Sometimes the toughest choices voters face are for the public offices closest to home – the water, fire and community boards that shoulder important responsibilities with little fanfare.
As part of our commitment to a well-informed electorate, The San Diego Union-Tribune has posed questions to candidates for these offices, and has been publishing their responses in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 7 election.
Questionnaires were mailed in late August to every candidate. Not all chose to participate. We note the names of those we did not hear from.
When possible, we use the candidates' exact words, edited only for spelling, grammar and clarity. We trimmed statements only when candidates exceeded the space they were allowed.
For more coverage of the November election go to signonsandiego.com.
Eight people are seeking seven open seats on the Rainbow Community Planning Group board. Candidates Mila Bonner, Curtis Nicolaisen, Craig Ohlson, Rua M. Petty Frederick Rasp and Dean Reade did not return questionnaires.
Art Deming
Retired school administrator
Age: 69
Elective offices held: Director and secretary for the Rainbow Property Owners Association.
Community involvement: Rainbow Property Owners Association; Rainbow Planning Group; Rainbow Days; and Rainbow Fallfest
College or post-high-school training: USC, Doctor of educational administration.
Statement of candidacy: I seek to continue serving on the Rainbow Planning Group board to maintain the rural nature of Rainbow.
What qualifications, attributes or perspectives would you bring to this elected position that your opponent(s) would not?
Thirty-seven years of goals setting, implementation of school improvement plans and problem solving with students, staff and parents provides a foundation to address the issues in the Rainbow community.
What are the three most important issues in this race? What would you do to address each one?
I will: 1. Maintain the rural nature of Rainbow through well researched recommendations to San Diego Board of Supervisors. 2. Provide strong opposition to the proposed Liberty Quarry immediately adjacent to the Rainbow community which will have drastic and long term adverse impact to our residents. 3. Maintain an open mind to proposed zone changes, seek relevant information for each issue and then make a decision based upon the laws and regulations.
Larry Pearce
Retired businessman
Age: 73
Offices: Westlake (Los Angeles) Planning Advisory Board
Involvement: Member, I-15 Corridor Design Review Board
Education: CSU Long Beach, BS business, MBA; Western State University College of Law, JD.
Statement of candidacy: Unpermitted development and disregard for adherence to local and county rules represent the need for effective community planning if we want to maintain pride in our rural community.
Qualifications: My experience, mature analysis and “can-do” enthusiasm will contribute to upgrading and maintaining our community as a rural and delightful place to live with reasonable and effective planning.
