|
|
It is an honor to serve as your Councilmember.
|
Welcome to Another Edition of the District 7 Dispatch!
It has been an extremely busy and rewarding past month representing District 7 at City Hall.
We are deep in the budget process, and I am greatly appreciative of the nearly 200 District 7 residents who have made their voices heard about the budget by participating in our Town Hall, by calling in to the Council Meetings during the public comment period, or by filling out our survey, which is still still open. At the Council meeting on June 14, we will vote to adopt the final version of the FY2022 budget.
On the subject of the budget, earlier this month, I called on the Mayor to include in his final budget a new office within the City administration, the Office of Child and Youth Success. For more information, please click here to read the Union-Tribune article about this proposal.
The reason I am calling for the creation of this office is because we have a severe shortage of childcare facilities in San Diego, as well as a lack of a coordinated strategy relating to all child-focused programs. To begin addressing this, I have called on the City to conduct a facilities assessment to determine where more high-quality, affordable childcare facilities could be placed. I have asked the Real Estate Assets Department to report the results of the assessment back to my Committee (economic development and intergovernmental relations) within 6 months.
This month, I also received my second COVID-19 Vaccination. I highly encourage all San Diegans over the age of 12 to get vaccinated. There is no cost for a vaccine and no appointment is necessary.
Also last week, as Chair of the Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force, I took the important step towards building a bridge at the San Diego River Crossing, where 21-year-old Max LeNail tragically drowned in January. With other local leaders, I held a press conference to announce that the following day, on Thursday, I would be voting to move forward with the LeNail family's proposal to build a bridge to honor Max's memory. For more information, please see this article from 10News.
Finally, to round out May, I was privileged to join numerous elected officials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery for a sunrise wreath laying ceremony on Memorial Day. To those of you who have family and friends who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our nation, and to those who have served and lost your fellow servicemembers, please know that I honor the sacrifice of your loved ones and treasure the contributions of generations of Americans who served in our Armed Forces.
It is an honor to serve District 7 families.
-Raul
Neighborhood Updates:
San Carlos:
San Carlos residents: Please note that the construction work currently being done on the Rancho Mission Canyon park playground is almost done, and we thank you for your patience.
I would like to thank those residents that brought to my office's attention the issue of auto repairs being done in a residential neighborhood in violation of City code. The case has been closed.
I would also like to thank those residents who voiced concerns about the important issue of excessive speeding and exhibitions of speed happening in our communities.
After hearing your concerns about speeding along East Lake Drive, SDPD has committed to conducting periodic targeted enforcement along this stretch, and placing a speed trailer at this location for educational purposes.
Linda Vista:
Earlier this month, my District Representative, Anthony Hackett, and I joined Pastor Noel Musicha and his team for Serving Saturday! We worked at Montgomery Middle School's community garden where we cleared the way to help make more space to expand the garden. I am working to support community gardening in Linda Vista and across the entire City. If you have any ideas related to this, please reach out to Anthony at HackettA@sandiego.gov.
Later in the month, my team partnered with the Bayside Community Center, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and Council President Jennifer Campbell's office to host a vaccination drive in the heart of Linda Vista. We need to do everything we can to get vaccinations into the arms of those in hardest-hit and hard-to-reach communities like Linda Vista.
I am pleased to announce that $250,000 for an improved crosswalk and additional traffic calming measures has been approved for Comstock Street and Linda Vista Road as a direct result of the request I sent to the Mayor about the need for specific improvements needed in the Linda Vista community. Mayor Gloria has shown that he truly cares about the standard of living in Linda Vista and deserves credit for listening to constituents and my office on the needs of the neighborhood.
If you have any questions or concerns you would like to bring to our attention, please email Anthony at HackettA@sandiego.gov.
Tierrasanta:
This month, I had the pleasure of presenting a well-earned commendation to Dr. Nithya Raghavan, a special education teacher at Vista Grande Elementary in Tierrasanta. Dr. Raghavan's incredible work earned her the distinction of "Teacher of the Year" at Vista Grande.
My Senior District Representative, Vic Vettiyil, has continued to address issues in the Tierrasanta community. Vic was able to get overgrown bush taken care of, as it posed a visual hazard to drivers on Seda Drive.
Vic and I also had a fun meeting with Girl Scout Troop 4839 who raised funds to put up traffic calming signs in the community, and we later met with Boy Scout Troop 2, who are earning their Citizenship in the Community merit badge, to answer their questions about local government.
Finally, this past Saturday, May 29, Mayor Todd Gloria and I hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the tot-lot at Villa Monserate Park in Tierrasanta.
As issues continue to come up, please do not hesitate to reach out to Vic at 619-236-6749 or VVettiyil@SanDiego.gov.
Del Cerro:
My Deputy Chief of Staff and Del Cerro representative, Jared Miller-Sclar, continues to keep his ear to the ground to be of service to the Del Cerro community. Most recently, he has fielded inquiries from residents about potholes in the neighborhood, and has worked with the Streets Division of the Transportation and Storm Water Department to get a number of those filled.
If you have any questions or concerns related to Del Cerro that you would like to bring to our attention, please email Jared at JMillerSclar@sandiego.gov.
Serra Mesa:
Serra Mesa continues to keep my Senior District Representative, Vic Vettiyil, busy. In the last month, Vic was able to work to address the overgrown brush at the lot across from the Stadium Market.
He is also continuing to track the repaving and sidewalk maintenance that is happening in Mission Village off Harcourt Drive.
Finally, I had the honor of declaring May 21, 2021 Bruce Ingram Day in the City of San Diego. Bruce is a staple of the community who has been waving, blowing kisses, and spreading joy to residents of Serra Mesa from a street corner for over 30 years. Click Here to read Bruce's story.
As issues continue to come up, please do not hesitate to reach out to Vic at 619-236-6749 or VVettiyil@SanDiego.gov.
Grantville/Allied Gardens:
Recently, my office was made aware of a case in Allied Gardens of a resident who had been seriously overcharged on their water bill due to a faulty meter. We were happy to spring into action to work with the City administration to get this error rectified, and the resident promptly received a credit to their account.
I would like to provide a bit of information about the fire that occurred on May 9th. This fire started north of Mission Gorge Road at Princess View Drive as dry Arundo brush was ignited. This became a 2-3 acre fire, and luckily no structures were compromised or people injured. Thanks to the great work of SDFD, it was contained quickly, and the cause is still under investigation.
For inquiries or concerns related to Grantville or Allied Gardens, please contact Sanna directly at SLoando@SanDiego.gov.
Mission Valley:
My District Representative, Anthony Hackett, is in constant communication with stakeholders in Mission Valley to act as a liaison between the City and the community. Thanks to the reporting from residents, Anthony has been able to report trash and encampments in residential areas under freeways.
Earlier this month, my team and I had a great time participating in I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Park Foundation's "River Days" cleanup event. Together we removed about a dozen bags full of trash from the riverbed area, preventing it from entering and polluting the river.
If you have any questions or concerns you would like to bring to our attention, please email Anthony at HackettA@sandiego.gov.
Small Business Spotlight: Maya's Cookies |