Four candidates are vying to replace District 5 County Supervisor Bill Horn, who is being termed out this year. Like Horn, candidates Jim Desmond and Jerry Kern are Republicans, while Michelle Gomez and Jacqueline Arsivaud are Democrats.
District 5 voters say housing and the environment are the most important issues to them. On a recent Thursday, voters visiting the Oceanside Farmers' Market on Main Street also voiced concerns about homelessness.
“All of the trends I see are positive other than the homeless people. I've been here a few years and each year seems to increase in number and I don’t have a solution for it,” said Oceanside resident Ralph Coomber.
“The neighboring police officers will bring homeless people into Oceanside and dump them,” said Oceanside resident Jill Tomkins.
All of the candidates support using the open land to build affordable housing, saying it would help ease homelessness. But each has a different approach.
Republican candidates Jim Desmond and Jerry Kern both support the development of housing. For Kern, that includes selling agricultural land that’s not making money.
Democratic candidates Michelle Gomez and Jacqueline Arsivaud also want to build housing. Gomez wants to see it in the Western part of the unincorporated area and Arsivaud wants to see it near already existing developments.
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But for some people like Julia Ribera, who live in the unincorporated area of the county, more development is the last thing she wants to see on the quiet hillsides of Valley Center.
“I love it! That’s the reason we left the city. To find these kinds of places. It’s so beautiful,” Ribera said.
She said she moved to Valley Center to get away from the traffic, the crowds, and the pollution.
It’s the part of growth and development not even some Oceanside residents like Michelle Jenkins want to embrace.
“My streets on the weekends are so crowded with people trying to park. People leave their trash on the streets before they leave the beach and drive home. So, I think there’s a lot of growing issues that we did not foresee,” Jenkins said.
As housing developments are contemplated, residents are also looking for a plan to accommodate more traffic.
“I’ve been a longtime supporter of emissions controls and an electric vehicle owner for many years. But we've got a freeway right behind us here and it’s important that we do have access down through the corridor. It’s a real challenge,” said District 5 resident Jim Waite.
Desmond has said he supports more HOV lanes, while Kern has called for road repairs. Both Gomez and Arsivaud have said they want to invest in public transit, and Arsivaud also wants to spend money on road technology.
>>> The term limit for the current district 5 County supervisor Bill Horn is up. Now for candidates are vying for his seat. They include two Democrats Michelle Gomez and Jacqueline R Savard along with two Republicans Jim Desmond, and Ramon -- Jerome Kern. As Jade Heineman reports, the growing pains of development are what matter most to district by voters -- five Voters. >> Reporter: We stopped in Oceanside were family owned restaurants lined the beach streets of the small beach town. >> It is an improvement improving community. The weather is fantastic and the community is nice because you see Friday. >> Reporter: While there is a lot to enjoy, the voters he will hear from feel that there is a lot to threaten the quality of life. Ask any resident and they will tell you -- >> All of the trims I see are positive other than the homeless people. I have been here a few years. Each year it seems to increase in numbers. I don't have a solution for it. >> The neighboring police officers will bring homeless people to Oceanside and dump them. >> Instead of the shell game, people are being moved from one area to another, there could be initiatives taken to help their interest. >> Reporter: All candidates field using open land to build affordable housing will help ease homelessness. For some people like Julia Rivera who lives in the unincorporated area of the county. >> >> Reporter: More development is the last thing she wants to see on this quiet Valley Center Hillside. >> I love it. That is the reason why we try to live here. We wanted to find this kind of place. It is beautiful. >> Reporter: She said she moved here to get away from the traffic, the crowds, the pollution. It is the part of growth and development not even some Oceanside residents like Michelle Jenkins wants to see. >> My streets on the weekends are so crowded with people from the out of area trying to park and people leaving their trash on the streets before they leave the beach. And drive home. I think there is a lot of growing issues that we did not foresee exactly. >> Reporter: Candidates say Walt new developments in affordable housing may be controversial, growth is inevitable. The question is where will new developments be built and which area will have to least environmental impact. Republican candidates Jim Desmond and Jerry Kern both support the development of housing. For current that includes selling agricultural land that is not making money. Democratic candidates also want to build housing. Gomez was succeeded in the western part of the unincorporated area and R Savard what's a seatbelt near already existing developments. As housing developments are contemplated, residents like him wait say there needs to be a plan to accommodate more traffic. >> I have been a long-term supporter of emissions controls. I have been electric vehicle owner for many years. But we have the freeway white right behind us. It is important to have access down to the corridor here. It is a real challenge. >> Reporter: Jim Desmond wants more HOV lanes while Jerry Kern wants right road repairs. Gomez and R Savard what's to invest in public transit, R Savard wants to spend money on technology. The talent for each candidate is to have a plan that balances growth with Conservation. Jade Heineman KPBS news.
