San Diego Union Tribune: ‘A wonderful thing that will save lives’: Coronado bridge is finally getting its anti-suicide barrier

“State officials say they expect crews to break ground later this year on a long-awaited suicide barrier on the iconic San Diego-Coronado Bridge that would aim to prevent people from jumping off of it.

“Designs are ready for the $145 million steel-mesh barrier, environmental analysis is complete, and two key approvals are expected next month.”

I am excited at the recently reported news that the anti-suicide barrier designed for the San Diego-Coronado Bridge is clearing important hurdles to begin construction this year. In 2022, I vocalized my support for this project and urged SANDAG to make it a top regional priority.

This project will save lives, prevent lengthy and potentially dangerous traffic closures, and demonstrate our commitment to keeping people safe. To see it so many steps closer to completion is an enormous relief.

Tierrafest was a hit!

Last week, my staff and I attended Tierrafest to walk in the parade and chat with Tierrasantans. It’s always so heartening to see families together, enjoying time with their neighbors, and building community around events like these, which are put on by a long list of community organizations, like Tierrasanta Foundation, and volunteers.

I brought Rafael along. He practiced waving at the crowds from the parade, although he might have been distracted by the exciting cars at times. He also got to meet McGruff, our crime-fighting detective dog, pictured below.

Thank you to everyone involved in putting together Tierrafest for the neighborhood to enjoy. And big thanks to those who stopped to chat with me or said hello from the audience of the parade – you all are a huge reason I love to attend these events!

Attend a panel on housing insecurity and homelessness policy solutions

Today, May 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the San Diego Central Library, the Scholars Strategy Network is bringing together scholars who research housing insecurity and homelessness with policymakers to have a fruitful discussion on the future of our region.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a conversation that impacts all San Diegans. If you are interested in attending, see the flyer below for more information and register here.

Restore arts funding in this year’s budget

Last week, I visited Balboa Park to have conversations with leadership at each of the major institutions in the park. While we celebrated the recent news about Balboa Park paid parking, their message was clear: San Diego’s art ecosystem is in danger.

Institutions are still struggling. The current decline in attendance and sales due to paid parking will take a long time to recover from, and the money diverted to that recovery will most likely come out of the programs that San Diegans love most: free student matinees, low-cost classes, free concerts and cultural events, and so much more. Most of the Arts and Culture leaders I spoke with stressed that much of their budget comes from this arts funding, which is critical to funding programs and staff members at the places you know and love.

Balboa Park institutions are not the only arts and culture entities impacted by these cuts – small arts and culture businesses, artists, creators, and visionaries who bring this city to life will be squeezed. Everyone will feel the effects. And, as one of you shared with me, “a city without arts is just concrete.”

On Wednesday, May 27, City Council hosted the final public budget hearing, but there is still time to advocate before the final budget adoption. If you believe that arts funding should be restored, reply to this email, reach out to other Councilmembers, contact the Mayor, and share your thoughts on social media like I did. To be a part of the conversation, click the video below!

I’m calling for more funding to non-profits facing security threats

Last week, amidst the aftermath of the attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego, I joined Councilmember von Wilpert in urging the State of California to pass $40 million in Governor Newsom’s revised state budget to support security enhancements for nonprofit organizations that have historically been targets of hate-motivated violence and attacks.

Places of worship spend precious dollars — which should be dedicated to community support programming — on security. Last week, we saw exactly why places of worship face credible threats and must make the difficult decision to fund their safety first.

See my full statement by clicking the video below.

Sincerely,