Lupe Ramos Amith Seeks Re-election in Indio

INDIO — Lupe Ramos Amith, a veteran of the Indio City Council, will face off with one challenger, Frank Ruiz, in the Nov. 3 election for the District 5 seat.

Lupe Ramos Amith 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.

Uken Report posed a series of similar questions to all candidates. Following are those fromm Lupe Ramos Watson.

Uken Report (UR): what is your motivation for running?
My motivation for running is my commitment to the community and It is proven by my priorities and accomplishments.

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 assure 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;

• 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
• Healthy Reserves
• Enhanced Public Safety
• Job Creation
• Affordable Housing
• Youth and Recreational Facilities

I am experienced leadership for Indio!

UR: What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?

Lupe Ramos Amith: I have a strong background in development, planning and finance which  has proven to be a valuable asset as our city has grown from under 10,000 residents when I was a child to nearly 100,000 today.

I have led our City in Promoting and Growing our local economy – projects bringing $100’s of millions of dollars of investment and jobs in our City such as:

• The new Monroe/Jackson and I-10 Shopping Centers
• The new County Administrative Center & Detention Center
• The College of the Desert Indio Campus serving nearly 10,000 students
• The complete street repaving and maintenance capital improvement plan
• The creation of the Senior and Teen Center
• The long-term future of the Festivals in our city

I will continue to plan with vision for Indio and it’s residents!

I am the right candidate to help lead Indio into the future!

UR: What one project or issue do you want to see addressed in your term?

Lupe Ramos Amith: The one issue or project I would like to see addressed in my remaining term is the Indio Grand Marketplace formerly know as the Indio fashion mall.  It once was a place for all to meet, enjoy and shop and will soon regain its glory through the development of Haagan Companies.

This project will become a center of entertainment for the entire community while memorializing the sacrifices made by the John Nobles community.

UR: If someone walked up to you and told you that Indio was the worst place to live in California, what would your response be?

Lupe Ramos Amith: I have deep roots in the community. My parents and grandparents were migrant farm workers working in the agricultural community who achieved the American dream by becoming small business owners in the Downtown district. I attended Indio High School and eventually earned an Associate of Liberal Arts degree from the College of the Desert and also attended University of California Riverside. In my capacity as a small business owner, I managed the finances of my companies, and put that experience to use in my city council duties, where I am a consistent advocate for balanced budgets and responsible spending. I am your experienced Pro-Business, Pro-Public Safety Leader for Indio City Council.

I would respond that you don’t know Indio.  You have not walked the streets of Indio and interacted with our diverse residents and family of businesses.  Indio offers diversity like no other Coachella Valley City.  From permanent residents to recent transplants, to snowbirds, to tourists who visit is for our renowned festivals, Indio is the place to be.

A vote for me secures:

• Continued Fiscal Responsibility
• More Jobs and Economic Development
• Support for Local Business
• Enhanced Public Safety
• Planning and Vision for Indio

UR: If you could require every Indio resident to do one thing, what would that one thing be?

Lupe Ramos Amith: If I could require every Indio resident to do one thing it would be to respect each other’s opinion.  Regardless of how strongly you feel, please understand that Indio is a very diverse community with differing positions and that is what makes us unique and a great place to live.

UR: The entire Coachella Valley has taken a huge financial hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. What needs to be done to help Indio recover?

Lupe Ramos Amith: We must continue to share with both our resident and business community the many federal, state and local programs available to them to help them through this time of uncertainty.  Residents and businesses can visit our website for more information.

UR: Tell us one good quality your opponent possesses.

Lupe Ramos Amith: I do not know my opponent.

UR: You are all well known, tell us one thing about yourself no one knows.

Lupe Ramos Amith: I am a grandmother who is raising her grandchildren in the city she grew up in and loves.  This responsibility comes with a greater focus on making sure our community is safe and  has the services and products for generations to come.

• I have been a leader in making a better quality of life in Indio:
• Protecting police and fire service levels to safeguard our community.
• Supporting education opportunities such as the new College of the Desert Campus in downtown Indio.
• Enhancing recreation opportunities such as the new Senior Center, Teen Center and renovated Park System.

UR: What is the single biggest issue facing Indio and what would you do to address it?

Lupe Ramos Amith: The biggest issue facing Indio is maintaining a balanced budget, in light of the cancellation of festivals, while maintaining the level of services our residents need.  From fire, paramedics, police, streets and city programs and services our priority is to maintain a balanced budget through responsible spending and thoughtful policies.