San Diego’s next mayor looks at Mexico

San Diego Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer has some binational plans as he prepares to take office next month. On his mind are pushing for expanded trade and reduced border congestion, and taking steps to increase San Diego’s presence in Tijuana.

“I think we’re on the cusp of tremendous growth of our two cities working together,” he said in an interview Thursday at San Diego City Hall.

The following is an edited excerpt of his remarks:

Question: What do you consider to be the key cross-border issues?

Answer: Encouraging small-business growth and development on both sides of the border is going to be a top priority of mine. But we also want to make sure we support cultural ties; there are family ties that are incredibly important.

And obviously we’re going to be working on environmental issues, because environmental issues don’t stop on one side of the border or the other.

Q: It was precisely a year ago that then-Mayor Bob Filner opened a San Diego outpost in Tijuana — a desk inside the offices of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation. What are your plans?

A: I’m excited about the opportunity to expand our relationships down there. I will absolutely be keeping our Tijuana office open. I’m going to be looking for ways to expand that. I think it’s important that we have full-time representation down there. I’m a big believer in viewing us as one region — two different cities but one mega-region, northern Baja all the way to the Orange County border.

I was very excited that Congress agreed on the president’s budget in terms of Phase III funding for the San Ysidro border crossing (reconstruction). That border wait time of three hours is a huge disincentive, and I’m going to work as mayor to make sure that project stays on track.

Q: A 2010 poll by the San Diego Foundation showed that few San Diegans favor promotion of the San Diego-Baja California mega-region as an economic development strategy. How do you persuade San Diegans to care about Mexico?

A: I think people do care. ... We know in San Diego that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. (The question is,) how do we promote more small-business ties on both sides of the border, export and import.

Q: How will you ensure that the good relations go beyond talk?

A: I am going to be working with our partners here at the (San Diego Regional) Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

I’m a big guy on specifics, so what are the concrete steps that we can be taking now, particularly for small businesses that want to interact and do things with Mexico, in terms of cross-border trade? Those are the things that I told (Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazaran) when I spoke with him on the phone. I’m anxious for things to get going.

Q: Your opponent in the mayoral runoff election, Councilman David Alvarez, had a group of vocal supporters in Tijuana. Do you have any message for them?

A: David’s done phenomenal work, and his council district represents the border. He has done and will continue to do great things. I’m going to work very closely with David. I’ll need his help.

Q: When was your last visit to Baja California?

A: I was at an aerospace suppliers conference down at the new convention center (last August).

One of the things that I was impressed with the most was the spirit of optimism and cooperation down there — wanting to do more. It’s going to help both sides of the border equally as we’re trying to create and grow small businesses here.

Q: Growing up in Oxnard, you were first exposed to Spanish through bilingual classes in grade school. What was your early exposure to Mexico?

A: My father was in city government, and our sister city was Ocotlan in the state of Jalisco. We would travel to Ocotlan numerous times and stay with families there for a week. The next year, the families would come and stay with us. It was a great opportunity for me to learn of Mexican culture first-hand.

As a kid on vacation, we would go down with families to Ensenada, We would be at the beach, and we would go camping sometimes.

sandra.dibble@utsandiego.com (619) 293-1716 Twitter: @sandradibble