By Judi Curry
First of all, I want to thank the Readers of the OB Rag for your calls and visits re: the health problem I had one year ago today. I woke up one morning blind in one eye. The doctor said that the vision might come back so not to cover it, but it has been a year now and there is only a peripheral vision, and not all the time. But don’t feel sorry for me – comparing it to the alternative, I am still able to see my 20+ grandkids, and although no longer drive and depend on others, am aware of what is going on in the world – and District 2! I find that although I seldom go to the meetings I used to go to, I frequently have meetings at my home where many topics are discussed.
About 4-5 months ago I had the opportunity to “meet” Richard Bailey through a “Next Door” post originally written by my handyman Glenn Millar. We had a conversation, of sorts going, and I even told Mr. Bailey that I hoped that Glenn would run for the mayor’s job because I thought he was the best candidate for the position! Mr. Bailey told me agreed – that Glenn should run. I liked him already!
However, as time passed, and we are coming closer to the race, I decided to take a closer look at Mr. Bailey as a candidate (because I had already done extensive investigation into some of the candidates and had decided to vote for Mandy Havlik) and wanted to give him a chance. And let me tell you why I was doing so much investigative work: I probably have voted a minimum of 70 times in governmental elections. (Yes, I am OLD!)
For the most part I have been satisfied with the results of my voting – until very recently. If I had an opportunity to take my vote back for Todd Gloria – yes, I supported him and there are pictures of my support – and take back my vote for Jenn Campbell would gladly do it. I do not think that I agree with anything Gloria has done recently, and I have no respect for Jenn and/or staff because of their decisions, lack of decisions, lack of caring, etc. So….I talked to several people about Mr. Bailey’s reputation and experience, and have compiled it here.
I want to have it known, however, that although I worked for Job Corps in Imperial Beach many years ago, many of the people I worked with still live in the South Bay/Coronado area and I talked to them re: my research. And…although we are politically opposite, my daughter and her family lived in Coronado for years, and just recently moved to Pt. Loma. But here are our results:
Richard Bailey – What Do You Know About Him?
Richard Bailey, the former Mayor of Coronado, recently moved to Point Loma and is now running for District 2 Councilperson. He is well-connected, has many wealthy backers, and he knows how to generate publicity for himself.
But is he right for District 2?
Mr. Bailey, a long-time registered Republican, will tell you this is a bi-partisan race and it should be about policies, not politics. He’s right . . . and by that I mean extreme right.
The candidate openly admits he voted for Donald Trump in all three elections and would do so again. (Donald Trump can’t legally run for President again.) Mr. Bailey will tell you he’s actually registered as “no-party preference”. However, only 4 years ago, he ran for Congress as a Republican and then stopped his campaign after raising a significant amount of money when redistricting made it impossible for a Republican to win in his district. Now he’s running as an Independent.
But Richard Bailey Must Really Care About District 2.
Does he? Richard Bailey has never lived in District 2 until recently. Some would call that carpetbagging. He did recently buy a house here so maybe he just wants to get involved and will be our Councilperson for 8 years. Not so fast. Inside sources tell us that Richard openly talks about running for D2 Councilperson this year and then running for Mayor in 2028 to replace Todd Gloria. That sounds like he’s treating us like a stepping stone. He may spend the first year doing work, but by the second he’ll be on the campaign trail. Do we really need another Councilperson who just disappears like our current Jenn Campbell?
Let’s Talk Policies
Bailey will tell you his policies got rid of the homeless in Coronado. That sounds impressive. But how did he do that? Coronado is an island with a very long bridge. That bridge has no pedestrian access. Coronado also has no homeless shelters. When Richard Bailey was Mayor of Coronado, police would pick up homeless people in Coronado and drop them off at shelters in San Diego. That’s not solving the problem; that’s sweeping it under the rug. If he wins, will he now drive San Diego’s homeless back to Coronado?
How about trash collection? Richard Bailey says he’s going to eliminate the recent trash collection fees. That sounds great! Yet while Bailey was the Mayor of Coronado, Coronado eliminated a 50% subsidy on trash collection and passed the expense on to residents. Why would he treat us any differently?
How do you feel about ICE? Bailey openly says ICE is doing a great job and he fully supports their efforts. If you want ICE to turn San Diego into Minneapolis, Richard Bailey is definitely your guy.
Those Who Forget The Past Are Destined to Repeat It
Richard Bailey is very slick and he knows how to run a campaign. But everything points to the fact that he doesn’t care about District 2 and his only real goal is to be the next Mayor. After 8 years of Jenn Campbell just collecting a paycheck and doing nothing for District 2, haven’t we learned our lesson? Let’s elect someone who will work hard for our District for at least 4 years.
So the above is a summary of how I, and the other people I worked with in writing this article, feel about Mr. Bailey. There is still time before we cast that preliminary ballot – I encourage all of you to take a look at the many qualified individuals that are running for this office. I hope that within the next week or so my “group” – or a similar one – will be able to give you our opinion(s) on others running for District 2. Meanwhile, stay alert!
The official Republican Party of San Diego County (RPSDC) has not endorsed anyone for District 2 in their official Republican Party Voter Guide yet. They have endorsed Mark Powell for Council District 6, and Kenia Peraza for Council District 8. See link below.
Republicans of Pacific Beach twitter feed which is not an official recognized group, is not officially chartered by, nor affiliated with, the RPSDC (Republican Party of San Diego County). But self-identify as Republican from Pacific Beach seem to have beef with Richard Bailey switching from Republican to Independent.
1/ RPB (Republicans of Pacific Beach) is officially ending all support for Richard Bailey and his run for San Diego City Council District Two. We are unfollowing his social media accounts. He switched his party preference from Republican to No Party Preference.
2/ His decision to abandon the RPSDC (Republican Party of San Diego County) while seeking office in San Diego city is a betrayal of political party principles, loyalty, and the voters who supported him as a Republican.
3/ Volunteers and donors should not provide any assistance to his campaign. Non-partisan elections do not erase partisanship — political party accountability exists, and candidates who disregard it are disloyal and unprincipled.
4/ Bailey should publicly withdraw from this race, re-register as a Republican, and stop misleading Republican voters. It is too late to secure the RPSDC official endorsement for the upcoming election.
5/ The Republican base deserves candidates who stand openly with their political party, not opportunists who abandon it for convenience.
6/ If you are a San Diego County resident, visit the following website for the only candidates you should vote for or donate to in every election — except for County Republican Central Committee races and presidential races during a presidential primary election.
7/ For all other races, follow the RPSDC official endorsements. If a race shows “No Endorsement”, leave that part of your ballot blank.
The twitter feed of the Gay Republicans of San Diego County also agrees with the Republicans of Pacific Beach.
Perhaps the Republican Party needs to do a better job to keep and attract supporters. As a registered Republican, I am extremely disappointed with the party nationwide. I am also greatly in favor of Richard Bailey running for and being elected to office; I favor his principles, analysis and methods . . . his party affiliation, in this instance, is inconsequential.
Thanks for this input Judi! Interesting, I drove past Glenn Millar’s home today and saw 2 signs for Mandy Havlik in his front yard. So Glenn also spent some time looking into Bailey but he has ended up supporting Many Havlik.
Hi Randi,
I sent a message to Mandy this morning asking her to call me. I would also like to post a sign in my yard recommending her. Glad to know that Glenn make up his mind also!
Election June 2, 2026
Great article, Judi. I’ll be happy to pick up a sign for you supporting Mandy. We had one on our lawn for several weeks and firmly support her. It will be so refreshing to have a real person who truly cares about our District. Glad your doing well!
That would be wonderful Arlene Thank you very much !
There are only a couple of good candidates running for District 2, one is Bailey and the other is Mandy Havlik. District 2 and the city does sorely needs someone who will break away from the Gloria regime and I believe both can do that.
This is a non-partisan race, but union money and builder money seems to be plentiful and the result is usually another insider, poor candidate that doesn’t represent the community as a whole.
I would be happy with either Mandy or Bailey winning, and if its Bailey, I’d be OK if he spent 2 years cleaning up District 2 then moved on to become our Mayor.
The Mayor, as we painfully have seen, has great control over all the council districts. I would hope our next Mayor would give District 2 an even shake, instead of moving money to other areas of the city for political reasons.
I’ve watched Mandy over the past few years or so and have been impressed with what I have seen. She did not have an easy time and seems to risen above the trauma – and drama – beautifully. She is a wonderful role model for others – male and female – that have experienced tragedy situations and still come out on top. She has my vote and I hope to do an article about her in the near future.
Bailey published a phony “petition” on overturning the trash fee to scrape voter data, and sent voters a get-to-know-me mailer before disclosing he was running for office, neither of which complied with FPPC financial disclosure requirements. I don’t understand why no one has filed a complaint yet.
Interesting Ned. I did not see this when I began my research of Mr. Bailey. I will certainly go back and find out more information. Thank you for alerting those of us in District 2
Hi Ned-
Respectfully, the website was a way to gather support for pending citizens initiatives. Two citizen initiatives to repeal the trash and Balboa Park parking fees were filed with the city last week. The 12K San Diego voters that signed up at repealthefees.com will be the first ones contacted to sign once petitions are legally allowed to be circulated. It is very expensive to do a citizens initiative so we wanted to gather support early so we could reduce the costs to qualify these for the ballot.
The Lincoln Club Business League is way ahead of you, but let’s go and have two separate and offsetting petition campaigns for the same purpose. That shouldn’t confuse anyone.
On 03/18/2026 at 9 am the City of San Diego Council Rules Committee will hear our 5 proposed ballot measures for the 11/03/2026 elections.
tinyurl.com/20260318a
Measure 4. Pages 41 to 50.
Reduce the Trash Fees to the amount we were told when we originally voted in 2022 as cost recovery of $23 to $29 per month. Not the excessive extra costs approved by the City Council of $32.82 to $43.60 per month. With all revenue deposited in a dedicated Solid Waste Management Fund.
Measure 5. Pages 51 to 54.
No Paid Parking at Balboa Park, except for the Zoo Lot, and the main Parking Lot behind the Speckles Organ Pavillion. Plus create a Balboa Park Parking District so all parking revenue collected stays within Balboa Park for improvement and does not go into the City’s General Fund. All other Balboa Park parking lots would be free to the public
I’m working directly with the Lincoln Club to qualify the measure.
How will you balance the budget without the trash fees and parking fees?
Don’t give me the “cutting excess spending” crap that DOGE claimed it would do. DOGE failed and I bet you would too.
Feel free concrete positions that will be cut and exact numbers that will balance the budget without those fees.
And why is it fair that I have to pay property tax for my condo and private trash pickup, but single family home owners get free trash pickup?
Just for the record Mel – I am a homeowner and I pay for my trash pickup!Up to now it’s been on my property bill, and it is over $500 a year. Grrrr
Condo owners pay the same property tax and have had to pay a private company for trash because they were not included in the free trash pickup.
It’s fine to be upset, but it was never a fair system. It should either be free for every home owner or none. But being free for single family homes only is not a fair taxation system.
I suggest you take your issue with condo owners not receiving “free” trash collection with the City of San Diego. That was a decision made by the City.
Mandy looks and sounds incompetent when she speaks at Town Halls. It’s because she has no business experience and would be a horrible manager of people and projects as a council member. You need to be able to be educated with looking into bogus policies and advising solutions against the current administration. Mandy just screams into a microphone. Richard is standing with many groups in D2 today and even prior to his candidacy pitching resolutions and implementing solutions against the current administration and that is what we need today. Coyne and Crosby are Toddsters and part of the Todd team. Richard is our only real educated and experienced candidate for Point Loma OB and Clairemont, whether you small group of haters like it or not. The constant bashing of Richard Bailey is getting super old and you are losing readers of this publication.
Mandy is the real deal. She is prepared and commands the room.
Mandy is the only District 2 or any other District candidate who shows up and speaks at City Council hearings.
The latest was this past Wednesday 03/11/2026 at the City Council Public Safety committee on E-Bike safety.
https://x.com/LaPlayaHeritage/status/2032240017024958623
When was there any screaming or lack of understanding? Please stop making stuff up.
Please state your evidence from the Clairemont District 2 Candidate Forum video where Mandy was the only person to bring up solving the budget problem by analyzing the increases in Middle Managers.
Wow! Sorry Crazy Chicken Lady. I have heard Mandy speak at several outlets in the past few years and I have never heard her YELL; in fact, I do not remember even hearing her raise her voice unless it was to make a point but she always dropped back to a normal level.
Personally, as a college degreed individual, I have long felt that sometimes we give too much credit to the person that sat in classes for years earning that degree without ever practicing real life situations. Without going into it here, I learned, as a busty female, how to get the best grades from many of my college professors. I found that many of those professors, in spite of the Ph.D by their names, knew little except for how to grade – or degrade – their students. Yes, there are some wonderful professors – I like to think I was one of them – but to lessen Mandy’s role because she doesn’t have the degree is lessening the entire process. Incompetent? I’ve never seen it, but I have seen, and am seeing untruths coming from others running for this same office. Richard may have the education, but that doesn’t amount to much when there are suspicious things evolving from his campaign. And the experience? I wonder if what took place in Coronado is what is good for our area? Sorry. We put up with the mayor and Campbell – and a dictator president. I want to make sure I am never in that situation again. Mr. Bailey falls short, for me, when looking at his record. (And just for my record: I could never support someone that thinks that ICE is a good thing; I could never support someone that thinks that they are better than the immigrants coming in to the US – after all, unless we are Native Indians, aren’t we all immigrants?)
and,
Praising the candidate of your choice is fine. Trashing another candidate as “horrible” and someone who “screams” is way out of line. And labeling people who disagree with you as “haters” destroys your credibility. When Bailey’s supporters become furious and go on the warpath, they do him more harm than good. I hope he understands that.
Just chiming in that I have heard Mandy speak and speak very well.
Hello- the district 2 map included in this article is out of date. Specifically, all of Clairemont is now in D2. This should be a link to the updated boundaries:
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/styles/100_percent/public/cd2-map-2022.jpg?itok=wXGDHhYl
Thanks so much Steph. I placed it in the article.
No on Bailey
Fifth Column
The election coming soon, is local politics. I didn’t see anything about the President being a part of the local elections. Here’s some comments from Richard Bailey per Times of SD article: City of SD took in a record $2.1 Billion in tax revenue last year, but is projecting a $200 Million structural deficit. While tax revenue and staffing are increasing, performance is failing.
Education:
AI Overview;
Richard Bailey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science in Applied Economics from the University of North Dakota. He has also served as an adjunct professor of economics at the University of San Diego.
Bachelor of Science: Business Finance, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Master of Science: Applied Economics, University of North Dakota.
Does any other candidate have the tools, to get SD back on track financially? The current mayor, and nine Council Reps, collectively don’t have nearly as much financial/economic knowledge as Bailey does.
He was born and raised in San Diego.
His comment in The Voice article, re: dropping his Repub registration was; “I think if you go back and like look through just about all of my public commentary, of all the videos, tweets, social media, posts I’ve made, over the years, not just recently, but like over my 12 years, four years on the City Council and eight years as mayor, you’re hard pressed to find many partisan comments that are… where I talk about red or blue, Republican or Democrat. I like policy.
Has voting by party been great for SD? Why would anyone vote by party and elect people who do not have education, experience, knowledge of what can be done locally, and what is mandated by the Gov. such as housing? there is no way I’d vote by party, hair do, clothing, religion, race, culture, what kind of car they drive or any other frivolous check mark. None of that has anything at all to do intelligence, qualified experience for the job, common sense, and to think some newbee to big time politics, for a City in as big of a mess as SD, will show how ill prepared they really are, yet SD will be stuck with them for at least 4 yrs.
Does San Diego NEED someone like Richard Bailey, who has demonstrated common sense, has a strong financial/economics degree and taught it at USD. Lives like anyone one else in a normal daily life. Also he was Mayor in Coronado and Councilman before that and they’re NOT in the Red financially.
To elect anyone who has no business savvy, no experience with big money budgets, leading hundreds of Staff members and makes a whole lot of promises, but have no idea how they’ll make their promises happen, will be a repeat of the current regime.
Frankly I don’t see what a bust size has to do with this election. I also know there are some really bad professors indoctrinating young students at SDSU, with their own personal bias’. San Diego has a dictator mayor and the Council Reps don’t have a voice. Richard Bailey will be a voice no matter who the mayor is.
I would urge all voters to ask direct questions on how the candidates plan to accomplish what they’ve promised. If they can’t give you a direct answer then don’t vote for them. They’re all talk and no action.
Mandy Havlik is very smart. I believe she may have graduated high school early at age 15. Mandy discussed yesterday’s news regarding the San Diego Pension Board approval of $563 in annual pension payment. Which is +$30 million more than $533 million annual pension payment paid last year.
Yes. Richard Bailey does have a great education in finance.
However, he is going around using the Union’s talking points regarding Budget issues. Like stating the Police Department’s budget has gone down through the years, when that is not the case.
Yes the Proposed Budget for Police may, or may not, have been lower. I don’t know where he got his numbers from.
However, the Actual Budget for the Police Department documented in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR) Increased an enormous +$186 million or +35% in 3 years from 2022 to 2025. This is probably why the Pension Payment has ballooned.
Even with his advanced education in finance, he may be using the wrong political Proposed Budget, not the Actual Budget Expenses for the Police Department in the ACFR. After being in the City of Coronado government for 12 years he should know to only use Actual Budgeted Expenses when making financial statements regarding policy that do not seem correct.
Public Safety – Police Expenses.
Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR)
FY-2025 $719 million
FY-2024 $636 million
FY-2023 $555 million
FY-2022 $533 million
.. . bravo; well said! As a former homeowner and resident of Point Loma, now residing in the Marina District of downtown, I enthusiastically endorse Richard Bailey for office. His analysis of the issues with which we are faced and his approch for rescuing San Diego are clearly stated; I believe he will effect an enormous positive influence across all districts in two years, should he decide to enter the 2028 mayoral race . . . certainly more than many encumbants have demonstrated in four-year terms. As I see it; councilman, mayor, governor . . . all of California needs Richard Bailey! Let’s do this!
He is no different than Elon Musk. He states he knows what is wrong and where the waste is, but just like Musk failed to cut spending, Bailey will as well. He is in it for himself and his career. He doesn’t care at all about district 2, finding real solutions and building a city for the future generation.
Also, spending went up in Coronado while he was mayor, not down. Don’t be fooled by a polished performance, instead ask him how he cut expenses in Coronado while he was in charge.
Hello. 2026. News flash. We are on the verge of losing our democracy. Anyone, repeat, anyone who supports the most corrupt president in our nation’s history should be disqualified by any real American. And please look past the million$ that will be spent lying about the candidate with likely the largest bankroll. Vote in our local elections for the most qualified and not the best funded. Seek information, like here, that is not mainstream. And beware of any possible wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Yes, best qualified to untangle the financial deep hole Gloria and majority of council reps have put SD in. To elect a first timer, who is unknowing of the City’s shenanigans, would be more of the same. The truth of the City’s finances will come to light when Gloria is no longer driving the flim flam train. Well rounded qualifications is key to bailing the City out. SD is no planning group and remember allllll City Dept. heads, under the strong mayor form of government, are appointed by gloria. So for the unqualified, to sort thru the cog in the wheels, knowing they are Gloria’s cronies or he would not have appointed them, will be a huge task, when they’re ready to do whatever it takes to make the new mayor fail too.
I wholeheartedly agree, Frank J. Trump is a rapist and convicted felon. He tried to overthrow the United States government by force. He also supports the genocide in Palestine. Anyone who supports Trump is a traitor to our democracy and to our constitution and is bereft of any decency whatsoever. And these people want someone like that to represent them? really? This should dispel any notion anyone might have about “American exceptionalism”.
. . . it’s a Republic; and the rest of your discourse is also questionable.
I really appreciate this article by Judi Curry. As a lifelong Democrat and a D2 resident, I was seriously considering voting for Richard Bailey because I am tired of the lies and damage City Hall is doing to our beloved City.
There were only 2 questions nagging me, and they are dealbreakers:
1. Does he currently support Trump, who is working daily to overturn our democracy?
2. As City Council/Mayor of San Diego, would he turn it over to ICE to continue their track record of terrorizing our neighbors?
Now I know, and I am liking Mandy Havlik more and more for D2.
I have also noticed how Mandy has been involved in D2 issues like clarifying with the City on their plans for the Tecolote Golf Course, safe rules for e-bike users and, most importantly, revealing how the City’s Midway Rising plan is wrong for all San Diegans.
Richard Bailey, on the other hand, has been focused on Citywide issues, as if he is running for Mayor already.
D2 needs a City Councilperson who is going to stick around for at least a full term, and one who is dedicated to representing her constituents at City Hall.
Repeating
No on Bailey
Fifth column
Richard Bailey: if you’re still following this article, please respond:
Did you vote for President Trump 1 time? 2 times? 3 times?
Do you support the Trump administration?
Do you support Ice operations?
We really need to know.
Thank you!
Who did you vote for?
Judi, I so appreciate this piece, great stuff! Also I think it says a lot that 1) the only time Mr. Bailey has jumped in to correct the record was nothing about who he is or what he believes (or who he voted for!) but about whether his website was a bait and switch to collect emails for this campaign and 2) the only people who are supporting Richard in this thread are public Republicans like Hedy or quiet ones like Pats (who was kicked off this site’s comment sections for a bit because she was too loudly praising our American Musolini).
The only people supporting Mr. Bailey are Republicans. I’m excited to see his political career end this year.
Yo people. The Lincoln Club equates to Republican for those who don’t know. How are discussions with the Lincoln Club building up one’s reputation as an Independent who left the Republican Party?? Bi-partisan and Independent agendas are awesome just doesn’t sound much like an exit from the Republican scene.
San Diego doesn’t need another Gloria lackey funded and hamstung by unions and developerts. Look what we get when those people are in charge. No establishment candidates! Many on this website fight against bad government and are looking for answers, but it looks like many think the person has to pass some purity test.
Deciding to not elect someone who has solutions can only bring us more of the same – cointinued failures by the mayor and city council with increased debt, budget shortfalls and massive taxation and fee increases.
These same tactics against qualified candiates in the past have led us to where we are today. Think through your vote by seeing how they can return San Diergo to America’s Finesy City, not a city on the decline.
We need 7 day week full service libraries full time libraries and to build more housing for people who need it
Agreed. On Wednesday 03/18/2025 9 am at the City Council Rules Committee, Mandy will present two Ballot Measure for the November 2026 Election regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). The original Convention Center Expansion Measure C included a poison pill to guarantee that a Convention Center Expansion be built. Otherwise, the 1.25% to 3.25% Special Tax shall cease in 9 years on April 30, 2035. There is no need or market to build a new Convention Center Expansion as previously envisioned. And the Convention Center Expansion Measure C Special Tax just started being imposed and collected on May 1, 2025 after multi-year lawsuits were finalized.
See Municipal Code Section 35.0201(b) Imposition of Special Tax. Mandy will present an alternative and Replacement to the end of the 1.25% to 3.25% Special Tax for the Convention Center Expansion and Bonds that are no longer on the table. Two-Park Measure regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Rate.
Part A. Replace the Convention Center Expansion Measure C, the up to 3.25% TOT increase for hotels, with a 4% TOT for all hotels and Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR). AND
Part B. Irrespective of Part A, if Part A passes should the new 4% TOT go into the General Fund (50% voter approval) or be a directed Special Tax (67% voter approval) for 1% Convention Center Repairs, 1% Homeless and Affordable Housing, 1% Infrastructure, and 1% for Arts/Libraries/Balboa Park. Or anything the City Council wants instead of an unneeded $1+ Billion Convention Center Expansion. This ballot measure will bring in 1% of TOT or $32 million for Arts, Libraries and Balboa Park. In the FY-2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report the Library Budget is $73 million.
When Richard Bailey was in office in Coronado, he spent ZERO $0 on Affordable Housing because he believes in building CASH RESERVES instead, and the City should not decide who gets help with low-income housing. While Affordable Housing Covenants are ending and seniors are going to become homeless or have to move out of Coronado. The City of Coronado is doing great financially. According to their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) they had a FY-2025 balance of $155 million in Unrestricted Net Position Cash Reserves. Which increased by +$18 million or 13% from $137 million in FY-2024. Instead of using their Cash Reserves to help seniors, they are relying on the City of San Diego to take in their poorer seniors.
Also in 12 years of his time in office from 2012 to 2024, a Total of 100 units were built in Coronado including conversion of carriage houses and garages with zero affordable housing built. ZERO. The Redevelopment Agency (RDA) ended in 2012, then the City of Coronado hoarded $4 million in Affordable Housing funds from 2012 to 2025. Then they use an additional $2 million from reserves to buy a $6 million 8-unit Affordable Housing complex. So now due to the Affordable Housing Covenants ending, and only 8-units replaced, there are now less Affordable Housing units than when the Housing Element of the General Plan was approved. All while Coronado increases their cash reserves. And their population declines.
Thanks all for sharing your (generally) thoughtful and informative comments. For what it’s worth, I’m supporting Mandy Havlik, even though I live in D9. I think she’s the real deal on all the issues, esp. her opposition to multi-unit ADUs and parking fees, and her insistence on voting for cuts in middle management and other expenses as opposed to increasing fees or cutting services. I also think her long-time, grass-roots involvement in the D-2 community gives her credibility. I suppported her four years ago, and am contributing to her campaign and walking precincts for her this year because I think it’s so important to elect a common-sense, “moderate” person to the council.
But I have also given Richard Bailey a token contribution, and will support him if he makes it to the runoff and Mandy doesn’t. While I’m encouraged by Nicole Crosby’s comments on the issues, which show a modicum of independence from the Mayor, I’m not totally sure I can trust her to follow-through. And Josh Coyne is clearly a Gloria clone who would be “worse” on the issues that even Jen Campbell.
I understand people’s concerns about Bailey’s alliances and past votes, but think his intelligence, grasp of the issues, and commitment to fiscal responsibility are desperately needed on the city council. We absolutely need councilmembers who will act as a consistent counter-weight to the Mayor’s self-serviing, destructive and even corrupt policies on zoning, development, bike lanes, parking, and his lack of even basic management skills. I don’t agree with much (or almost any) of what Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson stand for politically, but they are a very effective moderating force on the three Democrat county supervisors. That’s what we need, desperately, on our city council.
I don’t agree with much (or almost any) of what Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson stand for politically, but they are a very effective moderating force on the three Democrat county supervisors.
Yes I agree. The 3 amigas are stewing in their juices to tweak the rules to increase political longevity. The rainy day fund will be further depleted unless they get their tax increases also. Nothing wrong to have a minority to keep the majority somewhat honest. Have to consider Desmond in the 48th just bc of the Dem side being so poor of quality.
Nice goin’, Chris S. You’d consider voting for Desmond because he has an R after his name. Are you simply ignoring the rest of what all the “R’s” are doing to our country. If you do have an R after your name, you are enabling the fascist take over of America and if you find yourself voting for someone with that R, look yourself in the mirror. Yes, one-party rule can be disastrous — that’s why happened in this city and county for decades, for a generation or 2 when Republicans ruled both the county and the city. Did you complain then?
There you go off the rails with identity politics again. I simply stated the Dems running were of poor quality which didn’t DQ Desmond. But I can count on you to jump to the extremist ” you are enabling the fascist take over of America” conclusion as usual by demonizing viewpoints. Which one do you favor? The Jacobs funded flip flopper? Or the Toad sycophant?
For those that feel we can tap the magic piggybank account of “Waste, Fraud and Abuse,” I offer the account of
“Positions, Pensions, and Privatization” to balance San Diego’s budget.
We should focus on candidates who plan to balance the budget from “Positions, Pensions and Privatization”
Repeating in perpetuity
No on Bailey
Fifth Column
All I needed to read to make up my mind was “The candidate openly admits he voted for Donald Trump in all three elections and would do so again.”
All this discussion is moot for me, I wouldn’t vote for Baily to be a dogcatcher.
Follow the money. The candidate with the least amount of sponsorship might just represent their actual constituants.
Do not be fooled by this candidate. Plus, anyone voting for Trump three times or even once is disqualified as having deeply flawed judgment, too poor a judgment to ever be allowed to be a city leader making judgement calls for the rest of us. And what about all these issues and claims below, has anyone looked at his past record?
https://voiceofsandiego.org/2024/10/21/coronado-council-race-turns-bitter-as-city-politics-shift-left/
https://www.reddit.com/r/sandiego/comments/rhhdaz/the_mayor_of_coronado_stay_classy_richard_bailey/
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/coronado-mayor-demands-apology-from-school-district-for-tortilla-throwing-incident-response/
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2023/03/22/coronados-mayor-should-not-make-empty-claims-about-his-leadership-on-homelessness/
https://www.coronadonewsca.com/opinion/coronado-deserves-better/article_72bd2070-540a-11ee-96e8-f79afda363b7.html
https://www.coronadoelectorate.com/post/the-people-vs-goliath-how-coronado-fell-prey-to-partisan-politics-and-how-we-can-take-back-control
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/coronado-mayor-urges-gov-newsom-to-reconsider-regional-stay-at-home-order/
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2023/03/10/coronado-mayor-sells-the-illusion-of-eliminating-homelessness/
From an opponent, in regard to “City’s planned removal of the trees an illegal misuse of public funds” Cutting down 100-plus-year-old trees to install artificial turf. https://www.coronadonewsca.com/opinion/coronado-deserves-better/article_a29ddc20-900a-11ef-a61c-2b794263001c.html
Coronado would be a good place to stay for a Republican. OB not going to trust a carpet bagging former Republican switching to independent just for votes.
That is likely the opinion of most people in OB. They aren’t going to think hey that’s great, Republican turned Independent. Maybe we need to hear people out though and hear what Bailey and all the candidates have to say.
Dear Victor,
Thank you.
No on Bailey:
Fifth Column
Independent may be the way to go. All politics is a mess. But still not sure about this candidate or any of the other 11 candidates.