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Army veteran Roger La Plante seeks to help Victorville rebuild after COVID

Daily Press - 10/18/2020

Oct. 18--Victorville City Council candidate and retired military veteran Roger La Plante said he wants to tackle homelessness and bring high-paying jobs to the city if he's elected.

The following story was sourced from responses to an email candidate questionnaire and statements made on La Plante's campaign website, www.rlaplante.com, unless otherwise indicated. Some answers and statements have been edited for length and clarity:

La Plante, 57, retired from the U.S. Army after serving for 14 years and fighting during the Gulf War, according to a previous Daily Press article. After his retirement, he opened a restaurant, the Bavarian Schnitzel Factory, which showed him "the hardships small businesses face."

La Plante has lived in Victorville for 15 years, but he made a run for Apple Valley Town Council in 2018, while he said he was staying with his son at the time. This year, he ran in the primary for California State Assembly District 33, but didn't garner enough votes to move forward to the general election.

He was also among four candidates who unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Paul Cook in 2016 for the 8th Congressional District seat. In 2005, La Plante graduated from Victor Valley College, earning two associate's degrees.

He has also served as voter registration chairman for the San Bernardino Central Committee since 2016.

La Plante said he was motivated to run because the "cities lack leadership currently, representation."

"I know what the residents need for clean and safe neighborhoods," he wrote.

He said if he is elected he would focus on continuing to improve homelessness in the city, where he currently sits as a member of the Homelessness Solutions Task Force. La Plante said he would also prioritize "economic resurgence" and bring more work opportunities to Victorville.

As for the proposed Measure P -- the one-cent sales tax increase that voters will decide on in November -- La Plante said it was "much needed ... for public first responder heroes."

"Victorville is a great place to live. Our community is strong, resilient, and diverse. Unfortunately, Victorville has been attacked by covid-19. This virus has affected every single community on the planet, and it has taken a horrific toll on our civilization. Covid-19 has attacked our health, small businesses, and our bank accounts.

"Victorville is not immune to these issues. Large segments of our population have been laid off from their jobs, and it has created a devastating ripple effect through our city. A lost job often means a loss of healthcare insurance, inability to make rent or mortgage payments, and an empty savings account.

"I realize that these issues are all connected. Although these issues must be met on a federal and state level, there are some concrete steps the people of Victorville can take. I will do what I must to reassure the people of Victorville that they have a council member looking out for them. I vow to navigate government to the best of my abilities to help the people of Victorville REBUILD."

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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