DELFINA GONZALEZ
District 4 candidate
1. How will your professional experience help you serve the city of Chula Vista?
I have a varied background. I am both a great believer in self-reliance and private initiative and thus I am a small business owner. My husband and I own King Landscaping where my husband, Reyes and crew, trim trees throughout the county. My job is marketing, sales, and billing. Keeping the books. I’ve been doing that for over 15-years.
My other job is that of political organizer for United Domestic Workers, UDW. I am a strong advocate for our community taking care of our senior citizen and disabled folks. I’m a strong believer in helping families stay together but help them when needed. I advocate for living wages for those that want to work and be part of the UDW union
I’m a mother of three children, one is special needs, so I know what it takes to run a home’s economy. I’m also a volunteer on Sweetwater Authority’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee where I have advocated for lower water rates and better service. I volunteer on several committees and faith based groups.
2. What is the most pressing issue in your district and how will you address it?
The biggest issue is the higher number of unhoused or homeless. On one level, it’s the lack of good paying entry-level manufacturing or service jobs for people; the proliferation of drugs and alcoholism; lack of mental health services; breakdown of families and support groups; lack of support for Veterans; women and children in abusive relationships. The combination of these causes makes the situation more challenging.
I’m the only candidate that has results in dealing with the homeless. I led a coalition of volunteers, business owners, and civic and clergy to purchase the church on E Street. The biggest obstacle was that the city rejected the idea to have it as a wraparound services center. Something for all homeless: counseling, jobs, a place to get off the drugs and alcohol, a job. But, to no avail.
3. What should the city’s overall priorities be and how will those priorities impact your district?
My campaign has stressed “Families First.” This means a place where families can raise their children and use the resources to continue living here if that’s what they choose. So, what does that mean? 1) A top-notch education from pre-K to a bachelor’s degree.; 2) A high paying, living wage career or business opportunity; 3) An ability to buy or lease a house/condo/apartment. This is just to begin. A Cal State University, call it Cal Poly, South Bay.
But apart from that the city should get the fundamentals down first: The Ps; police, paramedics (first responders), parks, parking spaces, potholes, public spaces, partnerships with groups.
My opponent has taken a do-nothing route. No real change or priorities, no big picture thinking.
4. In the last year, Chula Vista became certified as a Welcoming City. It was ranked the second in the New American Economy’s list of cities across the nation that are most supportive of immigrants. How can Chula Vista continue to uphold these standards and be a welcoming place for immigrants?
That goes without saying. Just by virtue of geography, the US-Mexico Border being 10-minutes away, our hybrid Mexican and American culture and rich diversity of our residents and constituents; the cross border shopping, employment, and tourism by Mexican residents shows that this is an economic boon for Chula Vista’s 4th District on main thoroughfares like Broadway, Chula Vista Shopping Center, Palomar and Main Streets businesses.
Public education and marketing campaigns through the Chamber of Commerce, in Spanish marketing campaigns show the benefits of increased spending of dollars in Chula Vista.
The irony of my opponent is that he was born in Tijuana, Mexico and doesn’t want any more legal immigrant. He opposed the Welcoming City Initiative, he has blamed, inaccurately a la Trump, that undocumented workers have caused most drunk driving deaths in a Star-News article. The article was debunked but it unmasked the retrograde nature of my opponent.
5. How will marijuana dispensaries impact your district? Do you think maximizing the total number of allowable stores per district is a good move?
Marijuana or cannabis dispensaries impact my district more than any other in Chula Vista, including Jill Galvez’s district; and this is due to it being a land use issue. Chula Vista is cleaved by Interstate 805; the west and east side have differences. The east side of Chula Vista, Otay Ranch, Eastlake is master planned; and the locations where cannabis shops can be set up make it more difficult; rents are higher, and not easily accessible to clientele. The 4th District is older, with more mom-and-pop storefronts; the changing demographics make it a younger (and older) demographic.
My opponents Andrea Cardenas supports increased stores fronts in the 4th District; and by virtue of not doing anything, Mr. Diaz is also in favor. He dropped the ball again. He doesn’t care; he talks a good game about limiting and closing them down then does nothing. It’s above his level of comprehension. He doesn’t know what to do and it shows. This is what happens when his indecisiveness takes over.
There is something like 24-27 illegal dispensaries. They pop up, the get sent the appropriate cease-and-desist letter; they pay the fines, the city makes dollars, the police raids and closes it down. It’s best when it’s regulated but the city has promised and not delivered on having it so. The right approach are the 12 licenses, three per district. But, get it done.
6. Do you think the current salary for a city council member is fair? Should it be a full-time job?
My dear, late mother used to tell me that if, “I wanted to earn more, I should do more.” I think councilmembers are overly remunerated for part time-job or half-time job. I believe each council member makes about $70k plus benefits and car allowance. It’s an extremely well-paid position.
But, this is where I differ from my main opponent, Mr. Diaz. For him it’s a retirement supplement. He has a lot time on his hands and no results.
Council members are being paid for results; and to solve the people’s business, to solve Chula Vista’s municipal problems. That is why I am seeking to make things right and prioritize the citizens of the 4th District.
The neglect, last in priorities, lack of problem solving, lack of planning; lack of communicating with District residents; lack of problem solving; lack of consensus; and lack of coalition building. That is why I’m running for office.
Mr. Diaz has dropped the ball for his constituents
My current council-member spent 3 ½ years not getting things (or not enough or nothing) done for the community. His priorities were to increase the salaries of firefighters. I have no problem with our first responders making more for the work they do. It’s a dangerous job.
But, the priority is the majority of the district first. Families first.
But, there are greater issues: proliferation of illegal cannabis shops in the district, lack of sidewalks, dilapidated Orange Avenue Library; closing of recreation centers, potholes; micro crime; unhoused; no leadership, no solutions; no coordination with local school districts for youth job opportunities; and on and on.
