Redlands Mayor Pro Tem, Jerry Bean, announced today his endorsement of Doug Pew for election to the Redlands City Council Bean was the wide front-runner during the last Redlands City Council election in 2007. He ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and restoration of Redlands infrastructure, particularly streets, medians and parks.
“Doug is a really solid person, who has risen to leadership positions in business and in the community,” Bean said. “He is known for his good judgment in assessing problems, and for his ability to work with others to find feasible solutions,” Bean said.
Pew is a retired pharmaceutical sales manager for Eli Lilly & Co. A 47-year Redlands resident and community leader, Pew brings his big business experience and understanding of bureaucracies into the mix of eight candidates who are running for three open city council seats on Nov. 2.
Pew has been active in the community, most recently serving as president of the Redlands Symphony’s Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Redlands.
“This next council will have to make critical decisions in budget allocation between improved streets demanded by citizens, and continued benefits sought by city unions,” Bean said. “Doug has the understanding and experience to make the right decisions that are in line with the city’s limited finances.”
Pew says he wants to create a “culture of financial responsibility” in Redlands. “For instance, our unfunded pension promise is huge and increasing by millions each year. Like the slowly heated frog that fails to jump out of the boiling water, several councils have, over many years, allowed huge pension obligations to remain unfunded. It is just as irresponsible as our state’s financial mess.”
Pew has also stated his support for businesses in Redlands. “We need jobs here in town. Especially when growth is flat or declining, we should be aggressive in finding and keeping compatible businesses. When it is booming, we should lean toward a more controlled growth. Now is the time to support business and become a business friendly city. Revenues will be the result to the city. Budgets must include the items neglected like city streets, medians, parks, and pot holes. We must maintain our city in a way that will attract business,” he said. “The current budget does not reflect appropriate allocation to accomplish this, but it can be done.”
About Doug Pew – http://www.dougpew.com/
Doug was born and grew-up in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb. Following high school, he attended Purdue University and graduated in 1961 with a degree in pharmacy.
After passing the Ohio State Pharmacy Board, he worked in retail drug stores and hospitals. In 1963, he joined Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company and was re-located to Redlands, which has been his home for the last 47 years. Doug and Linda’s children attended Redlands schools.
Doug spent much of his career was working with medical and surgical residents and the pharmacy at Loma Linda University Medical Center. A large portion of his work involved setting up protocols for Oncology, Surgery, and Cardiology. Doug also called on the physicians and pharmacy at regional facilities such as Jerry Pettis Veterans Administration Hospital, and county hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino. His work also took him to the City of Hope Medical Center and others. During the remainder of his career,
Doug was promoted from Hospital Specialist to Diabetes Management Specialist. His job included dealings between a mega-corporation and large bureaucratic institutions, solving problems, dealing with budgets, and solving customer problems. Recently as president of the Board of the Redlands Symphony, he was responsible for revenue generation, budgets, hiring and labor negotiations with the musicians unions.
Doug and his family have hosted cycling teams for the Redlands Bicycle Classic many times, and have also welcomed numerous foreign-exchange students through Rotary. Doug has served on a number of boards and committees as an active member of The First Congregational Church of Redlands. Doug has the interest, background, and time to work for Redlands citizens on the City Council.