Patch Candidate Profile: Joe Mathews For Beaumont City Council

BEAUMONT, CA — With election day approaching, Beaumont voters are preparing to cast ballots in contests that could shape the future of their community, including City Council races.

City Council members approve local policies and municipal budgets, oversee public services and make decisions that affect residents, businesses and neighborhood development.

Patch asked all Beaumont City Council candidates to answer questions about their campaigns, and we are publishing their responses.

Meet Joe Mathews, candidate for Beaumont City Council at-large:

What is your campaign website?

N/A

What is your educational background?

BS - Counseling, Johnson University and MBA SNHU

What is your occupation?

Riverside County Youth Commission Coordinator

Briefly tell us about your family.

I met my wife at 18, just before leaving for Navy boot camp and have been married 27 year. We have 3 children, Thomas, Kiarra and Ash, absolutely amazing, and the oldest is a college graduate and the younger 2 are currently attending college.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I work under the Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, under Workforce Development, for the County of Riverside.

Age.

47

Do you have previous experience in public office, appointive or elective?

I am the Chair of Beaumont's Economic Development Committee.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m seeking office in Beaumont because this is more than where I live, it's my community, and I want to help shape its future. My life has been centered on service, from the military and youth development to workforce development and economic development here in Beaumont. Serving on the City Council would be another opportunity to put that experience to work for my neighbors.

Beaumont is growing, and we need to make sure we grow responsibly, strengthening our infrastructure, attracting businesses and quality jobs, supporting our youth and families, and protecting the quality of life that makes people proud to call Beaumont home. I believe Beaumont is no ordinary city, and I'm ready to do the work to help it reach its full potential.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is managing Beaumont’s rapid growth while protecting the quality of life of the people who already call our city home. Growth must come with the infrastructure, roads, public safety, businesses, jobs, and services necessary to support it. I intend to advocate for responsible development that pays its fair share, prioritize infrastructure improvements that reduce congestion, and strengthen economic development so Beaumont becomes more than a place people live—it becomes a place where they can work, shop, and thrive.

If applicable, what are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

What distinguishes my candidacy is the combination of experience I bring to the table. I'm a Navy veteran, a workforce and youth-development professional, and an active participant in Beaumont’s economic development efforts. My work has allowed me to serve young people, families, businesses, and our community while gaining experience in both public service and economic development. I would bring that perspective to the City Council with a focus on responsible growth, creating local opportunities, and ensuring that as Beaumont grows, our residents remain at the center of the decisions we make.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I don’t view my candidacy as an indictment of the current officeholders or believe that serving the community requires tearing down those who have served before me. I’m running because I believe there is value in bringing new perspectives and experiences to the Council. My background in economic development, workforce and youth development, public service, and community involvement gives me a different lens through which to approach Beaumont's growth. I want to build upon the progress already being made while bringing fresh ideas, asking new questions, and ensuring that our decisions today create opportunities and a strong quality of life for the next generation of Beaumont residents.

What more can the city do to support local businesses and increase tax revenue?

I believe Beaumont is already moving in the right direction by highlighting and promoting our local businesses, and I would like to build on those efforts. One area where we can improve is making it easier to do business in Beaumont by streamlining the business licensing, permitting, and inspection processes and improving communication between businesses and the City. The quicker we can responsibly help a business get its doors open, the sooner it can create jobs and contribute to our local economy.

We should also continue attracting businesses that complement what we already have while helping existing businesses grow and succeed. A strong local business community means more opportunities for residents to shop, dine, work, and spend their dollars here in Beaumont—which ultimately strengthens the City’s tax base and allows us to reinvest those revenues back into our community.

What types of infrastructure projects would you like to see the city invest in?

I would prioritize infrastructure that improves traffic flow, safety, and quality of life as Beaumont continues to grow. That includes adding or improving traffic signals in high-traffic areas, expanding parking downtown and providing better signage so residents and visitors can easily find available parking.

I also want to see major projects already in development move forward, particularly improvements to the Oak Valley Parkway/I-10 interchange and completion of the Pennsylvania Avenue Grade Separation. These are long-term investments that can reduce congestion, improve connectivity and safety, and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with Beaumont’s growth.

What can you do to address public trust following years of corruption scandals involving city officials?

I believe Beaumont has made significant progress in rebuilding public trust, particularly in how the City communicates its budget, priorities, financial information, and RFP process. Rather than simply saying we need more transparency, I believe trust is built through consistency and accountability.

My approach is simple: say what you mean and mean what you say. That means being honest with residents about what we can accomplish, explaining decisions clearly, and not committing the City to projects or promises we are not prepared to deliver. Transparency can mean different things to different people, but keeping your word, making information accessible, and being willing to explain your decisions are tangible ways elected officials can earn and maintain the public’s trust.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

One issue I want to address is what happens to our students after they graduate. Beaumont students have access to strong CTE pathways in fields such as healthcare, construction, engineering, robotics, technology, and other skilled trades. I want to strengthen the connection between those programs, continuing education, apprenticeships, and actual career opportunities.

Ideally, we should be creating more of those opportunities right here in Beaumont. By bringing the City, school district, colleges, workforce-development organizations, and local employers together, we can create clearer pathways from the classroom to a career—and give more of our young people the opportunity to build their futures in the community where they grew up.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My record demonstrates that I know how to serve, collaborate, and turn ideas into action. As a U.S. Navy veteran, workforce development professional, and leader working with Riverside County’s Youth Commission, I've helped develop programs that connect young people with leadership, workforce, and internship opportunities. Locally, my service as Chair of Beaumont’s Economic Development Committee and participation on the Economic Development Plan Steering Committee have given me firsthand experience working on issues directly affecting our city’s future.

I've also served our community through the Boys & Girls Clubs and years of volunteer work. These experiences have taught me how to work with government, businesses, community organizations, and residents with different perspectives. I believe that combination of public service, economic development, workforce experience, and community involvement has prepared me to contribute effectively on the City Council.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The only thing in this world that you can control is how you act and react. Or Listen to understand and not to respond.