Inland Region members say uniting resources is the answer at Vision Conference.
Inland Region members and elected officials came together Jan. 30 to SEIU Local 721’s first annual Vision Conference to address the most difficult issue impacting our community – the economy. The message is clear.
Solutions to drive our economy forward involve a multi-faceted approach, requiring the united resources of cities and counties across the Inland Region, along with the membership support of thousands of SEIU 721 members.
To view a picture slideshow, click here.
“We need everybody at the table including unions,” said Hemet Councilmember C. Robin Reeser Lowe, who is also the League of California Cities president.
More than 50 elected officials and dignitaries from all corners of the Inland Region joined about 350 SEIU members at the Moreno Valley Conference Center. Elected officials included Riverside County Board Supervisors Marion Ashley, John Tavaglione, Jeff Stone and John Benoit.
Other attendees included Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Stanley Sniff , Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco, Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge and economist John Husing, who specializes in Southern California’s Inland Region economy.
One of the greatest obstacles local governments face is keeping the state from raiding local government funds that are necessary to provide critical services to our most vulnerable communities, elected officials said.
To send a strong message to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., members and elected officials proposed initiatives to form a delegation with the League of California Cities, local governments, school boards and members of SEIU Local 721.
SEIU 721 members are committed to pursuing the solutions discussed at the conference as a way to reenergize the Inland economy and ensure services to the community.
Despite the challenges ahead, SEIU 721 member Wendy Thomas said she is hopeful that the event will lead to positive benefits for the Inland Region.
“We’re coming together as one to find solutions during these difficult times,” she said. “This is a critical moment, as we work hard to serve the millions of residents living in the Inland Region.”
Kudos to Steve Mathews and the Vision Team. The event was provocative, interesting and quite the success. This was a unique forum where elected officials, community leaders and union members discussed local concerns. There were honest and open dialogues despite the fact that many of us are on opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Although we face challenges in our region, I believe everyone left the Vision Conference with hope and inspiration.
It’s important that our leaders identify with us and realize we are working families that care deeply about our community. The Vision Conference helped us understand that we can work together to find solutions.