Column: Community, elected leaders think big when it comes to resolutions
By: Diane Bell

As we start the first full week of 2010, here’s how some local leaders are resolving to make San Diego County a better place to live.

Dan McAllister, county treasurer/tax collector: We’re working on increasing property tax payment options. Perhaps taxpayers could pay in one lump sum and get a discount or spread payments over 12 months for a slight fee. In the past three months, my office has sent out 10,800 refunds totaling $6.9 million to people who overpaid their property taxes. In the first three months of 2010, we expect we’ll send out 8,000 more totaling $6.5 million.

Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT: CONNECT will open the first-ever Washington, D.C., office to advocate for innovators, startup technology companies and entrepreneurship. Our San Diego innovation economy depends on the transfer of research discoveries from our 50 institutes into commercial products. Washington needs to hear about our policy needs.

Jerry Sanders, San Diego mayor: I resolve to encourage economic growth and job creation. In particular, we’ll continue efforts to grow the clean-technology industry, which is going strong and creating well-paying jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities despite the national recession. We are nourishing this growth through good land-use and economic-development policy and also by lobbying for state and federal grants and regulations that promote industry growth.

Tony Haymet, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography: California’s continued leadership in business-oriented solutions to global warming, and the international perception of our leadership, will be great for our San Diego clean-tech businesses.

Karen Hewitt, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California: In 2010, we resolve to protect San Diego by eradicating the scourge of Mexican drug cartels. We shall not tolerate the violence committed by these criminal organizations. … We will expand our focus on economic crimes to protect our community’s financial security.

Stephen Cushman, San Diego Port Commission president: I have two goals. One is putting a shovel in the ground on the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. The $28 million plan goes before the Coastal Commission in February, and then, hopefully, we can finally proceed after 12 years. Equally, I will concentrate on trying to help Lane Field hotel developers acquire financing so that project can move forward.

Ben Hueso, San Diego City Council president: We need to solve our water-supply issues permanently. I will continue to support our city’s indirect potable water reuse demonstration project, the construction of a desalination plant in Carlsbad, regional conservation efforts and other practical options. I also will continue to advocate for the Tijuana River Valley, a delicate ecosystem that suffers every time winter rains bring trash across the border from Mexico.

Julie Meier Wright, CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.: The San Diego mayor has reached out to the business community for out-of-the-box ideas. But, even if we are not asked, my goal is to further increase the role of business leaders in important policy and fiscal issues, bringing their brainpower and dedication to making our region all that it can be.

Todd Gloria, San Diego City Council member: A strong public transit system is a necessity for the long-term viability of San Diego. I will fight proposed cuts to service and work to secure new funding streams.

Herb Johnson, CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission: We plan to provide innovative services: A recuperative care unit that treats homeless clients for a fraction of the cost of hospitalization opened last June and is the first of its kind in the county. We hope to co-develop supportive housing with an emphasis on counseling and case management.

Marty Block, District 78 assemblyman: A few months ago, San Diego State University, in secret, chose to curtail educational opportunity for local students (by revising acceptance criteria for local students). I resolve to shed light on such “behind closed doors” decisions and to expand access to quality, affordable higher education for all San Diego students.

Marye Anne Fox, chancellor of UC San Diego: We will be creative in finding new revenue sources and new economies that assure that UC San Diego can continue or enhance its role as the outstanding economic engine for San Diego’s emerging industries.

Bonnie Dumanis, San Diego County district attorney: The District Attorney’s Office will make every effort in 2010 to manage the budget cuts we face while continuing to provide the same level of public safety.