Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas delivered her first State of the City address to a full council chamber Tuesday night, highlighting the city’s progress with its development projects, budgetary success and the growth of east Chula Vista.
For her inaugural State of the City address, some community members felt she did a good job.
“This is Mary’s first and she did quite well for her first,” said David Danciu, president of Crossroads II, a community-organized land use group. “She’ll improve with time, just like every mayor does.”
Casillas Salas kicked off her 24-minute speech thanking local dignitaries in attendance and explained how her immigrant grandparents left Yahualica, Jalisco, to plant their roots in Chula Vista and, along with other immigrants before them, helped make Chula Vista the city that it is today.
The mayor then got down to business and discussed the city’s development projects that include the bayfront, Millennia and a university and innovation district.
Casillas Salas said through the efforts of previous administrations and port commissioners, the bayfront “is finally being realized.”
The Port of San Diego, the city of Chula Vista and RIDA Development are planning to bring a world-class hotel and convention center to the bayfront.
“This means we will have thousands of good paying jobs that Chula Vista needs and deserves … as well as a new source of revenue,” Casillas Salas said.
Casillas Salas also emphasized the development of the east side of the city.
“The construction of the Millenia project will bring new energy and vibrancy to our city,” she said.
The development of the South Bay Bus Rapid Transit system to the east will cut traffic congestion in a highly populated area, as well as connect the east side with downtown San Diego, she said.
Salas said the city has the 375 acres needed to build a four-year university and innovation district.
She said the potential university and innovation center could help link the city with Tijuana.
“It can also be a cultural center where our proximity to the international border with Mexico can build upon our unique and shared history with our neighbor to the south,” she said.
In regard to the economy, Salas said it’s much improved from 2007 during the economic downturn.
“We now have our financial house in order and I thank and acknowledge all our loyal and hard-working employees,” she said.
But she said the city must be wise in its spending and continue to build its reserves.
The mayor said the city must invest in infrastructure in order to succeed.
Danciu said Casillas Salas discussed most of the issues he had concerns about.
“She touched on all the basic subjects adequately,” he said.
Bernardo Vasquez, president of Eastlake Business Association, said the completion of the city’s main developments would help smaller businesses thrive.
“I’m glad to see that she addressed infrastructure, glad to see that she addressed some of the opportunities in the city with the bayfront, with the university and the Millennia project, so I was happy with that.”
However, Vasquez said he would have liked to hear what, if any, are her plans with developing a partnership with the local school districts.
“I still would like to see the city be a little more proactive in its dealing with the schools, even though the city has no authority over the schools,” he said.
“I think that the schools and the city need to have a good partnership because we live in the city and the schools are in our city.”
Lastly, the mayor said City Hall is working with residents to help Chula Vista prosper.
“There is so much to do and much to accomplish,” she said. “But be assured the citizens of Chula Vista are now being served by a mayor, our council members and a team of passionate and hard-working employees who are ready to seize the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead.”
