The Peninsula Beacon asked the two candidates running for the District 2 City Council seat to respond to the same set of questions about issues the voters care about. Below are Republican challenger Linda Lukacs’ answers.
Peninsula Beacon: Tell us about yourself and your record and/or qualifications to represent District 2.
Linda Lukacs: I moved to San Diego nearly 30 years ago from a small town called Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Upon arriving I thought I had found paradise. San Diego is certainly a big city and yet it had a welcoming and small-town feel. It was clean, safe, and friendly. Fast forward to today and sadly we are losing many of the qualities that made us “America’s Finest City.”
I bring a comprehensive skill set to the San Diego government with broad experience in healthcare, academics, and business. I hold professional licenses in dentistry, nursing, and real estate. Additionally, I am an educator and business owner. I am a proven leader having held many elected positions in organized dentistry. As a leader, one of my roles was as a fiduciary to a nonprofit with over half a billion dollars in assets and I took this responsibility seriously and successfully.
The catalysts that played a role in my entering this race were several. I am troubled by our City’s current state of affairs. Sadly our quality of life is being negatively impacted and our communities and populace are suffering, having lost their voice to special interests. We are in the midst of a homelessness crisis that is spiraling out of control, crime is rising as we continue to lose hundreds of our law enforcement officers, our infrastructure is neglected and failing and the charm and character of our neighborhoods are being threatened. These realities coupled with mostly absent representation from City Hall, inefficiencies, duplicative projects, and wasteful spending have fueled my desire to help make a difference.
I am committed to represent our communities, being present and visible in our District, and listening to residents and business owners. I support actions that are fiscally responsible, environmentally sensible, and that enhance the quality of life for us all.
PB: What are the primary issues in this race?
Lukacs: In knocking on over 5,000 doors in our District, I heard the same concerns from our neighbors time and time again: our homeless population is increasing, crime is increasing and we don’t have enough officers to respond to our calls, our infrastructure is antiquated and failing, there is a lack of affordable housing and residents are frustrated by the ill-conceived densification plans being proposed by the City.
PB: What are your top priorities?
Lukacs: My priorities are very much dictated by the priorities and concerns of our community. Most importantly is my responsibility to well and equitably represent District 2, to be present in the community, and to listen and communicate frequently. I seek to bring our community back together. Our current councilmember continues to politicize and divide us. It is wrong to create prejudice and divisiveness, this behavior only leads to evil and hatred. I find it abhorrent that a physician would promote such rhetoric. We’re neighbors and friends. We depend upon each other and we’re all invested in this.
It is imperative that practical solutions addressing root causes are not only promoted but carried through lest we fail at effecting realistic, rational, and beneficial solutions addressing our homeless populations. All involved deserve consideration.
We must once again concentrate our efforts to reestablish supportive and collaborative relationships with law enforcement, our first responders, and our community. It is only through these efforts that we will be able to retain our experienced officers and recruit the best candidates for our community. In so doing we optimize critical mentorship relationships, collaboration, and efficacy while lessening the terrible strain these dedicated individuals face. I will work hard to bring officers back into our communities and support their efforts in fighting crime and keeping us safe.
We have long struggled with well-intended yet poorly coordinated efforts that have led to frustrations and fiscal irresponsibility. Coordinating efforts between City departments to prevent duplicative projects as we expand and modernize our infrastructure must take priority if we are to succeed in establishing judicious and realistic strategic long-term plans for requisite development and economic growth. These planning initiatives must be well communicated.
PB: What is your stand on removing the 30-foot height limit in Midway District?
Lukacs: I do not support raising the 30-foot height limit. I find it irresponsible of the City to ask voters to remove a coastal height limit without putting forth a comprehensive plan for the development of the Midway District. At present, the City has no definitive plan to handle the massive influx of people and traffic into this already congested area. The potential for further taxing our already stressed electrical grid and water supply remains a significant concern. Removing the height limit as promoted opens the door for high-rise development at great cost to our neighbors and neighborhoods.
PB: Sports Arena redevelopment?
Lukacs: I generally support well-coordinated, strategic growth and development efforts. In my opinion, however, we are acting in haste to move this project along without the requisite infrastructure and/or plans to accommodate critical aspects such as traffic flow, increased water usage, increased electrical usage, increased impact on schools, parking, etc.
Prior reviews as far back as 2018 already recognized two issues as particularly problematic: traffic and haphazard development plans. Sadly, these shortcomings have, to date, not been fully rectified. In addition, we do not have a current, comprehensive environmental impact report on file for constituent review as required.
PB: Proposed increases in housing density in District 2?
Lukacs: A robust and growing city needs to keep up with the demand for housing. I support development in areas that can withstand increased density. That said, requisite infrastructure as I’ve already noted must be in place, or at the very least there must exist a realistic, fiscally responsible strategic plan and funding source established to expand infrastructure to that area.
PB: What is your view on providing constituent services?
Lukacs: I can’t begin to express how much it pains me to hear and read how horribly the current councilmember considers and views so many of our community. This isn’t an us against them scenario. This should be all of us working together for a common goal, for the betterment of our community. That type of divisive mentality in my opinion should be relegated and appreciated as a terrible form of prejudice, one that I condemn.
Elected officials are entrusted with representing residents in the community and therefore constituent services must remain a priority. I am committed to serving all of District 2; to being present and active in our communities, to show up, listening, and representing the people of this District, and to protecting and enhancing this beautiful place we are so lucky to call home. My community representatives will be individuals who live in the neighborhoods they serve. They will be available for constituent conversations and will strive to solve concerns efficiently and in a timely manner. I believe that communication plays a huge role in the success of moving our District forward. This dialogue will be welcome in my office.
