Response to Mike Bullock
Steve Goetsch
Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner has requested me to post this response to Mike Bullock's critique of the SANDAG vote on RTP 2050.
She will have the honor of the final word:
Mike,
I just went through your email again point by point and really….I am not going to go round and round with you on each point. We agree philosophically but not to the roles of regulatory agencies or your take on what my role ought to be. The fact is that SANDAG does not have any authority over carbon levels of fuel, which is the only way to meet the EO. I cited the source already.
The bottom line is that you are very passionate and I appreciate that. I am also very passionate about the environment and our quality of life and work to represent those values at the Council level and various Board levels. I have chosen to work within the system—a system that is unfortunately populated with climate science doubters, pro-development-at-any-cost proponents and other short-term thinkers. As an Elected official, I am in a position to either make a difference with these people or be completely ignored. For me to be effective, to gain the respect and the ears of those I must work with, I have to make some measured compromises. You on the other hand are a pure idealist, which I have no problem with. Your viewpoint is appreciated and serves a valued role. I, however, work in an environment in which to gain a mile, I have to go an inch at a time. I have no choir to which I get to preach and bat around environmentally progressive ideas. I’m still trying to get them to believe that global warming is a reality!
This is why I wonder, with a Board at SANDAG full of anti-environmentalists, why you continue to attack my integrity and motivations instead of trying to reach the others? I voted “yes” on the RTP. I did so because the plan, while not perfect, presented a step in the right direction with more transit than ever—including more transit in the first decade than we’ve seen in the past—and included in the ultimate motion, promises that I hope you and others will help the Board to keep which will address the backsliding of GHG emission reductions and Vehicle Miles Traveled issues. My choice is to be part of the solution over the next 4 years. I don’t expect you to agree with me on everything and I don’t expect I will agree with you on everything. But I do suggest that we are generally on the same team, and respectfully request that you spend more time on something other than trying to discredit me.
Lesa
Lesa Heebner, Mayor
City of Solana Beach
SANDAG Board member, Executive Committee member and Regional Planning Committee member
Steve Goetsch
Solana Beach, California