business base with high end jobs and institutions that will survive any more economic downturns.”
For further information, or to contribute to the Louis Davis Campaign, go on line to www.leaveittolouis.com. -end-
(CORONA, Calif.) Louis Davis heads into the November 4 Corona City Council elections excited and ready for the challenge. He knows the council’s recent history well, having attended virtually every meeting for the past four years. He knows their frustrations, thinking and their limitations.
His bid for a seat on the Corona City Council is Davis’ first outing toward a major political office, but it isn’t his first outing into being a community leader. He’s been a member of the Corona Circle City Rotary, the Corona Library Trustee Board, the Norco Family YMCA Board and the board of the Riverside Community College Foundation. Early in 2004, Davis joined Southern California Edison, and currently serves as a Region Manager for Local Public Affairs serving unincorporated Riverside County, Norco and the City of Riverside.
“To be a member of the Corona City Council,” he says, “would be an honor and a privilege.” Our city needs to be able to sustain itself regardless of the difficult economic times. Corona has spent too many years being responsive to conditions; it’s time to be proactive to aid the community and businesses. We’re the third largest city in western Riverside County. It’s time we showcased Corona’s uniqueness and it ability to be driving force in Riverside County.”
Davis, however, doesn’t envision much happening for Corona with the present City Council makeup. “I just don’t see any long-range planning for our city’s future. Corona simply cannot be stuck in neutral for the next 20 to 25 years. Our city council is in need of a jolt of energy, and some fresh blood to take on this challenge. I am that fresh blood.”
A “challenge” is something he’s certainly accustomed to.
For 20 years Davis has lived with fused vertebrae in his neck plus damaged ones in his back, making some movements impossible and painful. By his late 20s Davis was paying for years of strenuous athletics including baseball and primarily football – “It was a matter of moving guys a lot bigger then me,” he says today.
Then, 21 years ago this very physical man was in the middle of his normal weight training routine in his regular gym when something went wrong, seriously wrong, with his neck vertebrae. Today the 49-year-old Corona resident walks slightly bent and can’t turn his head flexibly. “I just accept the pain,” he explains, “but I still get regular exercise.”
The father of four has refused to let the pain and discomforts affect his ability to raise his children or work to provide for his family. And it is with that same determination he is willing to take on the challenge to make Corona the model city for Riverside County.
“Given the chance on the City Council,” he states, “I can help take Corona where it ought to be, a leading Southern California community.”
About Louis Davis On November 4, voters willing, Louis Davis will begin initiating three major programs for Corona: “I want to bring us venues that will generate revenues for our General Fund; I plan to bring prominent educational institutions to the city; and I’ll work hard to guide Corona to prepare for our future by bringing in high tech businesses with high end jobs, institutions that will survive economic downturns.”
For further information, or to contribute to the Louis Davis Campaign, go on line to www.leaveittolouis.com.
