Key Facts
Background
James Penman received a B.A. from California State University San Bernardino and a J.D. from Western State University College of Law [2, 4]. He served as the San Bernardino City Attorney for 26 years before being recalled by voters in 2013 [4, 5]. He opened a private law practice in 1983 and is currently in private law practice at Milligan Beswick Levine & Knox, LLP. He previously served as Executive Director for the Home of Neighborly Service, as a Staff Attorney for the county bar’s Legal Aid Program, served as a Judge Pro Tempore at San Bernardino County Juvenile Court, and was named the “The Best Lawyer in the Inland Empire” by The Sun newspaper readers [2].
Penman lives in San Bernardino with his wife Judi. They have 4 children and 4 grandchildren [2].
Key Issues
Budget
Penman wants to repurpose Measure S expenditures for public safety and helping the homeless [4].
Law Enforcement
Penman wants to hire retired police officers to handle issues regarding homeless individuals and slumlords and to provide backup for lower priority calls [4]. He also wants to hire around 130 additional police officers using funds from Measure S [2].
Homelessness
Penman wants to move the homeless into new city shelters located in large, empty city buildings, and enforce a “no camping in public” ordinance [4]. He wants to invest in encampment clean-up, evacuation, and relocation to temporary shelter such as motels [2].
Endorsements
Former Mayor Judith Valles (ret.), Chair-person; Juan Hernandez; Ben Gonzalez, San Bernardino Chief of Police; Garner Holt, President of Garner Holt Productions, Inc.; Teamsters Union 1932; Dr. Barbara Flores, San Bernardino School Board Member
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 Official Website
3 Facebook
4 Voters Edge
5 The Sun