BEN LOPEZ ON THE ISSUES…

 
SUPPORT POLICE & FIRE PROTECTION FOR RESIDENTS

Ben Lopez strongly supports the men and women at our police and fire departments that keep us safe. If elected, Ben has pledged never to cut police and fire staffing. Ben believes that our police and fire departments have been asked to do more with less resources far too long. Ben supports hiring more cops and firefighters and giving each department an increase in the tools, resources and staffing needed to keep our residents safe.


SUPPORT SENIOR & YOUTH PROGRAMS

Ben Lopez is a T-ball coach here in Montclair, coaching young 3 to 5-year old’s. Ben knows firsthand the importance of sports activities and after school programs for our youth. Those kids involved in sports and programs are less likely to commit crimes or join gangs. That is why Ben strongly supports all current programs for ALL our youth and will fight to protect them on the City Council.

Three generations of the Lopez & Rojas families have called Montclair home. Ben knows how important senior programs are to many of Montclair’s residents. Ben has pledged to continue funding programs that provide meals, nutrition, and medical treatment to our senior residents. Ben will also fight to ensure our fire department has the adequate staffing and resources to respond to emergency needs of our seniors.

Ben will also use his experience working with federal, state and county officials to help Montclair get the necessary funding for current youth and senior programs and to ensure that they are not eliminated.

 
KEEP STREETS SAFE & CLEAN

Ben Lopez believes that clean streets and alley ways provide a safer overall community for our residents. Keeping our city clean improves property values and makes home buying desirable in our city. Ben supports the current city’s efforts that fight graffiti. Ben also supports strong code enforcement to stop illegal dumping of junk and trash in our streets and alleys.


BRING THE GOLD LINE TO MONTCLAIR

Ben Lopez has consistently supported the City’s effort to bring the Gold Line to Montclair. With the addition of the Gold Line, Montclair will reap the benefit of increased dollars being spent in our city from visitors. Businesses will thrive, the need for more jobs will increase, increased sales tax money will be collected to help pay for police, fire, street improvements and city programs.

 
SUPPORT ADDITIONS TO MONTCLAIR PLAZA (NOW CALLED MONTCLAIR PLACE)

Ben Lopez supports the new developments and additions taking place at the Montclair Place. New dine-in theaters by AMC and several new upscale restaurants will help to keep Montclair Place a successful location for shopping, eating and entertainment. This is key to ensuring this part of our city is a success and continues to draw thousands from outside the region and from all three surrounding counties.

 

FIGHT CRIME & KEEP MONTCLAIR SAFE

Ben Lopez has been a strong voice against the policies from Sacramento that have made our streets unsafe and placed our police in greater danger. Ben opposed Assembly Bill 109 which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011, Proposition 47 which passed in 2014 and Proposition 57 which passed in 2016. All three measures have let violent criminals out of jail early, lessened the crimes for drug use and possession, and lessened the penalty for serious theft, abuse, violence and sexual crimes. This has led to every city, including Montclair, experience a spike in home break-ins, auto theft, theft from local stores, and forces our cops to release persons caught with felony drugs.

Ben strongly opposes these unsafe measures and feels now is the time to increase our police officers on the street to keep us safe. Our police are doing a great job keeping us safe. But they are forced to do more with less. We cannot afford to compromise public safety.

 
SUPPORT BUSINESS FRIENDLY POLICIES THAT BENEFIT US ALL

Ben Lopez is a small business owner. He is co-founder of a consulting firm and president of two small businesses located here in Montclair. Ben knows that a city friendly to small business will benefit everyone. Montclair should be known for welcoming any business within our borders. More businesses in Montclair will result in more jobs and more revenue to our local economy. Ben supports cutting some of the red tape many new or renewing businesses must jump through. Ben supports relaxing restrictions on business signs and use of banners. Ben also supports reducing certain fees on businesses, so it gives business owners an incentive to invest in Montclair.