Encinitas Mayoral Candidates Discuss Housing and Homelessness in Candidates Forum

Two foreign candidates for mayor of Encinitas described at an Oct. 6 candidates’ forum how they would deviate from the city’s current approach to issues including homelessness and housing policy. Another candidate, City Council member Tony Kranz, said he wanted to build on his 10-year record on council.

A fourth candidate, Jeff Morris, did not attend the forum, hosted by the North County chapter of the League of Women Voters. The event was moderated by Roni Seay, who asked questions submitted by the community.

The winner of the mayoral race will replace Catherine Blakespear, who is completing her third two-year term as she runs for the state Senate.

“I want to involve the community,” said Michael Blobe, who has worked in management in the retail and hospitality industries. “I don’t want to ignore them anymore.”

Cindy Cremona, owner of an executive search firm since 1993, said her philosophy as mayor would be “local control, not Sacramento.”

Many residents of Encinitas, as well as nearby coastal towns, have voiced their opposition to state housing laws that, in some cases, place strict limits on local policy making.

“Cities must come together to push back against the state,” Cremona said.

Kranz said the city could do nothing to challenge Sacramento without provoking legal action against the city, but would seek opportunities to work with state lawmakers to support local control.

“So far the state has passed more land use regulations year after year,” he said.

Blobe said residents need to make their voices heard in the state legislature.

“Our hands are tied until you make that change with your voice,” he added.

The city also has to deal with the increase in the number of homeless people. Steps council members have taken in recent years include a “safe parking” program run by the Jewish Family Service, which has sparked controversy among residents.

Encinitas and the greater North County area that includes Del Mar and Solana Beach have seen a 74% increase in their homeless population, based on the results of the latest homeless count.

“It’s one of those thorny issues that is very difficult to solve,” said Kranz, who said he would focus on implementing the homeless action plan the council has. adopted in February 2021.

Kranz said it was a “myth” that enforcement of the city’s homeless population was lacking, but Blobe said he would like to “crack down on enforcement.” Cremona also said she would like to “go much further” in enforcing the code as a way to tackle homelessness.

Blobe and Cremona said they would also like to push harder for affordable housing needs in new developments.

In addition to the four candidates vying for mayor, there are two city council seats that will be decided after the November elections. Two candidates are running to represent District 3, which covers the southern part of the city along the coast, and four candidates are running from District 4, which includes Olivenhain and most of the eastern part of the city.

On Tuesday, October 11, the League of Women Voters will moderate debates in Zoom format for the two City Council races. The two candidates for the District 3 spot will go first from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The four candidates for the District 4 spot will pass immediately after from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. To find out how to submit questions and/or join the meeting, visit the league website at: https://my.lwv.org/california/north-county-san-diego.
— The above paragraph is taken from a report by Barbara Henry, freelance writer for The San Diego Union-Tribune