Victorville Councilwoman Debra Jones makes ‘painful decision' to step down due to family crisis
'I want to be forthright, honest and transparent about the position that I find myself in,' Jones told the Daily Press on Tuesday night. 'Announcing that I'm stepping down was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do.'
Jones said after much prayer and discussion with her husband, Gene, and loved ones, her decision to resign came down to 'putting family first.'
During Tuesday night's Victorville City Council meeting, Jones said her service on the council will end following the October 21 meeting, as her family prepares to relocate.
Family first
Jones explained to the Daily Press that she and her husband, who have been married for 42 years, had been looking for homes in the Banning area for a possible move 'maybe six years down the road.'
The couple decided to focus on a single-story home in Sun Lakes Country Club, a gated active adult community in the Riverside County city.
'This summer, we found a home, fell in love with it and were planning on making a move to purchase it,' Jones said. 'After we left Sun Lakes, we ate dinner with my sister and planned to travel back home.'
At that time, Gene had a 'medical emergency,' which turned the couple's 'life upside down,' she said.
'Gene is recovering, but living in a two-story house is no longer ideal for him, so we've decided to make the move to the single-story home sooner than later,' according to the councilwoman.
Jones said stepping down was difficult because of her love for the community, people in the region, and the many individuals she's worked alongside within other agencies.
'City staff have been wonderful to work with, and I've really enjoyed getting to know them,' Jones said. 'And despite my fellow council members and myself not agreeing on everything, we learned to come alongside each other with the goal of working for the betterment of the city.'
Elected positions, achievements
Jones was first elected to the Adelanto Elementary School District board in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014.
In 2018, she was elected to the Victorville City Council, then reelected in 2022. During that time, she also served as mayor for three years.
The city had not made a public announcement about the departure on Tuesday night, however, a personal press release from Jones revealed that she played a key role in strengthening public safety through the voter-approved Measure P.
It also stated that she attracted major employers like Amazon and CarMax, and championed compassionate solutions to homelessness.
She also helped lead the creation of the Wellness Center in Old Town Victorville, which opened in December 2023.
The Wellness Center was the first facility of its kind in San Bernardino County, providing housing, medical care, and wraparound services. Since its opening, Victorville's unsheltered homeless population has dropped 57% compared to last year.
Jones also supported the city's ongoing development of a new police station and civic plaza, which will serve as a hub for community activities and events.
She served on regional boards including the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority and the Mojave Desert & Mountain Recycling Joint Powers Authority.
Jones also serves as an alternate on the Victor Valley Transit Authority and sits on the League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation Committee.
'While it has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Victorville, this change in our family's circumstances means my time on the Council must come to an end,' Jones said in a written statement. 'Serving as your City Councilmember has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and Victorville will always be my home at heart. I'm proud of the progress we've made together and confident the city will continue to thrive in the capable hands of its leadership and engaged residents. I will always cherish the trust you placed in me and remain deeply committed to Victorville's continued success.'
Moving forward
Mayor Elizabeth Becerra, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman, Councilwoman Leslie Irving and Councilwoman Tiffany Gaudin will be faced with three possible options to deal with Jones' vacant seat, which include:
Appointing an interim council member to fill the seat until the General Election in November 2026.
Approving a special election to replace Jones until the election.
Conducting council meetings with four members through Nov. 2026.
The City Council will discuss filling the vacancy at an upcoming meeting in accordance with city policy.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville Councilwoman Debra Jones makes 'painful decision' to step down
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