Candidate for
Council Member; City of Chula Vista; Seat 3

In the 2012 election you will determine who will represent you in shepherding the City through these important times. I urge you to support my re-election so that I may continue to advocate for progress in implementing the shared vision of a healthy vibrant city for all residents alike. I am supported by a broad base of officials, community leaders, residents, business owners, working families, who all agree that we must put Chula Vista's needs first in building a strong and sustainable economy and enviroment. Please vote for my re-election to Chula Vista City Council Seat No. 3 in June 2012.

Protect & Renew Chula Vista's Waterfront

Since assuming office in 2008, I have made it my priority to help accelerate the progression of our Bayfront Master Plan through the required regulatory process, a process that was stalled when I first joined the Council. Now, with the final step just months away, the table is set for our bayfront to become the "jewel" of our city with vast parks and open space and an improved marina and boardwalk. A planned resort hotel and convention center, retail shops and dining will add to the expanded opportunities for recreation, eco-tourism, and cultural activities.

Also of major importance during the first years of my term was the decommissioning of the South Bay Power Plant at the end of 2010. This antiquated plant is no longer polluting our coastal neighborhoods and will soon be demolished, opening up a view of our bay that we haven't experienced since the early 1960s.

Economic Growth & Revival

I will continue working to attract the right mix of business and residential development to our historic downtown to ensure economic health and diverse business and housing opportunities, while maintaining the look and feel of our urban village. Restoring the old Vogue Theatre and implementing the Third Avenue streetscape makeover are essential to this process. The Chula Vista Center + our oldest shopping mall is located in the heart of downtown and dates from the 1960s. Long overdue for a makeover, it is my priority to work with its new owners to encourage renovation of the Center into a premier urban shopping experience. We must also complete plans in progress to address the substantial needs of Southwest Chula Vista that have long been neglected.

To maintain a good quality of life for our residents, we must attract quality development that helps pay for vital services and infrastructure, and creates a healthy balance of jobs and housing. Since elected to office, I have been focused on how we will create this balance while meeting our future energy needs. Chula Vista must remain at the forefront of planning for a sustainable future that includes solutions to help ease increased traffic impacts. We have led the region in demonstrating that environmental policy can result in substantial savings and economic development.

Expand Opportunities for Education, Art, Culture & Recreation

We must also stay focused on attracting a four-year university and technology park, and work to increase the profile of important regional assets within our city, like the Olympic Training Center in the east and the Chula Vista Nature Center on the Bay. Working with organizations and other agencies throughout San Diego County will help expand opportunities for recreation and sports + such as continued development of trails in Otay Valley Regional Park and the Bayshore Bikeway on our waterfront and collaborating with our partners on the Chula Vista Sports Alliance.

I will also continue working to improve interaction with our international neighbors to the South to strengthen our assets for a regional identity that takes into consideration the important role our city plays in the international arena + half way between Mexico and San Diego.