Twenty twenty-three saw the year begin with the closure of six state COVID-19 testing and treatment centers “due to declining demand.”
“Based on low utilization at a few of the sites the state has been monitoring closely and determined to close,” said County of San Diego Health and Human Services Chief Nursing Officer Denise Foster. “Looking at the pandemic response winding down the emergency orders is looking at the end of February to close all these sites. That has been because demand has been very low. The state has been very responsive when demand was high by adding additional capacity.”
Also in January, the Chula Vista City Council unanimously decided to move forward with appointing a council member for District 3, the seat vacated by former council member Steve Padilla who was elected to the State Senate in the November elections. The seat was ultimately filled by Alonso Gonzalez.
Gonzalez serves as District 3 council member through November 2024, at which time he will not be able to seek election to District 3.
Meanwhile a new Italian restaurant opened in Otay Ranch Town Center. Garbatella Osteria is owned by two husband and wife duos, Antonio Luiu and Diana Gonzalez, and Saul Plata and Carelma Rodriguez. The Roman-styled Italian restaurant and café is named after a neighborhood in Rome which felt like the right choice for its new home in Chula Vista.
The Binge and Underage Drinking Initiative held a press conference at the Otay Valley Regional Park Ranger Station on Feb. 17 to discuss the importance of youth advocacy in shaping the future of communities and public space.
“Some people do not know that they can change, and it is really cool to see how the little things we do unfold and affects the community. Personally, I am sometimes concerned for my friends, and I do not want any of my loved ones to be in any situation where they are abusing a substance. Fortunately, I have not had to use any of the things I have learned from here, but I hope if I do encounter that situation, I am prepared,” said National City resident Brenda Lopez.
Chula Vista’s City’s Residential Tenant Protection Ordinance went into effect on March 1 following action taken by City Council in 2022.
The purpose of the ordinance was to require just cause for termination of residential tenancies consistent with Civil Code Section 1946.2, to further limit the reasons for termination of a residential tenancy, to require greater tenant relocation assistance in specified circumstances, and to provide additional tenant protections.
The USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team debuted in Chula Vista against two teams from Canada at the Salt Creek Soccer Arena. The first USA team was rostered in 2022 after a four-day selection camp in Chula Vista, which included Chula Vista’s David Brown.
Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista’s intensive care unit nurse practitioner Charlotte Thomas was selected by the California Association for Nurse Practitioners as the recipient of its 2023 Nurse Practitioner of Distinction Award.
“This award is particularly meaningful to me, because it illustrates that using nurse practitioners in patient care can help to further health equity. This is an incredibly important concept to me. The idea that no matter who you are or where you are, the health care that you can access and receive is going to be the same. Practicing along the U.S.-Mexico border has given me a real glimpse into this. And once you see it, the impact stays with you forever.”
In April Congressman Juan Vargas (D-52), issued a statement regarding the arrest and arraignment of former President of the United States Donald Trump.
“No one is above the law. Not even former President Donald Trump,” said Vargas, who represents Chula Vista and National City in the House of Representatives. “Ensuring our justice system is respected and adhered to is central to America and its democracy. This is not the time for partisan acts or bias, but a time when we must let the judicial process run its course unimpeded.”
Also happening in April, four of the five the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for a resolution of no confidence for District 4 Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and called for his immediate resignation.
This followed Fletcher’s announcement of his resignation on March 26 stating he was entering an out-of-state treatment facility for post traumatic stress, childhood trauma, and alcohol abuse. He also suspended his planned run for state Senate. Fletcher announced his resignation would be effective May 15, after he admitted to “personal mistakes” with a Metropolitan Transit employee, who was then fired and filed a lawsuit against Fletcher alleging sexual assault and harassment. To date, Fletcher denies the charges.
“We have too much work to do for more than 3.3 million residents in San Diego County to be diverted by the actions of a board member who is not here to answer for them,” said District 1 Supervisor Chair Nora Vargas.
Later in April the Small Business Association San Diego District Office announced its 2023 Small Business Award winners, including Chula Vista business owner Francisco Rivera of Wepa Commercial Cleaning. Rivera, earned the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year Award.
Rivera is a combat disabled veteran minority who served in the U.S. Navy for 16 years. During that time, he also pursued his MBA in marketing, honing his skills by supporting various soccer teams.
In May the city of Chula Vista tackled the homeless crisis with a ribbon cutting ceremony that unveiled the first pallet home bridge shelter in San Diego at Chula Vista Village at Otay.
The location is on City property near Main and Broadway in southwest Chula Vista.
This $6.6 million project was funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the state, the county, and the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. Costs include design, site preparation, construction, operational supplies, shower/restroom and laundry facilities.
In June local institutions showed their support of Juneteenth.
The Sweetwater Union High School District planned raised a flag commemorating Juneteenth June 15 at the Sweetwater Union High School District Office.
“By raising the Juneteenth flag, the Sweetwater District acknowledges the importance of honoring and amplifying the experiences, and contributions of African Americans,” the District said in a statement.
At Southwestern College the The Office of Equity and Inclusion hosted the Juneteenth Jubilee “a vibrant celebration of freedom, culture, and unity.”
On June 28, the Sweetwater Authority named National City resident Catalina Shultz as this year’s winner of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest as her landscape shows how homeowners can create beautiful, California water-smart landscaping.
“Ms. Schultz’s landscape transformation clearly demonstrates that investing in a water- wise landscape can add beauty to your home, while providing big savings on your water bill,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez.
By August holiday plans were in the making. Mayor John McCann announced the return of the Starlight Parade and Festival after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parade and festival was a joint event organized between the City of Chula Vista and the Downtown Chula Vista Association.
“The parade serves as an incredible way to bring the community together and celebrate the holiday season. After halting operations during the pandemic, we’re ready to bring back more of the fun, festive events that Downtown Chula Vista is known for. I can’t wait to see everyone rejoin the festivities and enjoy the magic of the holidays,” said Dominic Li Mandri, district manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association.
Running through September the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center’s “Quilting, Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow” showcased quilt groups in the South Bay and East County. Quilters from the San Diego People of Color Quilt Guild, Chula Vista Quilt Guild, Eastlake Rolling Hills Ranch Quilters, and the Sweetwater Woman’s Club Quilters participated in the exhibit.
“We have some old quilts. Some of them are 100 years old and belonged to my grandmother and other people’s grandmothers. Then we have quilts that women have done in their own lifetimes. Then, we have quilts that push the limits of what quilters do with avant-garde techniques. Those are all represented here, including two quilts made by a woman who is showing the symbols the quilt blocks that were used during the Underground Railroad times, which showed slaves where to go, and what they needed.”
In September a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the first phase of UniverCity at Chula Vista, located in the Millennia master-planned community. The project will add state-of-the-art office space and the first new City library since 1995.
Sophia Hoffman, 18, walked away from Season 23 of “The Voice” after no chairs turned for her, but it did not stop this ambitious artist from trying again for Season 24. A native Chula Vistan, The episode in which she appeared aired Sept. 25, Hoffman hit the stage again on Season 24 with Demi Lovato’s “Tell Me You Love Me.” This time she got a two-chair turn from judges Niall Horan and Reba McEntire.
“This experience has taught me something about myself as a human, and an adult. I think of it as a boot camp of who do I want to be when I am older. This experience, being onstage, backstage, with the crew, has taught me about professionalism on a completely different level. I love to sing. I love being on the stage. I love acting. I love all these things. I love performing. I love doing something I love to do. ‘The Voice’ is my college and life is my teacher.”
In October Chula Vista City Council unanimously voted to expand the Chula Vista Police Department’s Automated License Plate Recognition program resulting in 150 fixed ALPR cameras to be strategically installed in key intersections and thoroughfares likely to be traversed by criminal suspects during or immediately after a crime.
“Over the years, nearly every other neighboring jurisdiction has developed, or in the process of developing far more robust ALPR systems,” said Police Chief Roxana Kennedy.
“Including several expansions of fixed ALPR systems. Without action today, Chula Vista would not only give up on $3 million of grant funds to combat these crimes, but as your police chief, I am also concerned that our community could become the only jurisdiction in the region without a robust license plate reader program which could make us a unique target for theft rings in the county.”
The San Diego District Attorney Office in November filed criminal charges against Chula Vista Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas in Superior Court.
Cardenas’ brother, Jesus, was also charged in the seven count indictment. Both have been charged with seven felonies: Conspiracy to Defraud by False Pretense, Grand Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Money Laundering, and Failure to File Tax Returns.
The Cardenas siblings have pleaded not guilty.
In November Bart Miesfeld and Marco Verdugo were the top two vote getters in a November special election that would possibly determine the next Chula Vista City Attorney.
The position has been vacant for more than a year after a November 2022 election saw Chula Vista voters choose a deceased candidate over opponent Dan Smith.
The city council opted to have Chula Vista voters once again decide the winner of the seat in a November 2023 election, hiring a law firm to provide legal counsel in the interim.
Verdugo and Miesfeld will face off in a March 2024 election.
