Anthony Rhoades, who is one of three candidates in the first electoral contest ever in Hesperia’s District 1, said he is “running to give a voice to the most disadvantaged in our community. Our children, seniors, and veterans need a voice during this tumultuous period of time. Our future depends on the ability to get the story out and protect them from administrative evil, which can be classified as the status quo. We need new blood, new ideas, and innovation to ensure the stability of the future of this country.”
In 2018, after Hesperia had for the first 30 years of its existence as an incorporated municipality held at-large elections, it transitioned to by-district elections. That year, contests were held in Districts 2, 3 and 4. This year, the residents of Districts 1 and 5 are to elect their representatives on the council for the next four years. In District 1, incumbent Councilwoman Rebekah Swanson is seeking to remain as a member of the council, challenged by former Councilman Mike Leonard and Rhoades.
Rhoades ran for city council previously, in 2016, when the city held its last at-large election.
He is as qualified to hold the position of city councilman as any of the members of the city’s Old Guard, Rhoades said.
“As a former candidate, I have learned from experience what it takes to hold the position,” he said. “I am not perfect, but believe life has prepared me for an elected position though humility and the goal of reducing the divide we currently experience. The moral compass that exists inside me has a responsibility and accountability to be the voice of the people with a goal of reaching the veil of ignorance and the original position suggested by philosopher John Rawls, which consists of conceptually placing oneself in the least advantaged position and making decisions with the mindset of knowing that at any moment in time I could be in that position and would want representation to fight as well.”
In giving a practical example of what he has contributed to the community so far, Rhodes said, “As former chair of the Public Safety Commission, I advocated for safer intersections. Researching the traffic light interval and the process the City of Hesperia used to determine the method helped reduce traffic accidents in problematic intersections.”
Asked what distinguishes him from his opponents, Rhoades responded, “Each person has their unique abilities to contribute to society. Both candidates have served in different capacities in the City of Hesperia, and it’s time for a new direction of leadership that can bring new opportunities to the community and empower the youth. Millions of Americans are out of work, and we need to open new industries that economically enable our dollars to channel other places instead of the same corporations and technologies that are outdated.”
The major issues facing the city, Rhoades said, are ‘financial shortfall, greed, public safety and the lack of social interaction and the suppression of public opinion.”
Rhoades said those issues can be redressed through “managing budgetary concerns by reducing unnecessary spending and quid pro quo contracts, by increasing awareness of special populations and advocating for federal tax dollars to serve those populations. That will assist in better service for the city overall. Electing new members to the council with new ideas will enhance services to our constituents. In addition, I intend to host remote council meetings in different areas of the city where as a councilman I can participate with the public, with provided food and amenities that will make for a family night involving younger generations enjoying the festivities.”
The solutions he is suggesting, Rhoades said, can be paid for through donations from civically-minded individuals. “Public-private partnerships can bridge the gap between government needs and societal desires while adding little to no cost to the city,” he said. “For instance, enforcement on homelessness costs taxpayers through law enforcement and jail, yet we can re-allocate funding to be preventive in place of reactive-style enforcement. This will alleviate the taxpayer burden through service providers and make tax dollars more efficient.”
He has previous experience relating to government, he said.
“I was appointed to the City of Hesperia Public Safety Commission by former Councilmember Jeremiah Brosowske,” Rhoades said.
He has live in Hesperia for 22 years and attended Hesperia High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Riverside in 2014 and his master’s degree in public administration from Arkansas State University in 2019. He is on a trajectory to receive his doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University in 2023.
He ran and sold a business, Arrive GPS Solutions, and is in the midst of transferring the assets which were sold to another corporation. He is currently involved in contract consulting and substitute teaching with the Adelanto Elementary School District.
Unmarried, he is a single father to a 14-year-old son.
Rhoades said, “I’m here to listen and bring the voices of the people to the forefront. Equating public service to military service means that the position should provide services without self-interest and provide service to the people with the intention of running it where others can make money on their schedule while confirming to Assembly Bill 5.
-M.G.