What you think re: the Mission Bay restrooms

Last week, I sent out a survey to get your opinion on whether we should use recently available City funding to reopen the bathrooms at Mission Bay.

The responses were a resounding yes, with nearly 98% of you agreeing that 1/3 of the money should be used for the immediate need at Mission Bay, rather than saving the money for potential issues that could arise in the future.

I am absolutely committed to raising this issue over and over until the bathrooms are re-opened. I frankly believe there is no excuse for keeping them closed, and 97.85% of you agreeing shows it needs to be done.

Viral Santa Cruz water rescue renews push to make lifeguards first responders

Did you see the viral water rescue in Santa Cruz this week? Check out this NBC 7 news article recapping the movement it has sparked locally and beyond.

“Whether it’s fighting furious waves — like the recent ocean rescue in Santa Cruz — or performing high-flying heroics to save someone who has fallen off Sunset Cliffs, lifeguards in San Diego and across the state put their lives on the line to save lives.”

“From June through the first weekend of August, there have been more than 4,100 water rescues along San Diego's coastline and bays, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.”

At the City, lifeguards are part of San Diego Fire-Rescue. They operate as first responders and literally save lives every day. It’s high time these local heroes get the accolades they deserve.

NBC 7: More people finding permanent housing in San Diego, but challenges remain, report finds

San Diego is a national leader on addressing homelessness. Our innovative programs and public partnerships, like that with Jewish Family Services’ safe parking lot or with PATH’s outreach crews, frequently succeed at moving the needle. The data shows it.

As reported by NBC 7 and the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness, data shows that more people are transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing.

“According to the report, the rate of people exiting to permanent housing increased from 23% to 29% over the three-year period. Improvements were seen among several populations, including youth, seniors, and veterans, with veterans experiencing some of the largest gains. The report also found fewer people returned to homelessness after exiting the system, while first-time homelessness declined.”

While there is still much progress to make on the number of shelter beds available, and on behavioral healthcare, this is certainly the kind of promising data that demonstrates why we are a leading example for the country. And, undeniably, every vulnerable neighbor served is an enormous win.

Have you seen one of my walk and talk videos yet?

Something I’ve prioritized throughout my tenure as your City Councilmember is adapting and evolving to meet San Diego residents where they are at. Some examples from the past few years include through hosting public town halls frequently, attending community events, or shifting my newsletters and social media content to be more accessible.

What I hear from you in person and online is that you value authenticity and honesty. Social media is littered with AI-generated videos and content, exaggerated content, or incorrect information, and that is not the sphere that I like to operate in.

Introducing my walk and talk videos – recently, I started sharing short, simple, honest, off-the-cuff videos where I do exactly what the name suggest, walking and talking. I plan to share these more frequently. I’ll use the time to chat about a recent policy at City Council, an event in San Diego, breaking national news, a cheeky soccer goal, podcast recommendations, you name it.

I hope these videos allow me to engage with you on a more personal level. If you want to look at one of my recent walk and talk videos, see the one below! Follow me on Instagram to see them as they are posted.

SDPD’s National Night Out was a success!