District 5 Community News
November/December Newsletter

Share the Joy with Military and Veteran Families

During last year’s holiday season, I held a toy drive benefiting Becky’s Gift, which supports families affected by cancer. Becky’s Gift was started by Becky Walton and Christie Jackson of Scripps Ranch. The outpouring of generosity from District Five residents made the effort such a success, it’s back for its 9th year.  

This holiday season, I’m partnering with Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) to help military and veteran families who are currently struggling with or recovering from financial hardship by collecting unwrapped gifts for children ages 4-10.

If you would like to donate, please contact my office at 619-236-6655 or email me at MarkKersey@sandiego.gov. We will be collecting toys until December 13. Thank you in advance for your generosity as we support our military and veteran families in need.

Free Smoke Alarms for Seniors

The Burn Institute is a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego and Imperial counties. This fiscal year, I’m proud to support the Burn Institute with District 5 Community Projects, Programs and Services funding. Funds will be used to purchase and install free smoke alarms for seniors. Free smoke alarms are available to seniors 62 years or older who own their own home. To get connected with the Burn Institute for a free smoke alarm installation, please contact my office at 619-236-6655 or email me at MarkKersey@sandiego.gov

Extending SR-56 Bike Path

The 56 bike path is a 10.5-mile multi-use pathway parallel to SR-56 that is used by many San Diegans for both commuting and recreation. Plans to extend the bike path on the west end, extending it underneath the I-5 for a safe connection to the Sorrento Valley Pedestrian/Bike path are one step closer to coming a reality. The Infrastructure Committee, which I chair, advanced an agreement between the City and Caltrans to extend the pathThis item will be heard by the full Council in December, with a project timeline to follow.

For Karen Matingou, a long-time Rancho Bernardo resident who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the extension is especially meaningful. Karen shared her story on NBC7 San Diego, and her resilience is inspiring. Watch it here.

For maps of bike lanes/routes in San Diego, safety tips and an interactive bike rack map, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/Bike

Rebuilding San Diego- 1,000 Miles and Counting

Making strides to tackle San Diego’s road repair backlog, we’ve fixed 1,000 miles of road over the last three years. This milestone comes nearly two years ahead of the Mayor’s five-year goal and continues our momentum to rebuild San Diego.

The 1,000 miles includes long-awaited resurfacing of District 5 thoroughfares like Rancho Carmel Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road. There is more work to be done in our neighborhoods, and I continue to advocate at the highest level for District 5 roads to get the repairs they need. As the author of Prop H or the Rebuild San Diego initiative that created a dedicated funding stream for infrastructure repairs without raising taxes, I assure you we are not slowing down.

Share Your Feedback About Drone Technology

San Diego has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test the safe deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones over the next two years. As the City explores how drones can enhance public safety initiatives in our region, you are encouraged to provide feedback through an online survey. 

Trail for All People

San Diego has some of the best hiking, mountain biking and open space parks in the state, and I am incredibly proud to have the Jas Arnold Trail for All People in the Black Mountain Regional Park in District Five. 

The Trail for All People was spearheaded by the late Jas Arnold, who was a longtime Rancho Peñasquitos resident. It was his vision that created San Diego’s first wheelchair accessible hiking trail. And as this video shows, the 1,100-foot loop consists of easy grades that are accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers. Have you visited the Black Mountain Regional Park? Share your favorite trails and mountain views with me on my Facebook page.