John Mitchell Announces Run for City Council District 5

COLTON>> John Mitchell, former Colton City Council member and former Park Commissioner, has announced he is running for Colton City Council District 5 in the upcoming election. As a long-time Colton resident for nearly 30 years, Mitchell has experience in working on the city council from 2001-2008 and has been on numerous committees and boards. “I take the position seriously," Mitchell said. “I enjoy finding out the needs of the city. I chose to live in Colton and I want it to be a nice, safe and happy place to live.” Mitchell said it is important to him to get back to the same principles which he came on the council with 15 years ago. During his previous time in office, Mitchell said he pushed to have the infrastructure rebuilt, the city’s roads fixed by implementing a speed hump program, and helped fix the water, electric and sewer systems. “Being a city council member was the most mind-numbing, head-pounding frustrating thing I’ve ever done, but I enjoyed every moment of it,” Mitchell said. Now, he said, "Colton needs more improvements including streamlining the city services, developing a system to bring in good business that will increase the city’s general fund, recreate the general plan, have a better handling of traffic and safety issues and rebuild the infrastructure throughout the city." Mitchell said he encourages voters to vote for him because of his experience and track record. “I have been there, I know how to get things done and how the silly politics work,” Mitchell said. “I can hit the ground running. I believe this isn’t about me, it’s about what is right for our residents and city.” Along with the need for more signal lights, speed humps that would help slow down traffic and a focus on the type of business that can be brought to the city, Mitchell said there needs to be a change in the philosophy of the staff, as well. “We need better customer service and we need to be more proactive about that,” he said. “(Our customer service) doesn’t have a good reputation in almost any aspect whether you are a contractor or a business owner. There are a lot of things we can do and should do that we are not doing.” Aside from his political experience, Mitchell said he loves theater and previously worked at Riverside City College in the theater department for many years. Mitchell has also spent the past few years as a caretaker for his family. “I expect people to do good things because they are good,” he said. “Family should take care of family.” Paid for by Friends of John Mitchell.