Coronado City Council Candidate Question #1
This week is your introductory piece…your “elevator pitch” if you will…”Why did you decide to run for Coronado City Council, and what do you offer that sets you apart from the rest? candidates?”
My name is John Duncan and I am running for City Council to protect Coronado for future generations, so that all future citizens and their families can enjoy the charm, history and caring community of our small town. We face many issues that require a complex understanding of law, finance and assets. We must listen to our neighbors, build consensus whenever we can, and fight for our community when necessary. These are unique skills that I have honed throughout my professional career and community involvement.
I am a lawyer with over 25 years of experience in business, finance, asset management and real estate law. I am a seasoned negotiator with strong analytical and problem solving skills. I have decades of experience as the managing partner of a law firm with more employees than Coronado. I pride myself on reaching consensus and have had great success in bringing opposing parties to amicable resolutions. I received my bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern California and graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1995, after serving as chair of constitutional law with the ‘Appeal Moot Court Board.
I am a firm believer in public service and giving back to the community. I am a director on the board of the Coronado Historical Association and I chair many committees. I enjoy working with the amazing citizens of Coronado who are focused on preserving Coronado’s history through education, speaking engagements, and activities, such as the annual Historic House Tour on mothers’ Day. Additionally, I have personally preserved and dedicated many properties through the Coronado Historic Resources Commission to be designated as Coronado Historic Resources.
In 2020, I was appointed as a member of the Coronado Public Service Commission and am the current Chairman of the Commission. From 2016 to 2019, I served on the Coronado Bike Advisory Committee, including a term as Vice President. I have volunteered in Coronado for over ten years, coaching children in sports, as well as serving on the boards of the Coronado Youth Sports League. I serve as a trustee on the FBI San Diego Citizens Alumni Academy Board of Trustees and chair the Academy’s Governance Committee and Duties Committee. For my service this year, I received recognition from the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Regional Office in San Diego, who said, “Your dedication is above and beyond and it is individuals like you who help the FBI fulfill our mission… I have included my SAC coin in recognition of your excellence and leadership.Prior to my position as Director, I attended Coronado Citizen’s Police Academy in 2016, as well as the FBI Citizens Academy as an attendee in 2017. I am also proud to be an active Coronado Rotarian.
I met my wife, Peggy, in law school here in San Diego in 1992. As our careers, marriage and growing family progressed, we knew Coronado was where we wanted to raise our children. We started renting here in 2006 and in 2008 we were able to buy our historic dream house where we still live. Not too long ago, it seems, our four children were attending Christ Church Day School and participating in Coronado youth soccer, baseball and softball. Now my oldest son Connor is in college at USC and my triplets, Emma, Tara and Colin, are all high school juniors. As we move closer to an empty nest, my wife and I are more committed to our community than ever. We chose Coronado to be the place where we stay rooted long after our busy parenting days, and we want Coronado to be the place where our children, and hopefully future grandchildren, return to visit and eventually make their home.
I am a hard worker who cares deeply about our community. In every position I’ve held, I’ve been known to be an analytical, independent thinker who isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions about issues. I take public service and serving on city council very seriously. I believe that listening to others and learning facts and opinions on an issue is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and is necessary to arrive at the best decision. I am proud to be supported by many community and civic leaders. I look forward to discussing specific issues in more detail in the weeks to come. Thanks for your consideration.
www.DuncanForCoronado.com
FLIGHT. 112, NO. September 37 – 14, 2022
