TOP THREE PRIORITIES AS A COUNCIL MEMBER
CHRISTINE BRADY: My top priorities are providing municipal services to youth and seniors in District 4, creating an Arts/Cultural district to provide jobs and support mental health, and providing a solution to the homeless crisis which will include housing coupled to mental health treatment. I am running for City Council because I am a 25-year resident and proven problem solver who sees millions of dollars being spent and not benefiting anyone. I want to see valuable resources applied productively to improve the quality of life in District 4 and all of Chula Vista.
CESAR FERNANDEZ: The focus needs to be on making Chula Vista affordable again. That’s why so many of us working folks – teachers, construction workers, nurses – laid down roots here. I’ll push for the affordable housing we need so families don’t get pushed out of the Southwest. And I’ll fight to ensure local workers get the first shot at new jobs on new city projects. Because one job should be enough to make ends meet. To get it all done, we need to end the corruption and scandals. We need new leadership now.
DELFINA GONZALEZ:• Local Control of Chula Vista issues:
• Public safety including police and fire.
•Infrastructure, including parks and recs, eliminate SR-125 tolls.
• Road potholes, graffiti, youth programs, sidewalks
• Fiscal responsibility
• Promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence.
•Economic development
• Business expansion
• Work with Chamber of Commerce, SBEDC, and companies and small business
• Job retainment
JOSE SARMIENTO: Unity, safety, and inclusion stand as my top three priorities as a council member. Uniting the city, nonprofits, and local businesses is paramount in building financial sustainability. By fostering collaboration, we create a resilient foundation for economic growth and community well-being. Safety is fundamental, and achieving it requires shared communication among neighbors. Strengthening these connections ensures a safer environment for all residents. Inclusion is crucial for addressing the diverse needs of our district. Hearing directly from residents about the issues affecting them is key to formulating effective, sustainable solutions. By promoting an inclusive dialogue, we can develop policies that resonate with the entire community. These priorities align with my commitment to holistic community development, aiming for a Chula Vista that thrives on unity, safety, and inclusivity.
IN WHAT AREAS IS DISTRICT 4 LACKING?
CHRISTINE BRADY: District 4 is bearing the brunt of the homeless crisis in Chula Vista. Millions of dollars is being spent on the Bridge Shelter designed to accommodate 128 people but is only occupied by ten. Millions are being wasted moving fences around and chasing the homeless from one location to another. I have a plan to couple housing with mental health treatment that includes creating a Mental Health Facility behind the Otay River Industrial Park that would be integrated with 192 small homes (650 sq ft each). The requirement for two-year residency would be mental health and trauma treatment. This complex would take up 16 acres, be close to services and not impact negatively on residential or retail areas. The plan is based on the successful program of Salt Lake City.
In the meantime, I would activate the Bridge shelter so that 128 homeless can be accommodated immediately.
District 4 is lacking in services and available facilities for youth. The Boys and Girls Clubs in the district closed down. The Chula Vista Community Youth Center that was built by the City has been taken over by the Sweetwater Union High School District and is slated to store construction materials. Baseball fields are restricted to school use and are not used nine months of the year. The recreation center only provides concrete floors for dance spaces which are unacceptable to dance instructors. There are no sponsored sports tournaments or “clash of the bands,” or civic youth orchestra, etc. I would promote free after school public transportation for youth, new arts and sports programs, upgrade of recreation facilities, funding for promotion, low-cost performance venues, a civic youth orchestra and band, etc. I am presently campaigning for the Chula Vista Community Youth Center to remain at the service of the youth and for the school district to enter into joint use agreements with the City.
District 4 is lacking in aesthetics. It is a combination of the bedroom community and a few streets lined with unattractive tire shops, strip malls and mega stores. New development produces more congestion while lending nothing of beauty, interest, or character to the area. There is no Art, nor music. Skyrocketing rents are driving businesses out, while there is nothing for tourists to come into. I am proposing a new arts district of low-cost performance venues, museum, sculpture garden and practice studios that would provide jobs in construction, training in design and scenery construction, arts promotion, etc., as well as contribute to the mental health of the community.
CESAR FERNANDEZ: With the Bayfront development bringing 7,000 new jobs to Chula Vista, there’s so much potential. But we can’t let our community get left out in the cold. I’ll fight to ensure local workers get the first shot at new, local jobs. And we can’t just build a beautiful new Bayfront and leave our existing neighborhoods unimproved. Southwest deserves its fair share for safer, better streets and our families deserve Harborside Park to be open, clean, and safe again.
DELFINA GONZALEZ: •Affordable housing: pushing for a City wide development of purchasing housing rather than expensive rentals; business attraction.
• More Green spaces.
• Training and Education Centers preparing our next generation.
JOSE SARMIENTO: District 4 currently lacks walkability, trees, open park space, public art, and visibility, despite having remarkable restaurants, regional powerhouse businesses, and a dynamic, bi-nationally savvy citizenry. To address these shortcomings, my plans include fostering financial literacy, particularly for newly immigrated residents and their children. I aim to create an atmosphere that promotes opportunity and inclusion, ensuring everyone in our district can thrive. Additionally, I will focus extensively on revitalizing the Broadway corridor. As the Chula Vista Bayfront undergoes development, I see immense opportunities for our local entrepreneurs to succeed. By strategically harnessing the changes in our economy, I will work towards enhancing walkability, green spaces, public art, and overall visibility in District 4. Through these initiatives, I am committed to creating a more vibrant, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing environment that meets the diverse needs of our community.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE ?
CHRISTINE BRADY: I am a better candidate because I have plans, and accomplishments. Everyone is aware of the problems and can expound on them. No other candidate is presenting plans or has the experience I have of creating and establishing social institutions and resolving social issues, founding, and building the La Esperanza schools renowned for their architecture, arts programs and helping developing communities to install public services for 35 years or managing a $650 million development program for the Navy. I am the only candidate with concrete accomplishments and who values Art and Culture. I am also the only candidate who has been attending City Council meetings for the past three years and in voluntary service to the City on commissions.
I also do not have a record of criminal convictions.
CESAR FERNANDEZ: I truly care about our community. I teach math in our public schools. I lead the after-school programs so many children rely on. When I’m not teaching, I’m giving back by volunteering with Little League and organizing graffiti clean ups. Too many politicians care only about themselves. I care about my community and have the record to back it up. That’s what the City Council in our hometown should be out – caring for our neighbors, caring for others.
DELFINA GONZALEZ: My 30-year investment in the district
Political, educational, business, and labor organizing experience and working with people.
Ethical leadership, no criminal activity or convictions, fair and generous treatment of people; active participant in civic life for the betterment of the 4th District in particular and Chula Vista in general.
JOSE SARMIENTO: I am the superior candidate for City Council due to my leadership and extensive financial experience, engaging with our community daily to foster financial sustainability. My commitment lies in empowering everyday citizens to enhance their financial well-being. By assisting residents in securing better-paying jobs, facilitating the purchase of their first car, guiding them through home ownership, and providing insights on prudent financial decisions, I contribute to their long-term prosperity. I understand the importance of equipping residents with the knowledge to navigate their income, credit, and financial solutions wisely. My hands-on approach, coupled with a genuine dedication to the economic empowerment of our citizens, distinguishes me as the candidate best positioned to drive positive change and foster financial resilience in our community.
