“This Mayor Has Got to Go!” Faulconer Opponents Say at Town Council Debate

OB Town Council meets at the Masonic Center. Here, the candidates address questions from the audience.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer wasn’t too popular at last night’s Ocean Beach Town Council meeting during the “mayoral dialogue”.

First, he didn’t show.

Second, both his opponents, former-Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, and San Diego Lifeguard leader Ed Harris, trained their sights on Faulconer and not on each other.

And third, this was Ocean Beach – the liberal bastion of the city – which usually votes Democratic; Kevin Faulconer is a Republican.

But still, Faulconer used to represent Ocean Beach – and the rest of District 2 – when he sat on the City Council. And the crowd of the 80 or so good-natured souls in attendance probably would have applauded him if he had showed. But he didn’t and neither did his aide, John Ly.

“Where’s Kevin” sign on empty chair next to suit. That’s OBTC members Gio, Marin and Nate in the foreground.

So the two opposing candidates – one Democrat and the other Independent – had a field day in his absence.  As Town Council head Gretchen Newsom mediated the dialogue, Saldana and Harris made their opening statements and fielded questions from the Board and from the audience.

Up over on the stage behind where the Board members sat, was an empty chair with a sign that read “Where’s Kevin” next to a man’s dress suit hanging on a hanger.

Ed Harris and Lori Saldana begin the dialogue.

Ed Harris said: “We’re in trouble right now with public safety. You can see it on the news.” He was referring to recent reports of long lapses in calls to 9-1-1, including one where a fatality resulted. “9-1-1 is behind up to ten minutes,” Harris continued.  He held up an enlarged photo of 9-1-1 dispatch records showing lapses, that were smuggled out of the dispatch office. “There’s $2 million infrastructure backlog,” he said.

Ed Harris was looking very relaxed.

On the subject of short term vacation rentals – a hot issue at the beach – Harris said, “Kevin should just follow current law, but he doesn’t want to put 6,000 units back on the market.” This is also the position of the group Save San Diego Neighborhoods, which has endorsed Harris.

In somewhat of a change for Harris, he spoke on his concerns with homelessness. “We’re losing our compassion,” he said, and cited Faulconer’s recent efforts to push homeless people from out of freeway underpasses by putting in rocks. Harris said the City spent $67,000 for the rocks.

Lori Saldana told the audience that “I represented this [Assembly] District for 6 years n the legislature.” Her first issue – complete with charts – was the nearly 3,000 unprocessed and untested rape kits by law enforcement, which she laid directly at Faulconer’s feet.

“Faulconer hasn’t been showing up for Council meetings,” she said, and that “this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Lori Saldana explaining the nearly 3,000 unprocessed rape kits by the city.

Both candidates criticized Faulconer for missing the Town Council meeting, and both expressed disdain for his wanting to seek higher office instead of running the City.

Newsom began allowing questions. First up was: ‘what would you do differently regarding flooding in OB than more portable pumps?’  Saldana emphasized applying for more funds for infrastructure. Harris cited leaky roofs in Balboa Park and in lifeguard stations not being fixed, but that Jerry Sanders was given a $2 million going-away gift for his Balboa Park boondoggle.  “There’s sufficient money in the City if you prioritize,” Harris said.

Another question was, ‘how to allow the voices of the neighborhoods to be heard?’ Harris responded by saying people in the different neighborhoods of District 2 – which he represented for a part of a year during the transition of Faulconer’s departure from the D2 Council seat to the mayor’s office –  had urged him to run. Saldana said she would hold committee and council meetings in the evening, to allow ordinary working people to attend, and that she would hold council meeting in the communities whose issues were on the docket.

The OB Town Council Board.

Both candidates talked about finding hidden “slush funds” within the city to help with infrastructure costs, with Lori pushing to “spend the money when it’s there”, and with Ed saying under his administration things would get done, get completed on time, and that he will ensure “money will be allocated” to persistent problems.

“There’s no functional chain of command,” Harris said in explaining the city’s dysfunction. “The city’s corporate memory is gone,” he said, “due to the loss of personnel.”

In ticking off various problems caused by Faulconer’s administration, as Harris recounted, he laid them on the mayor. “We have a strong mayor system,” Ed continued, “and Faulconer can’t defend his record, because he doesn’t have one.”

Harris said that Police Chief Zimmerman “is dangerously close to losing credibility,” due to the short-changing of dispatchers and lack of adequate police officers. “Kevin has been a good place holder.” If elected, Harris said he would “stabilize the dispatch office within 100 days of office.”

Lori recounted how when she attends city presentations on future projects, “the city doesn’t discuss money when making promises – this is part of the disconnect” in how the city currently works. People, she said, are not asking the right questions.

It twas a good crowd.

“How does Kevin do it?” Saldana asked the crowd. She answered her own query. “Delay getting the information to the people, and then deny the problem.” Then she said: “This mayor has got to go!” echoing some of Harris’ comments.

The issue of more people on the street these days came up again. Saldana said many people on the streets have mental health problems and she would partner with the County, as they have a fund of $200 Million – funds for mental health.

Harris again said that we need to have compassion when addressing the homeless issue. Relatedly, he said, “Have to give people a fair wage.”

The candidates then gave their closing remarks and Gretchen wrapped up the monthly meeting.

Harris was later seen at a local OB beer tasting hangout on Newport, rubbing shoulders with some of the Town Council members and other attendees.

Editor: More reporting from the OB Town C0uncil meeting will appear tomorrow.