Four candidates are competing to replace termed-out incumbent David Alvarez in San Diego's Council District 8.
District 8 is geographically sliced in half. To the north, Grant Hill, Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights sit in the shadow of downtown’s skyscrapers.
The south pivots around San Ysidro and the international border.
Both regions struggle with pollution. In the north, it is linked to industrial activity along the waterfront. In the south, there’s dirty air from cross-border traffic and dirty water fouled with sewage spills.
With no incumbent, community activist Philomena Moreno said it is a chance for the district to have a fresh start and allow that new representative to set the region’s reputation at City Hall.
“Have a good relationship with the mayor, a good relationship with the other council members, and work together to give us justice across the board,” Moreno said.
Community activist Christian Ramirez said four generations of his family live in the district and he wants to keep neighborhoods safe and healthy.
Alvarez staffer Vivian Moreno cites her seven years of experience working in the district as proof she is determined to keep neighborhoods safe and to lure investment into the district.
San Ysidro school board member Antonio Martinez calls himself the fighter the district needs at city hall. He said he puts neighborhoods and families first.
Small businessman Zachary Lazarus said he cares about people in need and he wants to build strength within the community. He promises to fight for residents.
Monte Jones, director of the Logan Heights Community Development Corp., wants to see a district that shines. He said that can be as simple as installing better streetlights and fixing sidewalks and roads.
“We don’t expect our council office to get everything done. But if they’ve got the support of the community and organizations behind them, a lot more can get done in city hall,” Jones said.
The top two vote-getters will face off in November.
