The Antelope Valley Times

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Mejia running for Lancaster City Council

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By Oscar Mejia, Aerospace/ Mechanical Engineer

Oscar Mejia
Oscar Mejia

As a homeowner, wage worker, and small business manager, I will address the lack of meaningful maintenance in our streets, educational investment, lack of jobs in our city, and the high crime rates around the city, specifically the streets from approximately ‘I’ to ‘L’ and approximately 10th Street West to 37th Street East.

I am tired of listening to residents outside the Antelope Valley describe us as having a weak economy, lagging school system, high crime rate, dilapidated streets, no long term opportunity for families, lack of small businesses growth, and the shortage of large businesses that create meaningful wages.

I am here to do something about our current streets, crime, education, small businesses and job creation – but I need your help to get elected to Lancaster City Council.

I am a product of the public school system, having proudly earned my Bachelors and Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from CSULB and CSUN respectively. I understand and value education.

I currently work for the Department of the Navy as a Flight Test Engineer. I have worked alongside Marine and Navy aviators testing the AV-8B Harrier, F-18 Super Hornet, Targeting Pods, and the SLAM-ER/ Harpoon missile system. I understand and value the Aerospace Industry, National Defense, and our brave men and women of the U.S. Military.

I have spent 12 years in the United States Army Reserves and earned my rank from private to 1st Lieutenant. Our city needs strong leadership, discipline spending, and sound investments if we are to grow our education, economy, and Lancaster.

I have been homeless, I have lived at the poverty level for many years, I have worked for minimum wage, and I focused on education during my darkest years. I graduated, bought my home, manage our family small business, and now I am in a position to help our residents be among the best.

Elect me to represent you on all the great accomplishments we will achieve for our neighborhood. Elect me to place the residents of Lancaster first. Elect me so that Lancaster can be to the Aerospace Industry what Silicone Valley is to the Technology Industry.

Let’s demand more outreach programs for education, let’s have our sheriff’s deputies get out of their vehicles and be a part of the community, let’s demand our streets be fixed, let’s demand to have increased foot traffic to help local businesses. Let’s demand to stop the ignorant spending. Let’s work on our relationship with the City of Palmdale, Let’s scrutinize the current budget proposal and short/ long term planning.

I will work to have the city’s financial statements posted online in an easy to read format.

As Lancaster City Councilman, I WORK FOR YOU, and my MISSION is to have OUR city be SAFE, economically STRONG, and EDUCATIONALLY committed.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The AV Times.

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Filed Under: Opinion, Politics

38 comments for "Mejia running for Lancaster City Council"

  1. I have read your statement and of course it sounds wonderful. However so do most political statements. Candidates say all the right things and do just the opposite. But one thing is bothering me, are you supported and endorsed by Mayor Rex Parris? I would like to support a brother Matador and Latino but if you’re just another lackey for Parris..well “que te vaya bien”

  3. @Oscar Mejia.

    Who else do you support for the council beside yourself? Do you support either Crist or Smith?

    • Those are good questions and perhaps arranging an AVtimes debate may be in order.

      Oscar D. Mejia
      Lancaster City Council Candidate

      • Surely there is a local venue that would be willing to accommodate this? I’d love a chance to have candidates actually address the issues in public forum.

  4. I’ll vote for anyone but Crist and Rex, but I don’t like the whole let’s change thestreet names stuff bc it’s pointless, distracting, and annoying

  5. I was just thinking that this kid determination is to a level compared to Richard Nixon, even if he fails this time (due mainly to lack of exposure to the voting citizens), he is so determined that he will keep going on campaign after, to run on the next election, by that time he will not be running for councilman anymore,(wouldn’t make sense), he will go for higher office, so you may as well elect him now so he can get some experience for the future. Again this kid is trustworthy, and by the way I’m not an ATV voter, I live in SFV.

    • You will have to recognize that every politician has people that make similar claims. For the rest of that do not know him I can commend him for his personal accomplishments, however the rest are just words as far as we know, too often anymore that is all we hear. Words that are said to garner support, but nothing is delivered. What even is his party affiliation? Something he neglected to share. That certainly provides some insight into his belief system.

    • My name is Steven Allen Passmore. I was born and raised here in this beautiful valley. I attended Antelope Valley Adventist School, and maintained life long friendships. I rode bikes on the streets on Rodin Avenue. My childhood was an American Dream Bi-product. My mother struggled, but got her degree, and became a Register Nurse. My Father struggle, and became a Fire Fighter. I attended Desert Christian briefly, and have carry long lived positivity and excellent spiritual support. Jen Wright, encourages me from across the globe. I’m sure she has hundreds, if not thousands of soldier to inspire everyday. From those home room interactions in 10th grade english, years later, she takes the time to inspire one more. I graduate Lancaster High School, work briefly at the Michael’s Arts&Crafts Distribution Center. Then I enlist. I completed basic training, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. I graduated Advanced Individual Training, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. During my training, my 16 year old brother-in-law (now ex, but loved)…fatally wounded, by a Mister Jessie James. I fly home, to bury the family I enlisted to protect. Israel Escobar, deserved my childhood, did he not? Years later, after a year tour taking it’s toll on me emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually…I return home. 2007…Begins my American Nightmare. My marriage in pieces…because I’m in pieces. Loud words are exchanged, no blows thrown. No pushing. No shoving. No threats are made. I am visibly angry, but then again, I always was at that time. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs are called. I haven’t been drinking, I take a ride to cool down. I do. I get out of my vehicle, raise my hands, exposing my waist line as my tank top rises. My board shorts made it clear I wasn’t concealing a weapon. I turned in slow circles, saying, “I’m just walking up to the porch, and I don’t have a weapon.”, in a very calm posture and tone. Mattered not, I was grabbed from around my throat while my back was turned, and body slammed into the concrete. Handcuffed, and put in the back of the squad car. All protocol, of course. The first of many encounters with local law enforcement. I wanted to come HOME, and raise my family. Where I should have been offered mental health to cope with my individual symptoms of P.T.S.D (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), instead fined, cited…rejected. I found myself at war again, but not with terrorist abroad…with my countrymen. I reached a low point October 2013. At that point, I became all they assumed me to be. I embodied, the villain…for only a moment. In my shame, I vowed to never return to the world’s projection of me. I cannot change everyone, but I can certainly control myself. Be the change I wish to see in the world. You run on a number of promises. Ideals. Beliefs. I agree, and believe you are a capable man. I share my story with you, because I’d like to share my unique point of view with you, 15 minutes of your time, to aid you in better serving the people of Lancaster. Please contact me. Thank you for your time.

      • Steven,

        That is a profound experience, and I thank you for sharing that with me. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to talk about your experiences in order to stand up for others. I stand in solidarity with you. Let’s give our disable veterans a voice on the Lancaster City Council.

        Oscar Mejia

  6. All I can say is that I’ve known him since early age, determination to overcome the countless
    obstacles that mined his path to achieve a career is his common denominator and is something
    he will use to fix the mess you guys have up there. But his main quality is charisma, something
    that you are born with. YES YOU CAN TRUST THIS KID

  7. Is there some reason that he’s wearing a graduation hat? Is that the only photo that he had? Just wonderin’.

    • Absolutely. Going from homeless in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, to owning my first home is a huge life changing milestone in my life. The single most important event that helped me through those times was EDUCATION and the United States Army!!!

      Now I have a beautiful family I am able to support all on my own. EDUCATION is the KEY to the CITY.

      Thank you for reading my candidate statement, and hopefully not just looking at the photo. I rather show you my best side.

      Oscar Mejia
      Lancaster City Council Candidate
      http://www.facebook.com/vote.oscar.mejia

  8. I support every aspect of education.

    I am happy to see the exchange of great ideas in our community. I welcome those that can to volunteer, and attend important city meetings to influence which approach you would like your city to take.

    Oscar Mejia B.S., M.S.
    CSULB and CSUN Alumni
    Councilman Candidate for 8 April 2014 Elections

  9. @Oscar Mejia and Jonathan Ervin.

    If either of you looks like you will be far behind before the election, will you throw your support to the other candidate instead of one of the incumbents or just staying in the race even if it looks like you’ll lose by a wide margin?

    You both must know that Rex counts on having 2 or more candidates that will split the vote between them and allow one of his guys to win.

    I know you both want to win but if it looks like you aren’t getting the support, what good will it do to stick it out if it results in keeping the same council as before.

    You’ll not help yourselves in future elections if it looks staying in regardless causes the other one to lose.

    It’s called the Ralph Nader Effect.

    • Thank you William,

      Absolutely, without reservations, but there would need to be a strong indication of such outcome. The next elections is in two years. Otherwise, my will to represent the residents of Lancaster City is intense. I would like to hear his thoughts (Ervin) on this question.

      Oscar Mejia
      Lancaster City Council Candidate
      http://www.facebook.com/vote.oscar.mejia

    • William, the answer is obvious. You have two votes. Use one for Oscar and one for Johnathan.

      • Michael Frye, fortunately (or unfortunately) I can’t vote in a Lancaster election as I reside in Palmdale.

        For now, I support Jonathan Ervin since he wants to mend the break in relations with Palmdale. If Rex Parris doesn’t like him, then he’s the man.

        I’m not as familiar with the other candidates.

        I keep noticing that no one supports Marv Crist or Ron Smith…publicly.

        I truly want Lancaster to be a good neighbor. I used to spend lots of money there in the 90s when I first moved to Palmdale, but since Rex invaded the Antelope Valley like an obnoxious Godzilla, I’ve tried to limit my trips and spending in his ‘fiefdom’. I know that doesn’t sound neighborly but given what Rex has done, I need to keep giving my sales tax dollars to Palmdale to pay for Rex’s legal fees for his lawsuit against my city.

        Hopefully, other Palmdale and Quartz Hill residents are doing the same until Rex and his crew are gone. This is a big valley, bigger than Rhode Island, and I don’t like having to cut myself off from our neighboring city.

        But, if it works somehow to remove Rex & Co., I’ll do what I can.

  10. Oscar Mejia you state:

    “I am tired of listening to residents outside the Antelope Valley describe us as having a weak economy, lagging school system, high crime rate, dilapidated streets, no long term opportunity for families, lack of small businesses growth, and the shortage of large businesses that create meaningful wages.”

    “I am here to do something about our current streets, crime, education, small businesses and job creation – but I need your help to get elected to Lancaster City Council.”

    As a concerned citizen, voter, parent and business owner of the Antelope Valley, how specifically do you plan on fixing these problems beside demanding them to be fixed? Thank you!

    • Richard,
      Thank you for the opportunity to address your question.

      Proposed budget for FY13-14 is $106 MILLION dollars roughly: $31M for salaries, $52M for Operations and maintenance, and $22M for capital improvements.

      The various commissions proposed programs for the City Council to vote on and accept. My job is to ensure the programs that are proposed are fair and balanced. I will vote on issues that are refined, and are only adopted when the residents benefit and not just one sector of the community. I called this the balanced approach. There is $24M for public safety, but I will challenge the current way the LASD conducts their patrols in this city. More bicycle patrol, foot patrols, and block captains for neighborhoods.

      More investment money in programs designed to challenge students academically. Science fairs, open house for Aerospace companies, and any other company willing to participate. Long term sustainment and not a modern fad. You will have an engineer on the City Council that Understand Common sense, and the balanced approach to running a city.

      Lets mold and mentor our youth before the gangs and criminals get a hold of them. Let’s energize our youth to have the can do attitude. I will propose strong oversight as to how our $106M annual city income is spent. I preach efficiency, balance, and maximum benefit to all residents’ regardless of East or West, and cooperation with our neighboring cities.

      • You can save $90,000.00 a month by dumping LEAPS. You can save $90,000.00 a month by dumping LEAPS.Will you dump LEAPS?Will you dump LEAPS?It is a waste of taxpayer dollars.It is a waste of taxpayer dollars.$1,080,000.00 a year for 10 years. $1,080,000.00 a year for 10 years.That is $10,800,000.00! That is $10,800,000.00!You could pay for bicycle patrol, foot patrols, and block captains for neighborhoods with that kind of money. You could pay for bicycle patrol, foot patrols, and block captains for neighborhoods with that kind of money.Stop making money for the mayors friends.Stop making money for the mayors friends.On a piece of crap.On a piece of crap.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.Yes to sherriffs.Yes to sherriffs.More boots on the ground.More boots on the ground.

        • OSCAR MEJIA March 6, 2014 at 10:13 am
          Your comment is awaiting moderation.
          Please Come out and Vote and spread the word. Voter turnout will be the most important factor. There are a plethora of options when dealing with crime prevention and reduction and they don’t have to be costly. This is our money and we demand smart choices. Wasteful spending no more. We are going to take our city back. FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE! I am an Engineer, and solving complex problems is my trade and skill. Let’s regain our title of Engineering Capital of the World!! And if it never existed, let’s make that our goal. Along the way, we will promote education and small/ large businesses, and that will reduce crime and waste.

          VOTE FOR OSCAR MEJIA
          April 8th 2014
          Lancaster City Council Candidate
          http://www.facebook.com/vote.oscar.mejia

  13. if you promise not to sue companies in lancaster and promise not to sue palmdale and Santa clarita for voting districts we dont have and promise to get rid of that stupid eye in the sky and promise not to buy buildings in redevelopment areas and promise not to appoint your employees or children to deputy or comission positions and promise to promote the whole city not just the blvd and promise not to take care of your buddies with sweet deals like building a calvert over their property for $8 million dollars and promise not to promote both tourism with china and promise not to get in fights with people at the gym and promise to treat people with dignity at council meetings then we will vote for you.

  14. All sounds good hope if your elected you keep your promises we need to clean up our streets and crime in the area and that starts with all resident we need to report all suspicious activity to local sheriff’s we need to all come together as a community before we really lose the city we need to start making all criminals in the area feel a tight rope and for them to start moving out. And for you OSCAR you where homeless there’s no excuse for all those young ghetto people young mothers lazy sit at all day living of out tax payers money we need them to work educate themselves or we don’t want them in the AV. HERE is onother Vote for you. Invite the Siracha hot sauce company to move out here they dont want them in LA we have space for them to set up.

  15. You seem motivated to improve our city. Hope to see our streets getting cleaned-up – Valley Central is now Ghetto Central and it really deters people from shopping locally. Hope to also see a Cal State AV campus so people don’t have to commute to Northridge for some majors and class availability. Also would like to see Measure R funds used on the 14 freeway to improve the appearance of the city similar to what Santa Clarita is doing now. Most importantly is jobs… Hope to see expansion of not only aerospace but other sectors that would improve the local economy. Good luck to you!

    • Those are fantastic ideas, and most importantly, attainable within the first four years. Thank you.

  16. Yes I will vote for you as you don’t seem to be a Parris robot. He has stacked the City Gov to keep his agenda going and the rest of us are paying the price. Our streets look like a 3rd world country, we need to stop sending our tax dollars to people Rex deems worthy and get the City back on track.

  17. Go for it Oscar! Hope to hear more about your agenda & what kind of business/jobs you would like to bring to the Valley. Hopefully not all to the BOOLVD. Parris forgot there was more to Lamcaster than just that street.