Please join me in supporting Terra Lawson-Remer to be our next County Supervisor!
When we elect Terra in November, the people of Encinitas will have an effective advocate on the Board of Supervisors to help us tackle problems of homelessness, criminal justice reform, public safety, climate change and mental health access, among many other issues.
An economist, community organizer, college professor and former advisor in President Obama’s administration, Terra lives in Encinitas. She worked to organize the group “Flip the 49th” that helped propel our outstanding new congressman Mike Levin to victory in 2018.
Terra is energetic, passionate, knowledgeable and a better fit for Encinitas. I hope that you’ll register and join me and many other elected officials for her virtual campaign kick-off on June 16 at 5:30 p.m. to get to know her.
There’s no donation required to participate, and I think you’ll want to hear what she has to say. Again, here’s the link to join in.
Why I endorse candidates in my newsletter
This newsletter reflects my perspective, and it’s not funded or produced with taxpayer money. Regular readers know that I believe my commitment to our community includes sharing what we’re doing in the city, explaining why I vote the way I do, and giving context to the struggles we face – here and in the wider world.
I send this newsletter almost weekly, year-round and have done so for about six years. I don’t start communicating just during the election season. I believe that this commitment on my part means I have a very high level of engagement with you, my constituents. Of course it takes a lot of time and energy, but it’s an important responsibility that I’ve chosen to undertake as part of my pledge to keep Encinitas residents informed and part of the decision-making process.
And as you can guess, being mayor isn’t work that can be done alone. My ability to do a good job serving you is heavily impacted by the folks who work alongside me and above me. We all operate within a system – I collaborate with elected officials at the state and federal level, with other city leaders and with hired professional staff, constituents, and volunteers who serve on commissions.
Given the many challenges and the reality that it’s always easier not to do something than it is to do something, progress comes when we’re able to work together, identify a common goal and pull in the same direction.
Like you, I support and oppose candidates during election time based on my assessment of their values, and I share my thoughts with you in these newsletters.
That’s why today I’m supporting and encouraging your engagement with Terra Lawson-Remer for our County Board of Supervisors. In future newsletters, I may weigh in on other candidates and ballot measures. It’s my hope that you’ll find my thoughts useful as you do your own information-gathering.
I can’t overstate the importance of making sure that those who sit at the table reflect your values and priorities. There are always more challenges to tackle than there is time in a day. Engaging with candidates, advocating for the future you want, and financially supporting candidates and causes that move you is a key part of our functioning democracy.
So I hope you’ll get excited about Terra and drop by to hear her. She’s top-notch; her election will change the balance of power at the Board of Supervisors and personally she’s someone who would be a real partner for our city. Click here to accept the invitation.
Re-opening updates
As of last Tuesday, all Encinitas City beach and park parking lots are open. In the photo above, people enjoyed the sunset at Cardiff Beach on Tuesday evening. Families and members of a household, can sit, lie down, and participate in active sports on the beach. Swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking are also allowed.
All city parks and trails are open, but playgrounds, pickleball courts and skate parks are still closed. They’ll be open soon but I don’t know an exact date. While we’re enjoying the outdoors, we’re asked to continue working to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Stay home if you feel sick and/or have any symptoms, avoid groups and crowded spaces, maintain physical distance around people outside of your household, and wash your hands.
The county requires us to have a face covering ready when outside walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, and to wear it when you come within within six feet of other people. Still prohibited are gatherings of more than one person not part of a single family or household in a single indoor or outdoor space at the same time.
More information is here.
Scenes from the final Cardiff vigil
(Photos by Colin Leibold.)
Last Saturday, hundreds of people attended the last of seven daily vigils at the Cardiff Kook to take a stand against institutionalized racism and excess police force against Black Americans. I was honored to be asked to address the gathering (seen at second-from-top), along with Deputy Mayor Kellie Shay Hinze (top), Assemblymember and former Encinitas City Councilmember Tasha Boerner Horvath (second from bottom), and U.S Representative Mike Levin (bottom).
I centered my remarks on the ability to achieve systemic change from sustained effort, and the historic nature of our fight for racial justice in America.
Thanks to Mali Woods-Drake and her Encinitas4Equality group for conceiving and coordinating these stirring, peaceful events.
Signs of the times
Because of the pandemic, many schools are graduating students with yard sign congratulations and modified commencement ceremonies. Congratulations to all local graduates during these strange, strange times!
In ongoing service,
And more signs of the times…
