By TR Robertson
After two years of Zoom meetings, social distancing and mask wearing, Fifth District Supervisor Jim Desmond spoke before a standing room only crowd of dignitaries and interested attendees presenting a State of North County Address recognizing community accomplishments, celebrating the region, and previewing the year ahead. The event was held at El Corazon Senior Center, in Oceanside, in their large event room. Those in attendance included officials and representatives from Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido Mayoral and City Council Offices, County Assessor’s Office, County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego County Tribal Council Members, Tri-City Medical Hospital Offices, Cal Fire, various City Fire Departments along with their Fire Chiefs, City School Board members and College Officials, N.C. Chamber of Commerce Officials and a number of other organizations and interested groups.
The agenda for the morning event began with a short video detailing the diversity of places to visit all around District 5. This was followed by a Welcome and Introduction of those in attendance by Miles Himmel, Director of Communications for Jim Desmond. An Invocation was read by Shelly Pinomacki, San Diego Sheriff Chaplain, and RESPECT Program Director. The Presentation of the Colors was performed by members of American Legion San Diego – Post 6 and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Esther Sanchez, Oceanside Mayor. Vista Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Grace Taylor sang the National Anthem.
Coach John Carroll, Cal Coaches Hall of Fame selectee and former Head Football Coach of Oceanside High School, was then introduced. Coach Carroll spoke about his love of Oceanside and North County. He spoke about the diversity of the area, the relationships he has established in North County and the good he sees in the area. Coach Carroll referred to his philosophy of always striving for Excellence in everything you do. He said he and his wife moved to Oceanside in 1987 and their family grew up in the Oceanside Educational System. His wife is in her final years as a teacher and he has retired after 31 years at Oceanside, 26 years as a successful football coach. He finished off his presentation speaking about the respect he has for Supervisor Desmond, especially the Supervisor’s position on the importance of students returning to school as the COVID pandemic subsided and the learning loss they were experiencing during the lock-down and school closures.
Supervisor Desmond then took to the podium. He gave a little information about his background, which includes graduating from San Diego State University, being a Navy Veteran, a successful business owner and a retired Delta Airline pilot for 33 years. He was also a San Marcos City Council member and Mayor of San Marcos for 12 years and successfully ran for the District 5 Supervisors position in 2018. He then spoke about his love of North County and the District. Some of the topics he covered that made him proud included the easy access for a variety of transportation opportunities, such as freeways, NCTD systems, and the Sprinter and Coaster. He said the District has a strong Veterans support system and ties to an incredible history. The number of parks and trails in the area provide opportunities for people to run, walk and ride almost the entire length of the District. The Supervisor said he was proud of the relationships that have been built with the various Tribal Councils and Sovereign Nations. He spoke about the educational opportunities the Cal State and Junior Colleges offer in the area and the way they have linked with the business and governmental institutions. The high-tech industries and agricultural industries are a multi-billion-dollar business along with the continued growth of the “Hops Highway” craft beer industry. The Supervisor pointed out the importance and growth of the sports and leisure activities, the medical facilities and four airports that provided service to large numbers of people. He said North County is a place where people want to visit and vacation, visiting places like Legoland, Safari Park and much more.
Supervisor Desmond said we need to be careful and not mess up the good things we have going by over taxing, over-regulating and too much governmental involvement. He also pointed out that there is a lot of work to be done. The first area he spoke about was the continuing homeless issue, which he said has been managed terribly. He said Supreme Court and State rulings have created laws that hamper and restrict ways the homeless problems can be overseen. These overreaching laws have made jails as the #1 mental health providers for the homeless and this is not the way it should be. The Supervisor said there should be a focus on mental health services, like the pilot program started in Oceanside using trained social workers reaching out to deal with those in need. The 24-hour Crisis Stabilization Units, which are now open in three North County Cities, are also examples of positive behavioral services that are now provided to assist law enforcement in dealing with homeless and other issues; but more are needed. In 2023, Tri-City Medical Center will open a unit with 16 beds for psychiatric patients. A Family Justice Center (One Safe Place), in San Marcos, will soon provide help to families and individuals in need of help with assistance in a variety of ways.
The Supervisor next spoke about the need for affordable housing in the District, and other areas. He alluded to Senior citizens, on fixed incomes, will be the next group strongly effected by homeless issues unless something can be done to provided affordable houses and apartments. Assistance for Seniors, families and homeless can be found at groups like Solutions for Change, Casa de Amparo, Catholic Charities, Mental Health Systems, North County Lifeline, Exodus Recovery, InterFaith Shelter and Community Services, Operation Hope, San Diego Rescue Mission, Teri Campus of Life, McAlister Institute and Doors of Change.
Concerning Law Enforcement, the Supervisor said he will “never vote to defund the police.” He said there are some bad apples in the bunch, as in every group, but our law enforcement members are the ones who run to trouble when we run away from it. The risk of wildfire remains in the County, but efforts made by our fire departments have significantly reduced the threat of fires by the efforts of the different fire agencies. Improved evacuation routes, fire fighting strategy, vegetation management, additional helicopters and more have all made the chance of devastating fires a more manageable problem. The Supervisor thanked all the health care workers who have been on the front line in dealing with the COVID crisis for the past two years. He said no one had the right answers every time but they were doing the best they could at the time as they searched for the answers. He congratulated members of San Marcos for their efforts in reaching out to members of the Hispanic community in convincing them to get vaccinations.
The Supervisor spoke of the strong efforts they had made in defeating every proposed placement of a sexually violent predator who was being released and were attempting to be placed in a North County area, especially proposals to place them on tribal land. He once again congratulated tribal leaders for their economic success with the casinos and the creation of over 10,000 jobs. A new position of Tribal Liaison has been created for the Supervisors Office. San Pasqual Academy has also been saved from closure and will continue to assist with foster children education and housing. The various non-profits that are instrumental, those that assist where government agencies cannot or have not, were listed – San Diego North, Main Street Oceanside, Fallbrook Village Association, Anza-Borrego Desert National History Association, The Classical Academies, Boys and Girls Clubs of North County, Escondido Chamber of Commerce, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, Vista Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Oceanside. The Supervisor also spoke of the need for additional education on the dangers of Fentanyl and the importance of children and others to take part in water safety programs.
Last on the presentation was the Supervisors pledge to continue to fight against SANDAG’s proposed mileage tax, especially since the group has not kept their promise or commitment to improve freeways with taxes already in place. He said we need road repairs and improvements, not additional taxation for programs that will not effectively work in North County.
Supervisor Desmond finished his State of North County Address saying we need to move forward, put aside our differences, work together, and treat each other with respect to achieve what is needed. He also took time to congratulate and introduce Bud Roberds, former Band Director for Fallbrook High School, who recently celebrated his 102nd birthday. Mr. Roberds received a standing ovation. Desmond’s finals statement, “I will always be a voice and fight for North County.”
