RIVERSIDE, CALIF. There is a sense of change on the horizon with the primary election bringing the possibility of the first woman president of the United States. The City of Riverside local election also brings a potential historical change of the first minority woman mayor in Riverside’s history.
With two forums behind them, Riverside mayoral contenders have left the starting block and are racing to the finish-line. Vying for the position of Riverside Mayor is an evenly balanced group of three men to three women candidates. These candidates include: current Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey who is up for re-election, City Council Member Paul Davis, and Riverside resident Patrick Small. The three female candidates are Vivian Moreno, Sally Martinez, and Nancy Melendez.
Candidate Melendez has been a Riverside resident for 60 years, of which 40 of those years spent passionately serving her community. At the recent candidate forum, she cited one of her reasons for entering the mayoral race as a desire to restore the lines of communication with the constituents.
“I want to see transparency in the government. Better collaboration with diverse organizations, and intermittent checks and balances with the city budget,” said Melendez.
Melendez’s supporters include California Assemblymember Jose Medina, retired City Council Member Nancy Hart, retired Riverside Undersheriff Val Hill, and a host of business and community leaders.
The next candidate forum is Thursday, April 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bordwell Park, Stratton Center in Riverside, Calif. This forum is hosted by League Women Voters Riverside, The Group, Latino Network, NAACP Riverside Branch, and Magnolia Area Neighborhood Alliance.
About Nancy Melendez
Nancy Baca Melendez is a native of Riverside California born in 1950. She is a sixth generation “Riversider” whose family was among the 10 original families who walked the Old Spanish Trail from Abiquiu, New Mexico to the area in 1842 led by Lorenzo Trujillo.
Nancy and her husband Dave are small business owners and dedicated parents to two adult sons and grandparents of three grandsons. She has devoted her career and free time to the betterment and quality of life in Riverside. She has over 40 years of community volunteer service working for organizations and nonprofits that serve Riverside families. These opportunities have allowed her to work with people from different cultures, backgrounds, income levels and perspectives. She believes that collaboration is key to coming up with solutions for the greater good of the community.
Her professional career includes serving as director of the community-based Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program for seven years. She is currently Assistant Director at Riverside Community College District Foundation.
She has received numerous recognition and awards for her leadership including recent Dr. Carlos E. Cortez Award Championing Diversity & Inclusivity and City of Riverside Human Relations Commission Hero Award.
For more information visit www.NancyforRiv.com.
Story contributed by Campaign PR Advisor: Natasha Simone Ferguson – ntouchpr@yahoo.com