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Navy veteran Edward Reyes hopes to help 'the underdog' in Adelanto

Daily Press - 10/18/2020

Oct. 18--Edward Reyes said he intends to increase disclosure and transparency in his city's government if elected to the Adelanto City Council.

Reyes, 76, is one of 10 candidates running for two open seats in November.

One seat is guaranteed to be filled by a newcomer after Councilman Ed Camargo didn't file paperwork for reelection. Incumbent Councilwoman Joy Jeanette is also up for reelection and is running to retain her seat.

The following story was sourced from responses to an email candidate questionnaire unless otherwise indicated. Some answers and statements have been edited for length and clarity:

When he unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the same City Council in 2018, Reyes told the Daily Press that he battled polio as a child but recalled the "kindness of strangers in those early years."

"It stuck with him, he said, as he now roots for the underdog and tries to treat others similarly," the article read.

A Navy veteran, Reyes has lived in the city for 20 years and has a background in construction property management. He is also a former code inspector.

A search of county campaign finance records did not show any contribution forms filed by Reyes for his run.

In keeping with his preference for people he sees as underserved by those in power, Reyes said he was motivated in his most recent run to "fight against political corruption and represent poor hard working Adelanto citizens."

As an example, he said he has already spoken out publicly against increases in trash pick-up fees, a lack of public bidding in city contracts and attempts to raise property taxes.

In line with this, he said of Measure R -- a proposed vacant parcel tax on the ballot -- that the Adelanto City Council was "guilty of prevarication; they promised not to raise taxes." He also argued that the measure "bypasses the Jarvis-Gann Act," popularly known as Proposition 13.

The amendment to the state's constitution passed in 1978 limits increases on property tax and requires a two-thirds vote if a city seeks to impose a special tax, which Measure R will need to gain for passage.

The measure would impose a $50 to $600 tax -- depending on zoning -- on each parcel used fewer than 50 days a year, with some exemptions.

Reyes said he would also work to lower water rates and promote full disclosure and transparency in zoning issues.

He said he would also propose legislation to penalize legislators who receive "bonuses, commissions, or any financial monies for any projects while representing Adelanto," and protect the city's civil servant employees from dismissal for political reasons.

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

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