1. What is your view of how elected leaders won approval of first-ever trash collection fees on more than 200,000 single-family homeowners?

This was a textbook bait-and-switch on San Diego taxpayers. Voters narrowly approved Measure B in November 2022, which repealed the 106-year-old People’s Ordinance and allowed the City Council to impose a cost-recovery fee for trash, recycling, and organics services. Campaign materials and city estimates at the time projected roughly $23-$29 per month.

After a cost-of-service study and public hearings, the City Council voted 6-3 on June 9, 2025, to approve a significantly higher fee of approximately $43.60 per month for the standard three 95-gallon container bundle. The final amount included costs for enhanced services, such as a renewable-energy vehicle fleet and expanded organics and bulk collection, that were not clearly presented to voters in 2022.

Before imposing new fees on working families, leaders should have cut waste, pursued real efficiencies and lived within their means.

2. What is your view of the imposition of parking fees at Balboa Park and do you think the mayor and council did enough to control costs before taking this step?

I strongly oppose parking fees at Balboa Park. One of San Diego’s most beloved public treasures should remain freely accessible to all residents and families, not turned into another revenue source.

The mayor and council did not do enough to control costs beforehand. Years of failure to manage pension obligations and overall spending have created endless budget pressure. Instead of making tough choices on pensions and waste, leaders chose new fees and taxes. They have been too closely aligned with public employee unions, protecting the status quo rather than delivering real reform. Proper pension management and spending discipline years ago could have avoided these draconian measures.

3. Voters gave landslide approval in 2006 to a “managed competition” process in which some city services can be outsourced and strongly supported pension reforms for most city workers in 2012, but elected leaders have pursued neither policy in recent years. Would you?

Yes, I would, aggressively and without apology.

Voters overwhelmingly approved both managed competition in 2006 and pension reform in 2012. It is unacceptable that recent leaders have ignored these clear mandates for years. If elected, I will revive managed competition, including outsourcing appropriate city services where it improves efficiency and saves taxpayers money. I will also push for serious, good-faith negotiations with city employee unions to achieve meaningful and sustainable pension reform that protects both workers and taxpayers. These voter-approved tools are essential to closing our structural budget gaps without endless new fees.

4. What is the single issue you feel deserves more attention?

San Diego’s dangerous lack of economic diversification and the resulting shortage of quality, high-paying jobs.

We remain overly reliant on the military, tourism and biotech while ignoring emerging high-growth industries. If elected, I will focus on three immediate priorities:

— Establish an AI/Robotics Technology Center to attract new companies, generate long-term revenue and create thousands of high-quality jobs.

— Eliminate wasteful tourism marketing expenditures and redirect those funds to core city priorities such as public safety, infrastructure, and essential services.

— Launch a comprehensive, expanded Imperial Avenue Revitalization Plan to drive commercial and residential development, improve local schools and parks, enhance public safety and create economic vitality in Southeast San Diego.

This growth-focused strategy will expand the tax base, reduce pressure for repeated tax and fee increases, and deliver real opportunity where it is needed most.

Go to www.jld2026.com for more information about the candidate.