Candidate for
Council Member; City of San Diego; District 2

Robert E. Lee for District 2

I could live anywhere in the city, but I choose to live in District 2. Why? I love our beaches and bays, and being within easy access of them. More on that in a moment...

My main platform is what I call the "3 P's":

1. Pension and Fiscal Reform. Bring city officials and city employee representatives together to renegotiate the 1996 and 2002 labor agreements. The two sides can choose to do this together, voluntarily and cooperatively, under the direction of a Professional Mediator. This mediator would be someone from outside of the San Diego area, impartial and objective, with "no dog in the hunt".

If not, either the City Attorney prevails in his lawsuits and the issue goes before a judge, who decides on his/her own what's good for the city (not very democratic -- elected representatives ought to decide); the city seeks bankruptcy, which again goes before a judge to decide at his/her discretion what is good for the city; or, third, the city faces severe budget cuts to pay for the pension and general budget deficits.

2. Public Safety. I believe that the most important function of a government is public safety. Locally, that means that I strongly support our Police and Fire/Rescue personnel. They are underpaid, understaffed, and often forced to use outdated and maintenance-deferred vehicles and equipment. Their response time is getting longer because of these and other reasons. Let's stand behind our Police and Firemen and women. They deserve better. When they do better, we are safer and more secure.

3. "Potholes", which is my generic term for the infrastructure needs of this city. This includes streets, sewers, street runoff, and so on. Over the past couple of decades, San Diego and California have grown dramatically. Yet, we are still getting by in this city with infrastructure from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I will aggressively seek Federal and state funds to repair and upgrade our outdated infrastructure.

Those are my three main issues, but I will also work on: a redevelopment plan for the Navy Broadway complex that best serves the needs of San Diego citizens; a taxpayer-friendly solution to the Chargers stadium issue; keeping our beaches and bays clean and beautiful for all San Diego area citizens, and more.

On November 8, vote for Robert E. Lee for District 2.