How Volunteerism Can Help Revitalize San Diego’s Inner City Neighborhoods
BodyVolunteers are key to a campaign's success -- and I strongly believe they will be key to San Diego's success.
We see this already in all kinds of undertakings. Volunteers are the force behind successful bake sales, little leagues, church services, and cancer walks.
So why can’t they be part of the solution for San Diego's city services too? They can and they will be if I am elected mayor.
Mayoral candidates speak at 'State of the Inner City Address'
By MITCHELL STEINFELD, The Daily Transcript
San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio and state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher offered suggestions to prevent gang involvement and increase educational participation on Wednesday, while addressing nonprofit tutoring group Reality Changers at their fifth annual “State of the Inner City” address.
The address, open to Reality Changers students and board members, was held to coincide with Mayor Jerry Sanders’ State of the City speech. According to a press release, the event was held to highlight issues affecting San Diego’s less prosperous neighborhoods as well as highlight the success of Reality Changers, a 10-year-old charity that has helped raised more than $13 million in scholarships for first-generation college students.
DeMaio and Fletcher were joined at the podium by Reality Changers Founder and President Christopher Yanov, as well as San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Bill Kowba.
“This is a program that works. This is a program that we need to commit to and expand,” DeMaio said. “I believe that our city ought to be measured and evaluated based on how well it serves not just the richest neighborhoods, but our poorest neighborhoods. It’s time for us to ensure that city government works for all of our neighborhoods.”
At the event, held at Reality Changers headquarters in City Heights, Yanov announced that the organization will expand its services to 10 San Diego schools, a move that would double the amount of students the program can reach. The group is currently searching for schools to partner with, at no cost.
“It is incumbent upon city leaders here in San Diego to create new solutions to out-popularize gangs,” Yanov said. “This is accomplished not by providing so-called alternatives to drugs and gangs but instead by creating a new college-going culture for inner-city youth so that these students can indeed change their realities.”
Fletcher spoke about steering students toward goals like getting a college education, as opposed to just steering them away from gangs.
“I had some friends in town and I was out teaching them how to surf and I told them when you get up on the board and you start going you’ve got to look at the board, because where your eyes go your head goes, and where your head goes your body goes,” Fletcher said. “You put your eyes on that goal, and where your head goes your body goes -- you look at these walls and you see a lot of bodies that are going places like Stanford and UCLA.”
Fletcher said his economic plan for San Diego focuses on inspiring innovation and supporting a healthy middle class to ensure access to the American Dream. For this, he said, education is crucial.
“As mayor we pledge to talk about education, in a way not that seeks to take over our schools but to help them and assist them and provide them the tools and support they need,” Fletcher said.
DeMaio outlined an agenda that he said would help city leaders pay as much attention to the issues in the inner city as wealthy and well-connected areas. The plan focused on stabilizing the economy and investing money in infrastructure and in opportunities for youth.
“As part of my roadmap to recovery, we lay out how we can fix our city’s financial problems,” DeMaio said. “I am committed to a $497 million program over the next five years to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. ... We must ensure we provide an opportunity society in San Diego to create the sort of jobs that our economy requires but also to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to fill those jobs.”
Sitting alongside the candidates was current Reality Changers student Marcos Olascoaga. He read an excerpt from his college application essay to Harvard University. Over the past 10 years, the program has sent students to top universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Johns Hopkins and University of California, San Diego.
DeMaio was orphaned at age 14 and taken in by Jesuits who helped him go to college. He said his office adopts a charity every quarter, and if elected, he will look to make charity a priority.
“One of the things I will be announcing in the next couple weeks is the creation of a chief volunteer officer in the mayor’s office that will lead my office of civic engagement and philanthropy. Your city government has the opportunity to work with nonprofits, with foundations, with charities and with our businesses to support important programs like Reality Changers,” DeMaio said. “If we take a partnership model we can do a lot more for our neighborhoods than the current government-centered model that’s failing our community.”
Mayoral candidates Rep. Bob Filner and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis were also invited to speak at the address but were unable to attend.
CommentsVeterans Job Plan
BodyAs a proud military town with a large population of service members and veterans, San Diego must be a city committed to ensuring our veterans are successfully employed upon leaving the military and entering the civilian workforce.
There were roughly 200,000 more veterans in the labor force this June than there were a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Los Angeles Times. (“Veterans Face High Unemployment After Military Service.” Los Angeles Times, July 11, 2011)
Unfortunately, a higher percentage of veterans end up without employment than the average population. In fact, recent veterans face unemployment rates twice as high as the rest of the population, according to news reports. (“Unemployment Rate Twice As High for Young War Veterans.” KPBS San Diego, November 23, 2010.)
We can honor the service of our veterans by helping them transition to new jobs once they return,” DeMaio commented.
“City leaders should not stand idly by as returning veterans face unemployment rates twice as high as the rest of the population,” said DeMaio.
“Employment challenges faced by our veterans will only increase as tens of thousands of soldiers return home from Iraq over the coming year.”
There are currently many organizations and volunteers out there already working hard to help veterans with job training. However, many involved with veterans’ job training programs explained at Carl DeMaio’s recent Pathway to Prosperity Town Hall Forums that there is a need for more coordination and cooperation between the various agencies, non‐profits, and employers looking to hire veterans.
The proposals included in the Welcome Home Plan aim to address those concerns and provide a better framework for San Diego’s veterans to access the resources available to them.
Proposal 1 – Launch “Veterans Helping Veterans” Volunteer Initiative to Assist with Career Training
Proposal 2 – Partner with regional governments to provide a liaison to military “TAP” classes & encourage veteran employment within the City of San Diego
Proposal 3 – Partner with San Diego 211 to improve “one-stop” access to veterans’ resources
Proposal 4 – Work to streamline licensing and certification processes so that skills learned in the military can be more easily translated into a civilian job
Proposal 5 – Ensure that the USO has a permanent facility in San Diego so that military members can integrate into San Diego life even before leaving active duty
Proposal 6 – Creation of a Military and Veterans Advisory Board for the City of San Diego
Proposal 7 – Expanding city contracting opportunities to companies hiring veterans
Councilmember DeMaio is proposing that companies which will complete a project with at least 50% of the work done by veterans receive a 2.5% bid preference, and companies which employ at least 75% veterans on a project receive a 5% bid preference.
DeMaio to Campaign Against Gov. Brown’s Tax Increase in 2012: Says Sacramento Should Focus on Fiscal and Pension Reform Instead
Body“Even as I campaign for Mayor, I intend to fight Governor Brown’s tax increase because it will only hurt working families and further damage our local economy. Instead of tax increases, Governor Brown should adopt the reforms I’m proposing here in San Diego such as pension reform, cutting wasteful spending, and opening government services up to competitive bidding.”
Carl DeMaio is a primary author of the "Comprehensive Pension Reform" ballot measure which is an integral component of his 90-page “Roadmap to Recovery” -- his plan for balancing the budget, reforming city pensions, and transforming how city government provides services.
CommentsSan Diego’s Leadership in Clean Energy Must Be Maintained
BodyStopping SDG&E’s Disastrous Solar-Killing Rate Changes
Carl DeMaio - November 9, 2011
A freight train is heading on a collision course with San Diego’s growing clean energy sector, but most San Diegans don’t even know about it.
San Diego Gas & Electric is currently asking the California Public Utilities Commission to allow drastic and sweeping changes to San Diego’s electricity rate structure.
The reason: Because of San Diego’s success as a solar energy leader (currently first in the state when it comes to solar technology installation), the utility giant has seen more and more customers “going off the grid” and relying on solar-generated power. In an attempt to secure future revenue, a rate structure has been proposed which will require a much larger set cost and less reliance on volume-determined billing. These changes will be disastrous.
At my most recent “Pathway to Prosperity” Job Creation Forum, which featured many leaders in the CleanTech industry, the question was asked: “Why aren’t there solar panels on every residence, business, school, and government facility in San Diego?” The simple answer: Cost. For years solar power was too cost-prohibitive for most individuals. Fortunately, this has started to change with increased incentives and financing available for solar technology.
Unfortunately, this progress will come to a screeching halt if SDG&E’s new rate structure is implemented. Leaders in the solar industry have pointed out that not only will San Diego’s leadership in clean technologies end; it will strike a deadly blow to the producers of these new technologies. Just when we should be doing everything possible to create new, high-paying jobs, this proposal could put many solar companies out of business or send them elsewhere. We cannot let that happen.
The good news: The City Attorney’s office has filed a protest letter with the Public Utilities Commission explaining how costly these rate changes will be. I am encouraging every SDG&E customer, elected official, and those in the CleanTech industry to join with me in protesting these rate changes with the PUC as well.
Additionally, I am asking SDG&E to avoid that fight and immediately withdraw this proposal by going back to the drawing board. Let’s get the stakeholders in the room and come up with a rate structure that won’t drive this important industry into the ground.
San Diego is quickly becoming the “CleanTech Capital of the Nation.” If this public utility is allowed to proceed with these rate changes, all of that hope and progress will be derailed.
CommentsCan You Help These 2 Families Devastated by "Occupy San Diego" Protesters?
BodyI wanted to alert you to a very troubling and sad situation being faced by two families in San Diego – and to ask that you consider helping in their time of need.
Linda Jensen and her son run Centre City Coffee – a little coffee cart outside City Hall. Pete Soto and his wife run Brooklyn Dogs – a hot dog and lunch cart also outside City Hall.
These hard-working small business owners have seen their family’s income decimated by the lawless Occupy San Diego protestors who have created such deplorable conditions around their carts that customers have fled. Event worse, both families have been harassed and have received threats.
My office is helping sponsor a fundraising benefit for both families on Monday, November 7 at 6pm at 6:00 PM at Downtown Johnny Brown's at 1220 Third Ave. San Diego, CA. 92101
Can you please consider helping these two families with a small donation?
If you're unable to make it and would still like to help please mail donations to my office at 202 "C" Street, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA. 92101.
KUSI recently ran a segment on their plight that is heartbreaking. You can view that video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFgdVnSI4Tc
Please consider helping in any way you can. These two families need our support!
In Service,
Carl DeMaio
CommentsDeMaio Breaks Ground on New FBI Headquarters -- Key to Public Safety and Job Creation
Body SAN DIEGO – City Councilmember Carl DeMaio took part in the groundbreaking of a new 248,882 square foot regional FBI field office. The new field office will house over 500 agents and staff that will bring increased Law Enforcement resources to San Diego communities.
DeMaio’s office played a key role in resolving development disputes that threatened to derail the project – and cost San Diego much-needed construction jobs.
“After working hard to get this facility in San Diego, I am proud we are able to get construction underway. This building will provide local San Diego Law Enforcement with the facilities they need to better protect residents,” noted DeMaio.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, "The men and women of the FBI are looking forward to moving into our new building. It has been designed to provide us with the infrastructure and space needed to support the FBI's intelligence and investigative mission. We are currently located in six leased facilities in San Diego which are incapable of supporting new functions and do not meet enhanced IT and security requirements. This new building will consolidate our resources to facilitate both an efficient working environment and provide us with state of the art capabilities needed to meet the needs of the FBI's intelligence and law enforcement activities."
“We are proud to work with the GSA and FBI to create a place for the men and women who work and serve in law enforcement and intelligence to do their jobs in the most effective manner possible,” states Richard Worthington, president of The Molasky Group of Companies. “Additionally, we are very excited to be part of the San Diego business community with the new FBI Divisional Offices. This is an opportunity to spark an economic engine that creates jobs, brings new business to local vendors and suppliers, and initiates new tax revenues for the city and state, at a time it is most needed."
CommentsWhy I Support Fair and Open Competition
BodyI am excited to announce that the "Fair and Open Competition Ordinance," which I have supported since it was first envisioned, qualified yesterday for the June 2012 Primary Election ballot. This measure will bar the City of San Diego from entering into union-only construction contracts in the future, or "project labor agreements" (PLAs).
PLAs keep non-union companies from bidding on contracts, drive up the cost of development projects, and shut out non-union contractors from jobs in San Diego. Getting this measure on the ballot is a vital step forward to make San Diego an even playing field for all businesses.
The measure is supported by the Associated Builders & Contractors of San Diego, Inc. and the Associated General Contractors of San Diego, Inc. and will be one of the most important issues facing the construction industry throughout the next year. I hope we can count on your support as we get the word out about this measure to the people of San Diego.
The San Diego City Council will have the opportunity to directly pass this measure in the next three weeks, but that is unlikely due to the amount of union-backed Council members. If rejected by the elected officials, the measure will be placed on the June 2012 ballot where the people will have the opportunity to vote it into law.
Last month I proposed my “Pathway to Prosperity” action plan with seven major reforms for job creation in San Diego, and Fair and Open Competition was a centerpiece of that proposal. As I promised then, I am willing to take these business-friendly proposals directly to the voters if politicians are unwilling to enact job-friendly reforms on their own.
An important note: Union-backed members of the State Legislature have introduced legislation which would overturn local bans on PLAs. Please contact Governor Jerry Brown’s office and encourage him to veto “Senate Bill 922” when it comes to his desk.
Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160
My Jobs Plan: Cutting Red Tape at City Hall
Body This past week I released my "Pathway to Prosperity" -- a comprehensive plan to promote job creation in San Diego.
San Diego’s families and business owners are facing a bad economy and its only getting worse. Even more tragic is a city government that just doesn’t seem to care.
Usually city government spends its time putting up roadblocks and hurdles to job creation, rather than cutting red tape and helping to find ways to attract and grow businesses in San Diego.
That’s why I am proud to announce seven major reforms and proposals to encourage job growth in our city, as well as the creation of a fifteen-member Jobs Task Force made up of local business leaders. I will be developing these initial proposals, as well as developing additional reforms through input from the Task Force, a series of Town Hall Forums, and the launch of a Job Creation Hotline at (619) 236-6210 to hear exactly what kinds of problems business owners are having with the City and their ideas to solve them.
In business, time is money – and uncertainty can create so much risk that businesses decide not to pursue projects. That’s why the City of San Diego must dramatically reorganize and overhaul its entire process for handling permits to become “faster, better and cheaper.”
By streamlining regulations and “cycle time” for permit decisions, the City can remove cost and risk from projects – and in doing so position itself as an attractive place to do business.
To achieve this goal, I am proposing the following:
--Fixed Price Fee Structure: Instead of drawing down on “deposit accounts” which only encourages the city bureaucracy to take more time on permit processing, the Development Services department should switch to “fixed-price” permit pricing.
--Time and Quality Guarantees: For each permit category, the City will commit to a hard deadline by which the permit will be completely processed. If the City fails to meet the performance standards promised, the customer (applicant) will receive their money back, and the City will pay to put an extra project team on the permit application to expedite processing.
--Self-Certification Program: To streamline the number of permit actions that require a full-scale city review process, I propose “Self-Certification” Permitting for select projects, with liability transferred to entities that certify compliance with city codes.
--Employee Incentive Program: To encourage city employees to meet turn-around times, an incentive program will fund performance bonuses and training in key skill sets such as project management, customer service, etc.
--“Innovation Labs” for Process Redesign: Instead of trying to overhaul the entire DSD department as a whole all at once, I would like to see DSD broken down into four units: The existing City team, the CCDC team, and two outside contract teams. By having four units working separately over a 2-year trial, the goal is to encourage competition and innovation in process design and management. At the end of the two-year “Innovation Lab” period, results will be assessed and a final DSD structure will be implemented based on best practices from all four units.
What are your ideas for job creation? Call my Jobs Hotline or email me now!
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