Debra Porada
Council Member
Debra was first elected to the Ontario City Council in December of 2008 after serving the community in various capacities during her 45 years as a resident of Ontario.
Debra’s primary focus continues to be her commitment to maintaining and creating jobs in Ontario and ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors are provided the best police and fire/paramedic services the region has to offer.
As a registered nurse, she understands the importance of community and employee disaster/earthquake preparedness, and she encourages residents and employees to include a 2-week supply of food and water in their home emergency kits.
Debra is active throughout the city. Revitalization of Downtown continues to be important to her as the area is the historic heart of Ontario. Her engagement is reflected in the development of the “Arts and Culture District,” where the city boasts both the “Ontario Museum of History and Art” and the “Chaffey Community Museum of Art.” Downtown has several new restaurants and coffee shops, contributing to its economic activity. The Ontario Ranch area gained a New Stater Brothers shopping center with support retail and specialty restaurants. Also of note is the area around the Toyota Sports Arena. Luxury apartments and retail are currently under construction. Debra supports helping the unhoused. Ontario has begun construction on the Wellness Campus. This will be a city-owned facility aimed at helping homeless residents by providing them with short-term housing, resources, and mentoring. And the best news of the year, especially for baseball fans, is that Ontario will host the Dodgers class A team. The new stadium is being built across from Whispering Lakes Golf Course and is set to open in April of 2026. This 190-acre sports park will have a 6000-seat baseball stadium with youth baseball/softball/soccer and football fields.
Prior to her election to the Ontario City Council, she served as:
- An elected member of the Ontario-Montclair School Board
- An appointed member of the Ontario Planning Commission
- A member of the Ontario Community Block Grant Committee
- San Bernardino County Museum Commissioner
- Ontario-Montclair School District Measure “T” Oversight Committee
Debra has been an active member of many Ontario non-profit organizations, such as:
- Ontario Kiwanis
- Ontario Heritage Society
- Founding member of Ontario’s “Kids Come First Clinic”
- Vietnam Memorial Wall Co-Chair
Education and Distinctions: Associate Degree in science (Citrus College); Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Cal State Los Angeles); Ontario Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award; Ontario Police Citizens Academy Graduate; Leadership Connection Graduate, Completed the Masters in Governance Series from the California School Board Association and has taken the Master Gardener Series of classes.
Debra is a mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She has worked as a registered nurse in various fields for over 39 years. Her hobbies include gardening and volunteering. Debra is known to frequent the Sunday morning walking group that meets at 8AM at the R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand at Euclid and C Streets for a 3-mile walk up and down Euclid Avenue. Email her with questions/comments using the link provided below.
Responsibilities
- Council Member, City of Ontario
- 2020 Mayor pro Tem
- Board Member, Ontario Housing Authority
- Board Member, Ontario Industrial Development Authority
- Board Member, Ontario Redevelopment Financing Authority
Representative
- Chino Valley Unified School District - Measure G
- Water Facilities Authority Board
- Inland Empire Utilities Agency Regional Policy Committee Member
- California League of Cities Inland Empire Division- Past President
- Sister Cities Liaison
- Greater Ontario Business Council Liaison
- Ontario Heritage Liaison
- Museum of History and Art - City Council Liaison
- Ontario Library - City Council Liaison
- School Districts Liaison
- SB County VOAD Member
- Downtown Ontario Improvement Association Liaison
- Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire (ARCIE) Director
- Recreation and Parks Commission Liaison
Alternate Representative
- Chino Basin Desalter Authority Board
- Chino Basin Watermaster Board
- Chino Basin Water Bank
