The Green Valley Civic Association, Poway Chamber of Commerce, COX, and Poway Kiwanis partnered on two Virtual Candidates Forums to find out where candidates stand on important issues that will affect you and your community.
Q: Describe your personal/professional background
Joel Anderson: Many of you know me and you have spoken to me in town at one of my many Community Coffees. I’ve participated at chamber events and have asked for your opinions before I voted on issues important to you. I have a track record of supporting the chamber and Poway in general. My twelve-year record in the legislature as an advocate for taxpayers and providing service to constituents who needed help resolving complex issues prepares me to serve on the board of Supervisors.
Steve Vaus: Growing up on a cattle ranch shaped my approach to life. When you have to get up at the crack of dawn to tend the cattle before you go to school you learn a little something about hard work. That lesson was only underscored when, early in my career, I went to work for Youth Development, Inc. YDI was the largest provider of private residential care facilities for troubled young men in San Diego County, and I oversaw all of their residential operations. But despite the importance of that work, my heart wasn’t really in social service – I wanted to pursue a career in the music business. And once again, my work ethic paid off. My company created music for some of the biggest tv shows, music stars, promotional events and advertisers. Later, as a recording artist I went on to win the highest awards in the industry. My wife Corrie and I have lived in Poway for over 27 years. We have four kids and six grandsons.
Q: Why are you seeking this office?
Joel Anderson: Lack of county leadership has led to businesses struggling to stay afloat during COVID, a mental health and homelessness crisis, out of control housing costs, too many taxes and fees, and traffic gridlock. As your Supervisor, I will fight for East County and our quality of life.
Steve Vaus: My track record as Mayor of Poway - always delivering balanced budgets, never increasing taxes, consistently being the safest city in the county, ranked #1 to raise a family, expanding housing opportunities while protecting and increasing open space - offers a great blueprint for the County. Additionally, my success as a small business owner (winning the highest awards in the industry) combined with my local and regional government experience uniquely qualifies me to be the next Supervisor for East County.
Q: What are your priorities as a Supervisor, both countywide and for District 2?
Joel Anderson: Over the years, I have been out talking to voters in East County about their concerns. Roads, the cost of living (housing) and homelessness (mental health) are at the top of the list. Politics doesn’t always have to be an us against them and I have proven it with my bipartisan work. We need to be laser focused on policies that lift our community and help address real problems that we are all facing like homelessness and high cost of living.
Steve Vaus: Public safety will always be my top priority. I am endorsed by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and every law enforcement agency in the district, as well as Cal Fire firefighters, because I will make sure they have the resources to keep us safe. Maintaining strong fiscal discipline and protecting East County taxpayers is also a high priority for me. As Supervisor, I will oppose all tax increases, will always ensure balanced budgets and maintain prudent fiscal reserves to protect critical services during any future emergencies. I will also fight the effort by the Sacramento politicians to dismantle Proposition 13, the landmark initiative that keeps our property taxes low. And I will always fight for property rights. Finally, we need to fix the homelessness problem in San Diego County. That will be done by instituting effective, accountable programs that treat the causes of chronic homelessness. We must address the mental health problems so common among the homeless. And, we have to combat the rampant drug and alcohol abuse in the homeless population. As Supervisor, I will not allow homeless encampments to overtake public spaces such as parks and sidewalks. Keeping those areas clean and safe is an obligation of our government.
Q: How do you intend to address our regional transportation and infrastructure needs?
Joel Anderson: The transit needs of our county will not be solved exclusively by mass transit. Building a trolley from downtown to Ramona is not feasible. As taxpayers, we have been paying a ½ sales tax increase for 15 years to pay for these promised road and safety enhancements. I know that in Alpine, where I live, we want the road and safety improvements we were promised, not smoke and mirrors compromises. I’m tired of politicians at SANDAG selling out the taxpayers and it is time that we push back and demand to be treated fairly.
Steve Vaus: As Chair of SANDAG, I have worked closely with Santee Mayor Minto, El Cajon Mayor Wells, San Diego Mayor Faulconer and other East County leaders to budget $90 million to improve Highway 52, Highway 67, and other problem areas. I am committed to completion of the projects promised to voters in the TransNet initiative in 2004. Expanding transit is important also, particularly in the densely populated areas of the county. In Supervisor District 2, for example, the Grantville neighborhood is definitely well-suited to transit, given its location near SDSU and the new SDSU stadium complex. However, other areas of the county need improved and expanded freeways and highways. Most of Supervisor District 2 is in that category. As Supervisor, I will continue to fight to maintain critical funding for East County freeways and highways.
Q: As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic, do you believe the County should prioritize health concerns or businesses reopening?
Joel Anderson: I think the real question isn't choosing between business or human health. The real question is whether we are using medical science or political science to fight COVID. I believe if we start using medical science, we can open more businesses in less time while protecting at-risk vulnerable populations. The San Diego Medical Society endorsed me because I have a plan. Unfortunately, my plan can't be summed up in a sound bite.
Steve Vaus: First, it’s important to recognize that the rules are established by the State of California. That’s why I will push hard on the Governor’s office to allow more local control. This is not a one-size-fits-all pandemic, and local leaders should have more authority to set the terms in their communities. Regarding the balance of health concerns and business. I believe we have to do both. There are highly vulnerable populations that need to be protected. Senior care facilities are are good example. The county health officials need to be more aggressive in acting to ensure the safety of residents of congregate care settings.
I do believe that Poway has done a good job balancing safety and offering a lifeline to businesses. Under my leadership, our city council approved one of the first small business loan programs, setting aside $2 million from our reserve fund. Also, under my leadership we purchased 100 picnic tables and distributed them to local restaurants so they could continue their operation during the pandemic. I also initiated a program to allow small businesses to operate in our parks at no cost. That program has since been copied by the City and County of San Diego.
Q: How should the County of San Diego address the homelessness crisis?
Joel Anderson: In the legislature, I worked to bring millions of dollars in mental health funding to San Diego County and sadly our supervisors choose to not use it. When elected Supervisor, I will leverage my relationships in Sacramento to ensure our county receives its fair share of mental health and homelessness funding.
Steve Vaus: Addressing the homelessness crisis in San Diego County is one of my three top priorities as Supervisor. As I said earlier, we need to implement effective and accountable programs that treat the causes of chronic homelessness. Of particular importance is addressing the mental health problems that many homeless suffer from. Additionally, the county must do a better job of addressing the substance abuse so common among the homeless. Drug and alcohol use only worsens the problems associated with homelessness. But, it’s important to note that I will not allow homeless encampments to overtake public spaces. Parks, sidewalks and canyons are for the public to use and enjoy. Maintaining safe and clean public areas is a core obligation of local government.