In Their Own Words: Council Candidate Solomon Rajaratnam – News – Taft Midway Driller – Taft, CA

DI: Why would you run for the board and what do you hope to achieve if elected? Include any basic information that you think is relevant.

Rajaratnam: I am running for the board because I have a passion for this community. My skill set will help develop this community in various ways. I have served this community with different qualities and realized that it was time to be a member of the council to represent this community and its wonderful members at this critical time. I want to be a voice for this community on City Council. My experience as a banker, as a planning commissioner, as a chamber director, director of the college foundation, as a rotary and attending / participating in city council meetings gave a great opportunity to this community to learn about the needs of this community and what is required for its growth.

My primary goals are core sustainability and building the Ridgecrest economy. I strongly believe the base is the backbone of Ridgecrest. Without a rule there is no Ridgecrest. I want to give my full support to the sustainability of the base. I also think without Ridgecrest there is no rule. So the build of Ridgecrest is equally important. How do we build Ridgecrest? We need to provide manufacturing and industrial jobs for our community.

DI: What are your thoughts on encouraging economic growth in the city and society? How can the city help China Lake rebuild after a massive earthquake?

Rajaratnam: I am a pro-growth person. I strongly believe in the economic growth of Ridgecrest. As a commercial lender to my bank, I have always promoted Ridgecrest and played an integral role in acquiring several commercial construction projects that led to Ridgecrest’s economic growth. I will continue to do the same for my career and as a member of the council. I want to simplify the approval process for construction projects so that we can attract more developers to Ridgecrest. I’d like to bring in manufacturing companies that support activities that take place at the base.

Rebuilding the base is vital to our economic growth with contractors and labor coming from outside the city. We need to be welcoming and to make their temporary stay comfortable. We need to work with a base on temporary housing, we need to devise some voucher programs to make dining affordable and we need to provide a quality life on Ridgecrest.

DI: How will you lead society during the COVID-19 pandemic? Will it encourage wearing masks and social distancing? How can the city maintain government continuity and allow public participation during this difficult time?

Rajaratnam: We need to lead by example. We need to walk our conversation. Pandemic taught me that as a responsible citizen, I must follow what experts and lawmakers have to say. Having different layers of protection always helps. If the government does research and comes up with specific measures to protect us and others from the pandemic, I encourage everyone to follow the CDC’s guidelines, wear masks and maintain social distancing. I know wearing masks is uncomfortable, but if that would protect you even by 10%, I’d wear them. I miss the social gatherings, but if that helps stop the spread, I will follow social distancing.

The government cannot stand in a dead end because the public cannot attend the meetings in person. Our economy has been hit by twin earthquakes and the pandemic and not moving forward with what the city has to do would add more pain to our economy. The audience should take advantage of calling or sending messages in advance. We are in a risky environment and we need to make adjustments to continue normal business.

DI: What are your thoughts on staying strong in city leadership in times of crisis? Are you willing to work cooperatively with the State of California and the Governor Newsom during disasters as well as during normal times?

Rajaratnam: I want to be there for the community as a leader. I want to lead in service. I need to be strong, make timely decisions, and take those decisions seriously. I will achieve unity in our society in times of crisis so that we can work together to preserve the best interests of everyone in the community. People can have different views and opinions but if the goals are the same then we can work together to do a great job for our community. We can act as different notes on a chord to provide a practical solution. I am willing to work cooperatively with the State of California and the Governor of Newsom during disasters as well as during normal times. I am a person who wants to work in harmony wherever and whenever possible. I want to work with the state and follow the rules of the state, but at the same time I will not hesitate to talk about whether the state frightens us or exposes our people and our economy to danger.

DI: What are your thoughts on the appropriate role of personal religion in the government sphere? Do you feel it is appropriate to make community decisions based solely on your personal religious views or primarily in relation to legal activities, for example the Timbisha Shoshone Casino Project and the sale of cannabis within city limits?

Rajaratnam: I have strong religious beliefs but I do not want to impose them on others. I defend my faith, and if this faith is attacked, I must defend it. For example, if someone wants me to vote for something like – “There is no God” or “We do not trust God” – I will oppose that. As for the casino and hemp, they are not religious issues for me. It is like any other societal issues / developments that various factors must be taken into consideration. For the casino, I will research the pros and cons of the location, whether the project is viable, if the management is able, the socio-economic impacts of it, the quality of life, and the overall impact of the project. On cannabis, I will research law enforcement inputs, public safety, health effects of drug abuse, protection of our children from drug abuse, and quality of life. I will hear what the community has to say about these two matters and make an informed decision. I cannot get away from the mischief he causes in order to fill the city coffers.

DI: Do you think public social media posts published by elected officials (especially on political or health and safety issues) should be a fair game for the media to report?

Rajaratnam: If a public servant posts something on social media about any issue, he or she is publicly announcing his opinion. I don’t see any reason why the media shouldn’t report this. Social media is a public platform so whatever is posted there is a public matter.

CV submitted:

My wife Hadassah and I moved to Ridgecrest in 1999 with our two children. I have worked in the banking industry for the past 30 years and currently I’m the Vice President and Director of Mission Bank Branch, Ridgecrest. My wife is the director of the Emmanuel Child Development Center and the Emmanuel Christian School. My kids participated in many local events and speech competitions when they grew up here.

She has been involved in the Ridgecrest community for the past 20 years.

Note: Candidates’ responses may have received minor adjustments, particularly for length.

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