Message To Independent Voters

By Terry Warren Johnson, Sr.

Before casting your ballot containing your choice for the next mayor of Oceanside, I ask that you look closely at the three candidates. There are stark differences between the three pertaining to their philosophy of governance, fiscal prudence, and the issues they see as crucial for the City of Oceanside during the four years of their term if elected.

You refuse to allow yourself to be categorized, to be a round peg to be pushed into a square hole (or a square peg into a round hole). I respect and salute your independence - which is a reaffirmation of our nation's founding principles.

Before casting your ballot containing your choice for the next mayor of Oceanside, I ask that you look closely at the three candidates. There are stark differences between the three pertaining to their philosophy of governance, fiscal prudence, and the issues they see as crucial for the City of Oceanside during the four years of their term if elected.

I cannot stress strongly enough that you should review one other important issue before making your choice + a candidate's independence.

The candidates for mayor are:

• The incumbent, Jim Wood, who cannot deny his ties to the public safety unions who are funding his campaign and who have received more than generous health and retirement benefits in the past four years that no threaten to lead Oceanside into municipal bankruptcy.

• An incumbent councilman, Jerry Kearn, whose campaign is being orchestrated by the Republican establishment in downtown San Diego who care nothing about the people of Oceanside. For the past several years, Mr. Kearn has allowed himself and the City of Oceanside to be used. He was the leader behind Proposition E on the June ballot that, on the behalf of San Diego political operatives, spent more than $400,000 to convince voters to reject the Mobilehome Rent Control Ordinance that protects Oceanside seniors and veterans. Prop E failed when six in 10 voters giving it their thumbs-down.

As he is running from a "safe," non-termed out seat, the fiscally conservative Mr. Kearn fails to tell voters that, if elected mayor, Oceanside will need to call a special election to fill his seat that will cost several hundred thousand dollars.

I, Terry Johnson, represent the third, independent choice for mayor. I have the experience as a former council member and mayor who, during his term in office, led Oceanside's revitalization and built a $34 million budget surplus. Working with the other council members, careful to consider and encourage their input while moving forward, we changed Oceanside from the sleepy military town to a vibrant city that had a stable, growing economic base, allowing the city to offer residents popular new services and facilities. These include the El Corazon Senior Center, the Pacific Avenue Bridge that allows easy access to the northern beaches and harbor, parks and fire stations.

My five-point plan focuses on what is important to the people of Oceanside, regardless of their political affiliation, financial status, or where they live in the city. Bringing about true pension reform will save us from municipal bankruptcy. Ending the fiscal management AND restoring trust so that investors will again see opportunity and success in Oceanside will stabilize the city's finances and create jobs and even more economic opportunities. We must also restore civility, especially among the elected council members, so that we work as a team and not against each other or opposing agendas.

Independence is a hallmark of your political philosophy. While I am a registered Democrat, I am running a true grassroots campaign that stresses my independence. I do not seek fancy endorsements from people or organizations most people do not know or care about. My campaign has been door-to-door, meeting people, asking them what their concerns are, how the city can improve their lives.

While my two colleagues are beholden to special interests + Mr. Wood to the public safety unions, Mr. Kearn to the extreme elements of the downtown San Diego Republican Party + I remain beholden to the residents of Oceanside who I have proudly served in the past and look to serve again.