Editor’s note: The Coronado News has invited all City Council and mayoral candidates to submit a first-person article about their background, civic involvement and reason for running for office. We intend to run articles in the order they are received.
I am running to be the next Mayor of Coronado to preserve our quality of life, ensure our ocean and beaches are clean, improve our infrastructure to prevent flooding, and continue the improved stewardship of our city finances that I have championed. It has become abundantly clear that Coronado needs a strong leader and active mayor to advocate for our city.
My wife Peggy and I met in our first year of law school at USD, and we have been married for over 25 years. We love Coronado and are grateful to have raised our four children in our wonderful community.
I practiced law for nearly 30 years, representing financial institutions in complex legal and financial matters. I grew my firm to more than 100 attorneys with 12 offices in ten states. After retiring from full-time law practice, I dedicated myself to serving my community. I currently serve on Coronado City Council, following long standing service on city commissions, nonprofit boards, and a decade of volunteering with youth sports leagues.
Although we proudly consider ourselves a “small town” isolated from regional and state politics, the city is a $100 million enterprise, immensely impacted by policies from regional agencies and laws from Sacramento. Outside agencies, including SANDAG, have a massively outsized influence and impact on Coronado concerning the most critical issues. Coronado’s leader must be a strong advocate to state and federal politicians to continue our progress in solving the Tijuana sewage crisis.
I look at all matters with fresh eyes, not automatically accepting the status quo and not being afraid of the work required to make the necessary changes.
Coronado beaches and environment: I have worked relentlessly to solve the Tijuana sewage issue. I serve on five different organizations that are tackling this problem. I have personally spent hundreds of hours negotiating for federal funding that is currently being deployed to solve the issue. There is still much funding needed and I am passionate to continue the work as your mayor.
Coronado finances and infrastructure: Within the first few months on the City Council, I identified huge problems with our city’s investments. After much persistence, $85 million of your money, taxpayer dollars, was reinvested and is now earning millions more per year – money that we will carefully deploy to solve our problems, such as infrastructure deficiencies and the much needed rebuilding of our police and fire stations.
Respect at SANDAG: For years, SANDAG paid little attention to Coronado and other small cities. I have worked hard to build coalitions and to stand up to unreasonable mandates and policies. Since I have served on SANDAG’s Board as your representative, things have changed dramatically. The “weighted vote” has not been called in over a year. Coronado now has respect from SANDAG, which has a budget of over $1.5 billion and the authority to implement housing mandates. I will continue to fight for fair treatment.
Coronado history and charm: I have real experience protecting Coronado’s history and charm. I served on the board of the Coronado Historical Association and have personally restored four historic homes in our beautiful city. We need to review our Historical Designation Program and ensure it treats homeowners fairly. I have changed the way Coronado and other small cities are treated at SANDAG, and am currently working to revise the criteria for new housing allocations so we will not be overrun with impossible housing requirements that would dramatically change Coronado.
My experience and knowledge has culminated in major successes on critical issues over the past few years, but I am just getting started. I have built strong relationships on a non-partisan basis with representatives from other cities, and our representatives in Washington, DC, which has led to substantial funding and respect.
With strong leadership, we can navigate the current challenges, so that Coronado maintains its special character that makes us proud to call Coronado “home.” My hope is that my four children move back to Coronado to live and raise their families after they have completed college. This motivates everything I do. I am grateful for the community’s strong response to my campaign and I humbly ask for your vote to be the next Mayor of Coronado.
John Duncan is running for a mayoral seat in the Nov. 5 elections. Mike Donovan and Casey Tanaka are also running.
