For as long as I can remember, South Bay families have lived with what others in San Diego County only read about — raw sewage in our ocean, toxic air in our neighborhoods and the stench that fills the valley every time it rains. While most people simply close their windows when a storm passes, our residents brace for the fallout: contaminated beaches, polluted floodwaters and the knowledge that our region’s health is once again being sacrificed to neglect.
While other parts of the county got cleaner water, stronger investments and faster government responses, our community got excuses. For decades, leaders looked the other way as the Tijuana River Valley filled with trash, sediment and untreated wastewater. Year after year, we heard the same promises but saw little action. That neglect hasn’t just scarred our environment — it has hurt our economy, limited recreation and endangered public health. It has told South Bay families that their safety and quality of life matter less than everyone else’s.
That’s why I ran for office — to end the neglect. I ran to bring attention, urgency and resources to a part of the county that’s been ignored for too long. For me, this fight is personal. I’ve seen the toll this crisis has taken on our people — parents afraid to let their children play outside, local businesses losing customers when beaches close and families forced to breathe polluted air while waiting for government to act.
Now, as we finally begin to take long-overdue action to fix this decades-old problem, I understand why some residents — especially local community gardeners — are scared and frustrated. The Tijuana River Valley Community Garden is more than just a set of plots. It’s a symbol of hope and resilience. For years, residents have turned that soil into a place of belonging. They grow food not just to eat, but to keep cultural traditions alive.
So, when gardeners recently received eviction notices, many felt blindsided. They worried that cleanup efforts would erase what they had built with their own hands. I’ve met with them face to face. I’ve listened to their fears, their anger and their heartbreak. And I want to be absolutely clear: I do not want anyone displaced. These families didn’t cause this crisis — they are living with the consequences of a broken system that has failed all of us for decades.
This is not about blaming any one agency or individual. It’s about recognizing that what’s happening in the gardens is a symptom of the same dysfunction that allowed pollution to spread unchecked in the first place.
That’s why I’m taking action.
I’ve asked county staff to accelerate finding a new operator for the site so the gardeners can continue to use their plots. I’ve directed county departments to conduct environmental testing so that decisions are guided by facts, not fear. I’ve met with gardeners in small groups and am hosting larger community meetings so that everyone has a voice in shaping the solution. I’ve reached out to local organizations that may want to step in and manage the gardens short term with stronger community accountability. And I’ve asked my staff to evaluate other land options and safety improvements, so no family is left without a place to grow.
This moment is about much more than one garden. It’s a test of whether South Bay continues to bear the cost of everyone else’s inaction or finally receives the fairness and investment it deserves.
The Tijuana River Valley can be more than a story about sewage. It can be a symbol of what happens when communities refuse to give up — when people and government work together to heal both the land and the trust that’s been broken. The gardeners, families and advocates who have fought for years to make this place livable are the same people who will help lead us forward.
That’s the South Bay I’m fighting for — one where our community’s safety, dignity and voice come first.
Aguirre is the San Diego County supervisor for District 1, representing Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista and the Tijuana River Valley.
Originally Published: October 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM PDT