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A Message from Stephen

Dear Neighbor,

As you may be aware, I recently voted “no” on a proposed water rate hike. As the city council’s representative to the San Diego County Water Authority, I am fighting excessive increases because they are unfair to residents. We are being penalized for using less water, and I won’t stand for it.

For years, San Diegans have been asked to conserve water, and we have done so. As a result, however, the Water Authority now sells less water to local municipalities including the City of San Diego. To balance its budget, the Water Authority’s solution is to charge more for the reduced amount of water it sells. While I understand the agency’s predicament, I cannot support that approach.

Placing an undue burden on residents who have acted responsibly by conserving water is not the right solution. Too many San Diegans are struggling to pay the bills. That includes retirees who are living on fixed incomes and many people who have recently entered the workforce. Moreover, the message being sent by such rate increases is counterproductive. It discourages conservation efforts and undermines the trust residents have placed in us to manage our resources wisely.

The Water Authority must explore alternative solutions to its financial challenges. This includes cutting costs, improving operational efficiencies, and exploring other revenue streams. The Water Authority’s staff is currently looking for opportunities to sell its excess water supply to other water agencies in Southern California. I support this effort.

We must lead the effort to secure state and federal support in addressing water management issues. Collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders is crucial to developing innovative solutions that benefit ratepayers. Our residents should not be on the hook for the unintended consequences of conservation.

I will continue fighting to protect your hard-earned dollars by opposing misguided water rate hikes.

Yours in service,

Stephen

District 3 Back to School Drive

My back-to-school drive is dedicated to providing children and teachers in our community with the essential supplies and resources they need to begin the academic year with confidence and enthusiasm, regardless of financial status. This drive will benefit all K-12 public schools in District 3. For more information on the schools involved in this drive and where to donate school supplies, please visit my website.

"A" Grade for Councilmember Stephen Whitburn

Pride Month in the City of San Diego

In July, I was honored to join my City Council colleagues in celebrating Pride Month! As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I love the diversity and welcoming spirit in District 3. It was great to see big crowds again this year for the Pride Parade and Festival.

It was great to see so many residents at community events in July. I appreciated our conversations about how we can keep improving our neighborhoods. Below are highlights of some of those July events.

250 Miles of Road Repairs in FY24

In my role as Chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, one of my top priorities is to pave our roads. I am pleased to report that the city improved 250 miles of streets over the past year and will pave even more in the year to come.

District 3 Community Team with Councilmember Whitburn

Annual 4th of July festivities in Mission Hills

A huge thank you to the Mission Hills Town Council for their dedication and hard work in organizing the Annual 4th of July festivities in Pioneer Park.

This District 3 tradition has become a staple of our community's patriotic celebrations, bringing our neighborhoods closer together.

4th of July festivities in Burlingame

The 4th of July festivities continued in Burlingame, as residents celebrated with a bike ride across the neighborhood. Thank you to the organizers and residents who put on this wonderful patriotic and family friendly tradition!

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn with residents in Burlingame

Summer Movies in the Park

Summer Movies in the Park was a wonderful opportunity to get together and watch a movie in the beauty of our city parks. A big thank you to our Parks and Rec Department for hosting this wonderful community event!

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn at South Park Dayside Walk

Downtown Street Cleanup

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Downtown Street Clean-Up! A special thanks to the Downtown San Diego Partnership and I Love a Clean San Diego for organizing the effort. Cleanups are a great way to meet people, have fun, and take pride in our neighborhoods.

2024 San Diego Pride Parade

The District 3 team and I were proud to walk in this year's San Diego Pride Parade. As the Councilmember representing Hillcrest, I am honored to host thousands of attendees from all over San Diego and the world who come to celebrate our city's LGBTQ+ community.

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn with members of UFCW Local 135

Welcoming Comic-Con Attendees

In my role as Chair of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, it was great to invite Comic-Con attendees to use our region's transit system to get to the Convention Center safely. This year marked the return of a full Comic- Con event after the COVID-19 pandemic and last year's SAG-AFTRA strike had limited a full convention, and the City of San Diego and MTS were ready to accommodate hundreds of thousands of attendees.

Councilmember Whitburn with fellow councilmembers at Philippine Day Celebration

Ribbon Cutting of the Pershing Bikeway

Partnerships with local leaders and agencies, such as SANDAG, BikeSD, San Diego Safe Streets and the City of San Diego go a long way for projects like the Pershing Drive Bikeway.

The project will turn Pershing Drive into a "low-stress" street, enhancing convenience and comfort for those biking, walking, rolling, and driving.

The Pershing Bikeway will improve access to Balboa Park and serve as a vital regional link for travelers in the area.

Other Highlights

Mayor Gloria signing the FY25 Budget with city leaders at his side

Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment

Thank you to the Hillcrest residents who participated in the two dozen public meetings and provided over 1,600 written comments regarding this new plan for our historic neighborhood. Your input helped shape a new vision for Hillcrest that values affordable housing, supports local small businesses and celebrates our proud LGBTQ+ community.

Bridge to Home Initiative

I joined my city council colleagues and city officials as we celebrated the announcement of the 4th round of the city’s Bridge to Home Initiative by Mayor Todd Gloria. This initiative is a vital part of our continued effort to address the pressing need for affordable housing across San Diego. By expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable homes, we are taking significant steps towards ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to thrive in our vibrant community. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive San Diego for everyone.

Increasing the Number of Detox Beds in San Diego

Thank you to Councilmember Raul Campillo and Deacon Jim Vargas for highlighting our city's need for more detox and shelter beds. The addition of 45 new detox beds will provide life changing support for those seeking help in our city and increase our efforts to provide support services to those in need.

Hillcrest in District 3.

Upcoming Events in District 3

Our District is the perfect place for entertainment, dining, and sightseeing! Check out all of the upcoming events and get to know all that District 3 has to offer:

Twilight in the Park Concert Series: June 18-August 29 (select dates) at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Giant Pandas Exhibit returns to San Diego: Starting August 8 at the San Diego Zoo.
Hillcrest City Fest: Sunday, August 11, 2024, 12 pm - 11 pm in Hillcrest

In the News

Throughout the month of July, I had the opportunity to appear on local news outlets to speak on important topics such as our Back to School Drive, Balboa Park, San Diego's Shelter Crisis, and Pride Month.