Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter
Deni Antionette Manzingo never gives up. This is her third try. She is a Democratic candidate, this time for the newly realigned Riverside County’s 5th Supervisory District. She is not alone in the position, and three others are in the race with her.
Recently I sat down with her for an interview and here are the results:
Q: What are you running for this time, Deni?
A: I am running for Supervisor of the Newly re-formed Riverside County 5th Supervisor District. I previously worked for Chuck Washington, the current Third District Supervisor. Jeff Hewett, the current 5th District Supervisor, a Libertarian, who surprised everybody four years ago when he won an upset victory, is one of my opponents.
Rusty, you know how I feel about this valley. We get no representation. We have homelessness on our streets – seniors, women, single-parent families, and kids. Twenty percent of the students at Mt. San Jacinto Community College are living in cars on the streets. Veterans are homeless on our streets.
Q: Having said that, what is your plan to make corrections? What can you do, if anything?
A: What I’ve always done – fight to make changes. For ten years, I’ve been the one who is out there trying to make changes. However, real change comes from our elected officials who are willing to team up with businesses and organizations to make those changes. Housing is crucial. There used to be a time when people came here because housing was affordable. Instead of building warehouses to store goods imported from another country, I would like to see us bring American businesses to the community and hire our own people to work in them.
Q: How would you plan to do that?
A: The communities in the district need to reach out and partner with the Supervisors to let them know what is needed and where the resources are to make it happen. I will reach across the aisle and go to the different communities that have successfully found out what they have done so that we can implement the same type of programs.
Q: That’s a big job.
A: I would appoint a five-member civilian committee from the community to meet on a regular basis to discuss the issues and let them help me decide where the need is and go about securing the resources. It would be voluntary. We have resources set aside in Sacramento for affordable housing. I will fight to get those resources. We can’t expect others to take care of us. Every other community has the same issues we do and they are out to take care of their own.
Q: As a County Supervisor, how do you feel about Hemet annexing a big chunk of the County area in Southeast Hemet?
A: I’ve spoken to many of the residents in that area. They don’t want it. They aren’t interested in dealing with Hemet politics. I would respect their wishes, not those of the Hemet City Council.
Q: How about the merger of Hemet, San Jacinto and the County into one city?
A: I’m for it. It is ridiculous to have three separate governments in the valley and also a waste of money.
Q: Would you endorse universal health care?
A: Absolutely. It works in other countries. Preventative medical care should be available to everyone. It would cut down on work vacancies because of illnesses that could have been prevented if caught ahead of time. Save money that could be spent on essential needs. Care is always there for the rich because they can afford it. Preventative health care should be the law of the land, not just local. It shouldn’t matter if you are a legal or undocumented resident. It doesn’t matter who you are.
Q: Riverside County and Southern California are concerned about the Southern Borders. Do you have a take on that?
A: I certainly do. People aren’t just coming here to be coming. They are looking for the American dream for their families, fleeing oppressive governments and drug cartels. We represent freedom and opportunity. Who wouldn’t want that? Why should we deny them? Immigrants and outcasts founded this country. Our founding fathers were misfits who came here and created what we have. Why should we deny it today? Funny how the right-wing politicians rant and rave about the Southern Border but never mention our Northern Border. Remember, those people responsible for 911 walked across from Canada. Republican President Ronald Reagan gave amnesty to more than eleven million so-called illegals. Have the Republicans forgotten that? He wouldn’t recognize his own party today.
Q: Your opponents obviously have more campaign funds than you. How do you counter that?
A: I’m going door to door on the foot patrol to bring my message to people in person. I want to meet the constituency and let them see me in person, not just on some kind of flyer. I want the voters to know who I am and what I plan to do if elected. To listen first hand to their concerns.
Whatever can be said pro or con about Deni, she is dedicated to her cause. She doesn’t have a lot of money but she has endorsements from clubs and organizations. The grassroots organizations that really get behind a candidate. It is impossible to tell how a four-candidate race will go, but if energy and dedication mean anything, Deni Antionette Manzingo is going to be in the pack. Just sayin’
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