This month’s Hillcrest Town Council meeting was held tonight with over 70 neighbors filling Joyce Beers Community Center for a candidates’ forum featuring Stephen Whitburn and Todd Gloria.
Leo Wilson provided an update on plans for two towers (170 and 193 feet) that have been submitted to the city. The project (University Vista, LLC) is proposed for the site of the former 301 University, a 148-foot highrise that received a 7-1 thumbs up from the current city council before a rejection from the court. Developer Bruce Leidenberger is now moving this project through the city on a ministerial track with no public input or no environmental impact review. The grassroots community group Save Hillcrest has re-organized to fight the two new towers. (Both candidates are against the proposed project.)
John Taylor facilitated the candidates’ forum. Here are some answers to questions from the audience: What do the candidates think sets them apart from each other? Both said experience. Stephen Whitburn as a journalist for many years of government reporting, works at the Red Cross and feels he has a breadth of background including being on the North Park Planning Group. He also speaks Spanish. Todd Gloria has years of public service including running Congresswoman Susan Davis’ office, attending community meetings, volunteering and being on the San Diego Housing Commission.
Gloria was asked about having so many contributions from developers, answering that one needs to take contributions to run for public office, but is not beholden to anybody. He does not change his positions as a result of who has given money to his campaign. Whitburn believes that past city councils have paid too much attention to contributors and lobbyists and that have created a problem for SD. Re: the city’s financial problems, both said past city councils have been asleep at the switch. Gloria says he has audit experience, and that he will be aware when problems arise. Whitburn emphasized that it was more important to have independent oversight.
The evening concluded with acting treasurer Nick Hubbard reporting that since April 2008 the HTC has received $1,055.76 in donations and money earned from a community cleanup ($900) and has spent $96.60 for supplies. The balance is $959.07 in the treasury. The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
