Editor’s note: The Coronado News reached out to all 2024 mayoral candidates with questions to learn more about their priorities and philosophy in running for mayor. This list of questions is the second half of the total list; the first half ran in the Sept. 20 print edition and can be found online at thecoronadonews.com. Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: Do you favor an ordinance with greater e-bike regulations?
Duncan: The city should review all ordinances on e-bikes that have been implemented in other California cities to see how successful the new laws are and whether any would be appropriate to implement in Coronado. Regulations regarding e-bikes are primarily set by state law. However, there are additional regulations that cities can implement. It is our obligation to review, given the heavy use of e-bikes in Coronado and the serious dangers they present. Â
A state bill sponsored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner has reached Governor Newsom’s desk. If signed, the bill would allow Coronado to prohibit Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes from being operated by an individual 12 years old or younger. This bill is known as the San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.
Arguments that enforcement would be difficult, or that it isn’t our issue because of state law, are inaccurate and inadequate excuses. For example, we have laws against public smoking in Coronado. These laws don’t present extreme enforcement issues for the police, but they do deter the behavior.
Note that e-bike options are coming back to the City Council on Oct. 15, 2024.
Q: What is a topic/issue in Coronado that was not referenced in these questions that you believe you can bring expertise to?
Duncan: I have experience working with Caltrans over the last two years, participating in regular meetings to achieve improvement in Coronado on two major issues: the Coronado streets controlled by Caltrans and the bridge suicide prevention barrier.
I also use my role on the SANDAG board of directors and Transportation Committee to further support for funding the bridge barrier, as well as for our free mini-shuttle program in Coronado. As mayor, I will be able to leverage my unique experience and legal negotiating background to bring these projects to completion.
Q: As mayor, how do your duties differ from that of City Council members and how are you going to lead the city council?
Duncan: As mayor, I will be further empowered to continue the work I have been doing on the Tijuana trans-border sewage solution and to continue building the effective coalitions I have built at SANDAG to obtain fair treatment on housing allocations before the allocation occurs, not after the fact. I am very effective at building bipartisan coalitions and listening to all sides.
Q: What is the most significant change that you intend to make in Coronado?
Duncan: I am not looking to bring extensive change to Coronado. My goal is to ensure that Coronado is well represented and that all matters are looked at with fresh eyes. I am grateful to the council members and mayors that have come before me, and I always look to learn from history.
However, I look at everything with an open mind and ask why it is this way, rather than accepting that this is the way we have done it, with no explanation. I look forward to working with new council members who also share this curious and thoughtful approach.Â
Q: City-wide ordinances have not been implemented for things like single-use plastic ban. Where do you stand on this?
Duncan: I am proud to be the first and only City Council member to bring a Plastic Reduction Ordinance request to the City Council. I filed a Policy 2 request on April 16, 2024, requesting a Plastic Reduction Ordinance staff report. At our meeting on Sept. 17, 2024, I led the council to agree to a review of ordinances in other jurisdictions that we may consider implementing.
Our effort already influenced the Hotel Del and the Glorietta Bay Inn to switch from plastic water bottles to metal. I favor common sense plastic reduction that does not negatively impact our businesses, nor our residents’ way of life. We can do it. I think relying on state law that may go into effect in 2035 is a poor excuse for being the only coastal community to not have a reduction ordinance and I am optimistic we will achieve one.
Q: Local cities and governmental entities have declared local emergencies for the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis. Will you push for Coronado to do the same?
Duncan: I am proud to be the first and only Council member to push for a resolution on the Tijuana sewage crisis to set forth Coronado’s official written policy and position. I proposed the action during a Trans-Border Sewage Sub-Committee Report, where I presented the extensive work Coronado has done to fight for funding. The resolution was approved unanimously at the Sept. 3 meeting, and included “Coronado finds it imperative and of extreme urgency that cross border water pollution is resolved, and the city’s support will be unwavering with continued advocacy, attention and resolute council member and city staff efforts.”
I look forward to continuing my extensive efforts on this emergency issue, which included a recent three-day whirlwind trip to D.C. to meet with 20 Congress members to fight for funding for the plant on the U.S. side of the border.Â
