On Monday evening, December 5, 2022, hundreds of residents, family and friends, gathered at the Vista Village Pub to celebrate 24 years of service to the City of Vista by Judy Ritter. The Proclamation of Judy’s accomplishments and proclaiming December 6th as Judy Ritter Day in the City of Vista was read by Patrick Johnson. Enjoy the VIDEO and thank you Judy for all you have done.
Judy Ritter is retiring, having dedicated more than 24 years to public service to the Vista community.
Mayor Ritter has lived in the Vista community since 1973 and was elected to the Vista City Council in 1998, 2002, and 2006, and appointed as Mayor Pro Tem in 1998, 2002, and 2006, and elected Mayor in 2010 and re-elected as Mayor 2014 and in 2018.
Mayor Ritter is currently a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. Before retiring, she owned and operated four fitness businesses in Vista (since 1977); and Mayor Ritter served on the regional San Diego Association of Government’s Board of Directors and Transportation and Regional Planning committees, Chair of Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors, North County Transit District, League of California Cities, and as a member of the North County Regional Gang Task Force, and Five City Mayor’s Innovate 78 Partnership.
Mayor Ritter is community minded and has participated and is a member of many service organizations, such as the Vista Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary, Elks Club member, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Vista Community Clinic Board of Trustees, North San Diego County Board of Realtors member, Vista Downtown Master Plan Committee, Solutions for Change Leadership Board, Alta Vista Gardens member, Comerciantes Latinos Association member, Community Development Association member, Historical Society member, Friends of the Library member, Boys & Girls Club Board of Director (past member), Vista Rotary (past member, Sunrise Kiwanis (past member), and Shadowridge Rotary (past member).
Mayor Ritter was a founder of the Vista Village Business Association and served twice as the organization’s president. The Mayor’s goal was to help improve the community when she first became a city councilmember and to leave the City a better place when she took the office of Mayor.
Mayor Ritter was instrumental in the development of the construction of over three million square feet of industrial and commercial buildings housing companies like Amazon, Target, Hyatt Place, US Foods, Crate & Barrel, Jeld-Wen, Cue Health, Ocean Reef, Haro Bicycles, Leidos, Applied Membranes, Pacific Plastics, Watkins Wellness, and Dr. Bronner’s that employ thousands of people.
Many major accomplishments have been accomplished during Mayor Ritter’s tenure including:
• Vista has the emerging distinction as the microbrewery capital of North County.
• Over $14 million invested in road projects and other public works infrastructure over the past five years.
• Initiated Strategic Collaboration efforts to bring prosperity to the North County region with cities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Marcos which resulted in Innovate 78 efforts.
• Vista’s Business Park growth of over 900 local, national, and global companies employing over 24,000 people.
• Collaborating and using resources regionally with adjoining cities and Sheriff on gang suppression.
• Homeless Master Plan was initiated with the goal of ending homelessness in the area.
• Completion of major public improvement projects:
*Paseo Santa Fe Street Improvements Project – further igniting the revitalization of our downtown community.
*Vista Civic Center constructed with one-stop customer service center.
*Three new fire stations constructed (including remodel of Station No. 1).
*Vista Sports Park built for youth and adult sports field programs and two new skate parks.
*State of the Art Moonlight Amphitheatre constructed.
• General plan and Zoning map updated.
• Historic downtown area experienced revival with new businesses and tourism opportunities.
• Vista was one of the first cities in San Diego County to require employees to contribute their full share (8%) towards their pension costs.
• Vista established itself as a Charter City, saving Vista taxpayers millions in city construction expenses.
• 27-acre Vista Village downtown district established
• International city/County Management Association (ICMA) award-winning Homeless Strategic plan was initiated with the goal of ending homelessness in the area.
• 2022 Municipal Management Association of southern California (MMASC) Excellence in Government Award given to Vista for its strategic leadership in addressing homelessness, improving the quality of life of its residents, and for its robust visual and performing arts programs.
In 2021, Mayor Ritter led significant accomplishments including increasing tourism, enhancing public safety, assisting with homelessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Vista and the region. Below are some highlights from this past year:
• Fiscal Sustainability
City’s emergency reserves increased to 35%
The City received or secured $13M in grant funding
Vista’s job growth increased by 2.1%
Property tax revenue increased by 4.5%
• Traffic Flow / Infrastructure
Invested $10.8 million in streets to refurbish roads or prolong surface life, creating safe, smooth roads
Refurbished 5.5 miles of arterial and residential streets
New landscaping installed in Sycamore/Hwy 78 medians
Completed traffic signal interconnect in north half of city
• Economic Development
Vista CARE’s Virtual Business Walk – 52 businesses surveyed
Terrace Lofts and Paseo Artists Village developments opening this year.
Many new businesses opened, including Best Pizza & Brew, Barrel & Stave, Johnston Supply, and more
Assisted 50+ businesses with temporary outdoor service, space for restaurants, breweries, and personal services and launched programs to assist businesses with COVID-19 related challenges.
The Vista Economic Development Strategy (VEDS) approved by City Council
• Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Invested $5.5 million in new park construction, park improvements, and repairs and maintenance.
Construction began on the new Pala Vista Park and renovation completed on Bub Williamson Park.
Added two new Park Ranger positions.
Supported many signature events for the community including the Independence Day event, Jingle Terrace Park Drive-thru Holiday Lights, Trick or Treat Community Halloween, inaugural Wave Waterpark Dunkin’ for Pumpkins.
Mayor Ritter supports the arts and in 2021, the City saw six new Kites Over Vista sculptures installed in downtown Vista.
Mayor Ritter continues to support our senior community by supporting Vista’s Senior Center, which in 2021, served and delivered 27, 368 meals to seniors.
• Public Safety
Vista has the only civilian fire department in San Diego County with Center for Public Safety Excellence Re-accreditation.
FBI *crime rate all time low: 15.3 *crimes per 1000 population.
Added new deputy position and Community Oriented Policing & Problem- Solving position.
National Night Out and Holiday Watch crime prevention.
A total of 85,947 hours served by Senior Sheriff Volunteers.
• Addressing Homelessness & Housing
Individuals sheltered – 54, totaling 3,588 nights
Funds invested to address homelessness – $531,468
Households supported with homeless prevention funds – 40
Social worker contacted 565 persons with case management
Number of homeless encampments cleaned – 127
Trash and debris removed from encampments – 30 tons
Affordable housing development investment: City partnership with Community HousingWorks – $7,975,000.
During Mayor Ritter’s tenure she has always been dedicated to supporting public safety – Sheriff and Fire Services, enhancing Vista’s downtown business vitality, maintaining a successful Business Park, Paseo Santa Fe Project, attracting and maintaining Vista businesses and creating high paying jobs, working with Vista schools, and supporting programs benefitting older seniors and youth populations.
Mayor Ritter has always kept an eye on the future, anticipated the need for future infrastructure improvements, transportation, and quality of life milestones. She has always strived for a better future for the residents of Vista.
Mayor Ritter serves in many roles as business owner, a mother, grandmother, and as an elected official. Her history of leadership has paved the way for future generations.
Mayor Ritter is looking forward to spending more time with her three grown daughters, Traci, Tori and Tera, who all graduated from Vista High School; two grandsons, Tanner and Riley, who both graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School and two younger grandchildren, Viola and Oliver.
The City of Vista offers its sincere appreciation to Mayor Judy Ritter for her dedication for twenty-four years of public service to the City of Vista community, wishes her well in retirement, and hereby proclaims Tuesday, December 6th as:
“MAYOR JUDY RITTER DAY IN THE CITY OF VISTA”
