Lane Schneider, who is seeking election to the Redlands City Council representing that city’s newly formed District 4 this year, says she will be a mature presence on the council who embodies the values of the private sector.
“I’m running for city council to provide a fresh perspective to our council,” Schneider said. “I’ve lived in Redlands for more than 30 years, and want to serve my community in a different way than I have up to now.”
Saying “I’ve been interested in the city council for a number of years,” Schneider noted that “I actually ran for the council in 2012. I care a lot about the people of Redlands, and over the years I’ve lived here I’ve learned to listen and serve people’s interests and needs, primarily at a neighborhood level. I’m a creative thinker, lover of people and an inquisitive person, which I believe are important qualities for a servant leader, which is what I think a council member ought to be. The specific skills for the actual work the position requires can be learned, but character is shaped over a lifetime. People are looking for leaders of character, and I believe I’m qualified in this way.”
She represents a bulwark against a growing trend by which the holders of local elective office are increasingly creatures of government, meaning they are employed as government workers, primarily other local agencies or cities.
“I don’t know my opponents personally, but I think that two are currently employed with city or county government,” Schneider said. “The other candidate is a current graduate student. I’m a mature person with years of experience as a creative problem solver. I’ve led campaigns, and most recently have had the privilege of winning. I think I offer a different position from my opponents in many ways.”
In sizing up what she sees as the major challenges facing the city, Schneider drew a distinction between herself and the two of her opponents who are employed in government, specifically Ivan Rodriguez and Steven Frasher, both of whom support Measure T, Frasher more adamantly than Rodriguez, which would levy an additional 1 percent “transactions and use tax” on purchasers of goods and products in Redlands.
“As with most cities, dealing with the restrictions from COVID-19 and the struggle of businesses to survive is one issue,” she said. “Another issue in Redlands is the measure on the November ballot for a 1% city sales tax increase. The development of downtown, especially Redlands Mall, is another important issue.”
Schneider said, “Regarding COVID-19, anything the city can do to help businesses open and stay open helps us all. The outdoor dining that’s been instituted is a good start. As for the tax increase, it’s not a good time for a new tax, when so many are out of work, on limited income or have their businesses closed. Is there ever a good time for a new tax? The tax does not have any sunset provision, and would be applied to the general fund. I oppose it. As far as development in the downtown area, during the primary election in March, Redlands voters overwhelming, by a margin of 65 percent to 35 percent, rejected the city’s solution to ‘fix the mall,’ as presented in Measure G. But the mall problem still remains, and needs to be addressed. I believe this will be hard work, but I also believe there is a solution that the people of Redlands can support.”
As a political and City Hall outsider, Schneider said she does not have access to the city’s books or enough information to map out now how the city can fund new programs or manage its finances.
“I’m not making proposals about that at this time,” she said. “I think it would be arrogant of me to assume that I know everything there is to know about the issues right now. I want to listen, learn, research and study to find ideas and solutions that serve the people of Redlands. There is no cost to the city for new ideas. I’m mindful that I’m not on the council yet, and not privy to all information a council member has.”
Schneider acknowledged having no actual experience in government, either as an elected official, an appointed one or as a governmental employee. Her independence from government is as much of an argument in favor of her being entrusted with a position of authority as it is a reason for disallowing her to oversee Redlands government as a voting member of a panel of five. “I don’t really have experience serving in government, unless you count civilian employment with the Navy and the Coast Guard,” she said. “I’ve been involved in politics for many years of my life, but campaigning is not governing. Issues can be studied, and facts and procedures can be learned. I love learning and thinking, so I am confident that the lack of previous ‘experience’ is not really a handicap. I am ready to work to serve Redlands well.”
She is a 33-year Redlands resident. “I moved to Redlands in 1987,” she said.
Schneider graduated from Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Florida, where she majored in Russian Studies & Slavic Languages. She spent her college senior year in Poland at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, and upon graduation taught English at that University for a year. After locating in Redlands, she has taken numerous art courses offered at Crafton Hills College and Cal State San Bernardino.
She is employed as a commercial artist. “My entire professional career has been in graphic design and illustration, solving problems of communication for people in a visual manner,” she said. “I’ve worked as an independent contractor in this field, but I’m not actively seeking clients now.”
She is married with one child. “In December I will celebrate my 40th anniversary with my husband Greg. He is a professional photographer and photojournalist. I’m his biggest fan. Our daughter Rae lives in Seattle and is a histology technician. We don’t have grandchildren.”
Schneider said, “I want people to know I’m available to them, especially the Sentinel’s Redlands readers. My phone number is 909-844-3179, my email is lane4redlands@laneschneider.com, my website is https://www.laneschneider.com. I will listen to the people of Redlands. This race is a district race, and only District 4 voters will be voting in it, but the council serves all of Redlands.”