The March 5 race for San Bernardino City Council’s Sixth Ward is underway with three candidates battling for the seat.
Councilmember Kimberly Calvin is fighting to retain her seat as a write-in candidate. She failed to qualify for the ballot days after the council released a report alleging she violated the city’s rules of conduct.
The March 5 race pits her against former rival Bessine Littlefield Richard, the councilmember she bested in the last Sixth Ward race.
San Bernardino resident Mario Flores rounds out the field.
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The Sixth Ward is one of four council seats on the March 5 ballot.
We reached out to all of the candidates and asked them the same questions. Below are the responses for the Sixth Ward candidates, edited for length to conform to required word limits.
Kimberly Calvin (write-in candidate)
Age: 60
Occupation: Co-founder/director of nonprofit
Education: Working to complete bachelor’s degree in psychology
Has the city done enough to address homelessness? No, we have not. We have not built any temporary nor permanent affordable housing structures.
What would you like to see done with Carousel Mall? I envision multi-housing/business integrations. Conventions/conferences, small business, entertainment. I’d like for the city to find a reputable developer with the experience of creating a thriving downtown to suit all community residents. I’d like this developer to ensure the community has investment. I’d like for our downtown to be inviting to our local college community members and I’d like our current downtown property owners to have a stake in the game as they’ve waited a long time.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponents? I am a third generation Ward 6 resident with an in-depth understanding of our ward’s history. I have learned many of the obstacles that have prevented Ward 6 from being developed into a thriving community. I’ve also brought forth the city of San Bernardino’s first Youth Council. I’m a director of a nonprofit within Ward 6 serving scholars ages 6-17 and our office resides within Anne Shirrells Park as parks are extremely important to me. Nicholson Park has been awarded $9.8 million in federal funds.
Top three community activities: First Time Homebuyers Program; University Parkway Extension opening; First gated, multi-family housing community after no housing built in 40 years.
Campaign information:
Mario Flores
Age: 27
Occupation: No response provided.
Education: Associate’s degree in business administration, San Bernardino Valley College
Has the city done enough to address homelessness? There is more to accomplish, but I believe the city has taken the proper steps to start addressing the issue. We must address this regionally and work harder than ever to continue the momentum.
What would you like to see done with Carousel Mall? I’d love to see retailers, small businesses, and housing. One joint development I’ve seen in neighboring communities that have found success is a mixed-use development where we can incorporate businesses and housing into our development.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponents? I have been talking to residents, many folks are excited to see a younger person step up and run. I want residents to look at our council and see professionals. Even when there are disagreements with colleagues, we must work through differences in a professional way. I am willing to be a collaborator and will take a collaborative approach, focusing on results.
Top three community activities: Downtown Farmers Market, HoHo Parade and National Night Out.
Campaign information: Hello@votemarioflores.com, 909-453-3559,
Bessine Littlefield Richard
Age: No response provided.
Occupation: Job training manager, San Bernardino County Workforce Development
Education: Associate’s degree, San Bernardino Valley College.
Has the city done enough to address homelessness? No, it has not. As our next councilwoman, I will …focus on compassionate solutions to secure more housing and medical treatment for the homeless. I support a dual-track approach to reducing homelessness. I will seek more federal and state resources for homeless treatment services, as well as supporting the adoption of Laura’s Law to allow our city to seek court-ordered help to get dangerous, mentally ill or drug addicted homeless individuals off our streets and into mandatory treatment programs.
What would you like to see done with Carousel Mall? I would like to see a vibrant downtown development at the former Carousel Mall that includes loft-style housing, restaurants and other amenities that will attract more young professionals to our city.
What makes you the best choice for your district, rather than your opponents? During my five years on the council, I secured long overdue funding for local park improvements as well as a new affordable housing community in the Sixth Ward at Fifth Street and Meridian. I supported the expansion of our San Bernardino airport which has created thousands of new jobs. As a councilmember, I also worked constructively with my colleagues and with city staff. I grew up on the Westside of San Bernardino; raised my four children here; and built my professional career here.
Top three community activities: 1) Sixth Ward City Councilwoman from 2016 to 2020. 2) Advocate for local veterans as an auxiliary board member for American Legion Post No. 710. 3) Youth adviser in the community for over 15 years.
Campaign information:
