Paul Barich Runs for City Council

Redlands resident and longtime business owner Paul Barich announced his candidacy for city council this November. A lifelong resident of the city, Barich, owner of Barich and Associates, said, “I am at a point in my life where I would like to give back to the community by sitting on the city council.” Barich is a graduate of UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in history. In 1979 he opened his insurance and marketing services business, and it’s because of his experience as a business owner that he feels qualified to hold public office, he explained. “Signing the front of a paycheck for over 35 years gives me the unique perspective on how organizations should work,” Barich said. “I will apply this to our city government.” Barich said if elected he will bring a “common sense business approach” to the dais, with emphasis on growing the city’s economy. “We need to broaden our tax base to offset economic cycles,” Barich said. “When we have a robust tax base our services will improve.” One way to ensure funds come in, he believes, is tourism. Barich explained, “My sense is there are outsourcing opportunities that need to be explored… We need a more aggressive economic development plan that lays the foundation for new business and tourism.” “I believe our natural resources and proximity to the mountains give us an opportunity to develop a tourist business that would augment our existing revenue streams, and tourism dollars are immune from Sacramento’s money grabs,” Barich said. Barich is a two-time president of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, has been a past president and a member of the Redlands Optimist Club for 31 years, is a current member of the Redlands Bowl for the last 22 years and has served as a past president for the Boys and Girls Club of Redlands. “I feel my community involvement and being in business would be a benefit to the city council,” Barich said. Other candidates for city council include incumbents Paul Foster and Jon Harrison, who seek re-election; and candidates Neil Derry, Jane Dreher, John Montgomery and Tabetha Wittenmyer.