Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
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I think we can all agree, I’m glad 2020 is in the rearview mirror. As we head into the new year, I don’t want to dwell on the past, I want to focus on the future, by getting back to basics. While there’s been a lot of media attention surrounding three new members joining the Board of Supervisors, my focus doesn’t change. When I ran for election in 2018, my top three priorities were fiscal responsibility, public safety and making sure we had adequate behavioral health services,...
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and I think we all are looking forward to the new year. While we have had a hectic 2020, one that we will never forget, I’m starting to look ahead. My theme for 2021 is, “Back to Basics.” I’ll explain a bit more about what I mean in next week’s article, but I think we need to focus on safe communities, quality roads and infrastructure, addressing homelessness, mental health and addiction for families and those who can’t help themse... Full story
I'm focused on reflection and gratitude this holiday season. As I reflect on the changes brought in 2020, there's a lot I've missed in light of our new normal. I've missed going out to our different communities in District 5 and interacting with all of our wonderful constituents. I've missed our in-person revitalization meetings in the unincorporated areas. I've missed the neighborhood Christmas parades, the lighting of the Christmas trees and everything else the holiday...
Last week, when Governor Newsom made the announcement of a new regional approach, I was hopeful. Over the past eight months, I’ve been asking for the focus to be on ICU and hospital capacity and I was glad to see that he finally was changing the focal point. However, once again, he’s missed the mark. The governor and state did not consult with San Diego County and unilaterally implemented a “regional” approach that unfairly puts people out of work. San Diego has roughly...
Has shuttering businesses and crushing livelihoods worked to control the virus? Obviously not. If businesses aren’t spreading the virus, what is? Dr. Ghaly, the head of the California’s Health and Human Service Agency, responded to where people are getting the virus; his answer is, “everywhere.” Clearly, the state was missing the mark. Focusing on business sectors provides a false sense of security and is a cause, not a solution, to the spread. Many of the closed and prohibi...
I don’t think there’s ever been a more important Thanksgiving than this year. Now more than ever is a time for reflection, for sitting down and thinking about all the things for which we are grateful. I was grateful to sit down with my family this year, have a wonderful meal and just spend time with each other. It’s been a hectic year and we haven’t had enough opportunity to all sit down, talk about our lives and be together. I was grateful to talk to my extended family...
Throughout the past seven months, I’ve tried to follow the facts and the science. I’ve listened to our public health officials and the great work they’ve done. I’ve tried to get as much information as possible when it comes to this virus and I must say, I am concerned about the increase in positive cases. As the cases increase, it’s vital we have the available hospital capacity. People need to observe the safety protocols – distancing, masking and sanitization. I do hope eve...
Seven months ago, San Diegans were asked to flatten the curve, protect our most vulnerable and make sure we had enough personal protection equipment available. Seven months later, our curve has flattened, we are protecting our most vulnerable and we have more than enough personal protection equipment. While the people and business owners of San Diego have done everything that’s been asked of them, they’re being punished. With the state putting us back into the most restrictive...
No more TV commercials, no more opening up your mailbox to 20 different mailers from candidates, no more political signs, the 2020 election has come to a close, sort of. At the time of writing this, 64.4% of the votes have been counted in San Diego County and over 95% of the votes have been counted at the state. While some races are too close to call, it looks like there will be three new members on the Board of Supervisors. I look forward to working with Nora Vargas, Terra...
Every COVID-19 death is a tragedy and while we continue to fight this virus, we may never know the real number of deaths when it comes to this disease. According to the U.S. Census Bureau as of July, more than 44% of Californians reported levels of anxiety and depression. Over 71% of Californians between the age of 18 and 29 reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless. The reality is a significant portion of the population is suffering, not from coronavirus, but from the...
As we now come upon the seventh month of lockdowns in San Diego County, I see us getting further and further away from our original goal. As I’m writing this, COVID-19 patients make up 5% of current hospitalizations, which is a credit to our public health officials and the people of San Diego. We have done an outstanding job of protecting our most vulnerable. While positive cases may be rising, our hospital capacity remains strong. However, businesses are still suffering. W...
This past Friday, I scrolled through my phone and came upon something I couldn’t believe. For all the absurdities that have come down from the State of California, this may take first prize. What was I reading? The state’s new guidance on private gatherings. Here are some of the points: Gatherings that include more than three households are prohibited. All gatherings must be held outside. Attendees may go inside to use restrooms. Gatherings should be two hours or less. Sin...
Life is about managing risks. Every time we leave our house, there is some risk involved. Unfortunately, accidents happen all the time and can devastate families. However, every day we weigh different options and outcomes based on the risks. This leads me to our current situation. COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon, so we are left with two options, stay inside, or learn to live with the virus. As I wrote about last week, vaccines usually take years to develop and even i...
I’ve repeated this often over the last few months. We have lost sight of the goal. I think it’s reasonable for everyone to take a step back and say how did we end up here? How did we go from we need to flatten the curve in the month of April to, we are going to shut your business down if you decide to stay open? Almost all business owners set goals, they set goals as a way to look towards the future. I look to Sacramento and I wonder, what is the goal? Is it hospital cap...
A celebration is not in order. Even though San Diego County barely missed dropping into the purple tier, there is no cause for celebrating. There is no business plan for a gym to operate at 10% capacity. There is no business plan for a restaurant to operate at 25% capacity. We cannot continue to have 200,000 San Diegans out of work. As I drive around San Diego County, I see more and more businesses closing their doors. I see the people and the businesses which make up San...
San Diego has been backed into a corner with unreasonable expectations. The state's new, color coded criteria makes it impossible for San Diego County to ever completely open. Last week, I made a motion at the Board of Supervisors meeting for the county to no longer enforce whether businesses should be open or closed. I still believe that we should enforce the health and safety protocols, but let the state enforce their closure requirements. Unfortunately, my motion didn’t r... Full story
Everyday tens of thousands of people safely shop at big box retail and grocery stores where respectful San Diego shoppers obey the mask, social distancing and sanitation protocols. Churches, museums, restaurants and the zoo are now open, but to a limited 25% capacity. Legoland, street fairs and wedding venues have yet to open while liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries operate unabated. While big box retailers thrive, many small businesses are not afforded the same... Full story
Let’s start with the good news. Your continued pressure has been felt in Sacramento, and some businesses are able to reopen, at least partially. I’ve talked to many of you who didn’t know if your business would be able to survive any more shutdowns. I know those in the hair and nail salon industry go through extensive safety training to receive required state licenses, and I’m glad to see that they are able to open at full capacity with appropriate safety measures. Now, he... Full story
We can start with some good news when it comes to our push to reopen San Diego. Our children can go back to school. Last week, it was announced that all San Diego County school can open. Now, it’s up to school districts to determine their best method of learning, including in-person with safety measures to protect students and staff. While I’m pleased to see children going back into the classroom, that is only half of the battle. We still have a 12% unemployment rate in San Di... Full story
In 2004, San Diegans voted to extend a half-cent sales tax for 40 years starting in 2008. In exchange SANDAG promised to build mass transit projects and also relieve traffic congestion by making critical highway improvements to Routes 78, 67, 94, 125, 805 and 52 and many other major San Diego highways. Those promised projects have not come to fruition. After spending over two-thirds of the transportation dollars in the last decade on mass transit, public transit ridership has actually declined. And we can all see it:... Full story
For many years, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has been criticized for not spending its reserves. When I ran for election in 2018, I stressed that we must continue to be fiscally responsible, maintaining healthy reserves in case of an emergency. The coronavirus pandemic qualifies as an emergency and has certainly been difficult on everyone, but also is a prime example of why the county needs strong fiscal reserves. San Diego County released their budget for fiscal... Full story
Over the last four months there have been many unknowns regarding COVID-19, but as time has progressed, people have learned a lot too. They’ve learned that those with underlying health conditions are more susceptible to the virus. They’ve learned that children are rarely affected by the virus, and they’ve learned how to better treat the virus. They need to thoughtfully apply what they’ve learned how to prevent the spread, how to treat, who are more and who are less vulnera... Full story
When it comes to any decisions at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I weigh the different outcomes. Whether it’s deciding on an upcoming vote, or reopening businesses during a pandemic, it is my job as a policymaker to make sure that we are balancing the public health side and the economic side. There will always be risks with life. For the past 30 years, I’ve been an airline pilot. Every flight, people have taken the risks boarding the plane. I make calculations bas... Full story
We must get our kids back in school. I know for some that can be a frightening statement, but throughout this pandemic, I’ve made my decisions and opinions based on science and data. Over the last month, I’ve had conversations with doctors, data experts and researchers about COVID-19 and one of the most consistent messages has been, we need our young people back in the classroom. While there are still many questions regarding COVID-19, we do know that young people rarely suf... Full story
Unfortunately for many businesses in San Diego County, the end is near. With the Governor’s announcement that gyms, personal care services, hair salons, barbershops and malls must cease indoor operations, this could be the final straw. The Governor compared his latest announcement to turning down a dimmer switch, but unfortunately, he’s turning off the lights for many small businesses in San Diego County. The latest shutdowns are entirely unwarranted. Our hospital numbers are... Full story
