On Wednesday, October 21st, UC Riverside Science to Policy, the Associated Students of UCR, UCR Government Relations, and the UCR School of Public Policy will be hosting a forum with City of Riverside mayoral candidates Andy Melendrez and Patricia Lock Dawson, as well as advocates for California’s ballot propositions 15, 16, 21, and 25.
UC Riverside undergraduate and graduate students can submit questions by Friday, October 16th to be considered for the event here.
Melendrez is currently serving his fourth term on the Riverside City Council and if elected would be the first Latino to serve as mayor in Riverside’s 135-year history. According to his profile, “in nearly 14 years of service [he has] been able to transition our Eastside Community by removing bad hotels, liquor stores and badly managed night clubs to improve the quality of life in partnership with local non-profits.”
Lock Dawson is a small business owner, a trustee on the Riverside Unified School Board, and an environmental scientist. According to her profile, “[Her] broad professional and civic experience has provided [her] with expertise in business, education, non-profit management, parks, the arts, development, environmental stewardship and mental health. [She has] extensive federal, state and local government relationships that can be leveraged for Riverside’s benefit.”
Public policy major and director of civic engagement for Associated Students of UCR Emily Thomas said, “Through this event, attendees can directly engage and get information about propositions and candidates straight from the source.”
Political science major Andrea Terrones, who will also serve as co-moderator for the event, said, “Students may not understand the importance our local governments have on our communities. I encourage every UCR student and Riverside resident to attend the Mayoral Forum.”
This event is open to the campus and external communities. Attendees must register to attend. Registrants will receive an email in advance of the event with a link to join.