ESCONDIDO — Before a packed house of members of the Chamber of Commerce, the four city council candidates and San Diego County Board of Supervisor candidate spoke about the future of the city and region.
The chamber hosted a forum Thursday at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, covering a wide range of topics affecting the city, its future, development, housing and other issues.
The city, meanwhile, transitioned to districts several years ago and this year districts three and four are up for grabs. In District 3, incumbent and two-term councilwoman Olga Diaz is challenged by pastor Joe Garcia. In District 4, six-year council veteran Mike Morasco takes on attorney Ingrid Rainey.
In the supervisor race, Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar is challenging incumbent Dave Roberts, who did not attend Thursday’s forum.
Roberts didn’t attend as he was scheduled to be out of town attending a strategic Executive Committee planning meeting with the California State Association of Counties, according to Roberts’ campaign advisor Gary Gartner.
One question centered on the controversial high-end Safari Highlands Ranch development outside city limits, but near Rancho San Pasqual Community and Eagle Crest Golf Course.
Diaz said she does not support the project, noting basic infrastructure needs are missing such as police and fire protection. In addition, she said the 1,100-acre development should not be annexed into the city until such needs are met.
Garcia said the development would put additional stress on traffic, schools and response times from first responders.
Morasco, meanwhile, said he is in favor of annexation and the issue boils down to property rights. He said the city must make sure to protect those rights.
Morasco minced no words saying he is a “pro growth candidate.”
Rainey said the council must look at the project in its totality, including long-term effects.
Gaspar said it would be overreaching to support large annexation, noting infrastructure must be in place to support the Safari Highlands Ranch project.
As for the housing crisis and affordability, all candidates agreed big steps must be taken to address the issue.
All also agreed additional housing stock is needed, although each had a bit of a different path to get there.
Garcia said the General Plan would create better development and areas for affordable housing. He noted the public and private sectors must work together to generate a larger inventory.
Morasco said it’s important to have continual renewal of the stock, but there is also a need for new homes.
Diaz and Rainey, though, said new homes are welcomed, but diversifying housing inventory is critical to allow low, and middle income residents the ability to afford a home.
Gaspar said it is the utmost importance to increase the housing stock to ensure young adults can live in San Diego County, plus for seniors looking to downsize.
Continuing with the housing theme, or lack thereof, the candidates addressed the rising homeless population in the city.
Morasco said one of his primary goals is to eradicate homelessness, although he admitted it’s one of the most difficult challenges facing society, but said the issue starts with enforcing city ordinances currently on the books.
Next, he added, is to be proactive with groups and organizations that have found success with getting people off the street and into housing.
Rainey, meanwhile, said working hand-in-hand with for- and nonprofit outfits that want to help can make a dent. She said those who are homeless have become so due to a “plethora of reasons.”
Diaz, who volunteered at Interfaith Services for two years, said the municipalities do not have the resources necessary to solve the problem. She said homelessness is more of a mental health and addiction problem, adding the city contributes just $36,000 per year toward the issue.
Garcia added he believes partnerships between public and private organizations, businesses and faith-based groups could make a difference. He said there are many organizations out there wanting to help, but don’t know how to take the first step.
Gaspar, meanwhile, said vets and families should not be homeless and they must be taken care of to get them housing. In addition, she said more resources and programs with benchmarks are needed to assist those transitioning off the streets.
The second part of this story will run online next week and in the Inland Edition’s next publication date of Oct. 21.
1 comment
$36,000 to ERADICATE homelessness… and working with the public and private sectors.. so that way the city can just delegate away the problem. That’s sad.
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