Tuesday, March 16 2010 - 10:15 PM
AVNEWS Presents, Meet the Candidates, Mr. Marvin Crist
Crime, Jobs and Communications

By Tom Bryant
I had a great opportunity to sit down and have lunch with a fellow Antelope Valley native, Mr. Marvin Crist, or “Marv” to those that know him well.

Within minutes of meeting “Marv” I found him to be open and approachable. I also learned that “Marv” was born and raised right here in the Antelope Valley so that gives him a “one uppins” with me since those of us who were born and raised here in the Antelope Valley have seen Lancaster grow to it’s current state and have a vested interest in seeing the revitalization work. Marvin says that he is a staunch Reagan Republican and is not afraid to speak up for the values of the Republican party and is endorsed by Palmdale City mayor Jim Ledford. Marvin and his wife of 23 years continue to call the Antelope Valley home and priorities are now turned to filling the soon to be vacated seat at the Lancaster City Council.

“Marv” is a former firefighter and a local insurance business owner and one would think owning your own business would keep you busy enough.

“Marv” is far beyond “a busy man”, for instance, he is the current President of the Antelope Valley Sheriff Boosters, he Co-Chair’s the Thunder on the Lot, is Director of Kids’ Charities of the Antelope Valley, he Co-Chair’ the recent Fallen Heroes Ride, Co-Chair’s the Animal House Kiwanis Junior Livestock Auction, Co-Chair’s the Hank Hunter “After the Fair” Barbeque and is Co-Chairman of 21st Century for Kids. Marv is also a member of the AVC Golf Tournament Committee and Lancaster West Rotary. In 2005, he was named Volunteer of the Year for Desert Christian Schools, and in 2007, he was named Lancaster Sheriff’s Booster of the Year.

With all of this, “Marv” is also the current Chairman of the Lancaster Justice Commission. So, I had to ask, “why would you want to run for city council with all of this responsibility?” Marvin was very direct with his answer and told me that it’s time for a councilman who will do “what the people want”.

While on the Justice Commission, “Marv” has pushed for some tough action by the current city Mayor and council and points out that Mayor Parris allows the commission to do it’s job and “stays out of the way”. Marvin points out that the Justice Commission voted unanimously against the Medical Marijuana issue the Mayor supported and that the Mayor took their recommendations and stood by the commission’s vote. “Marv” said that one of this mayor’s biggest attributes is that he get’s out “of the way and let’s us do our jobs”.

“Marv” also points out that it was the Justice Commission’s idea to recommend that the Lancaster Mayor’s term be changed to four years as opposed to the current two years. “Marv” explained that it had nothing to do with the Mayor or the Mayor wishing to extend his term. “Marv” explained that the change of term limit request came because the Justice Commission needed more time to make changes and learn their jobs and that two years were not enough. Marvin reiterated the fact that crime is down in Lancaster and with Communications and Jobs, Lancaster will be the place industry wants to come to.

Marvin listed quite a few accomplishments that the Justice Commission has been able to complete under this Mayor and city council including the “Okay to Book” at the local hospitals, The “Buy Local” program, the “Neighborhood Impact” program and many more.

Marvin talked about bringing jobs back to Lancaster and said how to many tax dollars are “going over the hill” and leaving the Antelope Valley. According to Marvin over $260,000.00 tax dollars are going over the hill and he will do everything to keep that from happening again. The F-35 project is expected to bring 5,000 jobs to the Antelope Valley in the next 6 months and that program may expand bringing in more jobs.

Jobs are Marvin’s top priority, but communicating with the disenfranchised and continuing the assault on crime is on Marvin’s mind all of the time.

Marvin sites lack of direct communication between the city government, local organizations and citizens as a major problem area that doesn’t need to be and wants to “build bridges” with the people and organizations that may feel they’re not being heard. Marvin says he wants to “give the community a voice”.

With what Mr. Crist has accomplished to date, his commitment to the city of Lancaster is apparent. There is no doubt that Mr. Crist has a passion for this valley and the City of Lancaster. We’ll continue to follow Mr. Crist’s progress and get it out to you, our readers.

We appreciate all of your repsonses and feed back.

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