1. The current and previous mayor have long argued that Chula Vista is well managed. A conservative think tank agrees that the city has far fewer budget issues than several neighboring cities. What has the city done right? Where can it do better?
Chula Vista has done a number of things right. Compared with some neighboring cities, it has generally planned ahead and positioned itself for long-term growth. Major planning efforts have also created a clearer development framework and helped the city avoid some of the deeper budget problems others are facing.
Where the city can do better is in making sure that “well managed” is something residents actually feel in daily life. A city can be stable on paper while families still struggle with housing costs, child care, transportation and a government that feels hard to navigate. I want Chula Vista to build on its strengths by focusing more on cost of living, clearer communication and making sure growth translates into visible benefits for everyday residents. One place I believe Chula Vista has fallen short is not designating part of Third Avenue as an entertainment district. Supporting that area could help local businesses, create a stronger nightlife and weekend economy, create community and generate needed revenue in uncertain times.
2. What is your view of the perception that newer, master-planned developments in eastern Chula Vista are favored by city officials over older, western neighborhoods?
That perception deserves serious attention. I live on the east side, and it exists for a reason. Newer communities often benefit from concentrated investment, newer infrastructure and constant road work, while older neighborhoods can feel like they are waiting longer for improvements or being asked to accept less. A strong city government should make sure investment is felt across the whole city. That means upgrading infrastructure in western neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, improving parks and public spaces, and planning maintenance on a more systematic citywide basis to improve fairness, predictability and long-term upkeep.
3. For a decade, local and state politicians have said making housing more affordable is a top priority. Why has there been so little progress?
Housing affordability has seen too little progress because we have not fully addressed the real drivers of cost. Chula Vista needs more housing so residents have real alternatives, but we also have to be honest that not every new development automatically creates affordability. Some projects are so costly to build and finance that lower rents become difficult even when vacancies rise.
Real progress means lowering construction costs where possible, reducing city-created barriers, supporting lower-cost options like ADUs and JADUs, and continuing smart growth near transit, jobs and businesses so families are not burdened by both housing and transportation costs. Chula Vista should continue supporting master-planned growth, but that cannot be the only approach. As mayor, I would focus on the quickest and most beneficial changes to reduce delays, improve timelines, and make it easier to build both smaller lower-cost housing and larger community developments. Housing becomes more affordable when people have more real choices, the process is more predictable, and the city stops adding unnecessary cost.
4. What is an issue that you believe deserves more attention?
The issue I believe deserves more attention is whether residents can actually understand and participate in their city. Too many people do not know what is happening, how decisions are made or how to make their voices heard unless they have extra time, insider knowledge or the ability to sit through meetings. That shuts out a lot of working people. I want Chula Vista to create better tools for real public participation, including simple district updates, clearer communication and anonymous real-time public feedback so residents can see that their voices matter. Good government is not just about balancing budgets. It is about making sure people can trust the system, understand it and feel that it works for them.
Go to gerstenformayor.com and gerstenparaalcalde.com for more information about the candidate.