As a longtime Del Mar resident of more than 20 years and a registered Democrat, I am tired of out-of-towners with personal agendas telling us what to do, how to think and whom to vote for.
Earlier this month, Michael Gelfand, a Rancho Santa Fe resident, attacked Del Mar City Councilmember Terry Gaasterland and told us whom not to vote for. As a Del Mar voter, I offer these counterpoints.
Gelfand supports the Fairgrounds, not Del Mar’s interests
Gelfand has wrapped himself in the Democratic Party flag to deliver his unfair attack on Gaasterland. He is a Rancho Santa Fe resident and former five-year member of the fairgrounds board.
Del Mar and Gaasterland angered him when SANDAG proposed studying three rail realignment routes, including Route A, which tunneled beneath the fairgrounds. The other two routes proposed tunneling beneath Del Mar homes and businesses.
The Fairgrounds and Solana Beach wanted to squash Route A without study. I do not blame either for opposing tunnels near them. That is how Del Mar feels.
The Fairgrounds had a nonbinding arrangement with Del Mar to consider housing on unused acreage. Apparently, it imagined this carrot gave it veto power over rail realignment routes. Lesa Heebner, then SANDAG vice chair and Solana Beach mayor, orchestrated a vote to eliminate Route A without study.
Gelfand apparently expected Del Mar to accept studying only routes tunneling beneath homes. At a public fairgrounds board meeting, he declared the Fairgrounds had been “stabbed in the back” and “betrayed” by Del Mar.
Ultimately, SANDAG eliminated Route A. Happily, in response to community demands, it added the Northern I-5 route, avoiding tunneling and eminent domain on homes and businesses.
The Fairgrounds wants the benefits of rail infrastructure, including a new taxpayer-funded event platform, but none of the burdens.
Using a small portion of underused Fairgrounds land to move rail toward I-5 makes sense. The Fairgrounds could receive compensation, Del Mar would avoid destructive tunneling, and trains would move off the vulnerable bluffs.
The Democratic Party did not endorse Gaasterland. What a surprise.
Gelfand points out that Democrats declined to endorse Gaasterland. He founded and leads the Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club and directed its recent candidates forum in Del Mar. The party went with Gelfand’s picks. What a surprise.
Gaasterland fought industrial fencing on the bluffs
Gaasterland was instrumental in stopping NCTD’s threat to construct massive 6-foot-high hog-wire fencing along the Del Mar bluffs, blocking beach access and obstructing the upper bluff trail.
At her urging, Del Mar hired Washington, D.C., counsel to challenge NCTD. She also created a record supporting litigation by Friends of Del Mar Bluffs, which I represent, and the Coastal Commission.
Without Gaasterland, residents and visitors could be staring at miles of fencing imprisoning the bluffs.
We owe Gaasterland a huge debt of gratitude. She fights for Del Mar.
Protesting SANDAG’s weighted vote
Gelfand criticized Gaasterland for joining representatives of nine cities protesting the weighted vote that overrode SANDAG’s majority decision to elect her vice chair.
AB 805 is deeply flawed legislation that gives larger cities excessive influence over infrastructure decisions affecting smaller communities.
Gaasterland’s protest was an act of courage. This was not a Democrat-versus-Republican issue. Blind partisan voting is detrimental to the city’s interests.
Working with Democrats and Republicans
Gelfand criticizes Gaasterland for sometimes agreeing with Councilmember Dan Quirk and supporting Republican John Duncan for the San Diego Air Pollution Control District board.
I expect council members to vote their conscience, not follow a partisan agenda dictated by party leaders in Rancho Santa Fe.
The investigation card
Gelfand points to an “investigation” concerning Gaasterland’s ownership and disclosure of a short-term rental.
Please, let’s not treat referrals for investigation as determinations. Gaasterland made adequate disclosures during City Council discussions and has explained her actions.
Investigations can arise from political animus, spite or grudges. Gelfand’s reference to an “investigation” is a red herring and a transparent attempt at distraction.
No one asked me to write this rebuttal. I was moved by fairness and personal knowledge of these events. I hope you will vote to re-elect Terry Gaasterland. We need her on the City Council.
Shirli Weiss is a member of Friends of the Del Mar Bluffs. She lives in Del Mar.
