Definitions + What does R.E.E.F. really mean?

By Erika G. Lowery

Redevelopment, Economics, Environment, Family - the core principles of my campaign. How do they fit into daily city council roles.

Today I had the pleasure to talk to Councilwoman Bragg. She recommended that everyone run at least once. I'll tell you November 8th if I join her opinion. I'll need the 7th to either come back down to earth after a wonderful high, or take out a trash can full of tissues.

What I can say in agreement is that running for office gives you a true sense of the soul of the community. It makes you re-think the "why" you live here and not somewhere else in San Diego County. It makes you put your neighbors before you; it makes you realize what our founding fathers intended in a representational democracy. It makes you look at the issues that surround the city, take a stand, and be held accountable. Your phone number and address are out there for all to see. You are the first line of contact for neighbors who need help.

So why am I running on the R.E.E.F. platform and what does R.E.E.F. really mean?

Redevelopment - more specifically community based redevelopment. This is development that fits the city's plan, not an outside agency. I don't care the size of the agency or if they dangle the almighty buck in front of us, if it doesn't fit what the community wants, we need to stand up and fight for what we want for our city. I believe that Seacoast and 9th & Palm are not the only two areas that need redevelopment. Palm Avenue is littered with "For Sale" and "For Lease" signs. Everything from the old Burger King to where Spirit currently resides, even if only for a couple of months; there are vacancies that can be found everywhere. Earlier this week I heard from a business owner that is looking to take her business to a neighboring city. We need to work to keep our businesses in Imperial Beach. Find out what would really entice businesses to come, and more importantly STAY in Imperial Beach. Have our neighbors work where they live.

Economics - We all know the dire straits our government finances are in, so how do we dig ourselves out? Raise taxes, cut services, combination of the two? I would like to propose that if we encourage a strong economy, a full economy we will improve the business environment for our government. I would like to see the redevelopment, as mentioned above, to lead to more people walking down the streets - not just Seacoast - or utilizing our local companies. Show off the talents of our neighbors and their businesses. I don't believe that we need to completely cut out services, especially to our youth and public safety, but some cuts will be necessary. We need to make Imperial Beach known as a "business friendly" city. That means streamlining the process for new and existing businesses to run effectively and efficiently. We, as government, need to be assisting those who come to our counters; with a smile, warm greeting, and knowledgeable answers. It has been proposed increasing the height restrictions, which I am against. We need a balance. We do not need Imperial Beach to look like so many other beach communities in Southern California where growth has superseded the community.

Environment - If we can cut down on our neighbors commute by having their jobs in Imperial Beach we will be helping our environment and reducing traffic. We will be balancing economics with environment. It is a win-win. We want clean beaches for all. A clean bay. A beautiful estuary. We want to have access to all these places. They are an economic and environmental asset for our community. I would love to see my sons take their girlfriends for "long romantic walks on the beach" in 10 to 15 years because, as Marc says, "Girls like that mushy stuff." Our investment in Seacoast will be moot if there is no beach, or a non-accessible beach due to pollution. We are at the bottom rung of the watershed. We need to work with our communities to inform them how their storm water drains, affect us and the coastal wetlands. We also have to look to those who are charged with our tidelands and the bay - the Port of San Diego - as a partnership to ensure this delicate ecosystem is maintained and utilized. I would love to see some available access at Pond 20 for environmental education for our youth. Introduce them to the bay and the ecosystem. Utilize their abundance of energy and time to work for our community, instilling a sense of pride and responsibility. Another win-win.

Family - A strong point for this election, since it is not just my family but my community family that I run. I want a safe environment for all - young and old, sick and well. As the mother of a child who for a year went undiagnosed with a mysterious vomiting issue, I know the heartache that caring for a sick person gives. We need to rally around each other, as an extended family, to help each other. Know your neighbor; know your elected official. To do this I would like to see block parties, where it is not city wide - but literally a few blocks - where you are comfortable to come out and meet those next door. I would like to see all levels of elected officials at these block parties, from the school to the city and county offices. This way your elected officials can be held accountable and accessible. We need to make sure that our youth are not lured into drugs and gangs. We need to give them outlets for their time. Like I said above, working with the Port to get environmental education and volunteerism will help. But we also need to keep the Sports Park. The young people who go there receive a strong sense of self, one that is strong enough to stand up to gangs and drugs. They have a priority, the Sports Park, and they are not wanting lose it. If the Sports Park does get sold to the YMCA, I am afraid that our youth will be turned away due to expenses. In our economy, with families downsizing as significantly as government, I don't want to turn these young people - our future leaders - away.

My other position papers show how I look at all items. I am accountable by taking a stand and, most importantly, stating why my stand is what it is. I know I cannot make everyone happy all the time, it isn't my job. My job is to do what is best for our community, today and for the future. We are at a pivotal point in Imperial Beach's history. We can turn our community over to developers and outside agencies; or we can ban together and work together for a future that we can be proud of for future generations.

Please help me spread the word; help me rally our neighbors and business leaders. Help me create an Imperial Beach where we all can be proud to call HOME.