Community Listening Series

As a candidate for Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2, I have spent countless hours speaking directly with residents throughout Rancho Cucamonga. While opinions vary on specific issues, there is one concern I hear repeatedly:

Many residents feel politicians are highly visible when they want your vote, but much harder to find once the election is over.

Some residents tell me they feel elected officials become unapproachable, unresponsive, or disconnected from the very people they were elected to serve.

I don't believe that's the right way to run a city.

I believe elected officials should be accessible before the election and remain accessible after the election.

That's why I am launching the Community Listening Series.

More Than a Campaign Promise

The Community Listening Series is designed to demonstrate my Open Door Policy in action.

Many candidates talk about listening. I want to show residents that I am committed to listening.

In fact, I am scheduling the first Community Listening Session now to take place after Election Day.

I want residents to know now that my commitment to listening does not end when the campaign ends.

Whether I am speaking with a resident today, next month, or years from now, I want that person to know they have access to me.

Taking Down Barriers

Traditional public meetings often take place in formal government settings. While those meetings serve an important purpose, they can sometimes feel intimidating, inconvenient, or disconnected from everyday life.

I want to take down those barriers.

Rather than asking residents to come to City Hall, I will bring the conversation to neighborhood locations throughout Rancho Cucamonga.

These meetings will not be held in a council chamber.

They will not be formal government meetings.

Instead, they will take place in casual and comfortable neighborhood settings where residents can stop by after work, enjoy a meal or a drink, meet their neighbors, and have a real conversation about the future of our city.

Meetings may be held in local restaurants, pizza restaurants with private rooms, neighborhood gathering places, hotel meeting rooms, and other informal venues throughout Rancho Cucamonga.

My goal is simple:

I don't expect residents to come to me. I will come to you.

Help Shape My First 100 Days

If elected, the ideas, concerns, and suggestions shared during these Community Listening Sessions will help shape my priorities for the first 100 days in office.

Too often politicians develop plans and then present them to residents.

I believe residents should help shape those plans from the beginning.

The people who live here, work here, raise families here, own businesses here, and invest in our community have valuable insights that deserve to be heard.

What Would You Like To Discuss?

There is no predetermined agenda.

These meetings are about the issues that matter most to Rancho Cucamonga residents.

Suggested topics include:

Crime and Public Safety

Many residents have expressed concerns about crime, retail theft, neighborhood safety, law enforcement visibility, emergency response times, and maintaining Rancho Cucamonga's reputation as one of the safest cities in Southern California.

Homelessness

Residents and business owners continue to raise concerns about homelessness, public safety, encampments, mental health issues, and the impact on neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers, and local businesses.

Traffic and Congestion

Traffic affects nearly every resident. Let's discuss congestion, road improvements, busy intersections, school traffic, commute times, and future transportation needs.

Infrastructure and City Services

As Rancho Cucamonga continues to grow, residents deserve confidence that roads, water systems, public safety resources, parks, and other city services are keeping pace.

Development and Growth

How should Rancho Cucamonga grow? What infrastructure should accompany future development? How do we balance growth with quality of life?

These are important questions that deserve public discussion.

Etiwanda Heights

The proposed Etiwanda Heights development remains one of the most discussed projects in Rancho Cucamonga. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts regarding wildfire concerns, traffic, density, infrastructure, emergency access, and long-term community impact.

Preservation and Community Character

Rancho Cucamonga has a rich history and unique identity. I welcome discussions about preserving local landmarks, protecting neighborhood character, and maintaining the qualities that make our city special.

Local Business Issues

Small businesses are an important part of our community. Business owners and residents are encouraged to discuss issues affecting commerce, regulations, crime, parking, visibility, economic growth, and business success.

Quality of Life

What makes Rancho Cucamonga a great place to live? What concerns you most? What should our city focus on moving forward? I want to hear your thoughts.

Everyone Is Welcome

Whether you support me, support another candidate, or have not yet decided, you are welcome to attend.

I am running against incumbent Kristine Scott and candidate DeJonae Shaw for the Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2 seat. Regardless of politics, I believe every resident deserves an opportunity to be heard.

First Community Listening Session

The first Community Listening Session is intentionally being scheduled after Election Day.

Why?

Because I want residents to know that listening is not something I do only during a campaign.

It is something I intend to continue doing throughout my service to our community.

Submit a Topic

I encourage residents to submit questions, concerns, and discussion topics in advance.

Your suggestions will help guide future Community Listening Sessions and help ensure that the issues most important to Rancho Cucamonga residents are discussed.

Submit Your Topic

The Conversation Does Not End on Election Day

My campaign has always been about listening, learning, and working together to find practical solutions.

I believe residents deserve elected officials who remain visible after the election, not just before it.

The Community Listening Series is my commitment to continuing that conversation.

I hope you'll join me.

— David VanGorden

Candidate for Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2

Listening Before the Election. Listening After the Election.
The Conversation Does Not End on Election Day.