Yxstian Gutierrez Runs to Represent District 4

Yxstian Gutierrez seeks election to represent Moreno Valley’s District 4 because “there is still work to be done,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez served as a councilman representing District 4 for 10 months after the City Council appointed him to the position in 2013 to fill a vacancy left by former councilman Marcelo Co. In July 2014 a judge ordered Gutierrez must give up the council seat as the courts found that Gutierrez’s residence was not part of District 4 boundaries when Co was appointed in 2010. Gutierrez runs for election to the seat this November, he said, so he can continue “reducing crime in our area, expanding our after school programs and bringing jobs to the unemployed.” During his 10 months with the council, Gutierrez said he began a youth council, created a music and arts program, helped expand the citywide camera system and helped create a balanced budget. “I have first-hand experience in local government,” said Gutierrez, a city resident of 21 years. “I can bring the knowledge and patience of a teacher to the council by being accessible to the public and making sound decisions.” Gutierrez holds a bachelor’s degree from California Baptist University, a master’s degree from American Intercontinental University, a doctorate degree from Northcentral University and teaching credentials from Chapman University. His goals, Gutierrez said, are to focus on government transparency, a balanced budget, after-school programs and crime prevention, in addition to continuing recreational programs and the adopt-a-pet program. “I want to ensure we use a variety of economic tools and incentives to bring employers from a variety of sectors to do business in Moreno Valley, which will bring jobs and revenue as well as help fix our streets and infrastructure,” Guiterrez said. As a councilmember, Gutierrez said he would “advocate for more community policing” and “study proposals meticulously to ensure economic and environmental concerns are addressed.” Gutierrez runs against opponents Weldon Boone, Gwendolyn Cross, Jaime Moreno, Lori Nickel, Wraymond Sawyerr and Robin Wetmore for the seat.