By Barbara Bry
SAN DIEGO — My tenure on the San Diego City Council concludes on December 10 but my love for our city will never end.
Four years ago, I was a first-time elected official.
I had never run for anything—except maybe the bus.
I came to City Hall with the goal of serving District One’s constituents in an open and transparent way and to keep San Diego safe, clean, and prosperous.
What I’ve learned is that San Diegans want a government that listens to and works for them. They want a government that is fair and embraces an exciting future. They want a stronger voice in shaping that future—especially in their own neighborhoods.
Because of COVID, this is a very difficult and challenging time for our city. That’s why the inauguration will be on Zoom and not in person. Many of our families are suffering through no fault of their own, and the next Mayor and Council will have hard choices to make.
Yet, for the long-term, I’m optimistic about San Diego’s future with our growing tech and biotech industries, our beautiful natural environment, our diverse population, our vibrant arts sector, our proximity to the border and our great universities.
I intend to remain a part of that vibrant future.
As I reflect back, I am perhaps most proud of my legacy of fighting for what I believe in.
Of being the first elected official to oppose SoccerCity—my earliest experience with a backroom deal at City Hall—and then to support SDSU West, the most transformative project in our region in decades.
I’m also proud of demanding accountability and transparency regarding the 101 Ash Street purchase—dubbed the city’sworst ever real estate deal.
I hope that the next Council and Mayor will continue to investigate the Ash Street transaction and find a solution—without filing more costly lawsuits.
I also fought for community choice energy and the enforcement of our existing law against short term rentals—which is unfinished business and an important component of housing preservation at a time when we have a housing shortage.
In District One, we secured approvals for two new fire stations (one of which opened a few weeks ago), a Hawk traffic signal and new sidewalk on Torrey Pines Road, a joint use park with San Diego Unified at Standley Park in University City, re-striping and slurry seal of Del Mar Heights Road, initiation of the Los Penasquitos Lagoon Restoration Project, traffic control measures in Carmel Valley, and many more neighborhood improvements that impact our daily quality of life.
When you tackle ambitious goals, you can expect a lot of pushback and roadblocks along the way. I encountered my share. But you can also redefine what is possible, and we started to do that.
For that, I owe a great deal of gratitude. There are too many individuals to name, but I want to start by thanking my amazing staff who were on call 24 hours a day. I also want to call out my family, starting with my husband Neil. Thank you for your love and support and for being a great cook. And thank you to my two daughters, Sarah and Rachel. Thank you for supporting me every step of my political path, even when you saw the negativity and the personal attacks.
And a special ‘thank you’ to the residents of District One and all the people of San Diego who proudly call it home.
You are my inspiration.
Finally, I want to congratulate Councilmember-elect Joe La Cava who will represent District One well.
Thank you all for an unforgettable four years.
With gratitude,
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Barbara Bry represented District One on the City Council and ran unsuccessfully this year to be mayor. She is a member of the Jewish community.