Issues Statement

By Clyde K "Pete" Shideler

The City of Oceanside's greatest asset is it's people. The people are of all ages from babies to seniors, from all religions, from many ethnic heritages and from a variety of racial cultures. ALL people must be respected for their humanity and treated equally and justly. Such a city must have all the essential environmental elements to nurture the people, while preserving it's historical places, natural environment and it's diverse heritages and cultures.

ISSUES STATEMENT

Rev, Shideler's newspaper column was titled "The Bridge", because he believes in building "Bridges" between people and groups, not walls. As Mayor, He plans to focus on these issues:

1. To return control and benefits of the city to the residents.-- For a long time, it has been apparent to most residents that the City has been controlled by and operated for the benefit of "special interest groups". At the head of this list are the developers. While these "special interest groups" have pocketed their profits and millions in tax dollars as "incentives", the city has been left with an inadequate street and traffic system. Street repair and maintenance is a problem in "pothole city". Many areas of the city have no sidewalks and in other places the "public sidewalks" have been taken over by businesses for their profit . In parts of the city the basic infrastructure has not kept pace with the growth. As the recent fine against the city for water pollution documents, the waste water treatment facilities have not kept up with the demand and growth. The recent electrical rate increases seriously impacted the small business community and devastated our seniors and other lower income residents. While the elected officials of other area cities were taking positive action, Oceanside officials remained silent. His suggestion would be a joint effort by North County Cities to form a municipal utility district similar to that in Sacramento (http://www.smud.org) and establish an "alternate energy program" (Solar/Fuel Cells) to make Oceanside as energy self-sufficient as possible. Preparing for future water needs is equally important. Another recent example is the council's refusal to assist the Boys and Girls Clubs with needed emergency funding. We must promote a policy of honesty, integrity and openness in all City matters and eliminate discriminatory election and political practices.

2. To see that affordable, accessible housing is built throughout the city, AND senior housing, --- The Fair Housing Act and other Federal and State laws mandate a percentage of all housing include both affordable and also accessible housing units. Because developers have been permitted to "not build" these units and pay "special fees" instead, we now have a serious shortage of both affordable and accessible housing. Since the City Housing office has not protected some communities, the city lacks affordable, accessible housing. This is especially true of affordable senior housing, since many thousands of former senior housing units are now, open housing. Accessible housing for people with disabilities is nearly nonexistent. The City Housing Office was given the authority and responsibility by HUD and California Department of Housing to enforce State and Federal laws and to insure compliance with these housing laws. As Mayor, he will see they enforce these laws and protect our housing and the rights of the residents. Developers will be required to comply with these laws and build the needed units. In addition, the city will find and take the steps necessary to provide and build both affordable and accessible housing. The City will take positive action to insure that senior communities remain senior communities.

3. To plan and work for energy self-sufficiency and to relieve traffic congestion As stated in 1 above, during the recent energy crisis, the city failed to come to the aid of small businesses and low income residents. We must adopt our own energy self sufficiency policy and plan. Through the possible establishment of a municipal utility district and the use of solar and/or fuel cell technology, we can become energy self-sufficient. Assistance can be given to low income home owners and others to retrofit their properities with this equipment. Sacramento started a similar program more than 7 years ago, as have other cities. We must develop, immediately, a traffic plan that will eliminate our traffic congestion. Once the plan is made, we must build and improve, as quickly as possible, any needed additional streets.

4. To create a Children's Commission and make our city more "children friendly".

The Children Commission will be composed of 9 children commissioners with an appropriate representation of all age groups. City ordinances mandate that there be a total of two parking spaces for each apartment, condo unit or in similar multifamily housing units. There is no requirement for playgrounds or play areas for the children. This will be changed to require adequate play areas for our children at these multifamily units. Developers of new single family homes will find a similar ordinance that provides similar play areas to be provided by the developer. In the older parts of the city, the city will purchase properties to provide these play areas in the older neighborhoods..

5. To ensure equal protection under the law, for all residents. For some time the media has told us about the problems of "racial profiling". It is apparent that this is a problem. However, other minorities are also "targeted" or ignored by those in law enforcement. Even people with disabilities and seniors are a target of these activities. In the case of ALL minorities, the laws are not enforced equally. In accident cases or traffic violations, the minority individual is often given the blame even when it was not their fault. If a minority person, including those with disabilities or a senior is the victim of a crime, in some cases no report is actually taken or the incident is downgraded or called a "prank". In other cases there is a lack of aggressive action to find the person responsible. Seniors and people with disabilities are victimized, daily, and only a very few such cases actually have a report filed and fewer are acted on. He would insist on enforcement of the city Noise abatement ordinance. He would insure a properly staffed, fully trained, modern and equiped Police Department and Fire Department.

6. To lead in the protection and preservation of the environmental, cultural and historical heritage of Oceanside/San Luis Rey. Over the years, He has been a member and worked with those at the Audubon Society and Sierra Club on environmental issues and will encourage city and others to participate as well. As stated above, we must adopt ecologically sound plans for utilities, water and "green space". He believes that El Corazon is the ideal place to establish a major city park. The pond areas could be improved to permit limited fishing. With the support and assistance of our various area botanical clubs and organizations, a botanical garden could be placed in a portion of this space. An ampitheater and possibly a Golf course could also be included. With good planning it should also be possible to establish an "animal habitat" area. This would be a great resource for the schools to bring children to study plants and animals. This land must be kept as an "open area" for use by ALL THE RESIDENTS. No developers allowed. He believes that residential areas should have "green belt" buffer areas between them and industrial and commercial areas. The size of the "green belt" would be based on the expected noise levels created by the industrial or commercial area. This would also apply to major highways and streets. In Oceanside we have a very wide diversity of cultures and each of these should and must be preserved and shared with the community. Special community events and shows would help to bring us together. As a young man, He worked as a volunteer on archeological sites in England and the U.S. Our many historic sites and buildings must be preserved and restored, so vistors who come to our city and our children will know about our past and know how important that past is to all of us. This is especially true of the Mission San Luis Rey, which will become the focal point for these efforts. Too often in the past, our city leaders have based their decisions on the "dollar value" and ignored the needs of other living things and the diverse cultures or historical places. Oceanside/San Luis Rey has a long and very diverse heritage. We must all become active protectors of and participants in that heritage in order to make our city truly live.

7. To eliminate discrimination, including disabled discrimination, in our city. Federal and State law very strongly mandate against ALL forms of discrimination. These laws also give authority to City officials to take legal action to protect those groups of citizens who are the victims of discrimination. The City must become a pro-active "leader" in the elimination of discrimination, by taking positive action to eliminate discrimination in our city. An example, Traffic signals, street signs and other informational signs are only for those who can read them. The city must make these signs accessible to all. State law mandates businesses must not discriminate. The city must insure each business developes a plan and will take positive action to eliminate discrimination in their businesses. He will create a "Safe Streets policy" that will make it possible for ALL residents and visitors to participate in any activity THEY choose and are no longer "housebound". This can be accomplished thru stricter and more diligent law enforcement. Action will be taken to make Oceanside into "A senior and disabled aware and understanding city".

As Mayor, He would promote community involvement and input through public "Town Meetings", commissions, committees and boards; He would promote public diversity and sensitivity education through the use of KOCT and with the use of other media; Extensive diversity training of ALL city employees will mitigate many of the city's problems. We can not "sweep our problems under a rug" nor "pretend they do not exist". We must all face up to the facts, work together to identify the problem and develop plans to take positive action to correct these problems. We must ALL become proactive and involved problem solvers. It is "OUR CITY" and "OUR HOME".

"Residents are PRIORITY 1"

Please contact me, if you have any questions.

THANK YOU`