CAMPBELL CHRONICLES

January 23, 2026
 

Dear Inquirer,

 

A fundamental duty of the City Council is to pass a balanced budget by July 1 each year to fund the City's operations and services. The Budget Committee presented a deficit spending budget last spring, and the Mayor vetoed it. The Council overrode the Mayor's veto by a vote of 6-3. I voted against overriding the Mayor's veto because it is important that the city budget be balanced. Unfortunately, a majority of Councilmembers did not agree with me and then voted to pass a budget that was not balanced. This meant that revenue received by the City was too little to pay for the expenses they had voted for. I am the only Councilmember who voted against the budget because it was not balanced. The City Council in ensuing weeks tried to find ways to fill the gaps in the budget that they passed. 

 

This spring, as the Budget Committee works on the budget, I would like to emphasize the importance of a balanced budget. I hope my eight colleagues will no longer be in favor of deficit spending. It's about making sure we use taxpayer dollars as efficiently and responsibly as possible. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made in the previous budget cycle. As Councilmembers, it is our responsibility to put forward solutions that are both reasonable and fiscally sound. While carefully balancing the needs of our communities, we must face financial realities such as the importance of protecting key City services.

 

Public safety is the first responsibility of the City government - therefore, we should be sure that our police, our firemen, our ambulance services, and our lifeguards have the budgets they require to keep us safe. Next, we must continue our commitment to preventing homelessness and creating wraparound services, because we know these programs work. Data shows that when we intervene with rental assistance and housing stability case management, households do not fall into the crisis of homelessness. Other strategies we have used successfully in the past to help those who are already unhoused include shelters, Safe Parking, and Safe Sleeping. Our ultimate goal is to end homelessness in our city, as it is an issue that affects every other public concern. At the same time, we need to ensure that our neighborhoods receive the infrastructure improvements they've been waiting for: safer crosswalks, timely street paving, repaired sidewalks and streetlights.

 

These are some of my priorities for this upcoming budget cycle, as well as ensuring that the budget is balanced and fiscally responsible. Please let me know what you think of these ideas, and let me know your ideas about the budget by selecting your top priorities from the menu below.
 

Fiscal Year 2026 Community Projects, Programs, and Services (CPPS) Funding Allocations to 29 Nonprofit Organizations in District 2

On January 12, the City Council approved the allocation of nearly $100,000 in CPPS grant funding to 29 nonprofit organizations in District 2. These organizations play essential roles in strengthening our community in District 2 and citywide, and they do incredible work improving the lives of all San Diegans.

 

Clarifying Ordinance for Measure C as Approved by Voters in March 2020

On January 13, the City Council clarified the implementation of Measure C, the "Hotel Room Tax," that was passed by the voters in 2020. The measure prevailed in court after five years of litigation, and the timelines included in the bill had to be updated. The measure has been in effect as of May 1, 2025.

 

Mayor Gloria's State of the City Address

I want to thank Mayor Gloria for his hard work to serve the residents of San Diego and for the leadership he has shown in the face of many challenges over the past five years. Under his leadership, hundreds of miles of roads have been repaired, crime is decreasing year over year, and more unsheltered individuals are being connected to resources and permanent housing. We in District 2 are grateful for his continued efforts. 

 

Despite the setbacks it has faced, Midway Rising is moving forward thanks to Mayor Gloria, which will bring much-needed improvements and housing to the Midway District. With the opening of the Safe Parking site at H Barracks, we are now able to increase enforcement of the Vehicle Habitation Ordinance, keeping our streets clean and safe and connecting individuals living in their cars with a safe place to sleep and access to resources. The Clairemont Community Plan was finally updated after 30 years with great teamwork between the Planning Department and the Mayor's office. In this upcoming year, I am committed to continuing to work with the Mayor to ensure that San Diego lives up to its nickname as "America's Finest City."

 

Elizabeth Maland Day

On January 13, we recognized our incredible former City Clerk Liz Maland with a proclamation in her honor. Liz began her career with the City of San Diego as an intern, and worked all the way up until she was appointed City Clerk in 2005. For 32 years, Liz promoted transparency and historical preservation through her work, and served our city with dedication and pride. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for all you have done for our city!
 

Dino's Gyros Greek Cafe and Taverna

Dino's Gyros restaurant is a Greek escape located at 4705D Clairemont Drive in Clairemont Square. Family-owned, Dino’s Gyros provides authentic Greek fare to Clairemont. For first timers, one cannot go wrong with their Greek Sampler Plate. For the hearty, the beef and eggplant Moussaka Plate is top notch. Whichever dish one selects, a Baklava for dessert stands as the appropriate finish line. By way of their balanced cuisine, Dino’s Gyros offers naturally vegetarian and vegan options. What’s more, they deliver an extensive catering menu for larger gatherings, whether family affairs or work events. Check them out by clicking the button below.
 

Rose Canyon Safe Parking Site Upgrades

Last week, we officially cut the ribbon on the newly remodeled community space at the Rose Canyon Safe Parking site! This new space was funded through a generous donation to Jewish Family Service from the Gleiberman family, whose daughter-in-law Samantha is a volunteer at the site. Now, this space has new kitchen appliances, new colorful tables and chairs for meals, a library of children's books, and spaces to do homework and play. Thank you to Mark and Hanna Gleiberman and the Gleiberman family, HomeAid San Diego, Humble Design San Diego, and Swinerton for your contributions to this space.
 

Community Recreation Needs Assessment

As part of the City's first-ever Community Recreation Needs Assessment, San Diegans are invited to participate in a series of virtual and in-person workshops where they will be encouraged to share feedback on how recreational services can be improved. The Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting a series of virtual focus groups, the last of which will be held on February 11 at 4pm. For more information, or to register for any of these meetings, please click the button below.
 

Next Phase of Work for Pure Water SD - Traffic Control on Genesee Ave.

Beginning November 10, crews started installing underground pipes on Genesee Ave. between Clairemont Mesa Blvd. and Appleton St. To maintain the safety of the community during this phase of work, new traffic control will be installed. The southbound side of Genesee Ave. will be closed to through vehicle traffic for approximately three weeks, but local access will be maintained for residents, and one lane in either direction is currently maintained on the northbound side of Genesee Ave. Once the first phase of work is complete, crews will transition this traffic control to the northbound side of Genesee Ave. Crews will be performing work from 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday, for approximately eight weeks. This schedule is subject to change. Every street where pipeline is installed will be fully repaved curb to curb and re-striped. For your safety, please follow all posted signage.
 

41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Awards Breakfast

Thank you to the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA for hosting another wonderful Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Awards breakfast last week! The award recipients at this breakfast have done incredible work advancing equality and justice for all Americans.

 

"I look to the day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Martin Luther King Jr. fought tirelessly toward achieving equality for all people. Today and every day, let us remember his work and his sacrifice and strive to follow in his footsteps.
 

AgeWell Services' 50th Annual Talent Show

Do you, or someone you know, sing, dance, act, tell jokes or have a unique skill like ventriloquism? AgeWell Services is excited to celebrate its 50th Annual Talent Show and invites residents aged 60 and better to share their talents with the community! This year's event will be a two-day celebration, giving participants the change to perform on one or both days, scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Auditions will take place on Monday, February 2 from 10:30am to 1pm at the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center (570 S. 65th St, San Diego, CA 92114). To register for the auditions, please click the button below and enter the code 128587. For more information or to submit a video audition, please email SLemire@sandiego.gov. 
 

Delivery of New Trash Bins Has Begun

The City's Environmental Services Department has begun delivering new gray trash bins to households eligible for City-provided trash service. Customers should look up when the delivery will occur for their neighborhood, and crews will remove the old black trash bins on that same day. The delivery process is expected to continue over the course of several months, and Environmental Services will notify customers about their bin delivery date through mailers to the property owner's address. To learn more about the delivery of new bins and see when your bin delivery date will be, you can click the button below or look online through your Residential Waste Collection Services Portal.
 

Have a question or need assistance from the City? Contact your respective Community Representative from my Office. Please note that some staff changes have occurred, and your Community Representative may be different:
 

If you need assistance with non-emergency community concerns, please use the Get It Done App or you can call my office or email me directly.

Office of Councilmember
Jennifer Campbell
City Administration Building
202 "C" Street, 10th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

 

619-236-6622

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