Dorris replaces Underwood-Jacobs

Parris described Dorris as one of his closest friends.

“A person that I rely on, who never hesitates to tell me the truth instead of what I might want to hear,” he said. “And somebody who truly loves his city.”

Parris previously appointed Dorris to serve as the city’s third deputy mayor in May 2017. The Council voted 4-0 to appoint him.

He thanked Parris and the Council.

“I love this city dearly and I hope I’ve proven that the last two-and-a-half years as deputy mayor,” Dorris said. “I’m looking forward to serving more.”

He graduated from Morningside High School in Inglewood and soon after, attended El Camino College, where he majored in music. He started his career at Aerospace Dynamics in Valencia, as a mechanic. Dorris also worked for the Los Angeles County Probation Department as their community service officer of Operation Read. During that time, he successfully helped secure critical resources for minors to improve their reading and comprehension skills.

In 2002, Dorris opened the Living Faith Cathedral on Avenue J and Sierra Highway, where he expanded his ability to help the community. He is married to his wife Roshunda and together, they have four children.

The City of Lancaster will hold an election April 14. In addition to Dorris’s seat, those of Parris and Councilman Ken Mann will be decided. The filing period will begin Dec. 23.

Speaker Shawntwayne Cannon, a 2018 Desert Winds High School graduate, said prior to the Council’s vote, that he applied for the open council seat.

“I understand that your intention to nominate Mr. Darrell was put on the city website before the applications were being accepted,” he said. “So, I rise to say that we need to empower our youth and we need to empower the people of our city. In advocating for young people like the people at Desert Winds High School, we will create a better city and we prevent our city from becoming an incubator for mass shooters.”

Cannon added he would like to be considered for the seat.

Parris praised his presentation, but said there are two paths. One is how the city can work positively to create a better place where people can thrive. The other is to talk about mass shootings and the negative aspect of a complaint.

“I would hope you would think about that,” the mayor said. “Because here you have me totally wrapped into what you were saying, and I’m sitting (thinking), ‘Where can I place him to see if he actually has what it takes to do something.’ And then you went negative on me. Now why would I consider that? Do you really think putting that much energy into the negative side of how things operate is something that’s going to be attractive to any of us?”

jdrake@avpress.com