President's Letter: May 2014

New District 2 Councilman, Clairemont Garden Tour, and Important City Elections

City Councilman Ed Harris

This time last month we didn't know who the City Council was going to appoint to serve the remaining 8 months of now-Mayor Kevin Faulconer's term in District 2. Former Marine and lifeguard Ed Harris was appointed to fill the vacancy, and Councilman Harris has been busy making the rounds at various community meetings throughout the district, and we're excited to have him visit Clairemont Town Council soon.

Councilman Harris's appointment comes at an appropriate time in our Clairemont community's history given the widespread, oft-heated discussion on the future of Morena Blvd., density, and community identity. Councilman Harris has jumped into action on these community issues and is holding open community meetings with him and his District 2 staff. If you'd like to learn more about Councilman Ed Harris, please contact his office at 619.236.6622

Also, Councilman Harris is holding a Morena Blvd./Bay Park Town Hall on April 30, 2014 at 7:00pm inside the Bay Park Elementary School Auditorium located at 2433 Denver Street, San Diego, CA 92110. This would be a great opportunity for everyone in District 2 to meet our new city councilman and hear the latest on the Morena Blvd. Station Area Planning Study.

In just a few weeks, our 18th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour will be here and we hope you're just as excited about it as we are!

Tickets are available online at GardenTour.ClairemontOnline.com, and are $12 for general admission, and $10 for Seniors (55+). Tickets purchased in-person are $15, and will be available soon at The UPS Store at Clairemont Town Square, or at Postal Connections at 3895 Clairemont Drive.

The SDG&E Energy Innovation Center (EIC) on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. will host our Garden Tour Expo this year. The Expo will include booths from our Garden Tour sponsors and will feature a cooking demonstration by Chef Palma sponsored by the Clairemont Produce Cooperative, and workshops in the EIC's demonstration kitchen, residential smart home, California friendly landscaping, and rain water catchment/grey water recycling.  At 3pm, there will be a reception and awards for the best garden and visitor favorite will be presented.

If you have any questions or want more information about the Clairemont Garden Tour, please email GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com, or call the Clairemont Town Council at 858.480.9430.

Also, there are some significant city elections coming up.

As many of you know, unfortunately, Clairemont was split into two different city council districts. Although your Clairemont Town Council fought against this split a few years ago, the overwhelming desire of varied interest groups ranging from the County Taxpayer's Association, to business and labor coalitions -- every single one of them -- had all proposed splitting Clairemont into as many as three different districts.

Fast-forward to today, Clairemont -- split along Tecolote Canyon, Clairemont Drive, and Regents Road -- is located in Districts 2 and 6, which are both up for election this year. Recently, there has been a significant community discussion about Morena Blvd., and the impact of our community's input on redevelopment. These long-term decisions could face a final vote before the San Diego City Council in the next year or so.

Here are maps of both council districts:

Council District 2

Council District 6

As an organization, the Clairemont Town Council is barred from recommending candidates for any office. Given the importance and gravitas of these forthcoming decisions, it becomes even more relevant for our Clairemont community -- as voters -- to be informed of our options among these different candidates as we go to the polls on Tuesday, June 3rd. If you're anxious and excited to vote early, you may do so starting Monday, May 5th.

The best we can do is encourage you to do your research, and remind you to vote!

Our Clairemont Town Council general meetings are held at 7:00pm inside the Cadman Elementary cafeteria (4370 Kamloop Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117). Here are some information about our upcoming meetings:

Thursday, May 1st -- Clairemont Town Council, the Clairemont Chamber of Commerce, and the Morena Business Association will co-host a candidate forum with the top candidates running in San Diego City Council Districts 2 and 6.

Thursday, June 5th -- Congressman Scott Peters is our guest speaker for this evening. Also, we will have an update from David Akin who is our Customer Advocate from the city's Public Utilities Department.

Working for you, Clairemont!

Ryan Trabuco
CTC President