Grand Terrace City Councilman Jeff Allen has officially announced his candidacy for re-election, bringing to the forefront his six years of service on the City Council and his deep roots in the community. Allen, who previously served five years on the Planning Commission, expressed his enthusiasm for the future of Grand Terrace and his dedication to seeing ongoing projects reach their full potential.
“I’ve been on the City Council now for six years,” Allen said. “What motivates me to stay is seeing the great developments that are planned for our city. These are smart, well-thought-out projects that will benefit our community in the long term. It’s essential to see these through to the end.”
Allen has been a pivotal figure in several key initiatives, including the introduction of the Public Safety Initiative program, which began in January 2024. This initiative, which aims to prepare residents for emergencies, was a key component of his platform during his 2018 campaign. “One of the things I ran on was getting this initiative for our city,” Allen explained. “As far as we know, Grand Terrace is the only city in the United States with an ordinance like this, proactively preparing our residents for any kind of disaster and saving lives.”
“I’m always looking for ways to bring resources into our city,” Allen explained. Through his connections, Allen successfully secured a $50,000 donation to fund critical public safety initiatives, including Stop the Bleed kits, AEDs, and Narcan kits. His influence didn’t stop there—Allen shared His role on the Colton Unified School District Community Cabinet facilitated a $200,000 donation to Grand Terrace High School for much-needed stadium shade. Furthering his impact, he also guided an additional $30,000 in donations to local organizations, supporting the Grand Terrace Foundation, the Grand Terrace Women’s Club, and the Grand Terrace Lions Club. Allen’s actions reflect his unwavering dedication to the well-being and growth of Grand Terrace, highlighting his ability to forge partnerships that bring tangible benefits to the community. “Early in the development process, Councilmember Allen played a crucial role in helping identify the community’s needs” wrote Kevin B. Smith CEO of AREVON Condor Storage.
In addition to his work on public safety, Allen has been instrumental in supporting local development projects, such as the Condor Battery Energy Storage System across from Grand Terrace High School. “This project is the largest battery energy storage system in California,” Allen said. “It’s a significant asset for our community, not just for the immediate $2.1 million in sales tax revenue we received, but for the long-term stability it provides to our power grid.”
Allen’s commitment to public safety extends to his strong support for law enforcement in Grand Terrace. “I have always supported law enforcement,” Allen stated. “FBI statistics, California Department of Justice, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department state that ideally you need one officer for about every 2500 residents to 3000, you can stretch it to about 6000. We have been stretching it to about 13,000 and that's just not right. Our city deserves to have two full-time police officers. We’re not Mayberry anymore; we’ve grown up, and we need to ensure that our city is well-serviced.”
Reflecting on his motivation to continue serving, Allen highlighted the importance of teamwork within the city’s leadership. “Our city manager, (Konrad Bolowich), was the man of the hour, for (Grand Terrace) and I'm so glad that he's part of the team. “As great as a city manager as he is, he just executes the policies that the Council sets,” Allen said. “It’s all about working together as a team. That’s what makes our city thrive.”
“Our city is doing quite well financially. We have a balanced budget, shared Allen. “I'm glad I was a part of the team that made this happen, where we've had 13 consecutive quarters of positive revenue increase in our general fund. No other city in San Bernardino County can make that claim.”
With his focus on ensuring the completion of key projects and his dedication to enhancing public safety, Jeff Allen’s re-election campaign demonstrates his ongoing commitment to the residents of Grand Terrace. As the city continues to grow and develop, Allen remains a steadfast advocate for community-focused leadership.
“We don't have a lot left to develop in the city, we just have this one area and so it's really important that we get this one right. If we follow the plan we have, it will be right. I still believe once the Gateway project is in this city, all we have to do is just tell the city manager what we want. There's going to be so much retail and new homes which means property tax revenue, and it'll be a great opportunity for us. So that is my top priority.”
Allen’s re-election campaign will focus on continuing the progress made during his first term. In a statement, Allen highlighted his accomplishments and outlined his vision for the future of Grand Terrace. "I am proud of what we've achieved together over the past four years," said Allen. "From improving our streets to enhancing public safety, we've made significant strides. But there's more work to be done. I am committed to ensuring that Grand Terrace remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming community for all."