Walking and Dancing
Filed Under Community events | Comments Off
August 20, 2008
Aside from knocking on doors in District 3 and meeting hundreds of wonderful San Diegans each week, one of the best parts about being a city council candidate are the opportunities to give back to different parts of our diverse community.
From crime walks, to cleaning up our streets, to participating in the 2008 LGBT Pride Events, I have been thrilled to spend the last year meeting and working with individuals and groups so dedicated to making our city a better place to live.
I wanted to take a moment to let you know about two such events in the month ahead.
AIDS Walk San Diego 2008
First, I hope you will make a donation or join Team Gloria as we participate in the 2008 San Diego AIDS Walk.
Last year, we raised over $1,000 to help San Diegans living with this disease. I would love to have you join our dedicated volunteers on September 28th in Balboa Park to make a difference for those in our community living with HIV/AIDS. If you can’t join us in person, please consider making a General Team Donation.
Details can be found HERE or by emailing Courtney@toddgloria.com.
Malashock Thinks You Can Dance
On the evening of Saturday, September 13th I will be putting it all on the line as I participate in Malashock Dance Company’s “Malashock Thinks You Can Dance” competition.
Themed after television’s “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” I will be dancing with the “Stars of San Diego,” such as Ruben Galvan of Fox 6 San Diego, and Pamela Cesak, president of the San Diego Art Museum.
Proceeds from this event benefit arts education through the Malashock Dance School’s Education Outreach and Scholarship Programs. Might I suggest the balcony seats?
Details can be found HERE.
(*Proceeds from both of these events directly benefit the involved charities, and in no way benefit my City Council campaign).
Fighting Crime in Talmadge
Filed Under Law enforcement/crime prevention, Neighborhoods & communities, Talmadge | Comments Off
August 9, 2008
One of the great hallmarks of District 3 is the commitment its residents have to the neighborhoods where they live. A fine example of this amazing dedication to a community can be found in Talmadge.
In this beautiful corner of the Council District, a group of neighbors have organized a citizen’s patrol that is having big impacts on reducing criminal activity in the neighborhood. Volunteers spend their evenings patrolling the community in their own cars with the purpose of simply monitoring activity in the area and calling in things that appear suspicious to the police department. No one is reimbursed for gas and most shifts go well into the early hours of the morning. This is serious community service!
At a recent Talmadge Community Council meeting, city officials informed the community that police statistics are showing huge reductions in crime in the neighborhood. For example, residential burglaries in Talmadge are down 64% from last year. Robberies are down 57%. Car thefts are down 36%. While our police officers certainly deserve some of the credit for this success, the Talmadge residents who participate in these patrols deserve some kudos as well.
The volunteers also spend their time documenting and helping to remove graffiti, keeping alleys clean, and other tasks that help to further lift up the neighborhood. Drive around Talmadge and you’ll see the positive impact these dedicated residents are having in their community.
I extend my most sincere gratitude to the many volunteers in Talmadge who are working so hard to make their neighborhood a better place to live. It is the folks like them that inspired me to run for the City Council. Observing people give their time and resources to make the city better makes me want to engage and find ways to support their efforts. I’m hopeful that if elected I can do just that.
If you live in Talmadge and want to learn more about fighting crime in your neighborhood, consider attending the next Talmadge Community Council meeting. If you are interested in preventing crime in your own neighborhood, check out some tips from the San Diego Police Department here.
Quick Note from Todd
Filed Under Campaign events, Todd's campaign | Leave a Comment
June 2, 2008
After a year of campaigning, Election Day is upon us. Thanks to your help and support, our prospects look extremely good.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday. If you have questions or problems regarding voting, contact the Registrar of Voters or my campaign office. You are welcome to join me and Jason to watch returns at the Local.
I’m grateful to all of you for getting us to this important day. Let’s march on to victory and begin the work of leaving our City to the next generation of San Diegans better than we found it.
A Few Hours of Your Time
Filed Under Todd's campaign | Comments Off
Dear Friends:
We are less than a week out from Election Day and I’m writing this blog entry to ask for your help. I know that seems like something I do constantly, but if I have learned anything over the past year of campaigning it is that my friends and supporters are an integral part of the success we have enjoyed so far. I truly thank you for your time, donations and good wishes.
I need your help to connect with voters one more time before Election Day. While we’ve spent the last year walking and calling thousands of voters and they have heard from us in their mail boxes in the last few weeks, it is critical that we remind them EACH VOTE COUNTS in this low-turnout election. Can you spare a few hours or even a whole day between now and Tuesday?
We have a variety of ways you can help, any time of the day or night. Whether it is phoning from home, dropping off literature or waiving signs, each job is critical. Even if you only have a few hours to spare, we would be grateful for your participation. Please email your availability and your phone number to todd@toddgloria.com, and a campaign staffer will help you choose the best way to lend a hand. If you have questions, call the Campaign Office at (619) 994-7561.
Victory is within sight. Please help push us over the finish line. Give me a few hours of your time and I’ll give you four years of hard work and tangible results for the Third Council District and the City of San Diego.
Best always,
P.S. If you want to see how fun it can be to volunteer, check out these photos from Monday’s Kensington Memorial Day Parade.
A Walk to Fight Crime in Azalea Park
Filed Under City Heights, Community events, Law enforcement/crime prevention, Neighborhoods & communities | Comments Off
May 17, 2008
On Tuesday, I joined with members of the Azalea Park Neighborhood Association and the San Diego Police Department in a walk against crime. We set out from the Azalea Park Recreation Center and marched down Poplar to Fairmount Avenue. Over two dozen local residents came out to show their support.
Azalea Park is a wonderful community in City Heights. This neighborhood has taken a very active role in improving and revitalizing their community. From sponsoring canyon clean ups, fundraising for community identification projects, to actively recruiting new residents when homes go up for sale, Azalea Park is a model for neighborhood involvement. I’ve enjoyed working with them for several years.
The walk was also a perfect example of community policing at work. Community Relations Officer Bernie Piceno led the walk and educated residents on how they can be proactive in stopping crime in their neighborhood. Officer Piceno does an excellent job and that’s why I support increasing the number of Community Relations Officers. We need more staff from the police department working with neighborhoods to prevent crime, not just respond to it.
All in all, Tuesday’s walk was a great event and I was proud to be a small part of it.
Historic Day for Californians
Filed Under LGBT | Comments Off
May 16, 2008
California made history yesterday when our state Supreme Court ruled that the ban on same sex marriage is unconstitutional. This is a special moment for the LGBT community and for all Californians who believe that every citizen deserves to be treated equally under the law.
Naturally, this is a very personal issue for me. I am proud to have the love and support of Jason, my partner of seven years. We live like any other couple, except we are not afforded the rights, benefits and responsibilities of heterosexual couples. Today’s ruling takes us a step closer to the full equality that other taxpaying citizens enjoy.
As Californians throughout the state celebrate this moment with family matters in mind, I thought you might enjoy the picture below: my family, Jason, and myself. I am so proud and gratified to have the love and support of my family every day.
In addition to the work of respected national groups like the Human Rights Campaign, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and myriad others, San Diego’s LGBT community is fortunate to have staunch advocates of our very own.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center has launched the Center Advocacy Project, an organization expressly dedicated to advocating for marriage equality and other human rights issues so important to LGBT – and all – San Diego families. I encourage you to check out their website and get involved where you can.
Today is a day that millions will never forget. Let’s relish in this milestone and resolve to make certain that no group rolls back this hard earned victory.
Reaching Out to Local Refugee Community Leaders
Filed Under Housing, Neighborhoods & communities | Comments Off
May 1, 2008
On Monday, I had an opportunity to sit down with the East African Leadership Council. With over tens of thousands of refugees in our region, this growing population has specific concerns that I was happy to hear out and try to respond.
The leaders shared with me that the local refugee community is concerned with providing activities for their youth, developing small business opportunities, increasing public safety and creating more affordable housing.
While these issues are common subjects throughout District 3, each had a special twist for the East African community. For example, the group explained to me that most of their families consisted of 9 to 12 people. The large size of their families makes finding suitable housing extremely difficult. Some of us in the affordable housing community have tried to respond to this specific concern, but it was clear from the comments I heard today that more can be done.
Council District 3 is the most diverse in our City. With large groups of refugees from East Africa and immigrants from Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, the next Councilmember must be prepared to give these communities a voice at City Hall. I’m grateful for the leaders who met with me today. I look forward to working with them to address these concerns.
Journey for Better Jobs
Filed Under Community events, Labor & employment | Comments Off
April 5, 2008
In honor of Cesar Chavez Day, the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council organized a Journey for Better Jobs. This fun event had hundreds of San Diegans marching to a variety of sites around Downtown to highlight the successes and challenges facing workers in San Diego and to rally for better jobs for our community.
I joined the Labor Council and its supporters when it stopped at the San Diego Convention Center. This world famous facility’s workers are all represented by local unions. The Convention Center pays its workers decent wages with benefits. The spirit of collaboration was underscored by Convention Center board member Bob Nelson who spoke about the way management and staff work together to create a visitor experience that is second to none.
This positive example is in stark contrast to some of the other stops along the march which included the County Administration Center, the Wells Fargo Building, and Lane Field where a hotel development is proposed. In each case, workers called for better jobs that pay living wages, provide health care benefits, and some retirement security.
I am proud to have the endorsement of the Labor Council and stand in solidarity with the workers who marched in honor of Cesar Chavez and for better jobs. Our City will be better off with more jobs that expand our middle class and allow families to live with dignity.
Preserve the Mills Act
Filed Under Neighborhoods & communities | Comments Off
March 24, 2009
I read this article with great interest last week. The Mills Act, a landmark piece of legislation that has helped to preserve some of California’s historic homes and structures, has drawn the attention of City Hall. Concerns about the loss of tax revenue and questions on whether certain structures are worthy of preservation has led some to call for changing the way our City protects its historical homes.
A part of District 3’s greatness are the many historic homes that can be found in each of our neighborhoods. Countless structures that represent diverse architectural forms come together to create community character that is the envy of the rest of our city. Since 1972, the Mills Act has provided tax incentives to homeowners to preserve and maintain their unique homes. This voluntary program has helped to conserve over 800 treasures throughout San Diego.
In response to a Grand Jury report, the Mayor has called for reforming the Mills Act. Any 35 year-old legislation could use a bit of updating, but the suggestion that the program needs radical revisions is wrong. Capping the number of homes preserved each year and adding new hurdles for homeowners seeking to designate their homes are bad moves. I oppose these proposals and others that would erode historic preservation efforts in San Diego.
Updates to the Act that would ensure that property owners maintain the historical elements they committed to preserving through regular inspections makes good sense. I am sure there are other reforms that could be implemented to strengthen the Mills Act and better preserve our City’s architectural treasures. With the help of groups like SOHO, I am hopeful that we can come together to ensure the continued success of this important program.
As a third generation San Diegan, I am proud of the efforts we have made to preserve the history and character of our community. This work is important to maintaining our civic identity and our quality of life. As your Councilmember, I will be committed historic preservation and to preserving the Mills Act.
Good Things Come in Threes
Filed Under Todd's campaign | Comments Off
March 9, 2008
They say that good things come in threes. This week has proven that is absolutely true!
Over the last week, our campaign has been honored to receive the endorsements of the San Diego Police Officer’s Association and the League of Conservation Voters. I am proud to have the support of these terrific organizations and pleased to announce a third exciting development.
Today, I was honored to receive the endorsement of Francine Busby. Francine is a strong progressive voice in San Diego and made us all proud when she ran a spirited campaign for Congress. In announcing her endorsement Francine said:
“Todd, as a life-long member of the San Diego community, embodies the diversity of the city and the constituents he will serve. His relationships in the community will enable him to understand and serve the personal, professional and civic needs of his constituents.”
I am grateful to Francine for her confidence in me and her support of my campaign. When added to previous endorsements we’ve received from the San Diego City Firefighters, the Chicano Democratic Association, and Congresswoman Susan Davis, we are proving that this campaign has the broad base of support needed to win on Election Day.
But I need your help to keep the momentum going!
Can you make a contribution today? Our next reporting deadline is in 10 days and your donation of $25, $75, $150 or up to the limit of $270 per person will ensure that we remain in the lead and well positioned for victory. Please contribute what you can today.
I remain grateful for your support in this campaign.
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