Floyd Clark is one of six candidates seeking to fill the vacancy created on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council that came about with the death of District 1 Councilman Sam Spagnola in May.
Clark, Mary Hannah, Erick Jimenez, Lawrence Henderson, Ashley Stickler and Rose Stephens Olmsted are running to hold the District 1 position for the two years at the end of Spagnolo’s term from December 2022 until December 2024.
“With 38 years of service in federal and local government, I have gained the necessary acumen to make decisions that would help this community,” Clark said. “Difficult and challenging times require leaders that are poised, reliable and trustworthy. I have a proven track record of coordinating with local, state, and federal partners and would help this city to be a reliable source for intergovernmental participation.”Clark, who was Ontario Fire Chief from 2011 until 2016 and oversaw more than 150 safety and civilian personnel in that capacity, said he is qualified to hold the position of city councilman.
“I am qualified to serve in this office because of my leadership and experience,” he said. “I have managed large budgets in a taxpayer-funded environment where one is held accountable for outcomes. I have created staff reports that were used by council members to make decisions. I have worked with several government agencies where coordination was required to accomplish set goals. I was the president of the West End Fire and Emergency Response Commission, president of the San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs Association, the Area 4 director of the California Fire Chiefs Association and an appointee to the Cucamonga Valley Water District Board of Directors. As fire marshal with the City of Ontario, I worked on significant projects impacting community development involving planning, development, and construction. I am an eight-year veteran of the United States Air Force.”
Clark said he is positively distinguished from the other five candidates seeking election in District 1.
“My real-world leadership and experience working in government has set me apart from the other candidates,” he said. “Working with council members to understand the needs of the community, doing the research, planning and presentation with government officials has enabled me to know how to get things done. Additionally, my ability to judge well, with a keen sense of discernment sets me apart from other candidates. I will use my insight into local government for the benefit of my fellow taxpayers. Being fiscally responsible for every taxpayer dollar will be my goal. In the City of Rancho Cucamonga, the council also serves as the fire board for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District. My 38 years of service in the realm of fire protection will only enhance my ability to serve.”
Clark said he considers public safety, transportation and housing to be the major issues in Rancho Cucamonga.
“The key to dealing with public safety, transportation and housing in a growing community requires the local government to be visionary and understanding that services must keep pace with the environment,” he said. “Based in part on what I have been able to learn about this community, I’m comfortable in saying that this current government understands this concept and is headed in the right direction. I want to be a part of a servant-leader type of team that will continue to meet the needs of this community.”
Clark said the city’s current sales tax and property tax revenue streams leave it well fixed to pay for the solutions to the problems he believes the city is faced with.
“Rancho Cucamonga has a good mixture of business and residential funding that generates the necessary revenue stream to support services,” Clark said. “The challenge lies in good governance, as we continue to elect poised, reliable and trustworthy candidates that can do the work.”
Clark said, “All my leadership and experience is related to government.”
Clark has lived in Rancho Cucamonga 36 years.
He attended Narbonne High School in the Harbor City District of Los Angeles County, which is south of Torrance and east of north Long Beach.
He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration from the University of La Verne and possesses multiple training certificates relating to his career as a firefighter.
He is currently retired.
Married for 36 years, Floyd said, “We have with three adult children all of whom graduated from Los Osos High School: A daughter who is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a JD and master’s in public policy and is an attorney. She is married with no children; A son who is a graduate of West Point Military Academy and has a master’s in engineering management from the University of Louisville. He is single; A daughter who is a graduate of Alabama A&M and has a master’s in social work from California Baptist University. She is single.”
Clark said, “I’m running on a platform that is based on proven leadership with executive experience in local governance. My primary focus will be fiscal responsibility, public safety, and helping our small businesses prosper. I want voters to know that they should not be fooled by the glitzy ads but look for a candidate who has real proven leadership and experience necessary to keep this great community headed in the right direction.”
-M.G.