Rick Saldivar Makes Second Bid for City Council

Saldivar praises both of his opponents in the Nov. 8 race

CATHEDRAL CITY — Enrique “Rick” Saldivar has spent the past four years polishing the skills needed to secure a coveted seat on the five-member City Council. This will be his second run at the seat. He is undaunted.

He first ran in 2018 when he lost to Ernesto Gutierrez in District 4. Saldivar will again face incumbent Mayor Gutierrez and David Koslow in the Nov. 8 election.

Saldivar is an Associate Outreach Pastor for the Indio-based Destiny Church.

He and his wife also own and operate Kingdom Kids, a childcare focused on Biblical principles. They opened it during the pandemic to help essential workers whose children were at home.

Uken Report posed identical questions to all three candidates. Koslow’s story published Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Uken Report (UR): Why specifically do you want to be on City Council?

Saldivar: I want to strengthen our community by bringing grant opportunities to our city that help the residents directly. I want to help with economic development and legitimize in-home businesses and strengthen relationships with community-based organizations and support existing youth programs and develop new ones.

UR: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment either in or out of office?

Saldivar: There is so many…but dealing directly with community, was leading and developing programs that helped thousands across the Coachella Valley during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, learning the art of grant writing and successfully being awarded funds to better the life of individuals. I was chosen to be a member of the Riverside Sheriff Community Advisory Committee and approved to be a member of the Riverside County Probation Volunteer Program, where every Sunday I get to mentor incarcerated Juveniles at the Alan M. Crogan Youth and Education Center (YTEC). These accomplishments are dear to me because all directly have a positive impact on my community.

UR: How do you define leader and leadership?

Saldivar: A leader strengthens, takes action, is authentic and humble and never afraid to be in the trenches with those that he leads. Leadership brings influence respect and unification.

UR: Do you fit this definition?

Saldivar: 100%

UR: What are your top three goals for Cathedral City and why?

Saldivar: Funding for Cathedral City, attracting new business while strengthening existing, supporting existing youth programs and creating new ones. I’m in the process of making these goals a reality.

UR: COVID-19 has taken a toll on the Coachella Valley’s economy. What specifically will you do, or are you doing, to help Cathedral City rebound?

Saldivar: I have learned how to navigate the grant writing process and worked with Community Based Organizations to help soften the blow of the pandemic. I plan to bring this strategy to Cathedral City and seek grant opportunities to boost our economy, infrastructure and the health of residents. There are many grant opportunities and I plan to find them all.

UR: You are all well-known. What is one thing people don’t know about you?

Saldivar: My life is an open book. I don’t think there is anything that my community doesn’t know about me. I openly share my life’s struggles and achievements all the time.

UR: Is there one decision with City Council has made with which you strongly disagree? If so, what was it and why?

Saldivar: No comment.

UR: Tell readers one good thing about each of your opponents.

Saldivar: Running for office takes courage and both of my opponents are courageous.