Citizen vigilance is required to keep Escondido on track

Olga Diaz at the EDC February meeting

In a wide-ranging questions and answer session that took well over an hour, Diaz stressed the importance of “getting our voices together to be heard.” “What we all need to do to have a lasting impact in our city is to stick together,” she said. She praised those who follow the actions of the council by regularly attending its meetings, but said that is not enough. “We need more people paying attention – more people all the time.” She encouraged Escondidans to write letters to the newspaper, to members of the Council, and to appropriate city staff employees.

“It does matter what one person says,” she emphasized. “It matters more when 100 people say it and when 200 people say it. Then all of the sudden it gets heard.” She said increased public input could result in changing attitudes at City Hall. “Eventually it will make a big enough difference that responsiveness will be natural, and there won’t be a sense that you’re not welcome and that your input is not needed.”

She encouraged residents to “make sure you get heard” by being persistent. “Insist on a response” she advised, and “don’t be disheartened if it takes a while.” She noted that now she is on “the other side” as an elected official, she understands how long it can take to attend to the large number of calls and emails she receives. “There’s a lot of volume,” she reported.

When she opened the floor to questions, there appeared to be an endless supply. Perhaps the most-discussed topic was water use and issues related to scarcity and use of reclaimed water. There were also questions about sewage capacity, traffic signals, code enforcement, family housing, internet connectivity and computer training, and training trash collectors to look for abandoned cars.

A final topic, the upcoming revision of the city’s general plan, occupied several minutes. Diaz said the city council had agreed in a recent meeting to pursue it. “It just needs to get done” after some 18 years of delay.  The city will first have to pay $1.2 million for an economic impact report, she advised. “This doesn’t happen overnight – the estimate is that it will take four or five years to finish the process… but you have to pay attention the whole time – not just at the end.”

Barron will seek Council seat

Richard Barron

EDC members and friends were thrilled February 12 when Richard Barron, downtown businessman and unsuccessful candidate for City Council in 2008 told the group “I am planning to run” for election to the Council in 2010. While being careful to note “this is not an announcement,” Barron did say there would be a kickoff event in March at Hacienda de Vega in southern Escondido. Audience applause was warm and enthusiastic. In her earlier remarks, Councilmember Olga Diaz, the evening’s featured speaker, explained that Mayor Lori Holt-Pfelier’s announcement that she would not seek reelection means the expected contest between Councilmembers Sam Abed and Dick Daniels for Mayor would leave one council seat vacant, a great opportunity.

Emblem confirms for 50th CD race

Tracy Emblem

Tracy Emblem also confirmed her candidacy for 50th District U.S. House of Representatives. Emblem had announced an exploratory committee in November, 2008. “I’m announcing that I’m running for (incumbent Brian) Bilbray’s seat,” she told the audience. “I don’t think anyone disagrees that we have to get him out of office.” She said the 50th District receives only 78 cents for every dollar in taxes paid to the federal government. “North County has been neglected for far too long. I am the person who’s going to be able to go to Washington D.C. and bring back some money for us.” Emblem, a local appellate attorney, told the group she has a website up and will be organizing “from Escondido out.” “This District is winnable,” she declared.

Volunteers announced

Six new volunteer slots have been filled and EDC President Margaret Liles announced those accepting the positions at the February 12 meeting. Three additional positions remain open.

Liles introduced Dan Buse, who will serve as sergeant-at-arms, Barbara Bell, who will be parliamentarian for daytime meetings, Grace Sloan, who will be volunteer coordinator, Barbara Benedict and Cecily Resnick, who will co-chair community organizing, Molly Sanders, who will coordinate programs, and Paul McNamara, the club treasurer, who will handle fundraising efforts.

Volunteers are still being sought to organize special events such as the EDC booth at Escondido’s two annual Street Faires, and to coordinate hospitality at Club meetings. A second parliamentarian is needed for evening meetings, as well.

Liles thanked EDC Vice President for Political Action Chris Nava for her work recruiting the new volunteers. To sign up for any of the remaining positions, contact Liles at president@escondidodems.org.