A Collaborative Approach to Ensure a Family-Friendly, Safe, and Clean Imperial Beach — Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre

The Finest City

Jen welcomes Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre. Mayor Aguirre earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD and spent 10 years working for Wildcoast. She talks about her advocacy in the fight against sewage pollution and towards building a better present and future for Imperial Beach residents. Mayor Aguirre talks about the current environmental issues facing the city and the efforts to upgrade wastewater treatment plants. She also highlights the city’s priorities around housing, homelessness, and supporting local businesses.

Timestamps:

[2:08] Mayor Aguirre joins the show and shares her career journey to becoming the Mayor of Imperial Beach.

[2:19] Mayor Aguirre is the first Latina Mayor of Imperial Beach and the first Latina on the council.

[3:04] The sewage crisis in Imperial Beach.

[4:06] Why it’s important for the replacement of the failing Punta Bandera treatment plant for not only Northern Baja but also for Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Coronado, and surrounding areas.

[7:47] Finding the plant is in a severe state of disrepair and needing to invest even more than the original $300 million into the infrastructure.

[8:53] The collaborative and collective effort to upgrade the treatment plants.

[11:46] Mayor Aguirre’s background in Mexico helps her understand the cultural nuances that exist when working with our counterparts in Mexico.

[13:48] What will happen when treatment plants are upgraded and Imperial Beach enjoys tourism opportunities, but also the pressure of gentrification?

[16:16] Working to help the unsheltered population.

[17:00] The double-edged sword of speaking about Imperial Beach’s sewage crisis.

[17:55] The need to uplift local businesses.

[20:58] Mayor Aguirre looks forward to showing the beauty and diversity of Imperial Beach during the World Design Capital.

[22:58] If you haven’t been to Imperial Beach in a while, check out the new breweries and beautiful bike paths!

About C-3

Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

Paloma Aguirre

Quotes:

• “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that not just the community of Imperial Beach, but the entire South San Diego community has what everybody else has in this state and nation and takes for granted. That is clean air, clean water, and a clean environment.” — Mayor Aguirre [10:46]

• “Having been raised during my formative years in Mexico, I understand the cultural nuances when working with our counterparts in Mexico.” — Mayor Aguirre [11:04]

• “I think it’s incredibly important to make sure that we attract new businesses, new developers, new investments, but also that we keep people housed here in Imperial Beach.” — Mayor Aguirre [14:23]

• “We need to make sure that we uplift our local mom-and-pop shops and small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.” — Mayor Aguirre [17:55]

• “We are such a unique city. We are culturally diverse and sorry to the rest of the cities, but one of the most beautiful regions rich in natural resources.” — Mayor Aguirre [20:58]

• “IB is awesome.” — Mayor Aguirre [22:37]