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The local election season is upon us in Pegram, and residents are eager to learn more about the individuals vying to represent their interests and lead their community forward.
The Kingston Springs Gazette sat down with each of the six candidates running for the town’s two open alderman seats, offering insights into their backgrounds, motivations, and visions for the town.
Early voting for Pegram’s local election is now open until Saturday, July 27. See the early voting schedule and polling locations here. Pegram residents can also vote at Pegram City Hall on election day on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Each candidate brings a unique perspective shaped by their experiences and dedication to Pegram. Whether they are long-standing residents deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community or newer arrivals driven by innovative ideas, their stories represent a diverse spectrum of voices committed to tackling local challenges and propelling positive growth.
Below, get acquainted with alderman candidate Chris Crump, 54, who moved to Pegram from L.A. three years ago, and delve into his perspectives on crucial issues through our comprehensive Q&A session.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
KSG: Can you introduce yourself and explain why you're running for alderman in Pegram?
Crump: I'm running for alderman just because of some of the things that have been going on in the city that we've seen going on with ordinances and real estate transactions. I never saw myself as somebody running for office, but I definitely, when I saw this, I just felt I had to step in and do something if I could.
I'm not looking to move [away from Pegram] anytime in the near future. We really love it here, which is why I chose to become an alderman just because I didn't like what was happening here. We picked here because of this location, its ideal nature – it's a very beautiful region of the country, so we want to keep it that way.
KSG: What qualifications and experience do you have that make you suitable for this role?
Crump: I've never run or served in office, but I have worked with governments around the world and our U.S. government as well. My prior role in my career, I traveled around, working directly with law enforcement agencies, government agencies, looking at security policies, writing and drafting security measures for various working groups on coming up with standards for security, for both airports, Border Protection, all of that. That's my background there.
KSG: What are the top issues facing Pegram that you would prioritize if elected?
Crump: I would like to undo the ordinances that allowed for-profit businesses in residential areas and try to uphold the land use and transportation plan for Pegram that defined what the Pegram board wanted to do back in 2008 up until 2028, and ensure that Pegram has this nice country feel. A lot of ordinances are being passed now that are drastically changing that. And I would like to obviously look at what our constituents want, but from what I'm hearing from neighbors, they don't want to be turning all these places into high density housing and changing the look and feel of Pegram.
KSG: How do you plan to engage with the community to understand their concerns and ideas?
Crump: I'm open to providing face to face. I've already done some face to face with some people – sit down, have coffee. I'm a very open person to talk about any topic they have, whether it's over the phone, in person, email, at a town hall meeting – wherever I need to be to be questioned or asked questions of.
KSG: How do you balance the need for growth and development in Pegram with preserving its small-town character?
Crump: We have areas already zoned for commercial development within the town of Pegram that aren't today being utilized. We have a lot of abandoned buildings down 70. We have a lot of areas that have burned down – there was a grocery store before, it was burned down when I got here and three years later it's still an eyesore. We have a lot of available land that's already zoned for commercial development. I think we should utilize that before carving out areas of our beautiful countryside to stick in ugly buildings that don’t really appeal to the charm of the area.
I would look at various grants and potentially tax incentives for the owner of the [abandoned] property [on Highway 70]. As a small business owner myself in the past, going into those types of establishments, they don't have a lot of money to do the rehab, so they push it back on to the lessee that's going to come in for that spot. Tax incentives, that would be my first approach [to getting new businesses in], and sitting down with the property owner and finding out why he or she doesn't want to build it up. Having a piece of land there that's not generating any revenue doesn't make any sense for anybody.
KSG: What strategies do you have to encourage economic development and support local businesses in Pegram?
Crump: I definitely support any small business that's there. I'm open and looking at various out of the box methods [to support Pegram businesses] – whether it's fostering people coming in, getting types of events driven to make people aware of the businesses that are there.
I think everybody's flying down the 70 trying to get home, nobody's really looking down, because there's just not a lot of shopping there that pulls people in. It's more about bringing awareness into what is available in Pegram, and trying to pull in some businesses, whether retail or restaurant, into the area to drive people there. Otherwise it's going to stay this way.
KSG: How do you propose managing the city budget effectively while addressing the needs of the community?
Crump: I will engage with the community transparently by holding regular town hall meetings and encouraging resident participation in budget discussions. I plan to share all budget information openly with residents.
I will use data-driven decision making during the budget process by conducting surveys and gathering input at community meetings and using the gathered information to guide financial planning.
I will use zero-based and cost-benefit analysis budgeting practices. My budgeting priorities lie with infrastructure and safety: roads, water supply, sewage systems, and initiatives that enhance local safety.
My economic development will align with the town’s master plan of balancing development with preserving Pegram’s character and charm. I plan to focus on attracting investment to existing commercial districts and will support local businesses by implementing programs such as small business grants and low-interest loans. I also plan to explore partnerships, fundraising events, and federal grants to reduce reliance on property tax increases.
By adopting these strategies, I aim to create a balanced, responsive budget that addresses the diverse needs of our town, fosters economic growth, and ensures long-term financial
sustainability.
KSG: How will you work with other city officials, including the mayor and other aldermen, to achieve common goals for Pegram?
Crump: I'm open to dialog and I’ll attend all the meetings and speak in an open manner with them. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors – I’ve never been in politics in this way. I don't see any animosity on the board, it's all about making sure that we're doing what's right for the city.
KSG: How do you plan to ensure transparency in local government decisions and processes?
Crump: I really believe that the current way that they're presenting information, I don't agree with it. I don't like the idea that they will have a new business discussion, but they only allow public comments before the new business is discussed. So you walk into a meeting and you're not allowed to ask any questions. They follow Robert's Rules, so they don't allow you to ask questions after they present new business or even old business. You’re only allowed to ask questions before the meeting actually delves into anything of substance.
It doesn't allow for an open dialog with the constituents and the other city people. You're forced to wait until the next meeting to address something that was spoken about a month earlier. I think that definitely needs to change.
I also think that when they have those minutes of those internal meetings, those need to be made public. Somebody's taking minutes, and I think they need to be made public and provided in a more transparent method. (Pegram does currently offer their monthly meeting minutes at https://www.pegram.net/meetings/, but they are not always made available in a timely manner.)
KSG: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Pegram in the next four years, and how do you plan to address it?
Crump: I would think it would be the fact that the existing board is not following the master plan of Pegram, and is basically creating their own without putting that out there for the city to view. So I would change that. I would oppose anything that doesn't follow the existing master plan if we haven't written a new master plan that the members of the city have agreed upon because they're not following the existing master plan.
KSG: Why should the residents of Pegram vote for you?
Crump: My diverse background equips me with a unique blend of skills and experiences that will benefit the Town of Pegram. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges and opportunities that local businesses face. With 20 years of experience in the security sector and extensive collaboration with government agencies worldwide, I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to problem-solving. My work helping define security requirements for the United States government post-9/11 has instilled in me a deep commitment to public service and community safety.
I deeply love this community and have demonstrated my dedication through various roles. I
served as a substitute teacher at HMS during the end of the pandemic to ensure our schools
remained open during the teacher shortage. I am also an active committee member with the
local Boy Scout Troop 594. Throughout my life, I have strived to be present and helpful in the
communities where I have lived, as a small business owner I served as a member of the local
Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Inland Empire Chamber Alliance reviewing legislation
that affected our community and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity among many others.
I feel that my track record of effective participation in high-stakes working groups demonstrates my ability to navigate complex issues and develop practical, forward-thinking solutions. I am dedicated to fostering transparency, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making. My focus will be on measured, sustainable and practical growth directly aligned with the desires of the community, that will maintain a safe and peaceful Pegram we have all come to enjoy.
I am confident that my experience, dedication, and fresh perspective will make me an effective and responsive alderman for the Town of Pegram. Thank you for your consideration.
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