City Council — City of Solana Beach

QUALIFICATIONS

My education and business background provide a strong basis for serving on the City Council. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Law Degree from the University of California, Davis.  Upon graduation from law school, I moved back to San Diego to work as a trial lawyer for a large, regional law firm called Gray, Cary, Ware & Friedenrich.  After years working in the private sector, I accepted a position as a lawyer in the office of the San Diego County Counsel where I represented the County and its employees. 

Currently, I am a partner in a small family-owned commercial real estate business where we develop and operate small retail shopping centers. I understand the need for balance in development. I know what it takes to create and maintain a vibrant business district and at the same time protect the character and needs of neighborhoods.

My volunteer efforts in Solana Beach reflect my commitments to preserving our environment and building a strong sense of community. I currently serve as a Commissioner on the Solana Beach Climate Action Commission.  Previously, I served on the Parks & Recreation Commission.  In 2012, I founded and led a chapter of Teen Volunteers in Action, a non-profit leadership and public service organization for teenage boys grades 7^th through 12^th.  This chapter has grown to serve over 170 local families.

MY CORE VALUES; WHAT I STAND FOR

Sustainable Progress:  I support the type of progress that maintains what we all love about Solana Beach … the unique character of our many neighborhoods in all parts of the City, the low scale and eclectic buildings in our commercial areas, and easy access to the beach, stores and schools. We enjoy ocean, lagoon and hillside views as we drive to work, school and do our errands.  Maintaining this as we develop is what I mean by supporting Sustainable Progress.  Your input is important and valuable.  Who knows your neighborhood better than you do?  When reviewing new development, I promise to mitigate negative impacts from traffic, noise, lack of parking and loss of views so our City continues to develop in a sustainable manner. I will fight hard for you to retain the right to determine how our community progresses and develops. 

Fiscal Responsibility:  As a business owner and single mom, I understand how to manage finances. Review and analysis of the City’s budget confirms that Solana Beach is fiscally strong and has considerable reserves.  We have set aside funds for future maintenance and replacement of City assets and have addressed our pension liability.  Approximately 60% of our budget goes to public safety, which keeps our City one of the safest in the County.  I will continue to guide our expenditures in a fiscally conservative manner and ensure the City does not unnecessarily spend taxpayer money.

Environmental Sustainability:  Solana Beach continues to be a leader on environmental issues.  We completed a Climate Action Plan to meet the State goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a member of the City Commission that compiled the information in this Plan, I have the experience and qualifications to monitor and evaluate its implementation with an eye to costs as well as effectiveness. 

OUR FUTURE

There are major development projects being planned for almost every area in our City.  The outcome of this election will determine how these projects affect and change Solana Beach.  Experience, qualifications, and integrity really do matter when electing a Council member.  I’m committed to protecting property values, respecting property rights, and improving our quality of life.  I bring a fresh and balanced perspective to the challenging issues that come to the Council for determination. 

I am independent, objective, and will make reasoned decisions.  My style is to be well prepared and thorough.  My independence enables me to put the interests of our community and neighborhoods first.  I will genuinely listen to all points of view.  I respectfully ask for your vote.

I believe diverse opinions and vigorous debate produce better results. That seems to be missing lately in Solana Beach,  so I decided to run for City Council.

Recent decisions like forming our own Solana Beach power company, choosing fewer voting districts, traffic jamming and roundabouts on Lomas Santa Fe seemed to be the opposite of how the citizens would vote if the issues were on a ballot instead of the City Council agenda.

At least one of those suspicions was correct when the citizens overwhelmingly rose up and got roundabouts and lane eliminations removed, at least temporarily, from the plan to redesign Lomas Santa Fe. It seems we could have put the first of two $600,000 SANDAG grants to better use if we had gotten that feedback first.

I am a 17 year resident of Solana Beach and have spent 25 years as a Finance Executive - primarily corporate but with a niche in Non-Profit. I served 2 terms as Chairman of the Budget & Finance Commission for The City of Solana Beach.

Solana Beach is blessed with a lot of visionary and creative people with  some great aspirations for the City - and I love that but I think we need at least one ……..cheap old curmudgeonly finance guy who can call BS on the consultants & vendors and keep special interests in check.

I’m the Candidate to protect our cities assets and make sure we don't get in too far over  our heads.

I’m here asking for your vote     ---- so I can do just that!