San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo here: happy Friday!

Welcome to this week's Raul Roundup, your go-to source for the latest news, updates, and insights from our community and City Hall. Here’s what’s been going on this week:

Get to Know Your Rep: Vic

Vic Vettiyil is my Director of Community Engagement and serves Tierrasanta. He has been with my team since day one and is as dedicated as they come to serving our constituents. Read on for a Q&A about Vic, his professional background, and his time in the District 7 office.

Where are you from?
I grew up a little south of Tucson, AZ, and moved to San Diego in 2012 to attend UC San Diego.

What’s your professional background?
I earned my B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral and Social Sciences. After graduating in 2016, I worked at an exercise physiology lab for a couple of years, where I developed a passion for canvassing and working for political candidates on weekends.

This led me to my first campaign role working for Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, followed by a position as an organizer for Congressman Mike Levin in 2018. After that election cycle, I briefly worked for Senator Elizabeth Warren on her 2020 presidential campaign but moved back to San Diego to serve as Field Director for Congressman Levin’s re-election. At that time, I also enrolled at the University of Arizona to complete my Master’s in Public Health via their remote program.

Since then, I have worked in community organizing on various campaigns until joining Councilmember Campillo’s team in 2020.

What does a normal day on the job look like for you?
A typical day involves responding to Tierrasanta residents who have concerns about their neighborhood and connecting them with City staff. I also oversee the Community Information Letter program, which informs residents about local issues and events. Additionally, I manage proclamations and commendations for the Councilmember, work on policies related to libraries and parks, and oversee the intern program to ensure a meaningful experience for those interested in civic service.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Identifying individuals for proclamations and seeing the pride and joy of their families when they are recognized.

What’s your proudest accomplishment as a community representative?
A Tierrasanta resident who uses a walker was struggling to navigate a cracked sidewalk outside their garage, making daily walks difficult. Our office worked with City staff to fill and grade the cracks, allowing them to safely get in and out of their home again. Small fixes like this can make a big difference in someone’s daily life.

What do you like to do outside of work?
My partner jokes that I’m always at one of three places: at a concert, at a movie, or doing something sports-related. I attend a lot of concerts—last year I went to 52 shows. If I’m not at a concert, I’m probably at a movie, watching the Padres and San Diego FC, golfing at Mission Bay, or taking long walks in Ocean Beach with my partner Beryl and our dog and cat.

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Woman of Distinction: Haydee Ramirez

This week, City Council and the Mayor recognized nine women for their outstanding contributions to their local communities and the broader San Diego region.

District 7’s honoree, Haydee Ramirez, is the Director of Programs at the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, a dedicated mother and wife, and a regional champion of trustworthy, quality childcare. With over 15 years of non-profit experience, Haydee has transformed programming in San Diego, participated in the capital campaign to build the Armed Services YMCA San Diego’s new Center for Military Excellence, and has led a national effort to improve childcare to enrich and better military families’ lives.

Thank you, Haydee, for sharing your expertise and passion with San Diego!

Day in the Life: An Open Space Park Ranger

Loved this video from the City of San Diego’s Comms Department about a ‘day in the life’ of Open Space Park Ranger Monica Graves, who you may have seen out in Tecolote Canyon, among other places! Our greatest asset as a City is our people; City workers like Monica Graves, who work diligently day in, day out to serve the public should truly be celebrated and honored. Check the video out and let me know what you think!

The Negative Impact of President Trump’s Trade War in Action: Illumina

The economic fallout from President Trump’s escalating trade war is hitting San Diego businesses hard—including one of our city’s most innovative companies. Illumina, a world leader in gene sequencing, is now being forced to cut $100 million in costs after China imposed an import ban on its technology in response to Trump’s tariffs.

Illumina, which I recently toured (see photo below), employs thousands of San Diegans and is a major driver of our local biotech economy. The company will now have to figure out how to cut costs as it navigates these politically-driven trade restrictions.

Stories like these are exactly why I am standing up against these tariffs. San Diego’s economy relies on international trade, and these reckless policies are putting jobs, innovation, and livelihoods at risk.

Keep an eye out for more news from my office on this next week.

Linda Vista Multicultural Fair Coming Up!

It’s nearly that time of year… the Linda Vista Multicultural Fair is just around the corner! To help promote the event and get folks excited, I recorded a little video where my Communications Director Crane asked me some rapid fire questions about food, as the theme of this year’s event is ‘Food From the Heart,’ and the fair. Watch the video here or read on for my answers:

What is your favorite cuisine?
I’m partial to Mexican food. But if I had to pick something outside of my family tradition, I’d have to go with Japanese food for sure.

When you and Nadia are tired and just want to order something easy, what’s your go-to restaurant?
Is it shameful to say In-N-Out down the street on Mission Gorge and Friars Road? No, actually, we love going to Rubio’s for fish tacos. And if we’re looking for something really quick, we like Jersey Mike’s!

What is your favorite Linda Vista restaurant?
My favorite Linda Vista restaurant? Well, Sab-E-Lee, rest in peace—I loved Sab-E-Lee. But if I’m picking something that’s still around, it’s actually a donut shop: Rose Donuts down the hill. That’s where it’s at.

What’s your favorite thing about the Linda Vista Multicultural Fair?
Seeing all of the young people performing, hosting booths, getting involved, enjoying the rides, and hanging out at the park. It really brings young people to the forefront and highlights their contributions to the community—especially through the dancing and music.

Any final thoughts to get folks excited about the fair this year?

Wear sunscreen—it’s going to be hot! And come by our booth to talk to us about what’s happening at City Hall. We love answering questions, whether it’s about road repairs in Linda Vista or anything else. We’re here to serve you, so stop by and say hi!