The Chula Vista City Council’s two newest members – District 3 Councilmember Michael Inzunza and District 4 Councilmember Cesar Fernandez – took their oaths of office Tuesday after winning their respective elections with strong leads this November.
Inzunza and Fernandez issued their first remarks before joining their council colleagues on the dais. While they represent opposite ends of the city and districts with different needs, the new council members said they’d prioritize public safety and job creation to make Chula Vista a more united and prosperous city.
“It’s not just about isolated fixes like street lights or cleaning up streets,” Fernandez said. “It’s about a bigger, intentional vision. Imagining a west Chula Vista where it’s safe to walk or bike in the evening, boosting health and creating foot traffic for new businesses. I’m also committed to listening to all of Chula Vista, not just District 4, through town halls and meet-and-greets.”
When campaigning, Fernandez said he heard most from residents about having cleaner and safer neighborhoods and more green spaces. He said he will push to bring more recreational programming to existing parks and flipping empty lots into parks. Fernandez also wants Chula Vista’s working class to get first dibs on forthcoming jobs, such as at the bayfront hotel and convention center slated to open next year.
Similarly, Inzunza said he wants to see fewer Chula Vista residents traveling outside the city, or anywhere else in South County, for work. But the city needs more places to learn, train and work. His district, he added, will soon be offering that in phases with a forthcoming library complex, where San Diego State University is expected to expand its School of Nursing.
“That’s what Chula Vista deserves,” he said.
Inzunza replaced Alonso Gonzalez, who the City Council appointed early last year to finish the remainder of now-state Sen. Steve Padilla’s term.
Fernandez replaced Rachel Morineau, who the City Council also appointed. Earlier this year, she took over for former Councilmember Andrea Cardenas, who relinquished her seat. Cardenas pleaded guilty in February to two felony grand theft charges for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal relief funds and state unemployment. She is serving two years of probation.
