Remarkable new candidate for Banning City Council

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8/1/12 – In Banning, the good-old-boys (and-girls) have been in control of City Hall for years.

Irreversible damage has been done by Mayor Don Robinson, Barbara Hanna and Bob Botts and the last thing Banning needs is for the old guard to continue a status quo of corruption.

In the upcoming November elections, however, Banning’s political landscape may finally change  : Enter Don M. Peterson, retired Police Sergeant, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

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A CANDIDATE WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE

Don Peterson is 62 years old. He lives in East Banning and owns a private security firm. Peterson, who has already filed his candidacy for City Council with the City Clerk, has made the following candidate statement:

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“DON M. PETERSON    Age: 62
Occupation: Businessman/former Police Sergeant, Teacher and Vietnam Veteran

I am married, have 3 children and two grandchildren.  I served with the Army in Vietnam, and received a Purple Heart in 1969.  I graduated from Victor Valley Community College, and continued my education at the University of San Diego with a major in Education.

We all know there has been gross mismanagement at City Hall for years.  Poorly made decisions by elected officials are burying the citizens of Banning in huge debt. We’ve had Four City Managers since 2008, and we have gone from being nearly debt free to owing 115 million dollars. Bad decisions involving: The Cultural Alliance, The San Gorgonio Inn, The Haven, etc., have cost the taxpayers more than 30 million dollars in losses.

We must hold our elected officials to a higher standard, and demand:  accountability and transparency.  Spending must be controlled, and borrowing stopped. Common sense says: You can’t spend what you don’t have.

I have owned a Private Security company for 25 years, and presently employ 40 persons. As a businessman, a former Police Sergeant, and Teacher, I believe I am the best candidate for City Council. I know how to make a business work, and how to serve my community. “

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The statement shows that candidate Peterson understands the issues : he identifies core problem areas of Banning, each rivaling each other in political toxicity : the infamous Banning Cultural Alliance (story), The Haven failure (story)  and the unconscionable losses incurred with the city’s purchase of the San Gorgonio Inn (story).

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IMPRESSIVE MILITARY RECORD  – VERIFIED

A while back, The Banning Informer exposed Banning’s Mayor Don Robinson as a military imposter : public documents revealed that Robinson had falsely claimed – under oath – that he underwent Navy S.E.A.L training – a claim that turned out to be blatantly false (story).

It goes without saying that Mayor Don Robinson’s fabrication of his military record is an insult to any honorable veteran. We have thoroughly verified Don Petersons’ military record – his certificates are posted below .

Don Peterson served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 and is the recipient of the Purple Heart (1969). His Army discharge papers can be viewed by clicking here and here.

There can be no doubt that Don Peterson has a most impressive military record. After serving in the military, Peterson moved on to become a Police Sergeant ; he last served on the Southeast ROP Police Department, from which he retired in 2003. Today, Don Peterson owns and operates a private security firm.

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CONCLUSION

Don Peterson is a breath of fresh air for Banning. Here we have a highly remarkable, no-nonsense City Council candidate who appears to be determined to move Banning into a badly needed new direction. Banning’s voters should take notice.

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Don Peterson can be reached at : don@donpeterson.org –  Phone: 562-755-1123  – website : http://www.donpeterson.org

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