How will you make sure Southwest Chula Vista gets its fair share of funding and city services?
Mike Diaz: I will use current measuring sticks to ensure we receive services that we deserve. The Growth Management Oversight Commission is one such tool. It sets the standard for city wide service levels. Although, I am not convinced that it is the best measurement of services. For example, what is the crime density in the west compared to east Chula Vista? The GMOC looks at response times. I say we look at actual crime levels as well. West Chula Vista is in real need of proactive policing. If you are dialing 911, it’s already too late. My goal is to prevent the crime from ever happening. Today in west Chula Vista we have a reactive police force. I strongly feel we should implement proactive policing. Additionally, over the last 17 years the city council has allowed tier two service level call response times to remain high, thus not meeting our minimum standards. The City Council which included Rudy Ramirez’s 8 years on city council failed to address the long response times for police and fire. West Chula Vista deserves better police and fire services. Public safety should be government’s number one priority.
Rudy Ramirez: I will get the asset management report for the district and make sure that for every square foot a street repair that is done elsewhere, we get that same square foot of repair in the district. For public safety services. In the same way, I will look at the calls for services in our district and make sure we get the same resources allocated on a per call for service basis. We want equity and other council members should understand this and support it. They too will want equity for their districts. It should be data driven.
Emmanuel Soto: As council member, I will work to ensure District 4 gets a fair share of the funding by informing the Council of District 4’s needs. By working with the entire Council and Mayor, we can work towards meeting the needs of our district and the needs of the city as a whole. Some ideas are “wants”; others are “needs”. All cost money. And often cost more money than what is available.
Preserving and providing for public safety is generally a high priority for all. I also want to ensure residents have access to functioning libraries, roads in good conditions, staffed recreation centers and play fields. I plan to support and strengthen the ideas set forth by City Councils years ago to conserve water and electricity, to recycle and safely to dispose of unused medicines. Enforcing city codes, encouraging strong businesses, responding to homeless problems, and affordable housing are important to the entire city.
I will ask District 4 voters to elect me to work with the Mayor and council members in a spirit of cooperation to address the city’s needs and wants in fair and balanced way.
Do you agree with the city council’s proposal of a half-cent sales tax increase? Why or why not?
Ramirez: No, I don’t support a new tax. The city of Chula Vista has failed to confront and fix its two biggest problems: jobs-housing balance, and sales tax leakage. These are the two things we need in order to be fiscally sustainable and not have to rely on new taxes. These two issues are also, fundamentally, a result of poor land use decisions and a better path has not yet been set by city officials. Until the city decides to seriously tackle these fundamental problems, a new tax is just an expensive temporary fix for a long-term problem.
Soto: There is little doubt in my mind that how a budget is planned and executed makes a tremendous difference in a Council’s ability to operate within a budget’s constraints. The problem that is often described as “there’s not enough money” should be looked at in terms of how taxpayer dollars are spent. Do we need another employee to eradicate graffiti as much as the City Council needs an extra staff person? Can a restaurant-specific planning staff member cut the time it takes to process a permit for remodeling an operating restaurant?
Second, the roll-out of an additional tax is one that needs careful, not spontaneous, thought. It needs insights from residents throughout the city. It needs buy-in.
Third, now that municipal governments that have survived the worst economic times of two generations, is this the time to be part of a taxing bandwagon?
I’m not against helping pay for improvements to our city. It’s just that the case for a half-cent sales tax in Chula Vista has not been built in a way for me to support it.
Diaz: If I could know with certainty the money would be used to improve public safety and core services, I could support it. I think it’s more of a tax and spend plan. I am convinced the revenue generated would be used to fund some infrastructure improvements, and public safety needs. But it will mainly go to politician’s pet projects. I cannot support it at this time. The only reason I am considering it is because we have problems with our public safety services. Last month our firefighters had to work on a 1989 fire engine because the fire truck they normally work on was down for about three weeks. Our vehicle replacement fund is about $300,000. A new fire truck costs over a million dollars. A new fire engine over half a million. That $300,000 was for all city wide vehicle replacement. That fund has not been properly funded for a very long time. Today, the city does not have the ability to properly fund a vehicle replacement program. We are short thousands of square footage of library space. If the tax increase would go to fix these things and it would have a sunset, I could support it.
What role does District 4 play in the way the city of Chula Vista is governed?
Soto: District 4’s role can be meaningful in its support for District 4’s needs and in understanding the needs of Districts 1, 2 and 3. District 4 should expect no less of District 1, 2 and 3 council members. Each should be given and should take opportunities to listen to the public and conduct the public’s business in public.
I have lived in District 4 for over 25 years. I look for opportunities for today’s residents and for residents of the future. My role as a council member is one of service to residents, the community and to the City of Chula Vista. It’s not a role of climbing a political ladder, of leaving a task before it’s completed. The decision my family and I made regarding where we live was a purposeful decision to retain our family ties and give our son an elementary education in a school district with one of the highest reputations in the county. I seek to learn from District 4 residents and business people, and from those who have made government service their chosen career.
If voters elect me to District 4’s City Council seat, I will strive to continue learning and promise to continue serving.
Diaz: I view council districts as a safety mechanism that helps to ensure that each district’s needs are addressed and well represented. That is what I plan to do when elected to city council. The city council still has the job of running the entire city, not just one area. Council members need to work together to make sure everyone gets the same service levels from every city department regardless of what part of town you live. When I drive around my district, I run over thousands of potholes. Go east of 805, very few potholes. It’s clear that we have not had anyone at city hall advocating for pothole repairs on the west side of Chula Vista. As a 50 year west side resident, I will give the representation that west Chula Vista deserves.
Ramirez: As a District 4 representative, I will focus on both the issues that face the district and city-wide issues as well. As a district rep, I will be a specialist on my district and fight to for the interest of District 4.
What current city council policy or city ordinance would you change, if elected?
Diaz: The city has created a political career incubator. They tried to fix it by creating districts and term limits. But we now see how career politicians are trying to skirt the intent of the law. Interestingly, Rudy Ramirez has pointed the finger at Eduardo Reyes for moving into the district just so that he could run for office, yet Mr. Ramirez moved out of district 4 just to be able to run for State Assembly (79th) in 2012, lost and then moved back into the district to run for office in District 4.When asked if he would support term limits across all city districts (to keep someone from terming out in one district just to run in another), Ramirez said would oppose such an effort. In 2014 he also ran for the Chula Vista Elementary School District and lost. I will work to tighten up term limits and strengthen district living requirements. I will oppose any pay raises for city council members. The pay should reflect a sense of community service rather than that of a high paid politician. How about we change the pay to the poverty level, just to remind politicians what many in district struggle with.
Ramirez: The Council policy to ignore GMOC thresholds with regards to public safety issues needs to change. We need to develop a more sustainable model for providing city services that keeps up with growth. No new fees, but certainly better land use policies that assures city services can keep up with growth.
Soto: I wish there was a policy or ordinance that had proof of resolving a problem with and for homeless in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, one that improves the lives of those without places to stay and relieves the concern of those whose paths cross those of the homeless.
Cities across the nation have struggled with solutions such as transitional housing and free bus tickets. Homelessness is a big problem requiring a big solution.
When people come to the San Diego region for its geography, temperate climate and welcoming population, homeless people will be among them.
This has become more than an unfortunate situation. It will require state, federal and local response from a large number of resources.
What sort of revitalization, if any, would you like to see in District 4?
Ramirez: We need improved infrastructure. We need to continue to build sidewalks and do all the necessary street repairs. We need grocery stores and generally better shopping options. We can also do a lot to improve cultural arts in order to better capture our unique community character.
Soto: I am interested in what District 4 residents and businesspeople want to see in their Council district. Do they want to promote industrial use along Main Street? Do they want to see both active and passive use of the Otay Valley Regional Park? Would they like to see market rate housing for workforce members such as teachers, shop keepers, utility company workers? Do they want to preserve wetland areas along the bayfront, expand bicycle paths, and work within their neighborhoods on Neighborhood Watch, graffiti abatement, and Beautify Chula Vista?
Most parents want their children to have more opportunities than they had. As an educator and parent, I am interested in having places in which children can engage in arts and athletic activities.
Diaz: We missed a great opportunity when we lost the bayfront project in 2007. I can remember when Third Avenue was full of great businesses and shoppers. When Plaza Bonita was built it turned Third Avenue into a ghost town. The Bayfront project would undo most of that. We cannot afford (to) miss another opportunity on the bayfront. That project will generate 2,000 new jobs along with thousands of construction jobs.
We also need to start cleaning up our neighborhoods, reduce crime and fixing the thousands of potholes that are damaging our cars.
We need to begin creating a business friendly environment to attract new businesses to Chula Vista.
West Chula Vista has been crying out for new sidewalks and better street lighting. I will fight for west Chula Vista to make sure we get new sidewalks and street lights.
What is your vision for District 4?
Diaz: My goal is to make District 4 a great place to live, work and play. In order to do that, you have to be able to feel safe in your community. Residents should feel safe walking in their own neighborhoods. Businesses need to know they can sleep at night knowing someone isn’t going to break into their business. People need to know that when they dial 911 they will get the best service and fastest response times from our police and fire agencies.
Our parks should be continually upgraded to provide the best recreational facilities for our families.
I will also work to attract good businesses that provide high paying jobs. Many in Chula Vista have to travel up north to work. They have to battle the traffic every day to get to work. I will work to provide good paying jobs right here in Chula Vista so that workers can spend less time on the road and more time with their families.
Ramirez: A clean, blight-free community with a solid job base, community amenities, better shopping and better support services for seniors. As an older part of Chula Vista, we have many seniors who lack basic support services.
Soto: I envision a community that welcomes families who choose to stay in District 4, raise their families here, and be part of multi-generational families who treasure memories of their childhood homes and activities, and have the care and attention that people need as they age.
A financially healthy community need not be one of monetary richness, but of the richness of people who care for and about one another. District 4 residents must work together to improve the community. We’ve got good schools, healthcare and an environment that can be transformed into what we want it to be.
What are your top three priorities for the district?
Ramirez: Improved public safety, complete missing infrastructure and maintenance, fix homelessness.
Soto: A) Education and Jobs: By investing in our youth, we invest in the future of the city. We have to work to ensure that we have excellent schools, parks, libraries, and that we support current businesses and attract new business that will create jobs.
B) Neighborhood Accessibility: One of my goals will be to modernize our infrastructure and catch-up on needed repairs to improve the quality of life for residents and make the city more attractive for business and visitors.
C)Help the Homeless Get Back on Track: I will work to seek community partners and programs to develop a sustainable model that can help provide services and housing to veterans, families, and individuals facing homelessness.
Diaz: Public safety is government’s first priority. For 17 years now, we have not met our standard Priority Two call response times. For the last three years we have not met the standard for Priority One police calls. Fire has also missed the standard for proper response times. I will work hard to ensure that Chula Vista residents and visitors get the best public safety service. I will make sure we reduce response times and reduce crime.
Encourage good economic development – We need to recruit good businesses to Chula Vista. This means we need to streamline our permitting process and reduce fees required to start up a business. By bringing good paying jobs to Chula Vista we can reduce travel time and pollution. The goal is to have our residents live, play and work in Chula Vista.
Maintain our infrastructure. Our roads in west Chula Vista are riddled with pot holes. Although pot holes may seem like a small problem, they can cause a lot of damage to our vehicles. We need to make sure that we properly fund maintenance of infrastructure like, roads, water delivery and sewer.
