District 3 candidate
MICHAEL INZUNZA, 51
Democrat
What is your background? Why are you running for Chula Vista City Council?
I began my career as a teacher in Chula Vista at Palomar and Hilltop High Schools. Soon after, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors appointed me as a Commissioner for Children, Youth & Families overseeing foster youth, adoption, and the welfare of children. My involvement caught the attention of Supervisor Greg Cox, and he brought me on as his District Director responsible for Chula Vista, Bonita, San Ysidro and National City. I returned to my passion as an educator, an ASB Dean and an Assistant Principal in my district and continue to serve today in community engagement representing public schools in our region. I was encouraged to run for City Council by several neighbors and dozens of elected leaders and I am confident I will use my expertise and love for Chula Vista to put us in the right direction.
What are your top three priorities as a council member and why?
Public safety is my number one priority. After Chula Vista voters passed Measure “A” in 2018, we have not seen enough of an increase of police officers that we hoped the half penny tax would provide for residents. We need to support our officers with the tools and resources to keep our city safe from increasing crime because of specific flaws of Proposition 47. Criminal rings have taken advantage of home break-ins, increased drug sales and store robberies resulting in slap of the hand misdemeanors enabling further crime in Chula Vista putting our families in danger.
As we eagerly anticipate the Supreme Court’s decision on encampment bans for homeless residents, we need to provide homeless folks every opportunity to get off the streets by receiving mental health services, drug rehabilitation and adequate places to sleep beyond the city’s bridge shelter and recently purchased motels in conversion for homeless temporary shelters. I strongly believe that allowing homeless residents to tent in front of our homes, schools and parks is irresponsible and is only escalating crime and drug use throughout the city putting a strain and our emergency services.
Traffic accidents are becoming more deadly every year in Chula Vista. Every resident continues to be at risk of speeding red light runners and highway speeds along Oaty Lakes Rd, East H Street, and Olympic Parkway. We need additional traffic officers to enforce deadly speeds and support for Fire Fighters as they are strained in staffing as many work exhausted beyond the workdays away from their families. As a councilman, I am committed to prioritize the safety of our residents.
What is District 3 excelling in and why?
District 3 is on the verge of landing a new university within the next decade. We are the only major city in California without a four-year university and the potential for well-paying jobs and education opportunities is very promising. I am excited that several locally owned businesses like Aqua Tots, TJ Oyster Bar, El Pollo Grill and Wish Well Counseling & Empowerment Center thrive in our community. We need to ensure that we provide incentives for our small business owners to thrive by waving costly permits and inspections. I also commend the last two decades of our council and mayors for preserving and creating open space, parks and recreational facilities for our children and active adults. We need to continue smart growth to provide the best quality of life for our families.
What is District 3 lacking and what plans do you have to create solutions?
District 3 lacks adequate police presence because of the fast growth which increases crime, and we need affordable middle-class housing for our growing families. Chula Vista Police have a strong relationship with our community, and we need to use Measure A funds to hire more police officers as we are in desperate need of a police substation. We need to support our community policing that begins with the resources and increase in staffing to protect our neighborhoods. The city is only building high density housing that will inevitably create traffic gridlock and congest the 125 and 805 freeways. We need to refocus on affordable middle-class homes and be mindful of the impact the growth has on schools, crime, and traffic. My experience as a City Commissioner, local educator and County District Director for the Board of Supervisors qualifies me as the best candidate for city council.
What makes you the better candidate for City Council and why?
I am humbled to be the only candidate fully endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party, The Chula Vista Democratic Club, The Eastlake & Bonita Democratic Club, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. I serve Chula Vista as a City Commissioner appointed by former Mayor Mary Salas and Mayor John McCann and I am endorsed by the Chula Vista Police Officers Association, former Chula Vista Mayors Greg & Cheryl Cox, and Senator Steve Padilla, who was the last council member elected in District 3. My endorsements include dozens of School Board members county wide along with the support of Congressman Juan Vargas, Senator Toni Atkins, Assembly member Akilah Weber, and County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer. I have volunteered with several nonprofits as a board and committee member including the San Diego Foundation. I have spent most of my career as a high school teacher and administrator in Chula Vista schools and currently work as a public school’s advocate working with local Senators and Assemblymembers to ensure that our schools are adequately funded with resources to support our teacher and students. After decades dedicated to serving my community, I have finally answered the call from Chula Vista leaders and my neighbors to represent the city of Chula Vista with my extended experience and support.
What else would you like for voters to know about you?
My wife Alejandra and I were both born and raised in Chula Vista, and we have served our community as education administrators. Our children attend schools in my district as we have always called our beloved Chula Vista home. I am a proud product of West Chula Vista where I grew up attending Rohr Elementary, swam at Loma Verde Recreation Center, played baseball at Max Field, celebrated birthday parties at Farrell’s Ice Cream and enjoyed $2 movies at the Vogue Theater. This is my hometown and will serve with integrity for the best interest of my neighbors to help provide a safe and prosperous quality of life for our families.
