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Bush administration aimed at Latinos Published Sunday, January 6, 2002 12:00:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By CHRIS EHRLICH

STAFF WRITER

President Bush's visit to Ontario underscores the political significance of the Inland Valley's large Latino voting bloc and highlights the region's sound industrial-based economy, local lawmakers said.

Rep. Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar, whose 41st District includes Ontario, said the president's visit Saturday is a statement that the Bush administration has not, as some critics contend, forgotten about California or Latinos.

''The president is trying to make a good statement ... He's trying to reach out and also send the message that the Republican party is not anti-Latino,'' Miller said.

The president's decision to hold a town hall meeting in Ontario may help Miller secure federal funds for local projects, Miller added.

''When I put in requests for funds ... it's much easier to argue for those issues if he's been here and knows the area,'' Miller said.

While most local lawmakers agreed with Miller that Bush's stop in Ontario will benefit the area's reputation, Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, criticized the president's economic proposals.

''A closer look will show the Bush administration has shown zero commitment to small business,'' said Baca, who did not attend the president's meeting Saturday. ''Time and again the president has expressed strong support for issues of importance to our community, and yet, time and again the president has abandoned our community.''

The Bush administration's economic-stimulus package was created ''with a complete lack of bipartisanship, a complete lack of inclusion,'' Baca said.

Baca added that Latino business interests in the Inland Empire such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Latin Business Association and the Latino Coalition - all of which helped sponsor the president's visit - should reconsider their support of his administration.

Bush on Saturday praised local Latino groups and pledged support of their issues, including strengthening the economy of Mexico. A strong Mexican economy, he said, would be a boon to both Mexico and the U.S. Other officials said the presidential visit could boost Ontario into a higher status among California cities.

''What it will give us is clout and credibility as a city,'' said Ontario City Councilwoman Debbie Acker. ''That's important. Los Angeles has credibility, but Ontario? Who's Ontario?''

Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia, whose 59th District includes Pomona, a largely Latino city, said the president's visit will benefit the region by increasing public awareness of the Inland Empire.

''I think it's good that he came to the Inland Empire, because the Inland Empire is where all of our new citizens will be living ... the Inland Empire or the High Desert,'' Mountjoy said. ''This is where the people are going to be ... This is where Californians are going to be living.''

Mountjoy added that the president's decision to hold a town hall meeting in Ontario signifies that state politics are not ''just about Los Angeles and San Francisco.''

''I think it symbolizes that it's not all about urban core or central Los Angeles ... so often urban core takes more than its share of services,'' Mountjoy said. ''(It's about) California and what our president means to California ... And I think he's going to be good for California.

State Senator Nell Soto, D-Pomona, said that the Bush administration came to the Inland Empire because it recognizes that the fast-growing region is not as affected by the recession as other areas of the country.

Although invited to the President's visit, Soto did not attend because of commitments in Sacramento.

Soto added that the Bush Administration must do more to bring jobs and economic development to the area, which would, in turn, reduce traffic congestion.

''I'm supportive of whatever he's trying to do with our foreign situation ... We're all in this together,'' Soto said. ''On the other hand, it seems to me that more attention could be given to Califoria by the president and the Congress ... I don't think they're paying enough attention when it comes to domestic issues.

''Last year, we went through the whole energy crisis without much help from the feds or the president ... I just really feel lots of times California is being left out.''

Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino, said that while not everybody is in favor of the Bush administration's economic-stimulus package, the president's visit to Ontario gives the Inland Empire increased status.

Negrete McLeod added that the president's visit will highlight the area's tremendous growth and could ''stimulate the economy and bring jobs here.''

With Bush's event coming less than a week after Ontario's participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the city is enjoying an unprecedented boost in name recognition, City Manager Greg Devereaux said.

''It is just another opportunity to be seen and get known,'' he said. ''Let's hope it bodes well for the entire year.''

Staff writer Matt Krupnick contributed

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002