Dennis Arquette wants Hesperia to slow down

Like many of Hesperians, Dennis Arquette commutes to work, about 45 minutes each way, all on the back of his 2008 105th anniversary Harley Davidson Electroglide.

"I'm just an ordinary citizen of the town," he said. But Arquette, 52, wants to represent Hesperians like himself, and has thrown his helmet into the ring as a candidate for the Hesperia City Council. "Look at who's running, or who's trying to run, and make your decision."

Today, Arquette works as a lab technician at Loma Linda University Medical Center, but first came to the High Desert in 1992, when he was stationed at George Air Force Base when he was in the United States Air Force.

He's watched Hesperia and the High Desert grow since then, sometimes too quickly for his tastes.

"It's great for progress, but I think we're moving a little too fast," Arquette said. "We need to take care of the infrastructure first."

And in Hesperia, that always starts with one thing.

"I really think the roads should be a priority over anything else. If not paving them, at least maintaining the ones we've got."

He'd also like to see attention paid to the east side of town.

"I think we need to take a look at this side of town," Arquette said. "There's been a lot of focus on the other side of the railroad tracks."

He objects to the city council's recent water and sewer rate hikes, saying the public wasn't sufficiently informed of the reasons behind the decision.

Arquette also knows that, as a newcomer to politics, with no name recognition -- yet -- and no campaign fund, he's a long shot candidate this time around.

"I'm not going to buy my way in," he said. "Maybe a few signs here or there."

But if residents are looking for a change, he said, he's it.

"Look at who's running the city and what they do. If you want more of the same, great."

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.