While I agree with Denise Martin’s perspective in “Why bending rules backfires,” published Oct.12 in The Coast News, that elected officials must establish clear, standardized codes and timelines for city permitting, I take issue with her reliance on hearsay regarding mayoral candidate Rimga Viskanta.
Fabricating potential issues from unverified claims distracts from constructive dialogue.
Martin, a Prop A community organizer, was Mayor Bruce Ehlers’ first choice to fill the vacant District 4 council seat. She applied despite knowing the time commitment exceeded her bandwidth. Her application seemingly gave Mayor Ehlers the cover she needed to appoint Councilmember Marco San Antonio under the guise of compromise.
Yet, San Antonio met none of Ehlers’ own criteria: He refused to commit to not running in 2026, holds well-known MAGA affiliations rather than being nonpartisan, and resides in Olivenhain rather than New Encinitas. Mayor Ehlers compromised his stated values despite having candidates who aligned with public feedback.
Regarding Rimga Viskanta, she was employed as a high-level staff member for the city of Solana Beach, prioritizing safety to assist all residents. If the story Martin relates is true, I applaud any city staff member for assisting a resident with a disability — an act of grace fully compliant with Solana Beach city code. Had this involved a family member of any critic, such kindness would surely be appreciated.
Conversely, Mayor Ehlers publicly admitted at the April 9, 2026, State of the City address that he used his “mayor card” to expedite his own permit after experiencing delays. As he noted, after using his title, his permit was “miraculously” approved within hours. It’s all on video. A huge difference in my mind.
If we are examining the misuse of influence, we should focus on documented admissions rather than unverified rumors. I invite Martin to share her perspective on an elected official pulling the “mayor card” for personal benefit.
Theresa Beauchamp
Encinitas
