Although it was not his choice, Greg Marquez is departing from the Chino Community Services Commission for the duration of this year’s election season as he campaigns for a position on the Chino City Council.
Walt Pocock, who was appointed by the city council in May 2021 to complete the District 2 council term to which Councilman Mark Hargrove was elected in 2018, must vie for election this year to remain on the council. Marquez has indicated he will be running for the post Chino Municipal Election to be held in conjunction with the Gubernatorial General Election being held on November 8.
At City Hall, a question was raised as to whether Marquez’s position on the commission conferred upon him an advantage in the election. The commission formed a subcommittee that included Linda Takeuchi, Neal Jerry, and Brenda Strong to make a determination if allowing Marquez to maintain his status as a commissioner compromised either the integrity of the commission or the electoral process in Chino.
Ultimately, Takeuchi, Jerry and Strong felt it would best for Marquez’s post to be declared vacant and the city to seek applicants to replace him.
Marquez’s term had ended on June 30, but Mayor Eunice Ulloa had not appointed a replacement, and his time on the commission had been rolled over.
The full commission consists of Takeuchi, Jerry, Strong, Marquez, Robert Martinez, Jamie Harwood and Julissa Montenegro-Olivas.
While there is some precedence for suspending or ending the public participation or employment of political candidates on or with regard to public agency positions, committees, commissions or  adjunct governmental boards, it is generally not done. In San Bernardino County in recent years there have been scores of commission members in various cities and towns who have run for their respective councils who were not forced to resign their appointed positions to seek elected positions.
In 1994, when then-Deputy District Attorney Dennis Stout ran for district attorney, successfully it turned out, he took a leave of absence from the prosecutor’s office during the campaign.
Those interested in filling the position Marquez is to vacate have until August 19 to fill out an application for consideration. Marquez is to remain on the commission until his replacement is determined.