Residents Cast Votes for Council Members

GRAND TERRACE>> The results of local elections are in as incumbent Grand Terrace City Council Member Bill Hussey and incumbant Sylvia Robles won re-election. The city will also welcome to the council Brian Reinarz, a criminalist and crime scene responder for the California Department of Justice. The three candidates as well as Becky Giroux, a staff analyst for the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services, spent weeks campaigning for a seat on the council. Hussey won 30.26 percent of the vote, Robles 27.25 percent, Reinarz 22.68 percent and Giroux 22.68 percent. Hussey, Robles and Reinarz will now serve on the council for the next four years. Hussey said he is grateful the elections are over and is thankful the residents of Grand Terrace have confidence in him. “I will not change from how I was before,” Hussey said. “I will continue to do what is right and listen to the residents of Grand Terrace. Everyone has a voice and I am here to listen to your concerns. ” Hussey said he will continue to move forward in the city, maintain the budget and help youth and volunteers organization with the community benefit fund. “(It is a) team effort with council and staff to bring in the right type of revenue that will benefit Grand Terrace for years,” Hussey said. He said he will focus on law enforcement, having more cameras, additional Sheriffs at peak hours and said he likes Reinarz idea of establishing a city citizen patrol. Hussey said he would like to thank his family, friends, residents of Grand Terrace and voters, and said his victory would not be possible without God. Robles said she is happy the community is positive, collaborative and ready to continue on the path of building a strong revenue base to support city services. Robles said nothing happens through the efforts of one councilmember and while the needs of Grand Terrace are numerous and challenging to the existing staff resources, the best is yet to come. “We have righted the ship. It’s steady; we have planted the seeds of renewal and new growth. I love this city,” Robles said. She said the city council has been working on an ambitious plan to renew every facet of Grand Terrace and spoke of the success the city has seen and will continue to see. Robles said the City purchased the Stringfield property on Barton Road and it will be demolished to pave the way for retail growth. “Our city manager has been in discussions with potential developers and has continued the retention of HDL to assist with attracting a new tenant for the vacant space that formerly housed Stater Bros.,” Robles said. “Lewis LLC is in an exclusive discussion on development of successor agency properties fronting the freeway." She continued to say there was an item on the Tuesday, Nov. 15 council agenda to see if there is city council interest to rezone property in the largely rural northwest portion that would support equestrian oriented homes and organic farms. Robles said for more than 30 years, she has advocated for a regional park on the old landfill off of Rancho Avenue. “Now that the City of Colton Measure T has failed, we have a chance to appeal to them to collaborate by appealing to the County or forming a Joint Powers Authority on the potential for new parkland/sports fields,” Robles said. Reinarz, a long-time Grand Terrace resident, said he feels a great relief and humility. "I'm proud to have earned the trust of so many residents," Reinarz said. Some of the primary things, Reinarz said he intends to work on are the occupancy of the old Stater Bros., the resurfacing of the soccer fields and whatever is presented to the council. "I would just like to say a hearty 'thank you.' I am humbled that you have placed your trust in me," Reinarz said in a message to the residents. "I won't let you down."