Gil Botello

In this year’s race to replace Virginia Marquez, who has opted not to run for reelection as San Bernardino’ First Ward councilwoman, Gil Botello said he believes he offers voters’ a superior choice.
“I am the best qualified candidate in the First Ward race,” he said. “I am a life-long resident of the City of San Bernardino and its First Ward. I attended schools, work and live in the First Ward. I love my city. I know the residents and the issues in my ward. I am a natural leader with a proven record of getting things accomplished and a proven record of building consensus around important policy issues that protect, change and save lives. I have served on boards and commissions. I fully understand the nuances of developing strong, sensible and convincing policy positions to garner political support and the value of establishing, maintaining and strengthening relationships. I served as chair of the San Bernardino Fine Arts Commission and recently led the fight to save the commission after the passage of charter reform. I have served on the executive staff of the City of LA Commission for Children and Families and I currently serve on the governing board of directors for John Muir Charter Schools.”
Botello said, “I plan to distinguish myself and win this election by running on important local issues: great jobs at a competitive wage, fixing potholes and paving streets, trimming trees, safe neighborhoods and parks and better fire and police department response times. I plan on being a tough and powerful voice on clean air issues relating to diesel trains, trucks and buses, and the overbuilding of warehouses that bring with them toxic particulates from thousands of diesel and gas fuel-burning trucks. I am bright and a ‘quick-study’ and committed to moving my ward and my city in a positive direction. I am the only candidate born and raised in the First Ward. This is important in that my opponents either moved and/or have been residing in the First Ward for less than two years and a few even less.”
The major issues facing the city, Botello said, are those relating to “infrastructure, workforce development and safety,” which he enumerated as “the core concerns in the revitalization of our city. Throughout our entire city, the streets, outdoor lighting and blight from illegal dumping in vacant lots and literally in the middle of streets promotes a negative image. The city’s Quality of Life Team initiative is something that is in place and working, so it would be great if we expanded this program. Paving of all crumbling major streets, e.g., Baseline, Mt Vernon, Mill and 5th Street, etc., will be a high priority. Throughout our city we need to focus on high-wage job creation and job training and raise the level of awareness of the job services and training available at the county’s America’s Job Center. And finally, over the next five years we need to hire a hundred new police officers that will be a presence throughout our downtown core, businesses, parks and neighborhoods.”
Botello said, “The Quality of Life Team initiative is funded in the current city budget. If elected, I will take a leadership role in increasing that funding. In the case of deteriorating streets and sidewalks throughout our city, I will partner with our State Senate and Assembly team to make certain our city gets its fair share of the recently passed Senate Bill 1 transportation/gas tax and vehicle license fees increase that was touted as the answer to our state’s transportation infrastructure needs. Finally, the mayor and entire council need to travel to Washington, D.C. to lobby and secure grant funding from the U.S. Justice Department for the funding of 100 new cops.”
An employee with Inland Empire-based Operation New Hope, a service organization targeting young adults ages 17-to-24 in the City of San Bernardino to assist them in completing high school and starting a career pathway toward success, Botello has nearly 35 years of experience in public service, working in human services programs in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. He served three mayors at the Commission for Children and Families in the City of Los Angeles. He has 30 years experience serving the County of San Bernardino in various jobs related to workforce development.
He attended and graduated from Pacific High School and obtained a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral sciences from Cal Poly, Pomona.