Q&A with District 4 candidates
Chula Vista is having its first district election vote Tuesday, and four candidates are competing to make it to the November election and represent residents in District 4.
District 4 includes the southwest portion of the city bordered by L Street and the San Diego Country Club to the north, Interstate 805 to the east, Montgomery, Main Street and Otay to the south, and Interstate 5 to the west.
In 2012, Chula Vista voters approved a change in the city’s charter that required council members be elected by geographic district, instead of citywide votes, beginning with the 2016 election.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in the June 7 election will face each other in November. On Nov. 8, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins election to that district. The term for each position is four years and there is a limit of two consecutive terms.
District 4 candidates are Mike Diaz, Rudy Ramirez, Eduardo Reyes and Emmanuel Soto.
Diaz is a retired Escondido firefighter and teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Ramirez is a small-business owner and former Chula Vista councilman.
Reyes is the principal at Bonita Vista Middle School and currently the president of the Chula Vista Elementary School Board.
Soto is a teacher in the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Chula Vista parks and recreation commissioner.
All District 4 candidates were asked the same three questions. Here are their responses.
Q: What’s the biggest issue facing Chula Vista today and how would you work to change that if elected?
Diaz: Encourage good economic development. We need to recruit good businesses to Chula Vista. By bringing good paying jobs to Chula Vista, we can reduce travel time and pollution. My goal is to have our residents live, play and work in Chula Vista.
Ramirez: Fiscal Sustainability. We need to create land use policies that make retail more successful in Chula Vista. If we do this, residents will have better shopping options, which will drive local sales. Increased sales will feed revenue into city coffers, making more money available for enhanced public safety, street repairs and new infrastructure, graffiti cleanup, trash pickup and all around improved city services. All this with no new taxes.
Reyes: The biggest issue is the social and economic disparity in Chula Vista. I’ll create more local jobs, support business development, improve infrastructure, address homelessness, and support youth with educational programs. I’ll ensure that every resident, regardless of where they live, has an opportunity to maximize their potential and thrive economically.
Soto: Jobs. It’s important that we protect and strengthen small businesses as they are part of the fabric of our community and essential to the growth of our local economy. I will support policies that will promote economic growth and develop incentives to attract new businesses that will create new jobs.
Q: What are your top three priorities for the city?
Diaz: Public safety is the first priority. Police and fire response times are lagging. I will make sure we reduce response times and reduce crime.
Encourage business. Streamlining our permitting process and reduce the fees required to start up a business.
Properly fund maintenance of infrastructure like roads, parks, libraries and public safety.
Ramirez: Public safety, infrastructure repair and maintenance, fiscal sustainability.
Reyes: Homelessness: I’ll create a strategic, comprehensive plan to prevent and end homelessness.
Economic development: I’ll revitalize the economy and close the economic gap, support high-growth, high-impact businesses, create business-friendly policies, and reduce bureaucracy.
Education: I’ll provide educational opportunities by partnering with school districts to improve quality of life and close socio-economic disparities.
Soto: Education and jobs: Excellent schools, parks, libraries, support current businesses and attract new businesses, creating new jobs
Neighborhood accessibility: Modernize infrastructure and catch up on needed repairs to improve resident quality of life.
Helping the homeless: Seek out community partners and programs to develop a sustainable model to provide services and housing.
Q: Why should Chula Vista residents vote for you?
Diaz: I have lived in west Chula Vista for 50 years. Today, it appears that City Hall is paying more attention to Otay Ranch and has forgotten about us in west Chula Vista. I’m going to change that. I will provide the representation we deserve.
Ramirez: I have deep roots in southwest Chula Vista where I have demonstrated a strong commitment and a record of accomplishments in civic affairs. I have the experience and ability to be the most effective advocate for residents of District 4 and citywide.
Reyes: I’m the only candidate with proven leadership and experience directly related to what Chula Vista needs. I have been a teacher, principal, board member, and community advocate for over 24 years. I’m the only candidate that has supported thousands of families and made a direct impact on the community and residents.
Soto: As a councilman, I will work to ensure District 4 gets a fair share of the funding by informing the council of District 4’s needs. By working with the entire council and mayor, we can work towards meeting the needs of our district and the needs of the city as a whole.
