DEL MAR — Councilmember Dwight Worden bid farewell to the Del Mar City Council during his final meeting on Monday as residents, environmental advocates, and current and former local, state and federal officials praised his decades of service to the city.
Worden, 77, is retiring after 10 years on the City Council, with two years as mayor, due to health concerns including a recent stroke. The city will appoint a new council member to complete the remaining two years of his current four-year term.
Mayor Dave Druker presented a resolution of appreciation on Monday with a lengthy list of Worden’s accomplishments. The resolution honored Worden’s “exemplary service” to the city, “stellar leadership, and strong decision-making.”
“I was one of the people who persuaded you to start, to run for council. You’ve been a great colleague, and a worthy adversary. It’s been my pleasure to serve with you for the past eight years, and I really appreciate all your input, your institutional knowledge,” Druker said. “You will be sorely missed by the public.”
Community members commended Worden for being a calm voice of reason on the council, as well as his strong commitment to Del Mar and the environment, and his legal savvy. They also noted his service to the city and region extending back decades earlier, when he was working in law.
Worden’s longtime partner Betty Wheeler highlighted how Worden co-founded the environmental law society as a student at UC San Diego in the 1970s and carried petitions for Proposition 20, the 1972 initiative that led to the creation of the Coastal Act and the California Coastal Commission.
He would go on to serve as Del Mar City Attorney from 1977-83 and then as special counsel to the city for several years. He has been honored for his advocacy for the preservation of the Batiquitos, San Dieguito and San Elijo lagoons.
Worden also served as general counsel to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA) in the 1980s and 1990s, supporting its acquisition of parkland and defending park plans against legal challenges.
He also authored several citizens’ initiatives, including Proposition A, the city of San Diego’s 1985 growth management initiative, and three in Del Mar: the 1988 Measure B, giving the right to vote on downtown developments, the 1988 Measure D Beach Preservation Initiative, and the 2018 Measure P, establishing local control over land use and zoning.
“And now, Dwight, it’s time to enjoy playing music, traveling, spending time with your family … and hanging out on the beach you worked so hard to protect,” Wheeler said.
Among his other well-wishers on Monday were Sen. Toni Atkins, Sen. Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, and San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who shared resolutions honoring his service. Rep. Mike Levin also commended Worden for his legacy.
“Partnering with Dwight has really had a great impact on our entire region, our climate, our environment, and I know that his legacy will last long beyond his service to the city of Del Mar,” Levin said in a video message shared in the council chambers.
Former Del Mar mayor Ellie Haviland thanked Worden for his warmth, humor and “ability to keep things calm and productive,” and former mayor Terry Sinnott instructed him to enjoy retirement.
“Dwight, I think you should retire with a great deal of satisfaction, that you have contributed tremendously, and you should feel very very good about it,” Sinnott said.
Council members Terry Gaasterland and Tracy Martinez also thanked Worden and promised they would still contact him for his expertise from time to time. City Manager Ashley Jones and City Attorney Leslie Devaney thanked him for his leadership and noted that he has always been a very respectful communicator.
Among his proudest accomplishments from his time on the council, Worden has highlighted the city’s Climate Action Plan, the 2018 opening of the new Civic Center, the city’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan, the creation of the Clean Energy Alliance, and working with various regional agencies.
Worden thanked those who spoke at Monday’s meeting and applauded the work of the city manager, city attorney and city staff.
“This has really touched me; I didn’t expect this. I worked hard for Del Mar because I loved it, and I love this town, and it really means a lot to me that all of you bothered to come and say thank you,” Worden said.
