Priya Vedula is seeking election to the Redlands City Council in the city’s newly drawn District 1, she said, “because I want to represent the views of my community and be its voice on the council. A council member’s job is to make important decisions that keep our city running. As a policy analyst, I have experience in understanding how to make those decisions that will provide the maximum benefit to the community in the short-and-long term. I believe I can bring in a fresh perspective to help develop a future for our community that is in line with the values and visions for the future of Redlands’ families and businesses. I also want to ensure that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. As we move towards the future, making decisions to increase our economic prosperity, we must ensure that the culture and history of Redlands is respected and preserved. Redlands is my home and I want what every Redlands resident wants: a safe, affordable, thriving community for all generations.”

Priya Vedula

She has skills, talent and education that qualifies her to hold the position of city council member, Vedula said.
“I received my master’s degree in health policy analysis and I work as a health policy analyst at Loma Linda University Health,” she said. “I understand how to identify and critically think about the unintended effects of policies and thus, how to create effective policies. Moreover, my work has allowed me to study various issues that occur in our community, and I spend a great deal of my time finding solutions and offering recommendations to stakeholders to make life better for all people.”
She stands apart from her opponents for the council position, Vedula said, on multiple score.
“Firstly, I am the youngest person in the race,” she said. “I am passionate, driven, and motivated to help make necessary changes and I have the experience and necessary credentials to do so. Secondly, I am a minority. I have been through the experience of coming to our country as an immigrant, working hard to excel in studies, earning my citizenship, and then using what I learned to give back to my country and my community. Finally, I am a female candidate who understands the importance of having a seat at the table. I hope to be an inspiration for all young, minority females who are passionate about serving their communities through work in the government.”
In sizing up the major issues facing the city, Vedula said, “I’ve knocked on hundreds of doors and have spoken with residents from all over my district. Some of the major issues that are affecting our residents include the effects of having a large homeless population and the effects of the drought and policies that address water conservation. I also believe that a major issue that Redlands will be facing is learning how to adapt to a growing population and increasing revenue for our city while still maintaining the small-town feeling and preserving our city’s history and rich culture.”
Vedula said, “My plans for homelessness include a multi-pronged approach that targets various homeless populations. We will need to create collaborative partnerships with stakeholders to provide assistance to those with mental illness as well as those on the verge of homelessness. Our community has some amazing resources in place, such as the Redlands Family Services Association and Youth Hope that will always be in need of community support through donations and volunteering. By optimizing the resources in place through a communitywide initiative, we can empower individuals to get back on their feet and give back to our community. I would also like to come up with ways to enhance the role of our community outreach coordinator.”
“In terms of increasing revenue for our city, we must help recruit unique businesses that will thrive in Redlands,” Vedula said. “We also need to work with our local businesses to understand the barriers to entry that they faced and work to decrease those barriers and make it easier for them to operate. Redlands also has two very unique sources of untapped revenue: the local airport and its farmers. We need to continue to promote the airport in growing and becoming a hub for traveling, education, and dining. We also must work closely with our local farmers to help promote a local food economy that could only thrive in a place like Redlands.”
Taking on some of the city’s challenges will not require huge financial outlays, Vedula said. “For addressing homelessness, I believe the city doesn’t need to pay for it. There are plenty of resources already in place, and in fact, we may be able to cut down on wasteful spending by using a coherent and focused strategy,” she said.
Acknowledging “I don’t have any experience working in government,” Vedula said that nevertheless, “I am an avid reader who was inspired to take part in our government because of my love for the history of our country and the principles upon which it was founded. In no other country could I have had the opportunities that I did and now I am ready to give back and serve my government and my community. I am not interested in politics. I am interested in representing the voices of my community members. I promise to be accountable and transparent.”
Vedula has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan where she majored in biology. She attained a master of public health degree from Columbia University where she specialized in health policy analysis.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and I am very passionate about finding solutions to problems through collaboration and listening to others,” Vedula said. “I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people and listening to their stories. I am committed to helping make their lives better. Whether or not I am elected, I promise the residents that I have heard you, and that I will continue to listen and fight for your cause.”
Priya Vedula is seeking election to the Redlands City Council in the city’s newly drawn District 1, she said, “because I want to represent the views of my community and be its voice on the council. A council member’s job is to make important decisions that keep our city running. As a policy analyst, I have experience in understanding how to make those decisions that will provide the maximum benefit to the community in the short-and-long term. I believe I can bring in a fresh perspective to help develop a future for our community that is in line with the values and visions for the future of Redlands’ families and businesses. I also want to ensure that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. As we move towards the future, making decisions to increase our economic prosperity, we must ensure that the culture and history of Redlands is respected and preserved. Redlands is my home and I want what every Redlands resident wants: a safe, affordable, thriving community for all generations.”
She has skills, talent and education that qualifies her to hold the position of city council member, Vedula said.
“I received my master’s degree in health policy analysis and I work as a health policy analyst at Loma Linda University Health,” she said. “I understand how to identify and critically think about the unintended effects of policies and thus, how to create effective policies. Moreover, my work has allowed me to study various issues that occur in our community, and I spend a great deal of my time finding solutions and offering recommendations to stakeholders to make life better for all people.”
She stands apart from her opponents for the council position, Vedula said, on multiple score.
“Firstly, I am the youngest person in the race,” she said. “I am passionate, driven, and motivated to help make necessary changes and I have the experience and necessary credentials to do so. Secondly, I am a minority. I have been through the experience of coming to our country as an immigrant, working hard to excel in studies, earning my citizenship, and then using what I learned to give back to my country and my community. Finally, I am a female candidate who understands the importance of having a seat at the table. I hope to be an inspiration for all young, minority females who are passionate about serving their communities through work in the government.”
In sizing up the major issues facing the city, Vedula said, “I’ve knocked on hundreds of doors and have spoken with residents from all over my district. Some of the major issues that are affecting our residents include the effects of having a large homeless population and the effects of the drought and policies that address water conservation. I also believe that a major issue that Redlands will be facing is learning how to adapt to a growing population and increasing revenue for our city while still maintaining the small-town feeling and preserving our city’s history and rich culture.”
Vedula said, “My plans for homelessness include a multi-pronged approach that targets various homeless populations. We will need to create collaborative partnerships with stakeholders to provide assistance to those with mental illness as well as those on the verge of homelessness. Our community has some amazing resources in place, such as the Redlands Family Services Association and Youth Hope that will always be in need of community support through donations and volunteering. By optimizing the resources in place through a communitywide initiative, we can empower individuals to get back on their feet and give back to our community. I would also like to come up with ways to enhance the role of our community outreach coordinator.”
“In terms of increasing revenue for our city, we must help recruit unique businesses that will thrive in Redlands,” Vedula said. “We also need to work with our local businesses to understand the barriers to entry that they faced and work to decrease those barriers and make it easier for them to operate. Redlands also has two very unique sources of untapped revenue: the local airport and its farmers. We need to continue to promote the airport in growing and becoming a hub for traveling, education, and dining. We also must work closely with our local farmers to help promote a local food economy that could only thrive in a place like Redlands.”
Taking on some of the city’s challenges will not require huge financial outlays, Vedula said. “For addressing homelessness, I believe the city doesn’t need to pay for it. There are plenty of resources already in place, and in fact, we may be able to cut down on wasteful spending by using a coherent and focused strategy,” she said.
Acknowledging “I don’t have any experience working in government,” Vedula said that nevertheless, “I am an avid reader who was inspired to take part in our government because of my love for the history of our country and the principles upon which it was founded. In no other country could I have had the opportunities that I did and now I am ready to give back and serve my government and my community. I am not interested in politics. I am interested in representing the voices of my community members. I promise to be accountable and transparent.”
Vedula has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan where she majored in biology. She attained a master of public health degree from Columbia University where she specialized in health policy analysis.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and I am very passionate about finding solutions to problems through collaboration and listening to others,” Vedula said. “I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people and listening to their stories. I am committed to helping make their lives better. Whether or not I am elected, I promise the residents that I have heard you, and that I will continue to listen and fight for your cause.”
-M.G