There’s a reason some of my City Council colleagues lovingly call me “Ride-Along Raul” from time to time: I’m always at one ride-along or another.

If you aren’t aware, a ‘ride-along’ is when you go with first responders to watch them do their work – and each year during legislative recess, I am sure to go on a ride-along or two to make sure that I truly have a first-hand sense of our first responders’ work and needs.

At this year’s ride-along, I went on several medical emergency calls, watched cadets practice at the station, and just plain old enjoyed the firefighters' company, whether we were playing cards, making meals, or chit-chatting.

Truly, the energy, strength, focus, flexibility, intelligence, skill, and talent our firefighters possess is tremendous. I am so impressed by the work of our first responders, and I am proud to support them in my role as a City Councilmember and as the Vice Chair of San Diego's Public Safety Committee.

San Diego is now testing out artificial intelligence to help us fix potholes faster and cheaper. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands on special sensor trucks, our crews are working with researchers to train an AI model to spot potholes using Google Street View images. Field staff then check photos in person to fine-tune the system so it matches what a pothole really looks like in San Diego.

It’s still early days — but our City just filled its first pothole identified by AI, and the program will grow from here. To me, this is exactly what we need in tight budget years: smarter ways to stretch every taxpayer dollar while still keeping our streets safe and drivable. Great work, Transportation Department!

As fire season continues, I was encouraged to see CAL FIRE, San Diego Fire-Rescue, the Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Forest Service, and SDG&E all come together recently to showcase San Diego’s aerial firefighting fleet.

From Blackhawks carrying 1,000 gallons of water to helicopters that can refill in under a minute, these crews stand ready to strike from the skies at a moment’s notice. With 19 helicopters now available across the region — including new night-flight capacity and another Fire-Rescue helicopter coming online later this year — San Diego is better equipped than ever to keep our communities safe.

Behind the scenes, it’s not just the aircraft but the teamwork that matters most. The coordination among agencies gives me real confidence that when fires break out, our region can respond quickly, effectively, and with one mission: protecting lives and homes.

My Name is Nicole, I have lived in Del Cerro for almost 50 yrs, I am 88yrs old and Folk dance, under the auspices of the Park and Recreation Dept, in Balboa Park and I am very concerned about charging for parking in the Park. I dance three times a week, about 8 hours total, in the Park, I live on social security only as I lost my work pension in 2008, I have used up all my savings and will no longer be able to afford the parking fees. Dancing is my exercise, my social life and love the music and dance and will have to give it up.

I know that you have voted against this fee and I thank you for that. I have not heard that they charge for parking in city parks anywhere in the world and I am hoping that there will be some kind of special dispensation or a special pass for residents who come for hours visiting the park. Having picnics on the grass, listening to concerts and special events and all those many volunteers who give of their time to make life better for every one.

I wish you would have a petition for the citizens of your district.

I have voted for you each time but only recently started reading your letter because I went back to work ten yrs ago, to help supplement my income, until last year as a caregiver.

Nicole – I am so sorry to hear about the impact of the proposed parking fees on you. Thank you for sharing your story. It’s stories like yours that make me so skeptical about inflicting this extra cost on folks, least of all now when so many are already struggling with the high cost of living.

For all reading this, if you share Nicole’s point of view, please make your voice heard ahead of the upcoming City Council meeting on September 15th where they will hear the ordinance to implement paid parking at Balboa Park.

This week, I chaired an important hearing on childcare at our Economic Development & Intergovernmental Relations Committee. With costs in San Diego reaching as high as $572 per week — sometimes more than rent, a mortgage or even college tuition — families are being squeezed.

Childcare is a necessity for working families and for the future of our city’s economy; it should be treated like a community amenity, not a luxury. That’s why I was proud to bring together partners from the Children First Collective and beyond to talk about San Diego County's Child Care Blueprint and how we can expand access, support providers, and make care more affordable.