Mayoral candidates debate coastal issues
Boardwalk expansion, ocean pollution concerncommunity
By Emily ShotwellContributor
“San Diego needs a new champion, and that person is me.”
That’s what mayoral candidate Dick Murphy said to about 80spectators Monday night in Mission Bay’s Marina Village.
The event, hosted by the Pacific Beach Democratic Club, consistedof a panel of 14 speakers from a variety of local organizations, suchas Surfrider
Foundation and San Diego Autubon.
Students from San Diego State University and University ofCalifornia San Diego were also included in the panel that focused onasking the two candidates their thoughts on water pollution.
Republicans Murphy and Ron Roberts are running against each otherfor Mayor of San Diego, and await election Nov. 7.
There is not much difference between the two’s proposals as bothagreed on all the major issues asked.
However, the candidates did make a point in differentiating theirpolitical backgrounds.
Murphy said he was responsible for overseeing the development ofHorton Plaza, the San Diego Trolley system and Mission Trailsregional park.
Roberts rebutted and told the crowd, “I’m not going to ask youwho’s responsible for the air you breath.”
The audience laughed at Robert’s remark.
Later in the debate, Roberts criticized Murphy for being supportedon government payroll throughout his education (at HarvardUniversity) while Roberts said he put himself through college (SDSU)working at a supermarket.
Murphy ignored the comment.
SDSU Young Democrats president Jason Rosenberg said he wasconcerned about offshore oil drilling – a measure recentlyproposed by Texas Gov. George W. Bush. He asked each candidate how hefelt about the issue.
Both Roberts and Murphy said they would protest such a measure.
“I unequivocally oppose offshore drilling and I will do everythingin my power to make sure it doesn’t happen,” said Murphy, whodescribed himself as an “environmental Republican” later in theevening.
Roberts said the coastal pollution is a problem that needs to beaddressed.
“I will continue to speak out and do everything possible to stoppollution in our water,” he said.
The candidates covered a variety of local issues – frombuilding a new downtown library to expanding Oceanfront Walk, theboardwalk that connects Mission Beach to Pacific Beach. They alsodiscussed expanding the Ocean Peach public Library and reducingtraffic problems at Mission and Pacific beach.
Both candidates said they oppose building a library downtown butsupport expanding the Ocean Beach Library.
Roberts said the main problem with the city’s libraries is limitedhours and he wants to keep them open later and longer.
“My commitment to you will be to have the finest library system inthe country,” he said.
Roberts and Murphy said they also support a transit system inbeach communities to reduce traffic, and expanding Oceanfront Walk.
Rosenberg said Roberts did a better job debating.
“He was able to answer the questions honestly and then put his ownemphasis on it,” Rosenberg said. “He didn’t just say what thequestioner wanted to hear.”
Rosenberg said Murphy failed to sink into the issues as well asRoberts did.
“(Murphy) seemed to agree with a lot of the questioners’ viewsthroughout the debate, instead of expanding on the topics as Robertsdid,” he said.
Marco Gonzalez, chairman of the Surfrider Foundation chapter inSan Diego County, said he is not convinced that either candidate willfollow up on their claims.
“Anyone can say, ‘I am for clean water,'” he said. “It’s thesmall-scale measures that will make the difference.”
Murphy is on leave of absence from his position as Superior Courtjudge, and was a member of the San Diego City Council from 1981 to1985. Roberts was re-elected in 1998 for his second term with the SanDiego County Board of Supervisors.
Both candidates said the debate was a positive experience, even inthe presence of a primarily democratic audience.
“It went well,” Murphy said. “I hope Democrats will see I am withthem in environmental issues.”
Roberts shared the same confidence in the audience as Murphy.
“Tonight was a very positive experience,” he said. “And no offenseto my opponent, but Murphy has been on the bench for the past 15years . . . and I don’t just mean that in a judicial sense.”
For more information on the two candidates, go to www.murphy4mayor.com,and www.robertsformayor.com.
