May is a very important month for San Diego County… it's Wildfire Preparedness Month! 🔥
Having to evacuate from wildfires several times myself, I’ve learned that preparing ahead of time makes all the difference in a disaster situation when seconds matter.
That's why I asked my team to compile a Wildfire Preparedness Resource List, a compilation of online resources to help you and your families prepare. Check out the list at supervisorjoelanderson.com/wildfire or by clicking the button below.
Fire safety and prevention remain one of my top priorities. As your Supervisor, I'm proud to share we have significantly bolstered our County's wildfire preparedness efforts — including securing a $16 million firefighting helicopter, identifying new locations for heli-hydrants and helo-pods necessary for aerial firefighting, and developing an initiative to allow farmers to return to evacuated areas to tend to animals and crops when safe to do so.
San Diego County is eternally thankful to our firefighters and first responders who work around the clock to protect our communities from wildfires and any other disaster that may come our way. |
PASSED: Preventing Opioid Overdoses
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved our proposal to strengthen the County's collaboration with the City of San Diego on opioid overdose prevention and naloxone awareness.
This partnership is crucial because as we all know, opioids are incredibly lethal — even the smallest doses can be fatal. We are stronger together in the fight against opioid overdoses — which is why I was grateful to partner with San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, and Karrie Gonzales, a local mother who lost her son to opioids, when announcing this plan.
"We represent the same folks, and they're depending on us to work together to save lives," Councilmember von Wilpert shared in her comments to the Board. "That's why I worked with Supervisor Anderson to carve a million dollars out of the City's budget... to bring to the County because I knew you could do more with it to help our joint residents."
Our partnership allows for the transfer of $1 million in the City's opioid settlement funds to bolster the strategies laid out in the County's opioid settlement framework. This initiative aims to save lives by educating the community about the risks of opioid misuse and promoting access to life-saving interventions. |
My Vote Against the County's Cannabis Program
Although I have never supported the legalization of cannabis, California voters made their voice heard when Prop 64 was passed in 2016. In that spirit, I have worked to ensure that legal recreational cannabis is implemented safely and in a manner that does not disproportionally impact our underserved unincorporated communities.
Last week the County voted on adopting a "Cannabis Social Equity Program" for the unincorporated area. Unfortunately, I could not support the establishment of this program because, as it is currently written, it will prioritize those who were previously incarcerated, deported, arrested or convicted for a cannabis related crime in San Diego (before its 2016 statewide legalization) when applying for business licenses in the cannabis industry.
Additionally, the County's program will allow people with prior weapons convictions to cut the line for cannabis-related business licenses ahead of those who have followed the law.
While I believe my colleagues may have had good intentions with this board action, the County should not prioritize business owners with prior weapons convictions when at the same time, creating new anti-gun regulations to take guns away from law-abiding citizens. All businesses deserve a level playing field.
Furthermore, as currently written the County's program does not reinvest any revenue into the communities that will house the cannabis facilities. My constituents have been very clear that these types of businesses will impact their communities, and just like any other project, there should be a local benefit to offset those impacts.
While my colleagues and I don't always agree on everything, I was honored to receive these comments on the dais from Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer while discussing this item: |
"I wanted to commend my colleague Supervisor Anderson for being an extremely effective advocate for his district. I don't agree with his perspective and point of view, but I think he is a very effective advocate for his constituents." —Supervisor Lawson-Remer |
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PASSED: Supporting Affordable Housing in Midway District
As you have probably already heard, San Diego's beloved Sports Arena site in the Midway District is being considered to undergo a major redevelopment project — which would result in over 2,000 units of much-needed affordable housing in a longstanding underserved area. These units are for people who make less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Placing affordable housing in coastal areas like the Midway District that are already plentiful in career opportunities and public transit access is best for our communities and the future residents of these units. Many of the constituents I represent live in rural communities where access to public transit is limited, so having affordable housing closer to job opportunities benefits us all.
Even though this project is in Supervisor Lawson-Remer's district, I was happy to support the proposal to ensure the County has a seat at the table during one of the largest and most consequential public redevelopment projects in the San Diego region. |
The County's recommended budget for next fiscal year was released this Thursday, and residents are encouraged to participate in the public comment period open now until June 13.
Nearly 3.3 million people live in the San Diego County, and the budget impacts every single resident some way. Regionally, the County provides food and restaurant inspections, beach and bay water testing, elections, social services, health programs, foster care, adult protective services and more.
In addition, the County provides city-type services for those who live outside of the region’s 18 cities, the unincorporated area. It is so large that if it were a city, by population, it would be the second largest in the region! There, the County supplies police and fire protection and maintains parks, libraries and roads.
Some highlights in the budget for projects in District 2 include: - An additional investment of $4.5 million to maintain 2,000 miles of roadways in the unincorporated area, for a total of $65.5 million
- $16 million increase for fire, emergency and ambulance services in the unincorporated area
- $28 million for the much-needed East Region Crisis Stabilization Unit for those experiencing behavioral health crises, set to open in mid-2025
- More than $2 million for homeless encampment cleanup in parks and other County-owned areas in the region to maintain safe and sanitary conditions
To view the full list of budget highlights in District 2, click the button below.
The Board of Supervisors will deliberate the recommended budget throughout the month of June, with official adoption planned for June 25. |
Last month I had the honor of spending a day touring the community of Jacumba! My visit was filled with many memorable moments.
I started the morning at the grand opening of the revived Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel. Years ago when Interstate 8 was constructed, travelers were diverted from Jacumba, leading to the hotel's decline. However, residents Melissa Strukel, Corbin Winters, and Jeff Osborne recognized the untapped potential within its vacant buildings and led a community effort to revive the historic place and breathe new life into the heart of Jacumba Hot Springs. |
As we celebrated the future with Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel, I also had the opportunity to reflect on the past. Alongside his granddaughter Carole Haller, we gathered to honor a significant figure in Jacumba's history, Herbert “Bert” Vaughn.
Vaughn’s legacy dates back to 1918 when he acquired 320 acres of property in Jacumba Hot Springs, envisioning a destination that would attract visitors. Under his leadership, this vision became a reality with the construction of Hotel Vaughn, which drew people from far and wide. Vaughn was a cornerstone of the community, providing essential services such as electricity and water to residents, and donating land for local institutions.
To honor Vaughn’s lasting impact, the community of Jacumba reached out to my office requesting to partner with me in renaming a bridge in his honor in 2023 |
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as the Bert Vaughn Memorial Bridge. Additionally, we paid tribute to his lifetime of contributions to San Diego County with a heartfelt memorial resolution.
Finally, I was pleased to present a proclamation to San Diego County Fire Station 43 for their exceptional service to the community. Located in the heart of Jacumba, Station 43 has been a steadfast source of safety and support, offering essential fire protection, emergency response, and community preparedness services.
Thank you, Jacumba, for always welcoming me and my staff with open arms! |
Military Appreciation Breakfast Co-Hosted by Alpine VFW Post 9578
Saturday, May 18, 2024 9:00 - 10:30 AM Alpine VFW Post 9578
You are cordially invited to join me in a heartfelt military appreciation breakfast, where we can come together to honor and celebrate the brave individuals who serve our country.
This event is a special opportunity to express our gratitude to active
duty service members, veterans, and their families. |
State Grant Workshop Co-Hosted by California Consulting, Inc Sponsored by Chaldean Community Council
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Networking Reception: 12:00-1:00pm
Program: 1:00-3:00pm
Crystal Ballroom - El Cajon
Join us to gain advice from some of the state's best grant writing experts on how to get federal, state, and local funding.
This workshop is aimed to empower you with the knowledge and resources you want to write a successful grant proposal for your non-profit! |
It's my job to make County government work for you. If there is anything my office can do to be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the contact form on my website or by calling my office at (619) 219-2470.
It's an honor to serve you, |
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Joel Anderson
Supervisor, District 2
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