When Prop. K came to our ballots, I did not vote for it. Like many, I had reservations about how closing the Upper Great Highway permanently would impact our neighborhoods and I felt that the compromise in place – being open on weekdays and closed on weekends – worked well for everyone. I feel similarly today and understand people’s frustrations.
However, Supervisor Engardio’s position on the Great Highway closure does NOT justify a recall. While I disagreed with him on Prop. K, I also know him to be honest, hard-working and dedicated to the needs of our district as well as our City. He shows up, does the work, and takes responsibility for tough decisions our City is facing, especially in light of how national politics will impact us. Importantly, I’ve seen him respectfully and thoughtfully consider everyone’s opinions, regardless of whether they agree with him.
Although it may get lost in the shouting matches and vitriol online, the truth is that Joel has done a lot of good for our community. He has consistently shown up for our kids, our seniors and our small businesses. As a mom and entrepreneur, that’s meaningful to me. He regularly makes himself available for town halls or one-on-one meetings with hundreds of residents each year, not to make speeches, but to listen. That kind of accessibility and leadership matter…