John Abad Puts Name in Running for San Bernardino’s Ward 1

John Abad has entered his name on the Nov. 5 ballot as he runs for San Bernardino’s Ward 1 seat, and he said he’s looking to improve the city’s downtown area. Abad, a retired teacher who has a master’s degree in education, counseling and certification in school business management, said, “The ‘Grand Scheme’ is to make downtown San Bernardino a vibrant college and professional community.” Nightlife, restaurants, nightclubs, stores, businesses and shopping centers in the area will help in the transformation, he shared; attracting career colleges and vocational schools to the central city will also bring citizens and visitors to the downtown area, he added. Abad highlighted educational opportunities in Ward 1 as the path to “improve San Bernardino’s labor pool, with businesses having a vested interest to hire new professionals,” said Abad. Educated professionals demanding improved wages creates a win–win situation, according to Abad, increasing the city’s tax base, he holds. He highlighted the need for council members to “compromise, collaborate and have a vested interest for the future growth and good will of the entire city.” Highlighting collaboration, he sees it as the opportunity for city leaders to “eliminate the negative stigma of the current and past problems,” he said. He has plans to propose monthly stipends for each council member, as well as the revision of the city’s ward system so that each ward “has a leg in the Central City.” Abad said, “We must be partners to improve all phases of the City.” Furthermore, Abad has said he believes all council members, the mayor, city planners, the city manager and experts should be included in a Revitalization or Restructuring plan, and sees the need for leaders to look to historically well-run cities as examples of how to outsource services, maximize savings and minimize debt. “We need to improve our image, pass a City Bond, [and] attract investors to purchase our infrastructure,” Abad holds.