Candidate for
Council Member; City of Chula Vista; Seat 2

Dan Smith

Short Bio

Dan Smith was born in 1957 to Ralph G. Smith, an Iowa farm boy, and Elba Diaz, a smart and beautiful Puerto-Rican girl. Dan's father Ralph was an enlisted Navy sailor that tested into the Naval Academy and later graduated from Northwestern Law School and became a judge. In 1950, Ralph married Elba who worked for the Chicago Sun and she later became a successful real estate broker in Arizona. She broke into the man's world of real estate with a thick accent and a sharp mind when they said it could not be done. Hard work and perseverance were the family values. "It is noble to work - any work" his parents said. Entitlements, or the expectation that you are entitled is dangerous. "Four-flushers is what they are." Ralph's father taught him to speak his mind and earn his own living.

The apple does not fall far from the tree as Dan grew up working on the ranch where he raised cattle in 4-H competition and was a wrangler for the nearby Bronco Ranch in the hot summers. From an early age, Dan excelled as a student and salutatorian of his class and later won the scholarship award for highest academic average at the Lowell Whiteman School. He became a real estate broker at 18 to work summers to pay for college. He obtained a bachelor's degree in economics from Arizona State University and earned an academic scholarship to attend California Western School of Law in San Diego in 1988 where he earned an American Jurisprudence Award. Dan married Layla Villegas after honing his trial skills at Federal Defenders of San Diego.

About Dan Smith's Small Business

Dan Smith is a small businessman. It is not a mysterious business funded by unknown or undisclosed investors. And Dan Smith has started other successful businesses even with his law background. After working as a Federal Public Defender, Dan Smith founded the very first pedicab business in the Gaslamp District of Downtown with four pedicabs and his first SBA (Small Business Administration) loan of 50k to buy more pedicabs. Eventually he got two more SBA loans to help grow his company to the largest and most successful pedicab company in the U.S. and expanded from San Diego into San Francisco, Denver, and Houston for a total of four cities. Although his "Original BikeCab Company, Inc." was not the only pedicab business, it was the first. And he is proud to say that the drivers were polite, clean, friendly and fun.

His business experience helped him to land the largest advertising contract in the history or mobile billboards with Budweiser and Bud Light as his main sponsors along with many other smaller conventions, such as the "Action Sports Convention" where Smith optics (no relation) and J.P. Morgan where not only advertisers, but passengers transported. Eventually a bicycle touring company and mobile billboard company grew from the base business. And, yes, he even received a call from the NFL for pedicabs in Florida where he received a check from the commisioner, Paul Tagliabu, because the reputation of Dan Smith's company was that of integrity and an ability to deliver. No connection to football players or otherwise, just good business practices. He sold the business and moved to Chula Vista to continue his law practice. He looks to start an organic farm on the border of Chula Vista this year. A new venture and a very exciting one at that.

He operates his law firm across from the Chula Vista Court House. He, like other small businesses, is responsible for bringing in new business, like where and when to advertise. Like many other small businesses, he works with his wife who is a certified paralegal. All the permits, taxes, bills, signs, advertising, utilities, rent, and administrative fees are part of his daily activities. Then there is the practice of law. He will tell you it is no different than the flooring company, accountant, or doctor next door. It is small business with all its challenges. Nobody to bail you out. Small businesses are the fabric of the free enterprise system that has made this county so great.

Experience in the Small Business Community

Dan Smith started his Original BikeCAB Company, Inc. in 1995. The Gaslamp District was really only 5th Ave. To stray off 5th Ave. by only 100 ft. could make a person nervous. Not all he street lamps were up and the convention center was just being finished.

Dan Smith was elected to the Board of Directors of the Gaslamp District in its formative years. The Gaslamp District was technically a BID or business improvement district which worked closely with the CCDC of Center City Development Corporation which acted as the planning and zoning for the designated redevelopment area of downtown.

That fact is important given the future development of the Bayfront Area in Chula Vista. Chula Vista will be facing many of the same issues as the Gaslamp did almost 20 years ago. It will be important to keep the character of Chula Vista while taking advantage of the opportunity to create jobs in the City of Chula Vista. It is a delicate balance of business interest, community interests, and special interest bought and sold through lobbyist and consulting firms. That is not to say that lobbyist and consultants play an important role in bringing money to the table, but the interests of the City of Chula Vista should not be controlled by the special interest groups that buy the loyalty of long-time residents.

Dan Smith is a City of Chula Vista small businessman that is not afraid of big business and he has the ability to negotiate to a fair resolution to balance the needs of the citizens of Chula Vista and the desire of big business to expand their market if we can bring good jobs to Chula Vista.

What can Dan Smith do to attract small business to Chula Vista?

Without a doubt, a task force to create a marketing plan and a facilitating committee for small business must be formed. The fact of the matter is that there are too many "for lease" signs on major avenues. A list of available properties should be supplied to a collection center. Perhaps that is the Chamber of Commerce.

This could create some competition between landowners to offer competitive lease rates that would attract business. Next, the facilitation center should make the process of getting a license a friendly and pleasant service. The sign ordinance should be examined to make it understandable. Even with a background in law, Dan Smith has found the sign ordinance confusing and very arbitrary in its application which eventually attracts needless lawsuits.

Dan Smith feels that there are many paid employees of the City of Chula Vista that would welcome the idea of helping business to get started rather than creating obstacles. The City of Chula Vista benefits from new business and everyone should understand that.

Dan Smith is aware of Education needs of Chula Vista families! 3 Reasons Dan Smith is qualified for Chula Vista City Council ? 1,2 & 3 children in 3 different local school systems - Now.

Dan his wife, Layla Villegas Smith have been involved in Chula Vista schools over 10 years. Dan and Layla Smith have interacted with over 100 teachers, administrators, principals, and even the great custodians working in our schools.

Dan Smith - child in grade school. Dan Smith - child in middle school. Dan Smith - young adult in Southwestern Community College. Next year it will be middle school, high school and SWC.

For over 10 years the Smiths volunteered for teachers, lectures, organizing and assisting at events such as Mexican Fiesta, Fall Festival and Holiday shows. Organizing silent auctions for PTG, hauling chairs and tables whenever and wherever needed. Layla served as the Eastlake Education Foundation Coordinator for the annual fund raising Gala. Dan Smith was there for every event.

Volunteering for tasks ranging from managing to announcer at pop-warner football, little league baseball, gymnastics, cheer leading. Fund-raising and support for Football, Cross Country and Track for Olympian High School. Middle school band, advanced band and jazz band supporting the music programs.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - Dan is a merit badge counselor, Layla is Girl Scout Troup Leader and treasurer for Boy Scouts. Camping, counseling, and projects so all members of the troups can achieve their goal of Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award is commitment to Chula Vista.

Dan Smith will make every effort to bring a four-year university to East Chula Vista

Dan Smith realizes that West Chula Vista needs infrastructure upgrades in streets, sewers, water, roads and utilities. That must be done. However, most citizens of Chula Vista recognize that the area which has the room, which has the land for a four year university is in East San Diego. Accessible to all people of Chula Vista, a four year campus would bring tremendous benefits to Chula Vista. Chula Vista has he Olympic Training Center which has been underutilized since its inception. But what a gift.

How do other Cities make it work. The best example is Boulder, Colorado. The Olympic training facilities are integrated in the university and the training center. There is no doubt that Chula Vista could do the same. The fact is that universities attract students, that attract businesses, that ultimately attracts an environment that future Olympic competitors thrive in. The university attracts students that want to study and train. Some athletes that have graduated but want to continue their training need a job. Coffee shops, restaurants, Home Depots - well we already have one of those, we really need a university and a team to sell the location.

A four university may not be as close as the bay front development, however, the effort to start recruiting universities must start immediately. Dan Smith is ready to start the search. The synergy of a university and the Olympic Training Center cannot be ignored.

Chula Vista needs constant vigilance against Chula Vista Corruption ! With a City Councilman not afraid to speak out we will not see criminals slide away from justice.

Dan Smith is involved and outspoken critic about corruption in school districts. It needs to be said and Dan Smith's experience in criminal law makes him uniquely qualified to see where there is corruption and call out for the ethics committee and the ethics enforcement to act!

Dan Smith found it outrageous that the killer of Chula Vista's own DEA Agent Kiki Camarena's killer freed by the courts south of the border. People involved in corruption should be and must be held accountable.

Dan Smith is in the courts virtually everyday and knows of challenge our Police Department faces in fighting crime. We live in the greatest country in the world whose civility depends on the prosecution and defense of criminals. A prosecutor and a defense lawyer on each side otherwise we might end up with a justice system like that which Amanda Knox has faced in Italy.

Dan Smith will fight to make our neighborhoods safer by providing our Police and Fire Departments with sufficient manpower and equipment.

Chula Vista's Police Department and Fire Department needs the resources to respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently. Police officers need training to avoid liability to the City for potential lawsuits. Chula Vista must be proactive.

Whether it is police cruisers, scanners, and other high-tech equipment, we cannot pretend that there is a potential for increased criminal activity, such as drugs, as our nearby border continues to have problems and uncertainty.

Certainly the current drought can only remind us of the Cedar fires and other wildfires. Dan Smith has seen the problems of outdated engines and outdated agreements to work with the neighboring County and Cal Fire resources. Chula Vista should be aware of the needs of our Stations throughout the City. And the importance of paramedics to respond to emergency calls.

Dan Smith support the Chula Vista Fire Department. Chula Vista's Fire Explorer program, where one of the Smith's son has been a Fire Explorer for over three years and three fire academies is an excellent example of the leadership our fire department has shown.

Public Safety is what makes Chula Vista stand out from most of all the communities in San Diego. Public Safety needs to stay at the top of the list.

Vote for Dan Smith

A personal message from Dan Smith: I live and own real and not imaginary small business in Chula Vista. I am raising my entire family here and all my three kids are being educated in Chula Vista. I may not have celebrity or fame in Chula Vista, but in order for myself, my wife and my kids to succeed in Chula Vista, the City of Chula Vista must thrive. I will do everything in my power to assure that outcome. I have only you, the citizens of Chula Vista that need the same thing to rely upon. Together we can make Chula Vista a City without problems of many cities in California with self-serving politicians leading. We can do better and we will when I earn your vote. Let's get started!

Dan Smith