Candidates run for the 2016 Lemon Grove mayoral and City Council race

Lemon Grove candidates are looking for your vote in the 2016 elections. With Mayor Mary Sessom not running for reelection, three candidates are vying for that spot, two of them current City Council members. On the ballot for the mayoral race are Mayor Pro Tem George Gastil and Councilmember Racquel Vasquez. Also running for mayor is Teresa Rosiak.

Lemon Grove candidates are looking for your vote in the 2016 elections. With Mayor Mary Sessom not running for reelection, three candidates are vying for that spot, two of them current City Council members. On the ballot for the mayoral race are Mayor Pro Tem George Gastil and Councilmember Racquel Vasquez. Also running for mayor is Teresa Rosiak.

With two seats open for the City of Lemon Grove City Council, several people are in the running. The candidates for City Council are: David Arambula, Steve Browne, Charlene McAdory, Matt Mendoza, Jerry Selby, Michael Summers and Glenn Thornton Jr. At the time of print both Browne and Thornton chose not to submit.

Each candidate was given ample time to answer five questions with a 1,000-word limit. They are presented in alphabetical order by first name.

Mayoral Candidates

 

George Gastil

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for mayor.

My wife and I have raised three sons in Lemon Grove and we love this community. I am in my second term as a City Council Member; I previously served ten years on the Lemon Grove School Board. I am running for Mayor so that I can help our city continue its progress toward building a stronger local economy and safe, walkable neighborhoods. Much like our current Mayor, I also plan to continue to work at the regional level to improve our economy and our quality of life. I currently serve as the Lemon Grove representative to the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board and the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC).

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Fiscal management is essential to maintain services such as public safety, street repairs, and park maintenance. While the economy is doing well, we must rebuild our budget reserve. We also must continue our progress on revitalizing our business corridors and improving our parks and neighborhood infrastructure. Finally, we must continue to engage residents in meaningful conversations about the future of Lemon Grove.

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

The city remains constrained by our financial situation. We should continue to work on attracting a greater variety of businesses that generate sales tax revenue. We also need to work on making the city more beautiful and more inviting for our residents and visitors. The city recently hired a ranger to help patrol our promenade and our parks. This is a step in the right direction. We are also making progress on a two-mile long park, with a shaded walking trail, that will follow the trolley line.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

The voters will have to decide if they want Prop V. Whether or not Prop V passes, Lemon Grove should continue to participate in regional discussions about how to implement the statewide policy on medical marijuana. If Prop 64 passes, we will need to work with state and county governments to understand our choices at the local level. We would also need to engage with our residents and our business community to hear their concerns.

Free Zone

I have worked with Mayor Mary Sessom on a variety of issues. I understand how challenging the job is. I am proud to have the support of Mayor Sessom, and also Council Members Jennifer Mendoza and Jerry Jones, and County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. I am also proud to have the support of four current Lemon Grove School Board members who served with me: Timothy Shaw, Katie Dexter, Jay Bass, and Blanca Lopez-Brown. I encourage voters to visit my website, www.georgegastil.com, to read more about my background, my vision for Lemon Grove, and the support I have gained in this campaign.

Raquel Vasquez

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for Mayor?

As a dedicated City of Lemon Grove Council Member, I am dedicated to improving the City of Lemon Grove because every resident deserves the best quality of life. I have served as the Mayor Pro Tem for the City and I am the Founder of Thrive Lemon Grove.

Before being elected to the City Council, I served two-terms on the Lemon Grove Planning Commission and I am a 16.5 year Community Relations Officer for the City of San Diego. I have also served on many regional boards including the East County Economic Development Council; League of California Cities Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee; and the Lemon Grove City-School District Collaboration Committee.

My vision is to make the City of Lemon Grove a thriving, safe, and business-friendly City, offering arts, culture, and recreational opportunities for everyone to enjoy.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Public Safety: I will work with law enforcement to ensure that we address crime to maintain a safe community in Lemon Grove.

Neighborhood Improvements: I will encourage redevelopment while preserving the unique character of our neighborhoods.

Economic Development: I will prioritize the budget to ensure the City thrives – supporting infrastructure improvements, local businesses, and services that are important to our community.

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

For the past decade, City residents have endured drastic cuts to community services. We have unfunded infrastructure needs from aging buildings, roads and street lights to long-deferred maintenance projects. As a result, we are going to have to make a significant investment in the upkeep of our city.

Although economic growth for the City is slow, we can diversify our funding sources to improve the quality of life for everyone. I will prioritize economic development in our City so we can generate the revenue we need to keep up with the expense of running our City. I will foster a proactive approach to business expansion, attraction and retention efforts and serve as an advocate for federal, state and local grant funding opportunities.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

In the November 2012 election, a significant number of Lemon Grove residents did not support a measure to allow the operation of marijuana dispensaries in the City. Despite the vote, seven illegal unauthorized dispensaries opened businesses in Lemon Grove causing significant impacts to public safety and the City budget. I believe good government can work for the people of Lemon Grove and I am a big supporter of community involvement in shaping our future. Regardless of the outcome, will support efforts to ensure the appropriate legislation is proposed and adopted to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Free Zone

My husband (retired US Navy disabled veteran), daughters, and I have proudly resided in the City of Lemon Grove for nearly 16 years.

Let’s continue to put my solid leadership in government service to work for the City of Lemon Grove! I will protect community services, eliminate government waste, support economic growth, and neighborhood improvements for the City. It would be an honor to have your vote by mail or on election day. 

For more information, go to www.RacquelVasquez.com. 

Teresa A. Rosiak

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

I have been a resident of Lemon Grove for over fifty years and I am concerned about the welfare of our city and its residents. I have been employed by a major healthcare/hospital facility in San Diego for over twenty years as a Medical Credentialing Specialist and previously I was President of the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce. For many years I have been active politically in Lemon Grove and I want to be a conduit between the City of Lemon Grove and its residents. As your Mayor I will provide strong and determined leadership for individuals and business owners alike to attract the diversity of people and businesses necessary to revitalize the city we love. Responsible leadership, fiscal responsibility and transparency will be trademarks of my service as Mayor. Business friendly, public safety, great community communication, cooperative and hard work will be adjectives used to describe the revitalized city of Lemon Grove. 

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Three top priorities: More and improved public safety, dedication to business development, fiscal responsibility and transparency to all residents.

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

When I meet Lemon Grove residents while walking door to door, the residents feel the largest obstacles for Lemon Grove are:

The homelessness and safety of our community, revitalization and making Lemon Grove a cleaner city, and the condition of our roads in Lemon Grove and traffic congestion. I will have town hall meetings so that the residents can voice their opinion on issues that they are concerned about and I will search out solutions with the City Council members and City Staff so that all concerns are addressed and acted upon in a timely manner.  I want to collaborate with non-profit groups, organizations, businesses out of Lemon Grove and volunteers that can help us resolve these important concerns and we will show you results that will amaze you when we collaborate. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work on day one, as we are just ordinary people trying to do extraordinary things in our city to improve it. As mayor the communication with our residents needs to be of the utmost importance as I will work for you the residents and I would like to see all of the city council meetings be streamed on-line so that those residents that cannot attend the meetings will be able to see what took place at the meetings. The city website needs to be updated and kept current so that the community will be aware of daily events and issues and emergency alerts.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

I oppose Measure V and I will need to await the outcome of the votes to determine what actions can be taken. The prior vote of the Lemon Grove residents was defeated by a 68 percent vote and I know that many of the residents of Lemon Grove feel very strongly against this measure and I stand with you.

Free Zone

Many residents have voiced concerns about City Hall being closed on Fridays, no dog tags being issued when applying for a license, code enforcement not enforcing the rules to everyone in the community, closure of the Lemon Grove Recreation center, parks not being properly maintained and no organized sports allowed and so many more concerns have been addressed and I hear the concerns and the distress in our neighborhoods and we must act upon these concerns and not just provide lip service to you the residents. I have no hidden agendas and I do not want to use this office as a stepping-stone to State Assembly as I am passionate about the city I live in. I have taken no campaign contributions so that I do not owe any favors to anyone. My office door will be open to everyone with a concern or comment and I will continue to go out into the community to hear issues that are important to you the residents instead of giving you just three minutes of public comment time at the city council meetings.

Together, all of us working together, we can begin to improve our wonderful city for not only the residents but also for the many visitors that will be drawn to our community to take advantage of the many benefits available to them. I want to see Lemon Grove “Great Again” for many future generations to come. For these reasons I am asking for your support as Mayor of Lemon Grove and it would be an honor to work for you the residents.

Thank you

Lemon Grove City Council

Charlene McAdory

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

Charlene McAdory is president of Strategic Business Solutions Consulting Group which specializing in helping small businesses align their goods and services with large primes by fostering technical support to help primes meet small business participation goals for women- Minority- and Disabled groups. She works with small businesses by encouraging them to seek various types of state certification certificates to advance their opportunities for inclusion on public works projects in construction, architect and engineering as well as the goods and services.

She is the former president (2010-2012) of San Diego Public Agency Consortium (PAC), a thirteen-member public agency consortium created to foster economic development for the small business community. She has also served in state government posts, as well many years in the public non-profit sector, including positions on numerous Boards of Directors. McAdory a PhD candidate studying Conflict Analysis and Resolution; her subsequent academic achievements include a MA, Mini MBA, BS and a host of distinguished certificates. 

McAdory is president of Thrive Lemon Grove, (2015-present). Thrive Lemon Grove is a community group focused on improving the neighborhoods, public safety, health, and economy of Lemon Grove. Thrive Lemon Grove is a new grass-roots community group that aims to provide a voice for the Lemon Grove community. Its goal is to work with elected officials and community organizations to bring a full spectrum of improvements to the City with the best climate on earth. These include adding vibrancy to the local economy, encouraging community involvement, supporting healthy initiatives to improve the lives of its residents, and supporting the revitalization of our aging neighborhoods.

Why I am running for office?

A large part of why I’m running for office is because I would like to implement visions for new growth that has hindered LG’s collective progress. As a member of the community for the past two years, I’ve come to realize that those who are not engaged in the political process are treated as afterthoughts. In some cases, the so-called divide between the downtown core and the uptown is something that needs to be addressed and remedied as we need to be one Lemon Grove, united in our differences promoting it as a strength rather than a weakness. LG has the potential to have arts, technology, more businesses transition here; and transit has never been more apparent; but there’s always room to turn Lemon Grove from the good into Lemon Grove the better. We have the ability to police homelessness, this can be achieved through the implementation of a Street Outreach Services (SOS) team, that partners with social workers and officers to reach out to low-level offenders, many of whom are homeless. While the numbers in Lemon Grove are low it was important to protect the public, as well as examine options for the homeless population too. In an effort to help combat the homeless crisis or population, an ounce of prevention known as training on how to deal with homeless and mental health issues can be implemented.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

To create more jobs

Increase and improve smart growth

Help maintain sustainable communities

Implement strategic educational initiatives

Improve our streets

Increase business opportunities

Help continue to promote public safety for our communities and businesses

Continue aligning partnerships such as with SDSU “The Sage Project”

Continue the push for healthy eating/living, fitness and wellness

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Clean Up Our City fareways and throughways

Promote Economic Development and Implement Empowerment Zones for New Business Ventures

Bridge The Gap Between Communities and City Council

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

The City of Lemon Grove is facing strategic growth challenges. Its Downtown Village Site Plan was introduced to residents at a town hall forum back in August 2016. Major plan is underway that will promote the future vision for Lemon Grove. Due to the small town, sense of community atmosphere of Lemon Grove, some long-term residents do not want to see change. However, some of the areas of desired improvements include better streets, making the town more walkable; and improved perception of the City, which includes a cleaner, safer Lemon Grove. The expansion will lead to a collection of new businesses, Smart Growth (housing projects), Place Making (redesigning open space) that is just the proverbial start of the action. Though it may seem impossible, the activity will only pick up, as a batch of high-profile developments are in the homestretch. The challenge becomes attracting tenants in industries such as law firms, tech, entertainment, restaurants, media and fashion to ground floor housing units.

Plans for resolving obstacles

If elected, I would continue empower residents by fostering the notion that the DVSP will bring in revenue and improve the look and feel of Lemon Grove. Promote the possibility of encouraging the city’s engineering department to create, design and place a model of the city on display at city hall so the residents can appreciate and approach the concept of what a new DVSP would look from a visual prospective. 

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

I am not a scientist, however, I would like to see the State Health Department be the administrative agency that oversee the issuance of medical marijuana cards and dispense authorization to the medical professional and its patients whom the doctor feel should use it for medical purposes such as for those who suffer from seizures as research revealed that it does work. 

I will never profess to know it all, thus I will align myself with those who have the information needed to successfully reach a stated goal or objective. I may not have the right answers for those who are blinded by old ways of thinking, however, all I ask is to be given an opportunity to exhibit my competency and experience to help co-pilot Lemon Grove. With your vote we can make things happen. Thank you for your support! Please go VOTE on November 8.

Free Zone

cmcadory4lgcc@gmail.com 

www.facebook.com/cmcadory4lgcc/

www.electcharlenemcadorylemongrovecitycouncil.com/

David Arambula

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and have earned business and law degrees. I am currently employed as a litigation consultant at a labor and employment law firm. I serve as an executive board member on the UCSD Chancellor Community Advisory Board. I participate in a number of community groups including HEAL Zone Lemon Grove, Lemon Grove Clergy Association, THRIVE Lemon Grove, among other community-based organizations. 

I am running for Lemon Grove City Council to give back to the wonderful city my family, friends and I call home. I’ve always taught my children to work hard, make a positive difference in other people’s lives whenever possible and to be civically-minded and engaged. As a member of the City Council, I firmly believe that I can continue making positive contributions and collaboratively bringing people together as a community.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Increasing community involvement and helping build strong community engagement.

Improving infrastructure including more sidewalks, improved roads and re-opening the recreational center as well as supporting local businesses and attracting new businesses that community members want and/or need.

Increasing law enforcement presence to promote safer neighborhoods, deter crime and build strong, sustainable relationships between law enforcement and the community.

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

I don’t see issues as obstacles, but rather as opportunities. As a city, I believe we would benefit tremendously from more community involvement and civic engagement. I also believe that properly managing our city’s relatively modest budget and allocating available funds to our deteriorating infrastructure is crucial. I see opportunities in external funding sources at the regional, state and federal level. I also believe strong partnerships with SDSU and UCSD could also lead to significant (and noticeable) improvements in Lemon Grove. The SAGE project through SDSU is a perfect example of the positive yield of a good relationship with our higher learning institutions.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

I do not support Measure V to the extent that Lemon Grove already has regulations that comply with the state’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act. I also believe the wording of the Measure is overbroad and vague – particularly as to its use of the term “residential zone.” If Proposition 64 passes, I would work closely with other members of the City Council, the Mayor and the City Attorney to ensure compliance with state law.

Free Zone

Among the reasons stated above, I am running for City Council to help build a safe, vibrant and livable Lemon Grove that our residents can be proud to call home. I do not intend to waste time while serving on the City Council. My priorities include protecting our neighborhoods by working closely with law enforcement and residents to develop an open and respectful dialogue for the mutual exchange of ideas on our community needs and developing realistic strategies to best achieve those needs. 

I will work to find creative ways to protect the unique character of our exceptional city. I will also work on improving our sidewalks, roadways, and drainage (many neighborhoods in Lemon Grove do not have safe areas for our children to walk to school or for bicycles to ride on the road). 

I will also work on developing an economic growth plan that will focus on attracting new businesses, while making sure that our current businesses are given the assistance they need to prosper and succeed.

I pledge to tackle our challenges and opportunities head-on with the focus on helping return Lemon Grove to the thriving, dynamic city it was always meant to be.

Jerry Selby

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

My wife and I moved to Lemon Grove in 1998. We own the home where we raised our three girls. I am a San Diego State University alumnus with a BA in Public Administration and Masters in City Planning. I served on the Lemon Grove’s Planning Commission for three years, two years as chair and the City Council for six years. I currently serve on Lemon Grove’s Redevelopment Oversight Committee and the School District’s Bond Oversight Committee.

I was a member of the City Council that helped guide the city though the tough times of the great recession. I was a planning commissioner in a time when the city was streamlining and reducing regulations for businesses and residents. I’ve served as Mayor Pro Tem, represented Lemon Grove on MTS and served on the MTS Executive Committee.

I have been involved with PTA at my daughters’ schools and have coached each of them in American Youth Soccer Organization. I am a member of the Lions Club, United States Soccer Federation, US Field Hockey and US Lacrosse. I also serve on the Cal South Soccer Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation is the fund-raising arm and grantor of funds for the development of the game of soccer in Southern California.

I know that Lemon Grove is great place to live. We’ve made progress, but there are still things to be done that will enhance the community’s quality of life. Through my time as a Councilman and Planning Commissioner I have a strong connection to the community and an intimate understanding of what the community wants and needs. I am committed to keeping our town safe, paving our streets, the security and maintenance of our parks, expanded recreational opportunities for everyone, and a walkable community that promotes walking and biking.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

1) Completed the General Plan process. This is the document that will guide the development of the community for next twenty years. My professional training and experience adds a critical expertise to Council that is unmatched by any other candidate. 

2) To continue the process of breaking down regulatory barriers between the residents and the business community. In my time on the council, I supported the elimination of inefficiencies and extra steps that both businesses and residents had to take to process plans or get permits. I will continue to seek ways to balance the safeguards to the health and welfare of our neighborhoods and business districts with regulations that foster growth and not stagnation.

3) Economic Development is the engine that drives the community and pays for the things we want and need for a better quality of life. For many years Economic Development has been a Council priority and I will continue to support that as a priority. Much of the success here will depend on the work already done in reducing the regulations mentioned above. My contacts and understanding of the development community add an element not present on the current Council. 

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

Like many of the cities in San Diego County, maintaining services with limited resources against rising costs. I will work to maintain budget discipline, keep our reserves at appropriate levels, and to seek new revenue streams by seeking ways to make Lemon Grove the place to start and grow your business ventures. 

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

Measure V is not a statement on the medical use of marijuana or even the recreational use of marijuana. This initiative is a question of land use. The decision is no different than asking the community if they would want a gas station in their residential neighborhood or liquor store on every corner. Lemon Grove has already answered the question on dispensaries twice before. I am opposed to special interests imposing from the outside, land use standards for our city. The measure has too many inconsistencies and loopholes to effectively govern where to place dispensaries. In addition to provisions that place dispensaries in residential neighborhoods this measure will lead to problems that will hinder distribution to those who need it.

Commercial sales of recreational marijuana would come under the same land use regulations that medical marijuana, or any other product, do. The issues, policies and regulatory process would be much the same as those that have surrounded the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. Much will depend on what the community says on Measure V.

Free Zone

Matt Mendoza

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

I will be new to Lemon Grove City Council, but I am not new to Lemon Grove and what our city needs. Lemon Grove has deteriorated over the last 20 years or more, including our buildings becoming run down and outdated, our streets overcrowded with extreme traffic, a large homeless population and crime is on the rise. I am running to bring Lemon Grove back to a safer city, a desirable city to go shopping, out to Dinner and just hangout on a Saturday evening and enjoy life.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

No. 1. My top priorities are to clean up the business district in Lemon Grove, mainly on Broadway. To bring in high end restaurants and retail stores. This will not only beautify our city, but also make it more desirable for out of towners to come here and shop and dine and increase our city’s tax revenue.

No. 2. Make our town a safer place to live by adding additional Sheriffs on the streets or creating our own police force and getting a handle on the growing amount of the homeless population coming to Lemon Grove.

No. 3. Repairing the deteriorating streets of Lemon Grove and bringing the community together by seeing if we can have more youth and senior citizen outreaches.

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

The largest obstacle Lemon Grove has is its Revenue; it has not risen to any significant levels in over 7 years. We have to get bold in economic recovery in down town Lemon Grove in order to bring serious businesses in to our town.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

I am against Measure V in Lemon Grove, it would send the wrong message to our young people and bring in the wrong environment to our neighborhoods.

And if Proposition 64 passes, I would take measures to have a vote on an ordinance in Lemon Grove that you cannot grow or use recreational Marijuana within city limits.

Free Zone

Born and raised in Lemon Grove, I know what is important because, like you, I live here.  I attended local schools, met my future wife at an east county church, and have had my home in Lemon Grove for 31 years. 

Living in Lemon Grove all my life, I know my neighbors and have talked with many people and no matter what nationality they are or if they are Democrat, Republican or Independent, it all seems to come down to these four basic desires we are all looking for.  A Clean city, decent local business, good paying jobs, and a safe place for our families to live are what Lemon Grove residents want. Being business friendly will encourage companies to locate to Lemon Grove, which will create more jobs for our residents, and will make Lemon Grove a thriving community again.

As Manager of Operations for a multibillion-dollar company, my 37 years of aerospace experience in problem solving and leadership is what sets me apart for you. Creating a team to meet goals is my job. Whether departments, companies, government agencies or the military, bringing them together to meet a deadline, all within budget, is what I do.

www.MendozaForLemonGrove.com

Michael  Summers

Tell us about yourself, work that you have done in the City Council and/or community and why you are running for City Council.

I am not a politician, nor do I wish to be known as a politician.  However, I am running for City Council because I believe that it is time for Lemon Grove to live up to its potential: a higher quality of life for our citizens and a productive commercial environment for our business owners.

I have extensive management experience from the military and in both the public and private sectors.  I was responsible for setting and accomplishing the goals for various types of departments, organizations, and companies.  I prepared and controlled budgets and found ways of accomplishing more with less, and have saved the organizations for which I worked tens of thousands of dollars.

I bring all my experience to the Lemon Grove City Council, confident that I can assist in the practical and professional operation of the Council.  I am not the sort of person who sits on the sidelines and lets others do the heavy lifting.  I get involved and make a difference by applying the gifts and talents that I possess and the real world experience that I have accumulated.

What are your three top priorities for Lemon Grove if elected?

Economic redevelopment

Public safety

Community solidarity and quality of life

What are the largest obstacles that Lemon Grove faces at this present time and what are your plans in resolving them?

Economic redevelopment:  I will be looking for creative and practical ways of bringing new business into Lemon Grove in order to increase revenues to the city without increasing taxes on our existing businesses and citizens.

Community identity and pride:  Along with our schools, civic groups, and volunteer organizations, I will support efforts to increase park usage and recreational activities within Lemon Grove, cultural celebrations and festivals, and the renovation of our downtown and other identifiable communities within the city.

Public safety:  In order to ensure that Lemon Grove is a safe environment for families and businesses, I will be working closely with the Sheriff’s Department, business owners and leaders, civic organizations, and our citizens to identify and eradicate any ongoing criminal elements within the city.  This includes providing law enforcement personnel with the manpower, money, and equipment they need to carry out the goals and objectives set by the City Council and the enforcement of our local, State, and Federal laws and regulations.  It means interacting with our citizens in order to gain their trust and cooperation in identifying known criminals and offenders.  And, most importantly, it means searching for practical and creative ways to proactively discourage vandalism and criminal activity in Lemon Grove.  One dollar spent in discouraging crime will save numerous dollars in investigating, apprehending, adjudicating, and incarcerating a criminal.

Where do you stand on Measure V and if California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization passes what steps would you take to allow or disallow sales of marijuana in Lemon Grove?

Measure V:  I am against Measure V for two reasons.  First of all, it ties the hands of the City Council from regulating retail medical marijuana shops for 3 years, thus preventing the city from acting in the best interests of the community should these shops become a problem or nuisance.  Second, it is a potential economic disaster for the city as it could destroy the current revitalization plans for downtown and Main Street.

Prop 64:  I am generally against any regulation or law that will negatively impact the quality of life for the public at large.  At the expense of dating myself, I lived through the 60’s and saw the drug culture firsthand.  It wasn’t pretty.  Prop 64, while it may mean well and has some potentially good arguments, is like putting lipstick on a pig.  I don’t believe it will accomplish its publicized crime-reduction goals, but will contribute to an increase in local criminal activity.  Lemon Grove has already experienced this firsthand.  Other States and communities (Colorado, Washington) have exposed the downsides of legalized marijuana.

Free Zone:

I enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed a tour of Vietnam in 1971 – 72.  After my enlistment was up, I worked with my hands in the construction trades for a number of years before starting on a college degree at a community college in Florida and then transferring to Wheaton College.  I was the Cadet Commander and Honors Graduate of my ROTC unit at Wheaton.  After graduation, I accepted a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers.  Before leaving the Army, I had successfully completed a Company Command at the rank of Captain.

I have held management positons with a number of large organizations such as the Marine Corps, Army Corps of Engineers, Cox Communications, Westfield America, and smaller ones such as the San Diego Opera, San Diego Symphony, and the Jewish Community Center in La Jolla.  While working at the same time to keep food on the table, I earned BA degrees in Psychology and Biblical Studies and an MBA in Financial Management.  Now I am a co-owner of a small business in downtown Lemon Grove.

I have served on numerous boards and committees.  While working in downtown San Diego, I was elected to the Centre City Advisory Committee (CCAC) and while on the Committee, served as the Chair of its Arts & Culture subcommittee, liaison to the Unified Port District of San Diego, and was a member of the CCAC’s Pre-Design Subcommittee for building projects in the downtown area.  

In addition, I was the Chair of the El Cajon Arts & Culture Commission, Treasurer of the La Mesa – Spring Valley Education Foundation, President of the Greater San Diego chapter of the TeleCommunications Association (TCA), President/Board Member of the Humanist Fellowship of San Diego, a member of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, and a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.  

Over the years, I have watched Lemon Grove take a back seat to its surrounding neighbors as they redeveloped their downtown areas and communities: San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon.  It is time for Lemon Grove to rise up, spread its wings, and become the city its citizens deserve and its founders meant it to be.  I look forward to being a part of this process as your newest City Council member!