Council Member, District 2 — City of Encinitas
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Council Member, District 2 — City of Encinitas
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
About this office
News and links
News
Videos
Learn about the views of candidates for Encinitas City Council Districts 1 and 2 in the November 3, 2020 election. Recorded 9/24/2020
Candidates
Kellie Hinze
- Public safety with a focus on crisis prevention, fire...
- Equitable planning for housing and homelessness.
- Infrastructure upgrades such as rail crossings, new...
Susan K. Turney
- Housing plans that provide more affordable housing...
- Revisit Streetscape; at $25 million per mile it is...
- Public safety: address deferred maintenance on roads,...
My Top 3 Priorities
- Public safety with a focus on crisis prevention, fire preparedness and climate-change readiness.
- Equitable planning for housing and homelessness.
- Infrastructure upgrades such as rail crossings, new trails and transportation options that will improve the quality of life for residents and our small business community.
Experience
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
I am Kellie Shay Hinze, Encinitas Deputy Mayor. I find this role to be one of the most fulfilling and meaningful challenges of my life. I was appointed to this position in January of 2019 and am seeking your vote to keep this position in 2020 to 2024.
Our community faces unprecedented hardships: a pandemic, climate change, local businesses under strain, and on top of it all, an incompetent and heartless national response.
Now, more than ever, we need strong local leadership.
As your Deputy Mayor, I’ve fought for:
Safe, walkable routes to school,
Healthy oceans and beaches,
Strengthening our small business economy,
And ensuring your exceptional quality of life.
I’m a third-generation Encinitas resident and I know how special this town is.
As a Councilmember, I offer a unique mix of experience, a thoughtful leadership style, ability to build consensus on difficult issues, and an intimate understanding of my community.
As a one-time educator with a Masters of Education, I learned how to listen, teach, and to balance a roomful of diverse personalities and backgrounds that helps me navigate public office. Long-standing engagement on key issues such as environmental protection, mobility, economic development and civic engagement, and my demonstrated ability to listen, learn and lead are crucial on the council as Encinitas faces some of our most challenging times.
As a daughter of a celebrated Encinitas teacher who is living with physical disabilities, I work daily to improve the city’s resources and infrastructure that restrict citizens like my mother’s freedom, safety and accessibility to sidewalks, beaches, trails, streets, parks and to our small businesses.
As a demonstrated young leader and organizer within our community, I will continue to motivate younger citizens to share their voice and become more active in civic participation. I am a proficient speaker of Spanish and believe my participation on the council contributes to building stronger communities with people of all backgrounds, languages, and cultures.
My experience in community development was established from six years in leadership at Leucadia Main Street, a nonprofit that occupies a proactive, respected and instrumental role within our community. I built trust and earned confidence from the businesses the Main Street organization represents, the stakeholders we collaborate with and the community members who are my neighbors, colleagues and friends. Working to advance our shared goals, I have gained broad-based support and the skills necessary to be successful as a decision-maker for my City.
I am be running for office with a demonstrated record of service in the role. It is evident to my colleagues and the community that I am equipped with deep insight into the sensitivities of working with the public, the diplomatic skills required of a public servant and the ability to accomplish our goals in a timely and cost-effective manner. I am uniquely qualified to ensure continuity and outstanding representation of our core values within a very nuanced and participatory community.
I’m proud to have earned the endorsements of:
- Congressperson Mike Levin
- Assemblymember Tasha Boerner-Horvath
- Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear
- Encinitas Councilmember Jody Hubbard
- Encinitas Councilmember Tony Kranz
- Encinitas Councilmember Joe Mosca
- EUSD Board Member Marla Strich
- EUSD Board Member Rimga Viskanta
- EUSD Board Member Emily Andrade
- Encinitas Firefighters Association
- San Diego County Democratic Party
- Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club
- Sierra Club
- League of Conservation Voters
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest
- Climate Defenders Action Fund
- San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
- Former Encinitas Mayor Teresa Barth
- Former Encinitas Councilmember Lisa Shaffer
Encinitas is unlike anywhere else on Earth and its bright future is intertwined with a treasured past, a healthy natural environment and a forward-thinking citizenry with a vision for the future.
I would be honored earn your vote on or before November 3rd. Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Please visit Kellie4Encinitas.com to learn more about my values or to be in touch with me.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Encinitas Firefighters Association
- Sierra Club California
- San Diego County Democratic Party
Organizations (5)
- Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club
- Climate Defenders Action Fund
- San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
- California League of Conservation Voters
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest
Elected Officials (3)
- Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear
- Congressperson Mike Levin
- Assemblymember Tasha Boerner-Horvath
Individuals (2)
- Former Encinitas Councilmember Lisa Shaffer
- Former Encinitas Mayor Teresa Barth
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of California and Elect Justice CA (2)
The city council has not created such a plan yet. However, I believe that it’s important that we
keep an open line of communication with all residents of our community on all critical issues,
including our justice system. Through roundtable discussions with residents who are equity and
justice advocates and other stakeholders, we can work together toward effective and equitable
solutions for Encinitas.
The City Council has worked hard to keep our community safe during this difficult time. I’m
proud to say that despite many challenges, including the influx of visitors to our beaches this
summer, Encinitas has had the 3rd or 4th lowest case count of COVID-19 among the 18 cities in
San Diego County.
The state’s decision to allow for early releases was made out of concern for the health and
safety of California’s incarcerated population and staff. More than 2,300 prisoners have tested
positive for COVID-19 and at least 31 have died from illnesses related to the virus. California is
reducing the incarcerated population at eight state prisons to a level that is low enough to
allow for social distancing among those who remain.
The prisoners who have been released have been incarcerated for nonviolent crimes and have
180 days or less left to serve on their sentences. A second group who could be released would
have no more than one year left to serve and the same eligibility rules would apply. Prison
officials have said they will prioritize those who are 30 or older.
Encinitas has many resources to assist members of our community that will be available for
those who may be making such a reentry. For example, those who might be vulnerable to
homelessness can seek help through Opening Doors, a program that pairs individuals with
housing navigators who can assist them in finding permanent housing. And for those already on
the streets, the Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment (HOPE) has teamed with social
workers with sheriff’s deputies from the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving
(COPPS) unit to connect those individuals with the same resources. Those programs were in
place before the pandemic began. At the onset of the crisis here, Encinitas’ city council moved
quickly to also obtain hotel rooms for homeless residents.
The council’s commitment to our most vulnerable residents during this challenging time has
been an essential part of our efforts to ensure the well-being of our community.
Questions from League of Women Voters San Diego (3)
The three biggest challenges facing this region in 2020 are:1) pandemic and the economic challenges associated with COVID, 2) climate change and the property damages and public safety impacts it will create, and lastly, 3) the failure and incompetence of our national leadership that’s given rise to acceptance of misinformation and extreme division within communities.
1)In the economic stress of a pandemic and failing job market, and you have a recipe for historic levels of hardship. Regardless of a residents’ income level, they deserve to be treated as a part of this community with dignity and compassion. As elected officials, I believe it's our job to create policies that allow for communities that are more inclusive. That paves the path for more diversity, which enriches all communities.
There is no doubt that we have some big challenges ahead. Getting through these challenges will demand city leadership that is tenacious, visionary and unifying. Thankfully, we have in place right now. I believe it’s more important than ever that we keep our city’s leadership going strong and charging forward. We cannot afford to be derailed at a time when so much is on the line.
2) As I write this, The eerie orange haze has finally cleared here in Encinitas. But what remains is the devastation across our beautiful state.
My heart breaks for the loss of lives, homes, entire communities and wildlife. I anticipate that even as you read this, thousands of fire fighters are risking their lives to contain the flames, battling in treacherous conditions. I am thankful for their bravery and service.
I also feel a renewed sense of urgency. Climate change is quite literally outside our front door. We must do more to protect our environment, and we must do it now.
That’s why I’m fiercely committed to policies that fight climate change. As your Deputy Mayor, I’m proud that my voting record reflects that. I’m honored to be part of a City Council that’s already investing in infrastructure for safe, emission-free travel, renewable household energy and safeguarding our neighborhoods from heavy floods, drought and fire danger.
I believe we need elected leaders who acknowledge that climate change is happening right now, and are prepared to fight it with bold, progressive policies. These hellish, historic wildfires have galvanized my resolve to that. And I hope this crisis has crystallized just how critical it is you vote wisely this November.
3) Our community faces unprecedented hardships: a pandemic, climate change, local businesses under strain, and to exacerbate it all, an incompetent and heartless national response that fuels division in communities at a time when we need to be working together more than ever.
Encinitas deserves strong, trusted leadership. Despite the toxicity of national politics seeping into local elections, I believe in the collaborative spirit of Encinitas residents to overcome the challenges we face together if we elected leaders who demonstrate integrity and respect for diversity of opinion.
Homelessness begins at home.
There’s this notion that our homeless population has migrated here from some other place. That’s simply not an accurate picture.
In fact, according to a recent news article by Calmatters, “surveys indicate people living on the streets are typically from the surrounding neighborhood.” For example, in San Francisco 70% of the homeless population were once housed there. In Los Angeles, the same is true for three-quarters of the homeless population there.
When we talk about homelessness in Encinitas, we’re often talking about locals who have lost their homes here. Understanding that is the first step to understanding this local issue.
Furthermore, this local issue demands local solutions. We must provide resources right here in Encinitas, where we see the homelessness happening. Turning a blind eye will only allow the problem to worsen.
Sadly, we can also expect an uptick in homelessness. Between the pandemic and economic calamity, there’s tremendous suffering — and hard times will likely only get harder for those who are experiencing homelessness, or close to it.
We need to be prepared. And we need to be realistic. Though our city is idyllic in many ways, we are by no means immune from the ripple effects of the bigger world. As we live through this historic period of hardship, we need to be cognizant of our most vulnerable population, the unsheltered individuals, families and children who share this community with us.
I’m proud to be part of a City Council who responded to community concerns of rising homelessness with an action plan that clearly outlines our challenges, giving experts the clear picture they need to recommend solutions. We expect actionable solutions to come soon. When they do, we will need the community’s support.
I’m also proud of the progress that has already been made. For example: HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment ), which is a program that enables law enforcement and a social worker to help homeless people get back into housing. I plant to continue leveraging state and county resources to amplify the social-services support we can offer our unsheltered residents.
We often hear that residents fear that homeless people will drive crime rates higher. I want to take a moment to underscore what a remarkably safe city Encinitas is. In fact, Encinitas was just ranked the 29th saftest city in the entire state of California, according to data from Safewise (a security product review site). This success is a testament to our local leadership, and yet another indicator that we need to keep that in place.
Even so, our law enforcement lets us know that they need more support to better handle the mental health challenges they encounter when dealing with the homeless population. Fortunately, thanks to Supervisor Fetcher’s leadership at the County level, we will see increased funding for mental health mobile crisis response.
My hope is that as a city we can do more to prevent crises.
Videos (1)
I’m Kellie Hinze, Deputy Mayor of Encinitas. Our community faces unprecedented hardships: a pandemic, climate change, local businesses under strain, and on top of it all, an incompetent and heartless national response. Now, more than ever, we need strong local leadership. As your Deputy Mayor, I’ve fought for:
Safe, walkable routes to school,
Healthy oceans and beaches,
Strengthening our small business economy,
And ensuring your exceptional quality of life.
I’m a third-generation Encinitas resident and I know how special this town is. My mom, a former elementary school teacher at Paul Ecke Central, taught me that with resilience, compassion, and a vision for our future, we can overcome any challenge.
I’ll never stop fighting for Encinitas - and I’ll never stop fighting for you.
I’d be honored to earn your vote on or before November 3rd.
My Top 3 Priorities
- Housing plans that provide more affordable housing with lower impact to the city's traffic and infrastructure. Preserve our Prop A Right to Vote on projects to retain local control.
- Revisit Streetscape; at $25 million per mile it is too expensive, will worsen emergency response times, and will put cyclists and pedestrians at risk.
- Public safety: address deferred maintenance on roads, general infrastructure, and failing drainage that contributes to ocean and lagoon pollution.
Experience
Biography
As a 20-year resident of beautiful Encinitas, I started tackling issues long before deciding to run for City Council. In 2013, I led the successful Proposition A Right to Vote campaign, which gave residents a voice in how their city grows. I have worked diligently to protect that right.
My professional background ranges from corporate management positions to running a small business. At Hewlett-Packard, I worked in financial analysis, sales enablement and communications; at Illumina, I oversaw changes in management communications. I hold degrees in English and Business Administration.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
My position has always been that residents must come first.
I oppose the increasing influence of outside interests and consistent bowing to the building industry and state authorities by the city council. Residents and their neighborhoods should come first.
Encinitas must push back on state housing policies that strip us of local control. Developer wish-lists don’t belong in housing plans. Resident input does. As dictated by Prop. A, Encinitas must be honest with voters and trust them to pass the plans that are acceptable to the state, but also devoid of developer giveaways.
I will never take legal action against residents to silence their Prop A Right to Vote on Encinitas growth. Prop A is a California constitutionally-protected right and the current lawsuit by the city seeks to invalidate our 2013 vote to approve.
As a contributing member of Livable California, a statewide coalition of cities, I help to successfully push back on state laws that would remove our local control. As a resident, I'm already working with this group of elected city leaders from across the state to find housing solutions that comply with local land use policies. We challenge any bills that remove local control.
I believe in truly transparent governance. Closed-session meetings at which decisions are made that affect residents - when not required to so by law - are unacceptable. I will not go into a council meeting with a predetermined opinion, but rather will hear the information for the first time as the public does. For these reasons, I would propose a Sunshine Ordinance to bring greater oversight to our processes, record retention policies, and for greater council member accountability.
I would address issues of public safety to prioritize fixing decayed and substandard infrastructure (drainage in Leucadia, major deferred sewer maintenance between Olivenhain and Cardiff, as examples). I will listen to expert residents and not support "improvements" such as the 21-accident cycle track in south Cardiff. Cyclists there have been sent to the hospital with injuries and at least one lawsuit has been filed, with more pending. Streetscape is not supported by cycling advocates as they anticipate safety issues with the lane reduction that forces bicycles and cars to merge quickly into single-lane roundabouts. Perhaps worst of all, Streetscape is expected to slow emergency vehicle response times. No project is worth those threats to public health and safety.
True environmentalism means not approving projects that cause illegal runoff, pump untreated water onto our beaches, allow untreated sewer pollution to seep into the San Elio Lagoon, or increase greenhouse gas emissions from idling cars send untreated water into the Batiquitos Lagoon as will happen with Streetscape.