Priorities
Passion to Improve Porterville
Restore Power to the People
Our city was built on the foundation that government should serve the people—not the other way around. But over time, bureaucracy has crept in, chipping away at local control and common-sense leadership. It's time we dismantle the administrative state that’s taken root and return real authority where it belongs: with the citizens of Porterville.
Through charter reform, I support:
Voter ID for local elections to protect the integrity of our vote
The direct election of the Mayor by the people, not by appointment
The power for the elected Council to hire and fire city department heads, holding leadership accountable
Stronger citizen oversight mechanisms to make local government transparent and responsive
These aren’t radical ideas—they’re American ideas. We don’t need more red tape. We need to restore public trust and place the power of decision-making back into the hands of the people who call Porterville home.
The Road Mandate
Fixing our roads isn’t just a project—it’s a promise. And I’ve made it clear from day one: we’re not waiting for Sacramento to get its act together. While state bureaucrats sit behind desks crafting endless restrictions, the people of Porterville are dodging potholes on their way to work, school, and church.
California’s infrastructure regulations are broken. In some cases, they drive costs up by as much as 20 times what it would take to do the job in any normal state. Environmental red tape, union-only mandates, endless review processes—all designed to slow down local progress and money away from small cities like ours.
And here’s the kicker: if we fix too many miles of roads in one year, the state threatens us with audits and penalties—as if keeping up with our city’s needs is some kind of violation. That’s not just backward—it’s an insult to every taxpaying resident in Porterville.
I call it what it is: bureaucratic sabotage of local government.
But I won’t be intimidated, and I won’t be silent.
This is why I’ve made it a mandate to repair our roads—not sometime down the line, but now. We’re identifying high-need areas, fast-tracking repaving projects, and refusing to let state interference stop us from doing what’s right. Because every family deserves safe streets, every small business deserves accessible roads, and every resident deserves a city that works for them—not against them.
You’ve already seen all the construction around the city. I realize it can be burdensome to adjust your daily routes, however I don’t plan to be here forever. If I can’t get it done, it never will be done— that is why this is a mandate. We’re not here to manage decline—we’re here to build. I campaigned hard on this, and won large. I am delivering.
Safety & Homelessness
Public safety is non-negotiable. I will continue pushing for:
Stronger enforcement against crime, human trafficking, and cartel activity
Partnerships that reduce recidivism and improve local culture
Compassionate but firm responses to homelessness, mental health, and illegal encampments
We must protect our families, our parks, and our streets. That starts with standing up for our residents and supporting the officers, service providers, and local efforts working to build a safer, cleaner Porterville.
Cut Red Tape, Unleash Opportunity
For too long, Porterville’s entrepreneurs, workers, and families have been burdened by unnecessary local regulations—on top of California’s already crushing load. I’m committed to cutting through the red tape so that:
Businesses can grow
Homes can be built
Wages can rise
Young families can afford to stay
This is about more than economics—it’s about freedom, dignity, and opportunity for every resident.
Mayor's Message - Greg Meister
Originally published by City of Porterville
As a family man and lifelong resident of Porterville, I am deeply honored to serve as your Mayor. Porterville is more than a city; it is a community with a unique identity, grounded in its heritage, charter city status, and commitment to constitutional principles. Over the next two years, my vision for Porterville is to strengthen these foundations while preparing our city for a future that reflects both its historic values and its limitless potential.
Porterville is an All-American City
Porterville has a proud history as an All-American City. A title that reflects our shared values, strong community bonds, and commitment to excellence. Through events like Covid-19 and the overreach of government, those values have been shaken to its core. My goal is to restore that spirit, fostering a community where faith, family, hard work, and opportunity thrive. Through initiatives that revitalize our downtown, celebrate our heritage, and improve public spaces, we will reignite the pride and unity that make Porterville truly All-American. By working together, we can ensure that Porterville is a city where every resident feels valued, safe, and inspired to contribute to our collective success.
Protecting Constitutional Rights and Community Values
Porterville’s charter city status allows us to pledge our oath to uphold constitutional laws and our duty to God and natural law. My goal is to safeguard the constitutional rights of our citizens by creating a Charter Review Committee. This committee will explore ways to enhance civic engagement, including granting the people the right to directly elect their mayor. A step that ensures our city governance remains rooted in the will of the people.
Honoring Our Heritage
In 2026, we will celebrate two major milestones: our country’s 250th birthday and Porterville’s 100th anniversary of charter status. To prepare for this momentous occasion, I propose establishing a Heritage Committee to honor our city’s founding and ensure the history of our community is remembered. A great celebration requires great preparation. Which is why we must protect critical infrastructure and address the Homeless crisis and continue Public Safety and resurfacing projects focusing on repaving and improving our streets, ensuring a beautiful and functional city for this historic event.
Revitalizing Downtown Porterville
Downtown is the heart of our city, and we must work together to ensure it is a vibrant and welcoming space for residents and visitors. By forming a Downtown Committee, we will partner with local business owners to address issues such as loitering and cleanliness. Our mission is to create a thriving downtown that reflects the pride and potential of Porterville, making it a pleasant destination for shopping, dining, and community connection.
Promoting Growth and Cutting Unnecessary Regulations
Economic growth is vital to the prosperity of our city. To encourage more development and create jobs for our residents, I will prioritize limiting and cutting unnecessary regulations that hinder growth. By streamlining our Development Ordinance, we can make it easier and more efficient for builders and developers to create housing, addressing a critical need in our community. Additionally, we will invite investors to bring new businesses to Porterville, fostering entrepreneurship and generating opportunities for employment. Removing unnecessary barriers will make our city more attractive to businesses and residents, ensuring a vibrant, growing economy that benefits everyone.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, we must lay the groundwork for transformative projects that will benefit our community for generations to come. I am excited and in full support of the new Community Center and Park adjacent to the Rails-to-Trails at Henderson and Fourth street. We must rebuild a new state of the art Library and memorialize our fallen Fire Fighters, Captain Figueroa and Fire Fighter Jones who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community.
One of my reach goals is to upgrade the playground at Veterans Park. I would love to see a Battleship theme playground with splash park, continuing the spirit of an All-American City. I also envision an expansion of our Sports Complex. Plans also include the expansion of the Porterville Municipal Airport, located near the new casino built by our local Tule River Tribe. My vision is to continue the expansion in this area and create an even more dynamic partnership with our local tribe in bringing a Regional Competition Complex, that will foster economic growth and serve as a hub for sports, arts, and education, enhancing opportunities for all residents in our community.
A Pledge to Lead with Integrity
As Mayor, I pledge to lead with moral courage, wisdom, and vigilance. Inspired by the principles of the Declaration of Independence, I reaffirm that governments exist to protect the God-given rights of their people. I commit to safeguarding individual freedoms, supporting families, and honoring our shared values. Leadership requires the strength to reject policies or actions that undermine liberty, and I will strive to uphold integrity in every decision.
Porterville’s future is bright. Together, we will celebrate our rich history, revitalize our city, and create a legacy of opportunity and freedom for future generations. Thank you for trusting me to serve as your Mayor. Let us move forward with faith, courage, and unity to once again make Porterville an All-American city.
Greg Meister
Mayor of Porterville
