Trailblazing Redlands councilwoman works to make politics, cities more inclusive – San Bernardino Sun
Talking to Redlands City Councilwoman Denise Davis on the downtown pedestrian street felt like the whole world stopped to say “hello”.
Near a rainbow mural of pedestrians, she chatted with a woman pushing a stroller for several minutes. Across the street near City Hall, others just waved or called as they passed.
Making people feel like they can participate in the political process is one of the reasons Davis is so enamored, and perhaps this is just an extension of that.
As director of the Women’s Resource Center at UC Riverside, she created the Steadfast Women’s Political Engagement Conference and a podcast with the same title.
As an elected official, she is considered her greatest achievement for the city plans to open a shelter for the homeless, to start a student leadership academy at City Hall, decisions made as part of the COVID-19 subcommittee to help local businesses and champion program to support electricity and water bills and that the art of integration in the crosswalk.
She introduced some of the city’s first manifestos on topics like Transgender Remembrance Day, Pride month and International Non-binary Day. She also introduces statements for Dark History Month and Women’s History Month, and possibly the first Sexual Assault Awareness manifesto.
Like a city first openly LGBTQ board member she said she felt it was her duty to bring these issues to the fore.
“I take that responsibility seriously and want to create an important path for others to follow,” she said. “I want people to see this as a space that can and should be open to everyone.”
Davis grew up in Las Vegas, and came to the Redlands in 2002 to attend the University of Redlands. She has spent her career working in higher education and in 2018 was elected to the council as the first and only person to run for her political office.
“I always knew I wanted one job, or in this case two jobs, where I could make a difference,” she said.
Kathy Feeley, a District 1 member that Davis represents, said in an email that achievements like transitional housing and the bill assistance program are important because they “help protect and support some of the Redlands’ most vulnerable residents.”
As the council considered homeless housing options, Davis and Mayor Paul Barich did a lot of research, including taking a tour. Pallet Shelter in Riverside.
If the Redlands’ Project to convert 99-bed motel As planned, it will open in August 2022.
“This will be an alternative to Redlands as it is transitional housing, but it also offers onsite case management and a full service package,” Davis said.
In another way to help some of the most vulnerable residents in the community, Davis suggested that the city develop a utility bill assistance program after Council has agreed to increase wastewater rates in the spring. Once it’s rolled out, the program approved in November could help more than 800 low-income residents save $120 a year.
Another program that has been a hit this year is the Youth Council leadership academy that meets monthly at City Hall. Davis created an application for the program this summer, and is currently leading a group of 30 students, from Redlands, Loma Linda and Banning schools.
The eight-month program teaches civic and local government engagement, and offers guest speakers and the opportunity to work on group projects.
Not only is it great for students to hear from city and community leaders, Davis said, “but also to hear from them; they have been really helpful in advising me on policy on the issues that matter most to them. “
Their top three issues, she said, are homelessness, mental health, climate change and sustainability.
“Diversify dais” is something she has said a lot to students, many of whom are interested in running for office.
It’s about “making sure they don’t feel, for one reason or another, like they can’t be there (at the office),” she says, “because they absolutely can and should be. there.”
Davis is looking to the future and plans to resume operations in November 2022.
As a big supporter of the July-approved colorful pedestrian mural on Vine Street near City Hall, Davis said she was deeply moved by a parent whose quirky child had spoke at the meeting to say that there is a welcome safe downtown space.
Inclusive art appeared on the sidewalk in September.
Feeley says Davis’ early support was crucial to the mural.
“These manifestos, murals, events,” added Feeley, “all send a message about the kind of community the Redlands are and want to be: inclusive, diverse, welcoming.”
https://www.sbsun.com/2021/12/28/trailblazing-redlands-councilwoman-works-to-make-politics-city-more-inclusive/ Trailblazing Redlands councilwoman works to make politics, cities more inclusive – San Bernardino Sun
