Veteran City Councilor Lupe Ramos Amith Challenged by Longtime Public Servant
INDIO —Two seats are open on the City Council in the Nov. 5 election. One of them is held by incumbent Lupe Ramos Amith, who was born and raised in Indio and has served on the Indio City Council since 2004. She served the City as Mayor from 2007- 2008, 2010-2011, 2014-2015 and 2018- 2019.
Benjamin Guitron, who has more than three decades of experience in law enforcement in this city, is challenging her for the seat in District 5.
The other seat up for election is the District 1 seat held by Glenn Alan Miller. He is unopposed.
Uken Report (UR) reached out to both Ramos Amith and Guitron with identical questions and deadlines. Following are Ramos Amith’s responses.
UR: Age and occupation
Lupe Ramos Amith: 62, Bilingual Business Consultant and Government Contract Specialist
UR: Who or what motivated you to run for the City Council/Mayor?
Lupe Ramos Amith: I am more than a leader and a regional advocate — my sensible and creative policies have provided solutions for Indio and the region. I am running for a 5th term on the Indio City Council to ensure that the residents’ goals are achieved through my leadership, vision, and drive to make Indio a place where we can all live, work and play. Goals such as;
- Continued Revitalization of the Downtown District Revitalization of the City’s center for commerce at the Monroe & 111 lifestyle center
- Completion of the Jackson and Monroe Interchange projects
- Balanced Budget, Ensuring a Healthy Reserve Fund
- Enhanced Public Health & Safety
- Job Creation
- Affordable Housing
- Youth and Recreational Facilities
I am experienced leadership for Indio!
UR: How long have you lived in Indio full time?
Lupe Ramos Amith: 62 years, 10 months
UR: What is your No. 1 priority for the city?
Lupe Ramos Amith: If elected, my goals are clear and focused on the future of Indio. I have a vision for our city that prioritizes thoughtful planning and fiscal responsibility. Indio is uniquely positioned as the second County seat, which brings with it a responsibility to pursue smart growth, increased economic development, and the expansion of business, housing, public facilities, and infrastructure.
As our city’s needs grow, so too will the opportunities for jobs, public services, and overall community development. My goal is to continue investing in Indio’s infrastructure, facilities, and overall image, ensuring that we build a city that meets the needs of today while preparing for tomorrow.
I am also a strong advocate for regional collaboration, balanced budgets, and responsible spending. While my primary focus will be on Indio, I firmly believe that our local leaders must work together to enhance and protect the Coachella Valley as a whole, which has become a premier entertainment and tourism destination recognized worldwide.
UR: What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
Lupe Ramos Amith: I have deep roots in Indio, having been born and raised here and also operated my businesses here. With 20 years of experience on the city council, including several terms as Mayor, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of dedication to our community.
Just consider some of the great things we’ve seen happen:
- We’ve brought more jobs to Indio by encouraging responsible development – including residential, retail and commercial;
- We’ve worked on important street improvements to reduce traffic and relieve congestion on our roads – like the Jefferson Street Interchange;
- We’ve enhanced and expanded our park system and built a teen center and senior center and a new sports complex;
- We’ve created an educational environment where our children can go from Kindergarten to receiving a College degree or even become al Attorney all within our City boundary.
- We’ve expanded and grown our public safety department so that first responders can save lives and property in times of emergency.
And, while we’ve been able to provide our residents with more services, we’ve done it while maintaining a balanced budget and building our reserves. The fact is that we have a healthy budget reserve and don’t have to cut services during this global pandemic.
Why is that?
Simple. Because we have led the charge to bring fiscal responsibility to our city government.
My plan to win this race is simple: I will run an aggressive campaign and outwork my opponents at every turn. I have a professional campaign consultant and a dedicated team supporting my efforts. To date, we have raised over $50,000, and we continue to build momentum daily. I am committed to leveraging my experience, hard work, and community connections to secure a victory and continue serving the people of Indio.
UR: What do you see is the biggest difference between you?
Lupe Ramos Amith: I am the stronger candidate because I bring real-life experience as a business owner. I understand firsthand the challenges that small businesses face. I’ve been in the trenches, balancing budgets, making payroll, and navigating the ups and downs. This experience has given me the grit, determination, and practical know-how to lead with confidence and deliver results.
UR: Indio is on an incredible wave of growth. What’s next in terms of new business and how will you keep the momentum going?
Lupe Ramos Amith: Indio is truly on the rise, and what an exciting time it is! We’ve seen incredible growth, but this is just the beginning. Next, we’re focused on attracting innovative businesses that align with our vision of a thriving, diverse community—industries that will create jobs, fuel our local economy, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. We’ll continue to nurture our small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure that Indio remains a place where dreams can grow and succeed.
To keep the momentum going, it’s about staying proactive—building strong partnerships, listening to the needs of our community, and creating an environment where businesses not only want to come but want to stay and thrive. Together, we’ll keep pushing forward, making Indio a shining example of progress and opportunity for generations to come. The best is yet to come!
UR: Do you see yourself a team player or an individual who will fight for your opinion? Why?
Lupe Ramos Amith: I see myself as a team player who understands the value of collaboration. I believe that the best outcomes come when diverse perspectives come together. While I’m passionate about my opinions and will always advocate for what I believe is right, I know that listening to others and working together leads to stronger, more informed decisions. It’s not about winning an argument—it’s about finding the best solutions for everyone involved. By working as a team, we can achieve more than any one of us could alone.
UR: How do you deal with conflict? Give us an example.
Lupe Ramos Amith: When it comes to dealing with conflict, I believe in addressing it directly and calmly, focusing on finding common ground. Open communication is key—I try to understand all perspectives and ensure that everyone feels heard. Once the issues are clear, I work towards a solution that benefits everyone involved.
I handle conflict by approaching it with open communication and a focus on finding a collaborative solution. I believe it’s important to listen to all sides, understand the underlying concerns, and work together toward a resolution that respects everyone’s perspectives.
For example, in a previous situation, two team members had conflicting ideas about how to allocate resources. The disagreement was causing delays. I brought the team together for a discussion where each person could openly share their viewpoints. By facilitating this dialogue, we uncovered that both were aiming for the same goal but had different approaches. We combined the strengths of both ideas to create a more effective plan. This not only resolved the conflict but also improved our team’s cohesion and productivity.
