Investing in Del Mar
Friends,
Last week, I saw our Public Works team removing weeds at the bus stop near Darshan Bakery, treating city trees for pests, and refreshing paint on our crosswalks. On Saturday, many of you joined the Community Beach Cleanup to help tidy our town as summer winds down. Small investments in Del Mar matter.
Big investments matter too.
We have important work ahead to improve our roads and complete utility undergrounding expeditiously. These investments deliver multiple benefits: maintaining our infrastructure, reducing trip hazards and fire risk, and preserving the value of what we’ve built.
We also need to invest strategically in flood protection. In the short term, that means replenishing sand and building berms along our beachfront to protect homes and access points from high tides and storms. It also means responsibly managing accumulated sand in the lagoon and river channel.
Looking ahead, the proposed living levee along the San Dieguito River offers another investment with compounding returns: reducing flood risk while improving trails, habitat and public access.
And then there's the biggest investment of all: moving the railroad tracks off the bluffs.
Much remains to be determined. Engineering and environmental analysis are underway, and SANDAG is studying five potential alignments. No decision has been made about which alternative will ultimately be selected.
One thing is clear: Del Mar will not make that decision alone. We need to advocate forcefully for Del Mar's interests and build the relationships and alliances that give our advocacy weight. That means understanding the issues, showing up early, finding common ground where we can, and building credibility with the regional, state and federal partners whose decisions will shape our future.
That's the kind of preparation and strategic advocacy I will bring to Del Mar: principled about what matters, practical about how to get there, and ready to fight effectively when it counts.
Warm Regards,
P.S. I hope to see you at the Del Mar Foundation Picnic this Sunday, September 27. It’s a great chance to enjoy our community and catch up with neighbors!
