LA MESA RACES HEAT UP : ARAPOSTATHIS TO CHALLENGE MADRID FOR MAYOR

Ewin to step down, leaving two vacancies to fill on Council

By Miriam Raftery

April 6, 2014 (La Mesa) – The filing deadline isn’t until  August for La Mesa’s city council and mayoral races.  But at least two candidates have already declared their intention to vie for Mayor.  Art Madrid announced on East County Magazine’s radio show that he is seeking reelection. Listen to interview here.  Councilman Mark Arpostathis held a press conference to announce he plans to challenge Mayor Madrid. View video of his announcement here.

Whether Aropstathis wins or loses the mayoral challenge, it will open up his seat on the city council.  In addition, long-serving Councilman Ernie Ewin announced this week that he will not seek reelection and has further indicated he will not run for mayor, San Diego Rostra reported. That leaves two open seats on La Mesa’s  council –and a potential shift in the balance of power and priorities for La Mesa.

Three candidates have indicated interest in potentially seeking the seats thus far.

 Bill Baber, a La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board member and director of governmental affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors Association, has said he was recruited to run by Councilmembers Kristine Alessio and Ewin.  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England, who ran as a Republican in an unsuccessful Assembly bid, has also emerged as a likely contender. England has been a vocal supporter of the proposed Crossroads of La Mesa high-rise project.  

With Alessio also coming from a real estate and development background, should Baber and England win, development interests would have a majority on the Council. Business interests would also find strong representation.

Patrick Dean, who serves on the city’s community development commission and has previously run for Council, may also try again.  Dean, like Madrid, has previously run on a platform of environmental sustainability, parks and open spaces for La Mesa families. 

Madrid has led La Mesa for a quarter of a century.  In his interview with ECM on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, “I am going to run for reelection,” he confirmed. Mayor Madrid said his future goals include making the community safer and protecting the historical and cultural aspects of la Mesa, including the character of the downtown district.

“I personally would not want to see significant changes in height of our community,” he added. “This city belongs to the residents.”  Madrid voiced pride in new civic buildings and initiatives, improve the health of residents and the walkability of the community.

Future development projects in La Mesa, besides the La Mesa crossroads proposed high-rise, include redevelopment of the former police station site in the civic center plaza, as well as the future of Grossmont Center, where the shopping center’s lease comes up for renewal next year.

Arapostathis, a teacher and theater director known as  “Dr. A”  to his students, was named Teacher of the Year in 2000 by the La Mesa-Spring Valley school district. His announcement was not specific on any issues, though he has said he believes he can bring greater unity to the council, which has been divided in recent years.  Council members jockeying for power have sought to curb Madrid’s powers, taking away funding for him to attend the U.S. Mayor’s conference and replacing him on SANDAG with Alessio. Madrid has said he brought in millions of dollars of grants for La Mesa as a result of attending the conference , including the Safe Routes to Schools program.

As for Arapostathis, who has been endorsed by fellow council members, he has, "I care about this city and the people in it. I want to continue my life of service.”