Ian Calderon 2012
3rd Apr 2012 Ian Caldron for Assembly A graduate in Political Science and Communications from Cal State Long Beach, Ian Calderon grew up in the 57th District, where he now works in the community as a Field Deputy. Before joining the law-making staff, Ian worked for the retail clothing company Hurley. He managed their promoting department for the Los angeles and Inland Empire regions. After a few years with Hurley, Ian formed his very own company representing sportsmen in contract negotiations and backing relationships. During this time, he also supervised the production of "The Pursuit," a documentary highlighting the next generation of surfing as well as made and produced a Television Show which has drawn the interest of major news networks. Throughout this period, Ian has been active as a volunteer in campaigns and community events organised by the Calderon family. THE Path TO PUBLIC SERVICE While at Long Beach Varsity, Calderon was the state Collegiate Surf Champion and Captain of the highschool team. As a sporting hero in such an individual sport, Ian honed abilities that steer him today competitiveness, patience, persistency and discipline. As a selling director for Hurley, Calderon supervised market surveys and research and staged and promoted Hurley events. The experience of running his own business representing athletes in the Sports and Entertaining sector was also a great learning opportunity. But, Ian was raised in a family that had always been committed to public service. Something was missing. It surprised no one when he tried to follow in the family tradition. Ian Calderon in the community "Television can be exciting but there is no comparable sense of achievement not the kind you are feeling when you're helping someone who actually needs it." Ian had been to work in his new position as a Field Deputy for just a couple of days when he had his first great experience that topped anything he had ever experienced at the crest of a large wave in business or in competition. "A single mummy of 2 had been laid off and denied unemployment benefits. When she inquired with the Employment Development Office as to the reasons, she was passed around from one employee to the subsequent. Defeated and growing desperate, she came to the office where I had just started work. I was ready to get her benefits correctly in place inside a week. From that moment, I knew that this was what I would have liked to do". WHY I am probably a Candidate FOR ASSEMBLY I am the child of the Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon. I am proud of that fact. But, as you might be able to imagine it is important to me that voters in the district feel assured that I am worthy of their trust and that it is my very own fervour that drives me to run for office. Ian and Chuck Calderon I'm energized by the opportunity to help my community. However I am also troubled by a system in Sacramento that seems to be cracking up. It is a system that inspires discordance, panders to emotion, and demonizes compromise. I am running for office because I do not accept that we are, as a community, as divided as our flesh pressers suggest. I have a belief in politics at the area level. It's not about political parties. It is about being fair. Working in and around the communities of the 57th district as a Field Deputy, my job is to help people overcome problems occasionally created by state, often by non-public business. Every day I help folk cut through the red tape. Whether or not it is connecting someone with job coaching, fighting for life saving Medi-Cal coverage, helping a highschool student get into college, or infrequently just lending an ear, I work every day to improve the quality of some person's life. When I succeed it is terribly rewarding. When I fail it is exasperating. Our family's dedication to public service was galvanized by my Grandmama, Rita. She brought unhomed folks into her home and cared for them long before the problem surfaced in the public's conscience. She mostly said that if everyone would do the same everyone would have a home. She passed years ago, but her voice is always with me. She mostly had enough like to go round, or an encouraging word at the perfect time. No sacrifice was too great for her family. She had great belief in God, in folks and in her country. I mention her now, because my Grandmother struggled and sacrificed all her life to provide a better life for her children, a better one than her own. This is a common story of her generation. Programs like Medicare and Social Security were established to protect generations yet to come from the suffering and depression endured during the Great Depression. In California, her generation created an elaborate and complicated interstate highway system that connected Californians and the remainder of the Country. They built the California Water Project and brought water from Northerly California to arid Southern California, and with the interstate highway system, spawned housing booms, colourful communities, and roles. Her generation created the best public school and school system in the world. |
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