INDIO —  A lifelong resident of Indio, Waymond Fermon is seeking a four-term  on the Indio City Council by besting longtime incumbent Mayor Michael H. Wilson in the November election.

Fermon, 38, is a correctional officer at at Calipatria State Prison.

There are two seats open on the City Council in the November election. Each seat is a four-year term.

  • In District 2, Wilson versus Fermon
  • In District 4, incumbent Troy Strange is being challenged by political newcomer Oscar F. Ortiz.
  • Councilmember Elaine Holmes  is unopposed in her bid for re-election.

Following questions Uken Report posed to all candidates and Fermon’s responses.

Uken Report (UR): Are you liberal or conservative and what does that mean?

Fermon: I’m a product of Indio who will work with anyone regardless of political affiliation if it results in helping our residents.

UR: Why specifically are you running?

Fermon: I was raised in Indio. I attended our public schools and Im now raising my family here. I converse with residents everyday who have real concerns for the direction our city is headed. I want more for Indio than what I see. Our city is diverse and full of hard working decent people that deserve more. Our city leadership should reflect the values of its residents.

UR: What is the single biggest issue facing Indio, why and what are you doing – or will you do – to correct it?

Fermon: The disconnect. Times have changed. Socially and economically our city is not what it was 20 years ago. You can’t rely on the practices of last century to fix the problems of today. You have to be willing to evolve and modernize to keep pace.  Indio needs to keep up and I’ll bring a mentality that is better suited to take our beautiful city into the future.

UR: Where (in what area) do you think you can make the biggest difference?

Fermon: You have to take the ego out of public service. At the end of the day, as a Councilmember, you answer to the residents. You have to be available and accessible to meet with residents to help find solutions for problems facing our city. There is currently a lack of connection and or a real understanding for the pulse of the city. As Councilmember, I will bridge that gap.