From The San Diego Union-Tribune:

Emerald, Boling mark out their differences

Marti Emerald of Tierrasanta and April Boling of San Carlos are the two candidates who won a June 3 election and will face off in a Nov. 4 runoff for the San Diego City Council's District 7 seat. The district covers Allied Gardens, the College Area, Del Cerro, El Cerrito, Grantville, Rolando, San Carlos and Tierrasanta. Here's where they stand on city issues, according to a survey by The San Diego Union-Tribune:

As traditional water supplies dry up, should the city recycle treated wastewater into its drinking-water supply?

Boling: No.

Emerald: Yes. We cannot forget that San Diego is a desert. As our population grows and climate change alters our ecosystem, we need to explore every possible avenue to provide the water we need. We should explore all reuse applications, desalinization and conservation measures to ensure future water supply and limit water cost.

Would you ever support charging for parking at city beaches?

Boling: No.

Emerald: Probably not.

Do you think San Diego needs a $185 million downtown library?

Boling: No.

Emerald: Yes. I strongly support the current private fundraising efforts and I would seek to augment those funds with state, federal and foundation grants and support from (the) CCDC.

Should Balboa Park be managed by the city parks department, a regional council or a nonprofit conservancy?

Boling: Nonprofit conservancy.

Emerald: We should explore all of these options, or combinations of them, to preserve this regional treasure.

Should San Diego try to get the Chargers to rebuild at the Qualcomm Stadium site or let the team continue efforts to move to Chula Vista?

Boling: San Diego should work to try and help find a positive solution for the Chargers to stay, but the Chargers should explore all of their options. They are a regional asset, and I believe it is important that they stay in the region.

Emerald: The Qualcomm site is a prime piece of real estate which, if properly developed, could generate badly needed funds for the city. I would support a long-term lease at market rates (i.e., with no taxpayer subsidy) with the Chargers at the current Qualcomm site, with the Chargers assuming mitigation and development costs.

Would you push to outsource more city jobs?

Boling: Yes.

Emerald: I will fight to deliver the highest level of service at the best cost for the taxpayers. When a citizen dials 911, he/she needs an immediate response, and every link in that chain - the 911 operator, the motor-pool mechanic, the first-line responder (police officer, firefighter, paramedic) - needs to be a trusted, trained professional. We need the same professionalism from all city workers, including lifeguards, sanitation workers, janitors, parks-and-recreation staff and office workers. I'm not unilaterally opposed to contracting out, but I'm totally opposed to turning over contracts to run city services to businesses that make large campaign contributions.

Do you support the living-wage law for city contractors?

Boling: No.

Emerald: Yes. The city needs to be a model employer. We want the people who work (either directly or indirectly) for our city to have health care and be able to afford to take care of their families.

Would you ever support charging a fee for the city to collect trash and/or recyclables?

Boling: No.

Emerald: This is a decision that must, by law, be made by the voters. I would consider putting it on the ballot if comprehensive audits show that more funds are needed to pay for these services.

Would you approve use of eminent domain under no circumstances, for public works only or for public works and, if necessary, for economic development?

Boling: Roads and sewers only.

Emerald: For necessary public works and select economic development.

What should be done to reduce gang violence in the city?

Boling: Neighborhoods and communities where gang violence is the most (severe) need to have appropriate policing to address the problems. We also need to form partnerships with the school system to start addressing this issue when it starts there.

Emerald: First, and most importantly, increase police patrols and community policing in neighborhoods most impacted by gang activity. Every citizen has the right to feel safe in their homes. At the very first sign of gang activities - graffiti, broken windows, etc. - we need to bring in a strong, tough police presence. The most effective way to reduce street crime is to tackle it immediately. Second, there are numerous proven and effective gang prevention programs. We need to provide tutoring, mentoring, before-and after-school programs that get kids off the streets and involved in sports, arts, educational and support programs.

What should be done to make San Diego residents better protected against wildfires?

Boling: We need to make certain we are using brush management intelligently and effectively. We also need to use appropriately designed landscaping and roads to help prevent the spread of wildfires in new developments and in existing areas that are fire-prone.

Emerald: Former Fire Chief Jeff Bowman recently said: "They write these reports, and they put them on a shelf. . . . So nothing gets done." I want to promise Chief Bowman and the public: Something will get done. 1) I will push for a regional firefighting agency. 2) I will find money for more equipment. In an emergency, we can mobilize off-duty personnel if we have equipment to deploy them. 3) After we audit every city department, I will insist that we fully fund brush management and the increase in fire stations to provide the fire protection we need.

Is there an important issue we missed that you will be emphasizing in your campaign? What is it, and what should be done about it?

Boling: It is critical that we end the days of closed meetings, closed books and back-room deals. We must restore the public's faith in their local government, and it starts with giving them access to information and the process.

Emerald: We must restore the public's trust in government. San Diego is a troubled city. Giveaways to campaign contributors and sweetheart deals for lobbyists and special interests have left us with a budget mess. Collectively, these decisions - made secretly, behind closed doors - cost the city hundreds of millions. We've cut police patrols, ignored decaying streets and let our fire department shrink. I stand for open and honest government. No secret deals. Independent audits of city departments. My calendar will be public - who I meet and what we discuss - and I will fight to open the calendars of all top city officials.