The first new member elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors since 1995 was sworn in today, along with two longtime members who were re-elected to the powerful panel.
Dave Roberts, a Solana Beach councilman and deputy mayor, succeeded Pam Slater-Price, who represented the region from Encinitas and Escondido to northern San Diego for two decades before retiring. Some were surprised when Slater Price endorsed Roberts, a Democrat, as her successor last year. He became the only Democrat on the board when he took the oath of office before an overflow audience at the new County Operations Center.
Roberts defeated republican Steve Danon, chief of staff to ex-Rep. Brian Bilbray, in a November runoff.
"Today, we turn the page to a new chapter in the 162-year history book of San Diego County,'' Roberts said. "I'm the first new supervisor in 18 years -- the first member of that next generation of leaders on our county Board of Supervisors -- and I know I'm joining a great team of people, one that has turned the county around.''
He said he believes he will bring a new "activist perspective'' on some issues, and a shared vision on others. He didn't specify the issues.
Roberts listed his goals, including maintaining fiscal discipline, protecting the environment and neighborhoods from over-development and reviewing foster care and adoption policies. He also talked about invigorating the solar energy industry and investigating an alternative utility service that would use 100 per cent sustainable energy.
The new supervisor is the father of five adopted children, all of whom joined him as he took the oath of office.
Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob were both re-elected outright in June. Cox has served on the board since 1995, Jacob was first elected in 1992. She said she was "raring to go" for a sixth term.
Cox bested Deputy City Attorney Brant Will to continue to represent the district, which includes the southern region of San Diego, the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City, along with the unincorporated communities of Bonita and Point Loma.
Jacob cruised to re-election for her East County seat over Rudy Reyes, an archaeologist who was severely burned in the 2003 Cedar Fire. He also unsuccessfully challenged Jacob in 2008.
Cox and Jacob both listed public safety and fire protection as their main priorities.
"My goal in the coming years will be to make this region the best prepared we can possibly be, not just for fire but for any kind of emergency,'' Jacob said.
Jacob also spoke of the benefit of solar energy and installing solar panels on her own home to become more independent of SDG&E.
Jacob is not yet the longest serving member ever on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, but she will match the record when she finishes her sixth term.
The five supervisors represent more than 3 million residents and oversee a nearly $5 billion budget.
