South County politics watchers have talked quietly for weeks about a behind-the-scenes feud between Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas.
Earlier this month, the feud burst into the open when the Imperial Beach Democratic Club—helmed by none other than Aguirre—took the extraordinary step of rescinding its endorsement of Vargas in her re-election race against Republican Alejandro Galicia.
The Oct. 3 vote “stemmed from what the club felt was [Vargas’] lack of concern and care for the residents of Imperial Beach, as was evidenced by some of her recent comments and policy decisions,” said Sandy Brillhart, communications director for the club.
Chief among the club’s complaints: Haphazard distribution of county-provided air purifiers to local households earlier this year; confusing messages from Vargas’ office about local air quality; and Vargas’ recent vote to spend $500,000 of county money on plans for a “Gateway to the Californias” sports and recreation complex near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The border park plan, which Aguirre spoke against at the June 5 Board of Supervisors meeting, “is a great idea, but there are a lot more pressing needs,” Brillhart said. Vargas’ “actions really showed a disregard and disrespect for Imperial Beach residents.”
A Vargas spokesperson directed questions about the endorsement vote to her campaign chair, who didn’t respond to a request for comment. Aguirre is traveling in Mexico and her assistant similarly did not respond to questions.
What’s really going on? Rumors about a frosty relationship between the two high-profile politicians have circulated for months. Theories for the rift range from competition for the spotlight to genuine policy differences.
Since being elected mayor in 2022, Aguirre has voiced non-stop alarm about the sewage crisis and worked to build bipartisan support for immediate action. Vargas has taken a more measured approach, securing funding for air purifiers and a public health study but also downplaying local air quality concerns and slow-walking efforts to designate the Tijuana River Valley as a federal environmental superfund site.
Vargas’ perceived lack of urgency has cost her local support. “I’ve been speaking to some very loyal Democrats [in Imperial Beach] who are upset” with Vargas, Galicia said. “They’re tired of waiting for her to do something.”
What do you think? Readers, send me your best guesses and/or tips about this issue. More than political gossip is at stake. The sewage crisis is one of the most important issues facing South County. Disagreement between two powerful local officials could hinder the government’s response. You can reach me at jim.hinch@voiceofsandiego.org.
The Heat Is on in Coronado Too
Imperial Beach isn’t the only South County city where politics is getting personal. I spent much of last week reporting a story about how recent changes in Coronado’s political makeup are raising the intensity—and lowering the tone—of this year’s city council election.
The story ran Monday and you can read it here. Coronado is fondly nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea.” This year’s election has none of the heartwarming charm of a classic small town.
Candidates are accusing each other of personal attacks, filing legal complaints about underhanded tactics and fielding meanspirited comments on social media. “There’s a lot of partisan politics that has weighed into our local community,” council candidate Mark Fleming told me last week.
A political scientist I talked to told me that communities often become sharply polarized in times of rapid political change. Ten years ago, voter registration was two to one in favor of Republicans in Coronado. This year, Democrats have almost pulled even. Though candidates in this year’s election agree on many policy issues, control of both the city council and mayor’s office is at stake.
It’s All About the Money
Big money is pouring into South County political races as Election Day nears. One example I’ll be looking at more closely as I report this week: An Imperial Beach-based political action committee called Protect Our Quality of Life PAC, which has raised close to $220,000 as of Sept. 21, mostly from the real estate industry.
The PAC has spent that money on races around the county, including roughly $23,000 in the race between Cesar Fernandez and Rudy Ramirez to represent Chula Vista city council district four. The group supports Ramirez and paid for an attack website against Fernandez.
Why is the California real estate industry and donors from as far away as Redwood City in northern California wading into a local city council race? The answer to that and other money-related political questions will be my reporting focus this week. Send me your tips and ideas!
Cross-Border Education Expands
College opportunities in South County are crossing the border. On Monday, education leaders from San Diego and Mexico gathered at Southwestern College in Chula Vista to sign a historic memorandum of understanding that allows students on both sides of the border to attend college in one another’s countries at discounted rates.
Under terms of the agreement, Mexican students living within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border are eligible to attend community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties at in-state tuition rates. U.S. students can do the same at public colleges in Baja California. Already, more than 90 Mexican students are enrolled and paying in-state tuition at Southwestern College, a school spokesperson said.
The program, authorized by state legislation signed earlier this year, is intended to expand the pool of skilled labor in an economically growing and interdependent region. “This initiative breaks down financial barriers and allows students to access higher education that is essential for the workforce demands of the Cali-Baja region,” said Southwestern College President Mark Sanchez.
In Other News
The number of people injured while trying to scale the border wall between the United States. and Mexico rose sharply this year, according to new data from UC San Diego Health and Scripps Mercy hospital groups. The hospitals, which have been tracking injuries at the wall for the past six years, reported 993 injuries so far this year, compared to 629 for all of last year. (10News)
South County residents unable to participate in last week’s Centers for Disease Control study of health impacts from the Tijuana River sewage crisis can still share their experience with federal researchers. This week, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry launched an online survey to measure how many people have been exposed to contaminants in the region, what symptoms they’re experiencing and what treatment they need. The survey will be conducted through Nov. 22. (Union-Tribune)
National City officials took a victory lap last week as local news cameras arrived to record the city’s implementation of its new homeless encampment ban. Fox5 aired a glowing report about the San Diego Rescue Mission’s recently opened South County Lighthouse, a 30-day shelter with 162 beds. Sporting a suit and an American flag tie, Mayor Ron Morrison told viewers the shelter has room for every homeless person recently counted in his city. Advocates for the homeless counter that temporary shelters are a band-aid, not a solution to an ongoing problem.
I just discovered you. Long time C.V. resident and follow local politics. Use to be Independent , by registered as Dem. several years ago so I could give SDDCC hell for not supporting Jill Galvez for mayor. Vargas is slow walking TJ sewage issue, not her first slow walk.