John Mitchell Continues Campaign For District 5

COLTON>> John Mitchell, former Colton Park Commissioner and Colton City Council Member, is continuing his campaigning efforts as he runs for City Council District 5. Mitchell said his campaign schedule is getting busier as Election Day comes closer and has been going door-to-door talking to people. He said he has enjoyed the process and hopes voters will support him. “I hope that people support me because of the actions I have done in the past and the trustworthiness that I can do the things I say I’m going to do versus what the others are saying,” he said. Mitchell, a long-time resident of Colton, said when he looked for a city to live in 30 years ago, he felt that Colton had more of a feeling like home compared to any other city nearby. “You’d see grandparents walking their grandkids, people riding their bicycles and you have that very homey atmosphere. It’s sad to see the decay that we’re in now." Mitchell said one of his No. 1 concerns is the safety of the residents and city. “It’s not like the old days where you had block parties or go out together,” Mitchell said. “That would be nice, but you have to feel safe. It would be nice to go to a time where you feel comfortable sitting outside or with the doors unlocked.” He said it is important to him that the police department has enough police officers and that there is enough money in the fund for police and fire. He also said many residents may not want to shop in Colton and would rather shop in cities like Redlands. “If you don’t feel safe walking to your car at night, that’s not a good feeling,” he said. “We need to bring that feeling where people want to be here; we need to bring those businesses here. We have to change the fundamental direction that the city is going in.” One direction he said should be changed is the city’s customer service. “Customer service is not where it should be, we should be more proactive with businesses. People get busy, things happen, life happens. But we have to help and be proactive.” Having a good working relationship with the people Sacremento and Washington D.C. is another factor Mitchell said is important for the city to have. He added that he had a great working relationship with Senator Nell Soto before she passed away and with Gloria Negrete McLeod, former U.S. Representative and that he can easily work with democrats and republicans, alike. During his time as the chair of the parks commission, Mitchell said he pushed to have the infrastructure rebuilt, the rebuilding of the electric, water and sewer systems, the implementation of the speed hump program and worked to make sure the city was in a good, stable and working condition. “A lot of time leaders don’t want to make decisions that will upset people and I don’t think those people should be leaders. A leader should be able to get in there and do what they believe is right.” With the experience Mitchell has, he said he will get things done beyond just talking about it. “I’m not going to tell you what you want to hear, I’m going to tell you what you definitely need to know. Sometimes, people don’t like that.” Mitchell said he is thankful for his family, and that his nephew is the most important person in his life. Mitchell’s father passed away and he said the last years of his life were great because he had the opportunity to spend more time with him and watch some of his dad’s favorite TV shows with him. Mitchell served as park commissioner for 7 years before becoming a council member. He is a member of the Republican Central Committee and is a board member for the Friends of Reagan Park which has placed a portion of the Berlin Wall in the Reagan Park.