November is Native American Heritage month. Like a tapestry, we weave our past, present, and future together. This month, we honor Native American and Alaska Native communities. Here in Southern California, we must acknowledge the Kumeyaay—San Diego’s First People. On Nov. 21st, the Soaring Eagles of San Diego delivered a powerful dance performance for the City at the 1st Annual Indigenous Heritage Week & Sustainable Design Forum. The Soaring Eagles represent the tribes of Yaqui, Dińe, Crow, and Apache. 
    
    This year, I had the pleasure of voting in favor of the Resolution to support incorporating the Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement in the start of each San Diego City Council meeting. Let’s continue to honor the outstanding contributions of the Kumeyaay Nation.

    On Oct. 30th, I sat down with students at Morse High School for a civic youth engagement Q&A session. I am so proud of the students for their civic engagement and the love and care they have for our community. Shout-out to Morse High School Q&A student moderators Kiarra and Emely. Thank you to Ashley Mendiola of San Diego Organizing Project for empowering students in District 4.

     Don and Karla Peterson have been champions for the Paradise Hills Native Garden. The South Bay couple have been longtime District 4 volunteers. They have been volunteers since the garden’s First Planting Day in 2021. Even during the pandemic, Don and Karla continued to care for the garden when social distancing protocols prohibited large groups from gathering there.

    Don and Karla’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the community. On Nov. 5th, 2024, I proclaimed “Don and Karla Peterson Day” in San Diego. We wish Don and Karla much success on their big move to Sacramento. Also, a special thank you to the Paradise Gardeners Club for their commitment to the Paradise Hills Native Garden in District 4. 

    Fleet Week San Diego wrapped up another successful program from Nov. 1st - Nov. 11th. The annual event celebrates the men and women of the military. San Diego is home to the nation's largest active-duty service members and veterans. It was an honor to fellowship with service members and their families during Fleet Week. It was a pleasure to meet Master Chief Damien A. Brown of USS Germantown. Thank you to all our active-duty service members and veterans for your service and for safeguarding our nation.

    The Paradise Hills Public Library celebrates 60 years of service to the community. On Nov. 9th, the Library hosted a community event to celebrate the anniversary. The event was filled with fun, including a petting zoo outside the building. 
     
   The Library has come a long way. In 1946, it started as a small library located inside Paradise Hills Elementary School. As the Library grew in capacity, community resident Palmer Connor donated a parcel of land along Reo Drive, where the Library now stands 60 years later. Thank you to all the librarians, past and present, at the Paradise Hills Public Library and, of course, the Friends of the Paradise Hills Library for making the Library so special.

    The Broadway Heights Community Council is now 30 years strong. Thomas Vance, a longtime resident of Broadway Heights, currently serves as the Community Council President. On Nov. 9th, I honored the Community Council as they celebrated their Annual Meeting. 

    The Community Council’s crown jewel in civic engagement is the construction of the MLK Promenade. The permanent interactive outdoor exhibit honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many African American social justice icons. The Promenade also features sculptures of District 4 leaders including Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and late Broadway Heights Community Council leaders Robert and Barbara Robinson. 

MLK Promenade is in Broadway Heights along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tiffin Ave.

    Reverend Dennis Ray Anderson is the new Pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. To mark this milestone, I proclaimed Nov. 10th “Reverend Dennis Ray Anderson Day" in the City of San Diego Council District 4. Congratulations to Pastor Anderson as he leads Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church as the 13th Pastor!

    On Nov. 16th, I celebrated Power Up with YOUth on the success of the organization's first-ever voter engagement program during the 2024 election. During the event, I proclaimed Nov. 16th, "Sandra Dryden Day" in the City of San Diego to celebrate her efforts in youth civic engagement for District 4. 

    A special thanks to Clara Carter for organizing a great event and to Sandra Dryden, Henry Anderson III, and Marley Ann for their dedication to youth civic engagement.

    An Emerald Hills family is happy to be inside their newly renovated home. Ms. Elaine Jefferson and her family were hit hard during the Jan. 22nd floods. Their home was damaged when the storm channel along 51st St. flooded. On Nov. 16th, I joined the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) and Rebuilding Together San Diego (RTSD) to celebrate the Jefferson Family as they walked for the first time through their renovated home.

    RTSD and SDAR partnered to help the Jefferson Family rebuild their damaged home. Home improvements included electrical outlet replacements, garage door replacement, interior painting, kitchen cabinets, kitchen counters, kitchen appliances, flooring, and locksmith services. The volunteers also filled the family’s fridge with groceries to help them through the holidays.

    Thank you to RTSD, SDAR, Carpenters Union Local 619, and the Harvey Family Foundation for all their dedication to giving back to families like the Jeffersons. Together, we are building a stronger community in District 4.

    On Nov. 19th, I joined my fellow Councilmembers to honor the “25 Most Remarkable Teens in San Diego.” Five students hailing from District 4 were among the 25 recipients selected in this year’s award ceremony. They are: 

1. Santos Hidalgo Aguero, Gompers Preparatory Academy
2. Ella Aldridge, San Diego School of Creative Performing Arts
3. Arianna Alvarado, Lincoln High School
4. Kristan Laureta, Morse High School
5. Kenia Cruz Solano, Gompers Preparatory Academy

     Since 2004, the Remarkable Teens Awards program has celebrated students aged 13 to 19 across San Diego County in nontraditional categories who have shown the courage to confront and overcome adversity. I am so proud of our District 4 youth. Congratulations to our remarkable teens: Santos, Ella, Arianna, Kristan, and Kenia!

    On Nov. 21st, the Harvey Family Foundation, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, Neighborhood House Association, and the Urban Collaborative Project were honored for their response and recovery efforts after the Jan. 22nd floods in San Diego. These community organizations were among the 52 honorees at the Blue Shield of California 2nd Annual Leading the Way Awards. Congratulations and let’s continue to help those in need.

    On Nov. 23rd, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. held its 67th Annual Black & White Ball. I am grateful to be this year’s recipient of the distinguished “Theophilius Logan Civic Engagement Award.” It was an honor to be among those recognized at the event, including newly elected California State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber.

    Thank you to the San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for this recognition. Let's continue the incredible work we do to uplift and empower our community.

    On Nov. 18th, I issued a formal request to Mayor Todd Gloria to take action during the mid-year budget monitoring process and allocate $5 million of the $22.6 million of additional excess equity identified in the Fiscal Year 2024 Year-End Financial Performance Report to be reserved specifically for the City of San Diego flood-impacted residents in our communities of concern.  

    The Jan. 22nd floods continue to affect residents in the City of San Diego. We must do more as residents work to rebuild their homes and seek resources. Families that continue to live in mold and unsafe conditions is unacceptable. It is crucial to prioritize support for our impacted residents.

     Also on Nov. 18th, I supported a motion to direct City Staff to prioritize citizens impacted by the Jan. 22nd floods. The motion was made when “Item S401 Home Electrification Pilot Program Funded by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)” came to Council. 

    In Feb., the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the City of San Diego nearly $1.2M in EECBG funding. Item S401 provides $949,690 in rebates for electric appliance retrofits at little to no cost for 40 Low-to-Moderate Income households. The adoption of the Item will now prioritize flood-impacted communities. Eligible appliances include heat pump HVAC systems, heat pump water heaters, all-electric cooktops/stoves, electric dryers and, where appropriate, electric paneling and wiring. The City of San Diego's Sustainability and Mobility Department aims to launch the application site in early 2025. 

   The Jan. 22nd floods had a devastating impact on some of our families in District 4. I want to thank my fellow Councilmembers for their unanimous support in adopting Item S401. 

    Infrastructure improvements remain a top priority for my office. On Nov. 12th, I joined my fellow Councilmembers to approve Item S501B titled, “Authorize First Amendment to Contract with Aztec Landscaping for Landscape Maintenance for the Designated Center Medians, Right-of-Way and Areas within the Gas Tax Program.” 

     Essentially, Item S501B will use $3.5M in gas tax revenue to pay for the improvements of street medians and right-of-way sidewalks within the City of San Diego. During the Council meeting, I also noted the importance of notifying developers/owners who are not properly maintaining vegetation in medians and public right-of-ways in District 4, which are deemed not the City's responsibility. My goal remains to enhance the safety and accessibility of streets and sidewalks in District 4.

    Team Foster is at work in District 4! Here’s a lookback report for the first half  of fiscal year 2025:

1. Bay Terraces - 5.17 Tons
2. Encanto - 22.2 Tons
3. Greater Skyline Hills - 69.4 Tons
4. Paradise Hills - 4.83 Tons
5. Valencia Park - 16.43

    That’s 118.03 tons of trash removed from our neighborhoods. This effort requires a dedicated team. Thank you to the Environmental Services Department and the community of District 4 for partnering with us to make this all possible. Together, we are improving our quality of life in District 4.

    Diane Moss is a food justice advocate and co-founder of Project New Village (PNV). You may have seen their colorful truck, People’s Produce Mobile Farmers Market, selling fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables at community events. The PNV team also maintains five community gardens across District 4, including one at Morse High School, where students can learn the art of urban agriculture. She believes urban community gardening will improve people's lives.

    This year, Diane won the Prebys Foundation “Leaders in Belonging” award, which grants recipients $100,000 in funding. This will bring Diane one step closer to constructing The Village, a new food center. The mixed-use facility will offer a grocery store, food vendor stalls, a dining area, and office space rentals. The Village will be located on the same land where PNV’s Mt. Hope Community Garden currently stands.

  Diane says her success is made possible through teamwork. “I am sincerely grateful for my team at Project New Village,” she says. “Thanks to them, I never feel alone in this.” 

 You may be eligible for a free $10 food voucher. For more info visit: projectnewvillage.org

Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Budget and Government Efficiency Committee

Community and Neighborhood Services Committee

Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee

   District 4 is comprised of 18 communities. It includes: Alta Vista, Broadway Heights, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Greater Skyline Hills, Jamacha, Lincoln Park, Lomita Village, Mountain View, North Bay Terraces, O'Farrell, Oak Park, Paradise Hills, Ridgeview, South Bay Terraces, Valencia Park, and Webster. This includes zip codes: 92102, 92105, 92113, 92114, 92115, and 92139.

We are the home of the Black Arts + Culture District.

Councilmember Henry L. Foster III

City of San Diego Council District 4

City Administration Building
202 C Street #10A
San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 236-6644