Learn more about write in candidate Kirk Horvath for the November 6, 2012 election below:
1. Why are you running for Mayor of Coronado? Why as write in candidate?
I’m running for mayor because much like a lot of Coronado citizens I’m worried about our city and the direction it is going. I have lived in Coronado for 43 years and for the last 7of those as a public service employee of the Coronado golf department and parks department. Working for the City of Coronado for the past 7 years has been an eye opening experience. From what I have seen and heard from positions of leadership at the lower levels of the city, has me convinced that it’s trickling down from the highest level of the city and I truly believe there’s a fundamental lack of true servant leadership leading our city. I and others believe that Coronado has become a business catering to tourism and special interests more often than considering the citizens who call Coronado their home. That may be partially to blame to the lack of citizen involvement in the issues that Coronado faces. Approximately only 5000 people voted in 2008. That’s a very sad statistic. I am running for mayor to wake up the soul of this community, to get more of the people involved to have an impact on the decision making on the issues that effect us all, and to bring the real servant leadership that the citizens of Coronado deserve.
I’m running as a write in candidate because somewhat of a grass roots initiative took place and selected me as their candidate after the deadline to register to run for mayor. It is an honor and a privilege to be their candidate for mayor. It is something that I have always aspired to be. But not just a mayor that acts as a liaison between the city government and the people they serve, and not just a mayor that leads the city council meetings and makes sure that council has an opportunity to speak on the issue of the day and then is the voice of the majority of that council. I’d like to be a mayor that represents the heart and soul of Coronado and is a voice for the people.
2. What are the biggest issues Coronado faces?
The biggest issues Coronado faces are many but here are a few:
Leadership
Over development
Finances
Traffic
3. What is your plan to solve those issues?
Leadership
Electing leaders to govern is the most important responsibility we have as Americans. Our elected officials symbolize who we are as a people. It is our responsibility to examine the character and beliefs of who we are voting for before we vote. This responsibility also applies to the hiring process to positions of leadership within our city. I believe our city has great managers in place but is lacking great leaders in positions that demand it. As mayor of Coronado I will lead by example. I will put others first before myself. I will encourage and build up the people around me in whom I serve. I will do this in hope that this will trickle down not only through our city hall and not only through our public services but through our entire community. I truly believe that considering others before yourself has an incredible impact wherever you are and if exercised can only benefit our community as a whole.
Over-development
Over-development in our city is out of control. Although I believe that within the law there is only so much you can do to infringe on peoples property rights, we as a community must come together and not only make sure building codes are enforced but continue to be involved in developing new codes that protect our village atmosphere that is rapidly disappearing. As mayor I will not let a building go up out of code and/or without the developer considering the village atmosphere of the neighborhood and our community as a whole first.
Finances
As blessed as Coronado is financially we do find ourselves in a tremendous amount of debt. This is due to the state of California pulling the plug on Community Development Agency Funding. The City of Coronado now finds itself $375 million in redevelopment debt that needs to be paid off in the next 20 years. The proposal of Measure F to be voted on this November which would raise the hotel tax from 8% to10% and getting our city employees to go from contributing 0% of their pension cost to 8% of their pension cost is quite possibly a step in the right direction but I see no possible way to pay this debt accordingly without bringing back the bridge toll. As mayor I will propose that the City of Coronado bring back the toll in some form or fashion that not only helps us with our redevelopment debt and other financial needs but also benefits the San Diego Unified Port District and San Diego County. That bridge can and should be used as a financial asset for all three entities. Residents free of course 🙂
On another financial issue, I am deeply concerned on how Coronado spends it’s money. I often ask myself, how did the City come to the decision to build a new tennis center and a new Glorietta bay boat house before they built a new senior center for our beloved seniors? That’s just not right. As mayor I will make sure that the next building project the city pursues is a state of the art senior center.
Traffic
We the citizens of Coronado can direct the incoming and outgoing Navy traffic through our city any way we want. As mayor I will propose that we direct the Navy traffic that best suits our community. I will work with the Navy to do whatever is necessary to help our traffic issues. A tunnel was never the answer.
To the gofling community:
As mayor of Coronado I will make sure that the Coronado Municipal Golf Course will have the same type of sand in every sand trap that is more consistent with the old traps and that they are raked 7 days a week and not just 3 days a week.
4. What is your favorite thing about Coronado?
My favorite thing about Coronado:
The people….and as mayor of Coronado I will be the voice of the people.
Learn more about the two candidates for Mayor who will appear on the ballot here.
