Politics & Government

Virtual Town Hall Questions for Steve Danon

Danon: "Job-creation is my number-one priority."

Steve Danon is a candidate for San Diego County Supervisor District 3. Here he fields questions from imaginary voters asking about real-life issues.

Patch: I’m 52 and own a greeting card shop, and this economy is still killing me. Why should I vote for you?

Steve Danon: With nearly one-in-ten San Diegans out of work, facilitating job-creation is my number-one priority. We need to restore and revitalize our local economy.  In order to do that, we must create a healthier business environment and promote job-growth in San Diego County. We must cut the red-tape and bureaucracy.  It should not take five to seven years for businesses to get the approvals needed create jobs. With my private sector experience, having founded and built a local business, I know what it takes to help businesses succeed.  I have proposed reforms to the Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU) that would make it easier for businesses to start, expand and stay here. We must work together as a region on this.  I’m honored to have earned the endorsement of the mayors of San Diego, Escondido, Encinitas, and Solana Beach, Father Joe Carroll, former Governor Pete Wilson, deputy sheriffs, local police, The North County Times, U-T san Diego and many others.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: I’m a 37-year-old public school teacher, and every year I fear losing my job. Why should I vote for you?

Danon: The County of San Diego’s role in schools is to provide after-school programs for children. We must provide constructive after-school programs that keep our children off the street and out of trouble. It’s time to go from a service-based economy to a knowledge-based economy by promoting after-school activities that focuses on math, science and technology (out of 34 countries, the United States ranks 17th in science and 25th in math.)

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: I’m 25 and graduated college 14 months ago, but I still can’t find work. Why should I vote for you?

Danon: As I mentioned above, with nearly one-in-ten San Diegans out of work, facilitating job-creation is my number-one priority.  We need to restore and revitalize our local economy.

Patch: I’m 52 and my commute to work is close to an hour. So these gas prices really pinch. Why should I vote for you?

Danon: While the County doesn’t deal with gas prices directly, there is a lot that can be done to assist the development of renewable energy technologies. Reforming the Department of Planning and Land Use, as I mentioned above, would go a long way toward helping companies who want to develop technologies like algae fuel to start and stay in San Diego creating jobs and lessening our dependence on fossil fuels.   

Patch: I’m 90 and can’t leave my house, because I hear police sirens all the time and my neighbors had their car broken into. Why should I vote for you?

Danon: I believe that public safety is a very high priority–from our jails to fire protection. It’ imperative that we support the men and women of law enforcement and ensure they have the tools they need to get the job done. I’m honored to have the endorsement of the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association, San Diegans Against Crime, the San Diego County Probation Officers Association, the San Diego and Escondido Police Officers Associations, and many others.

Our region is extremely prone to wildfires with two major fires in 2003 and 2007. We must do everything we can to protect residents against future disaster. I will work with local and volunteer fire agencies to create a county-wide Regional Fire Fighting Authority. With more than 50 fire districts throughout our region, it is time to consolidate. I am proud to be endorsed by former Fire Chief Mark Muir who lead the effort to consolidate Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe into one fire district. Additionally, the County needs to be more engaged in purchasing fire-fighting equipment to ensure that we are adequately prepared in the event of another fire catastrophe.

Patch: I’m a 48-year-old member of a local taxpayers association. I’ve lost faith in a government that overspends our tax dollars and thinks six-figure pensions are OK. Why should I vote for you?

We need to cut government spending, and in order to do so, I have also proposed the following reforms needed at the county: 

  • Abolishing the Supervisors’ $5 million “slush fund” that’s been abused and used to purchase political patronage.
  • Reforming the pension system starting with the Supervisors’ so taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag.
  • Eliminating the "double-dipping" of thousands of taxpayer dollars of "per diems" from outside organizations and agencies to Supervisors.
  • Eliminating the $12,000 per year "car allowance" Supervisors receive that is added to their pension for retirement benefits.

Also, in order to restore public confidence and trust, I have called for the creation of a regional Ethics Commission to hold elected officials accountable.  Part of this Ethics Commission would be a Whistleblowers Unit for the County’s 16,000 employees to report waste fraud and abuse without the fear of retaliation. This will help ensure that tax dollars are allocated appropriately.

For more information about Steve Danon, you can visit his campaign website.

So how did Steve Danon do? What did you like or dislike about his answers? Tell us in the comments.


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