Both candidates vying for the San Diego County Supervisor position claim they can enhance the County’s strategies for tackling homelessness. However, their approaches are notably different.
Paloma Aguirre, the Mayor of Imperial Beach, and John McCann, the Mayor of Chula Vista, are both contesting the District 1 South County seat on the Board of Supervisors, which became vacant following the departure of former Supervisor Nora Vargas.
Jim Hinch has been closely monitoring the race and remarked that while homelessness is a significant issue for voters in the region, it hasn’t been a focal point of either candidate’s campaign. However, both have critiqued the County’s involvement in addressing the critical homelessness challenge.
Hinch examined Aguirre and McCann’s records on homelessness in their respective cities as well as their statements on the issue, revealing several commonalities. Both candidates express concern over certain County programs, the limited availability of shelter space, and the insufficient access to substance abuse and mental health treatment options in the area.
Their contrasting methods are where they differ significantly. One candidate emphasizes accountability while the other leans towards compassion. Voters will need to determine which approach they believe could effectively reduce homelessness within their communities.
Interested in more coverage of the supervisor race? Visit our South County Decides homepage for candidate Q&A’s, debates, funding updates, and the latest developments.
The Progress Report: Restorative Justice Gains Support, While Facing Cuts, at SD Unified
The San Diego Unified School District is broadening its restorative justice policy, building upon a framework first established in 2020. Nonetheless, as district officials work to refine the policy, funding for restorative justice will decrease in the next fiscal year.
Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and fostering relationships over punitive measures. San Diego Unified has been integrating this approach since 2014.
Following the official adoption of a policy in 2020, district leaders recently approved an updated version to enhance its methodology and clarify any vague instructions.
However, during a recent budget meeting, officials allocated approximately $580,000 less for restorative justice in the upcoming fiscal year compared to last year. This reduction is a result of budget cuts linked to the district’s ongoing financial deficit.
Despite this setback, some advocates for the policy remain committed to maximizing its potential, while others are concerned about the impact of reduced funding on its implementation.
Read the full Progress Report here.
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The Morning Report was compiled by Tigist Layne, Jim Hinch, and Tessa Balc. Edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.
