Position Statement of Dave Roberts

By Dave Roberts

You Should Know What Compels Me to Run . . . Here Are Some of My Positions on Key Issues of Importance to Solana Beach.

Traffic Congestion and the Proposed Widening of I-5

Traffic congestion is probably the #1 issue facing our city and region. My goal is to promote ideas to reduce traffic congestion in our community. I support a Lomas Santa Fe interchange that ties into a reasonably scaled I-5 widening project that mitigates all neighborhood and environmental concerns. I will do everything in my power to work tirelessly to ensure that Solana Beach residents' opinions are respected and listened to by local and state officials. I will continue to promote reviewing alternative ideas such as tunneling and other innovative ideas. I will NOT accept the status quo or the statement that "there is nothing that we can do about the widening or traffic congestion."

Comprehensive Beach and Bluff Policy

We need creative ideas to put more sand on our beaches! We all treasure our beach and bluffs in Solana Beach. When I purchased my first home in Solana Beach in 1995, it was on South Sierra Avenue. I enjoyed living on the bluff and came to know their beautiful, yet fragile nature firsthand. The problem is complex and emotional. My priority is to ensure that the public's safety is guaranteed and to ensure that all laws and ordnances are upheld. I promise to work with all interested stakeholders to implement a comprehensive sand replenishment and retention program which could protect our eroding bluffs. I have already begun conversations with members of CalBeach Advocates, Surfriders and Beach & Bluff Conservancy to ensure that I understand and listen to all points of view. This education has been enlightening and beneficial and will continue.

The city has now passed a Shoreline Preservation Policy. We must make sure that this policy is sensitive to both the environmental and homeowners' needs and updated to ensure that we preserve our fragile bluffs with the latest available solutions. I am also meeting with interested stakeholders to discuss creative ideas to replenish the sand on our beach. On July 2, I called on the San Dieguito River Valley authority to investigate whether dredged sand from their wetlands is of the right quality to place on our beach. I also recommended in late June the idea of coastal cities purchasing our own dredging equipment to dredge sand off our coast every spring and fall to replenish our beaches. I will work with all stakeholders to continue reviewing creative ideas until a lasting solution can be found.

Most importantly, because of my experience working with both the Department of Defense (Army Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Congress, I will also work with national leaders to bring financial resources to help solve this challenge.

Public Safety (Law Enforcement/Fire Department/Marine Safety)

As a member of the Solana Beach Budget and Finance Committee for the last four years and as Chair for the last two years, I have come to understand the importance of investing in our community's public safety needs. Solana Beach spends approximately 50% of its total budget for both law enforcement under contract with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and for the Solana Beach Fire Department. This equates to less than 90 cents a day for every citizen of Solana Beach. I understand the key relationship between wisely investing in public safety and personnel needs and its impact on a strong and vibrant community. I believe that the service we receive for this investment is outstanding and I pledge that if elected as a member of City Council to strongly support all necessary resources to continue our commitment to our community's public safety needs.

I am encouraged by the innovations being proposed by our Fire Chief and will continue to encourage new ideas to improve the sharing of resources and the enhancement of services.

Because of my commitment to public safety and record of community service, on July 30 I was pleased to be endorsed by both the Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County and the Peace Officers Research Association of California. I have also been endorsed by the Solana Beach Firefighters Association.

Community Redevelopment and Preserving Our History

The city has created two redevelopment districts for Eden Gardens and Coast Highway 101. I am committed to working with all residents and businesses on redevelopment to preserve and protect our small town character of a seaside community. I will listen to all concerned citizens first, do my homework, and then act in the best interest of our citizens and the community.

San Dieguito River Valley Project

Thanks to the visionary leadership of Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and other officials, this project is becoming a reality. I will continue our city's pledge to supporting this project whose purpose is "to preserve and restore land within the San Dieguito River Park as a regional open space greenway and park system that protects the natural waterways and the natural and cultural resources and sensitive lands and provides compatible recreational opportunities, including water related uses that do not damage sensitive lands."

Via De La Valle Telephone Poles

I pledge to work with stakeholders from the City of Del Mar, the City of San Diego and SDG&E to resolve this issue to the satisfaction of our Solana Beach neighbors and work tirelessly to ensure that another issue like this does not surprise us in the future.

Community Grants

The city has an opportunity to work with non-profits on projects that enhance our community. Until this year, non-profits and other community resources were able to directly request funds from the city. This year, non-profits have to apply to the city manager and the maximum funding available for all requests is $15,000. For comparison, the smaller city of Del Mar funded $63,000 this year. I will work to fund all valid community grants that support projects that benefit Solana Beach residents and not arbitrarily limit funding and discretion to the City Manager.

Gateway Project

Solana Beach is 98% developed. Overdevelopment of our community was one of the primary reasons for city incorporation so that we could control our community's development. I am pleased that both Mary Jane Boyd (former Solana Beach Town Council member) and Roger Boyd (former chair of City Incorporation Work Group) are heading up my grassroots effort. Our goal is to preserve of small town character.

The vacant property on the north end of our city along Route 101 is one of the last remaining undeveloped properties in our community. My goal is to work with interested neighbors to explore all feasible alternatives to retain this property as a city or county or state park. If that is not possible, I will then work with interested stakeholders to make sure that the least intrusive development is approved for this property.

In addition, I propose that a survey be completed of all undeveloped and underdeveloped property in Solana Beach with the goal of investigating how more open space can be retained for now and future generations. My vision is to have small parks within walking distance of our homes!

Want more information?

My supporters will tell you that one of my strengths in civic leadership over the last seven plus years has been my proactive encouragement of open communication. If you would like to discuss any aspect of an issue in Solana Beach, please don't hesitate to contact me at 858-793-0079 or droberts@himss.org.