What Are the Top 3 Issues Facing Chula Vista According to Candidates?

I recently wrote the candidates running for the offices of Chula Vista Mayor, Councilmember District 1 and Councilmember District 2. I asked them a few questions for the benefit of our Sunnyside Common Sense readers, to assist them in picking candidates that are inline with their own beliefs.

There were eight questions. Two questions will be answered daily for a total of four days. The names appear in the order that I received their responses.

Question 2: What are the top 3 issues facing this district and the city generally?

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Yair Gersten

The top three issues are traffic and mobility, government responsiveness, and advocating for reduced housing and childcare costs. Chula Vista’s growth has pushed traffic onto neighboring residential roads, and we need real transportation choices beyond telling everyone to drive. Residents and businesses also too often face delays, confusing handoffs, or “not our problem.” City Hall needs a triage system that tracks issues to resolution. Finally, projects like the Bayfront, Eastlake growth, Third Avenue, and park improvements should benefit residents without creating new noise, traffic, parking, safety, or environmental problems for surrounding neighborhoods. For Bonita-Sunnyside specifically, Chula Vista must act like a good neighbor because our decisions on parks, roads, toll avoidance, and development directly affect people outside city boundaries.

John McCann

No response

Francisco Tamayo

No response

DISTRICT ONE CANDIDATES

Chuck Sanfilippo

Cost of Living, Safety and Affordable Housing 

Joy Emmanuel

Coordinated emergency response between police, fire and ambulance services, including more hiring, greater capacity to offload ambulances at hospital sites, and a substation or station in the eastern part of the city to reduce response times.

Much of District 1 resides next to open space and canyons. Los Angeles is a lesson. Our emergency services and fast response in our area makes all the difference for people's lives and their homes. Emergency vehicle access and citizen evacuation is one of the many reasons why we need traffic amelioration in District 1.

We need to make it easier for people to do business in Chula Vista in general to create more jobs, and in District 1 in particular. Toward this end, I support Assemblymember Alvarez’ bill, AB 664, which expands access to affordable four-year degrees here in South San Diego County by authorizing Southwestern College to offer four workforce-aligned bachelor's programs.

Carolina Chavez

Public safety, cost of living, and traffic/infrastructure improvements are among the biggest issues facing District 1 and the City of Chula Vista.

A safe community is a strong community. That includes continuing investments in first responders, neighborhood safety, and services that address homelessness with compassion and accountability. Our recent Point-in-Time Count showed encouraging progress, including a nearly 25% decrease from last year. We must continue investing in solutions that connect people to shelter, services, and long-term stability.

Families across our city are also feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, groceries, utilities, and everyday expenses. We must continue investing in solutions that expand housing options, strengthen our local economy, and support services that help families remain and thrive in Chula Vista.

Traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and aging infrastructure all impact quality of life. We must continue making smart investments that improve mobility, neighborhood infrastructure, and safety while keeping pace with our city’s growth. 

Greg Martinez

No response

Sergio C. Vargas

No response

DISTRICT TWO CANDIDATES

Russ Hall

1. traffic management and constant congestion

2.no plan for economic and business development to ensure a balanced tax base

3. Neighborhood preservation due to Sacramento overreach on all land use

Citywide: Public safety, road repair and infrastructure upkeep. In particular we have a tremendous mess as Hilltop Park due to an absolute boondoggle by the contractor and the city that in essence destroyed the entire park character and environment.

Jose Preciado

No response

Angelica S. Martinez

No response

Jesse Navarro

No response

Look for a second Q&A in today's Common Sense:

Why are you running, and what makes you the best candidate?

Stay tuned for the answers to tomorrow's questions:

What are the first 3 things you would work on if elected?

Do you currently support or oppose the use of ICE enforcement for immigrants who have committed crimes? What is your message to immigrants in this district?

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