Virtual Town Hall Questions for Bryan Pease

Patch: Share a short bio about yourself:

Bryan Pease: I live in La Jolla Colony. My law office is in Banker’s Hill, which I share with environmental attorneys Todd Cardiff and Craig Sherman. My notable past victories have included winning free speech cases against Fashion Valley Mall, Target Corporation, Sinclair Oil Corporation (dba the Westgate Hotel), Brea Mall, and the City of San Diego. I have also won several lawsuits protecting the La Jolla seals and saving millions of taxpayer dollars. See my full bio here bryanpease.com/about.html.

Patch: What are the top three issues in District 1 and where do you stand on these issues?

Pease: One: Fiscal responsibility. The two establishment candidates have an irresponsible pension plan that would throw workers under the bus by forcing them to bet their pensions on the stock market. This would also cost the city tens of millions of dollars because no new workers would be paying into the pension system, but old pensions would still have to be paid out. Ray Ellis presided over SDCERS when it paid out six figure pensions he did not vote against, and which Superior Court judges found to be irresponsible and unconscionable.

Two: Implementing the City Council's 2010 management plan for the La Jolla seal rookery. The city again took the guideline rope down May 15, and tourists are again swarming around resting and nursing seals and driving them off the beach, to the consternation of everyone who goes to this amazing spot to watch seals. Taxpayers are currently paying a ranger $70K per year, which the Council never agreed to but Sherri Lightner wanted. The ranger does nothing, while the rope--which is effective and free--is not being put up at Sherri Lightner's request.

Three: Libraries and Rec Centers. Hours need to be expanded, and if there are closures, it should not be on evenings and weekends when most of the public is able to use these facilities.

Patch: What are some of the positive changes you have made for District 1 already?

Pease: I filed the lawsuit that protected the La Jolla seals from the Lightner plan to chase them away with barking dogs and dredge the beach with bulldozers. I was paid nothing for my work on this case, while the Lightner campaign donor whose lawsuit I blocked received $1M in fees from the city. In contrast, my lawsuit saved the city millions by blocking the wasteful and irresponsible dredging.

As an elected board member of OB People's Co-op, I voted to provide funds for high schools in District 1 to take field trips to Willow Farm and learn about organic farming.

Patch: Who has endorsed you?

Pease: La Jolla Democratic Club, SEIU, former city council president Ben Hueso, Senator Juan Vargas, former city attorney Mike Aguirre and La Jolla Town Council Trustee Michael Dershowitz.

Patch: In La Jolla there has been litigation for years over hot topics such as the access to the Children’s Pool and Mount Soledad cross. What do you think the city’s role is in these battles?

Pease: The City should implement the Children's Pool shared use management plan approved by supermajority council vote in May 2010, which Lightner has blocked behind the scenes, and which I had to file lawsuits to get back on track. On the cross, the city has no further role in this matter.

Patch: The city has also battled with its responsibility in monitoring medical marijuana dispensaries. What position should the city take and enforce?

Pease: I am in favor of access, which Lightner opposes and voted against.

Patch: Do you think the city and the San Diego Unified School District should work more closely together? If so, why? How can each benefit?

Pease: Yes, and the city should provide better after and before school programs and services.

Patch: I’m a 37-year-old public school teacher, and every year I fear losing my job. Why should I vote for you?

Pease: I'm a progressive Democrat, and Democrats are the party of job creation. Republicans and their corporate allies are what ruined the economy. 

Patch: I’m 52 and own a greeting card shop, and this economy is still killing me.  Why should I vote for you?

Pease: See above.

Patch: I’m 26 and camped for weeks at Occupy San Diego, protesting a tax system that gives the rich huge breaks. Why should I vote for you?

Pease: See above, plus I represented Occupy members in free speech cases when the city told them they could set nothing down in Civic Center Plaza, including purses, backpacks, etc. on the grounds that it supposedly violated the municipal code.

Patch: I’m 45 and have been out of work for 14 months. I’m well educated, but employers won’t even let me in the door.  Why should I vote for you?

Pease: See above.

Patch: I’m 18 and getting into the state university system is harder than ever—and more expensive?  Why should I vote for you?

Pease: Democrats are also the party of education. Republicans want to balance the budget on the backs of teachers, students, the poor and disabled so they can give huge tax handouts to the rich and pay for foreign wars.

Patch: I’m a 47-year-old musician. I’m losing my house to foreclosure. Why should I vote for you?

Pease: Same reasons.

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