In RC Council Reelection Bid, Kennedy Cites Her Experience & Compassion

Observing that “Now, more than ever, we need strong leadership at the local, state and national levels,” Rancho Cucamonga Councilwoman Lynne Kennedy said she is for that reason seeking four more years on the city council.
“I believe I have the skill set and experience to provide strong leadership for Rancho Cucamonga,” Kennedy said. “I have spent my entire life in public service, whether it is my career as an educator for 40 years or the last six years as a Rancho Cucamonga council member and currently as mayor pro tem. I have called Rancho Cucamonga home for 40 years. Rancho Cucamonga is a well-planned, safe and financially stable city that was selected as one of the best places in California to live and raise a family. Additionally, the city was named an All-America city by the National Civic League. I am running for another term on the city council because I have a vision for our city for 2020 and beyond. That vision includes maintaining a balanced budget with a healthy reserve fund, keeping our city one of the safest in California and ensuring economic prosperity through strong local businesses and strategic economic development.”
For the first four decades of its existence, Rancho Cucamonga elected its council members in at-large elections. In 2018, it began the transition to by-district contests, holding elections that year in its newly formed districts 2 and 3. This year, as a resident of District 4, Kennedy is vying to remain on the council, facing challenges from William Smith and Roger Wong.
She can be differentiated from her colleagues and her opponents on multiple bases, Kennedy said.
“Other than the fact that I am the only woman, I believe I am distinguished from the other two candidates as a result of my broad experiences at all levels within the educational structure – classroom teacher, school-site administrator, district-office administrator and superintendent,” she said. “These experiences coupled with my six years of experience as a Rancho Cucamonga council member have equipped me with the skill set needed to engage all stakeholder groups in my community and make sound decisions for now and the future of our city.”
In sizing up the major challenges facing the city at present, Kennedy said, “Currently, the most important issue facing Rancho Cucamonga is to ensure our city – including businesses and residents – has a strong, healthy and speedy recovery from the COVID pandemic. The other priorities are updating the general plan and developing an economic development plan that will increase revenue without raising taxes.”
With continued sensible direction and management, Kennedy said, the city should be able to sustain itself through its current difficulties.
“Fortunately, Rancho Cucamonga has been proactive in positioning the city for a strong and expedient recovery from the pandemic,” she said. “City Hall never closed, which allowed businesses and residents to receive support, up-to-date information and essential services. The library remained open for curb-side pickup, benefiting students, parents, teachers and residents. Additionally, the library recently added JOBNOW, a workforce development resource to assist those seeking employment opportunities. There were no cuts to our police and fire services, safeguarding community safety and medical responsiveness. Our Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce assisted businesses in advertising and staying open for business. We utilized CARES, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security funding and grants to offer funds for rent forgiveness and/or assistance for businesses and residents. We continued to provide meals and services for our seniors, such as drive-through meal pickups, home deliveries for home-bound seniors and opportunities to stay connected via virtual programs and activities. The Healthy RC program hosted webinars and resources to help residents deal with isolation, depression, and grief. Our community services division delivered activity packets to families, encouraging them to remain physically active and healthy. These are just a few examples of why Rancho Cucamonga will emerge from the pandemic with strength and unity.”
Kennedy said, “The process for updating the general plan is currently underway and we are actively seeking input from the community. Regarding economic development, the city council, city manager, and staff are utilizing Urban3, a private consulting firm specializing in land value economics, property tax analysis and community design, to identify standards and metrics for evaluating future projects based on the economics of land use development patterns.”
Kennedy said she believed her mastery of the processes at City Hall and her close familiarity with its key personnel has positioned her to work seamlessly with an efficient team that has a demonstrated commitment to making Rancho Cucamonga’s municipal resources responsive to the collective and individual needs of the city’s residents.
“As a result of the vision, hard work and fiscal responsibility of the city manager, staff and city council, Rancho Cucamonga was financially prepared to withstand the financial impact of the pandemic,” Kennedy said. “Additionally, funding for the general plan update and economic development plan was included in the annual budget.”
She takes pride in being a resource that her constituents can count on, Kennedy said.
“I believe my 40 years in the K-12 public school system has given me extensive experience in governance and administration in the areas of human resources, budget development, facilities, transportation and long-term planning. These experiences have equipped me with a robust, diverse skill set and the ability to make tough decisions. Additionally, my work with children and families gives me insight into the components of creating an environment conducive to strong relationships, collaboration and transparency.”
A graduate of San Bernardino High School, Kennedy attained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Redlands, her master’s degree in school administration from Cal State San Bernardino, and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from Claremont Graduate University. Her dissertation, Selection Criteria and Student Access to Algebra I, was selected for the Urban Leadership Achievement award and recognition by Phi Delta Kappa as the dissertation of the year.
“I moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 1980, three years after incorporation, and have lived in this great city for 40 years,” she said.
Kennedy was principal of Rancho Cucamonga Middle School from 1990 until 1996. She also held multiple other positions in the educational field, including being a math teacher, junior high assistant principal and high school assistant principal with the Rialto Unified School District; the director of student achievement and assistant superintendent and associate superintendent with the Baldwin Park Unified School District; the superintendent of the Banning Unified School District; and the executive director of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ Alliance for Education. Retired, she is currently working as a consultant for the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, focusing on equity, access and inclusion.
Her husband, Michael, is an attorney and senior partner at Estelle & Kennedy, A Professional Law Corporation.
She said, “I want the Sentinel’s readers to know that serving on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council has been the honor of a lifetime. If reelected, I will work to build on our past success and continue to make Rancho Cucamonga a safe, prosperous and world-class community.”
-M.G.

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