Dear Friends,
Being the Councilmember for District Two has been a unique and deeply rewarding experience for me, and one that I’ll never forget. As I wrap up my council term next month, there are a number of people I would like to thank who have made these past seven months remarkable for me.
I would like to thank Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, the City’s leadership team, and the City’s 10,000 employees who strive every day to make San Diego America’s Finest City; my Council colleagues for their guidance and collaboration; and my staff who worked weekends and long hours to address quality of life issues for our neighborhoods by quickly and thoroughly responding to constituent concerns and requests.
The community leaders and volunteers who sit on boards for planning groups, town councils, committees, and associations are deserving of my thanks. Their work is often challenging and always time consuming. I respect and appreciate these individuals for their engagement, their willingness to serve, and their dedication to improve our neighborhoods. They are true community leaders.
I am thankful for the constituents who acted as my eyes and ears in the District Two communities. They took time to contact my office with problems and concerns because they care about San Diego.
This January I’ll go back to the Boating Safety Unit on Mission Bay to resume my responsibilities as a sergeant with the City of San Diego Lifeguards, adding to my 25 years of lifeguard service. I look forward to returning to the shore to ensure that everyone who comes to the beach or bay for the day leaves safely at the end of each day. It will be strange not putting on a coat and tie to go to the office but perhaps one day I’ll find a use for those again.
Councilmember Lorie Zapf will be sworn in as the new Councilmember for District Two on December 10. I know that Lorie and her experienced staff look forward to serving their new constituents. For any assistance with District Two related matters, I encourage you to call or email her office at 619-236-6622 and LorieZapf@sandiego.gov.
One thing I’ve learned in this job is that problem solving begins in our communities and happens when we work together. If you need to borrow a ladder, you ask your neighbor. There’s a pothole on your street, you call the council office to get it repaired. You have an idea to improve your community, you get involved in a planning group, town council or neighborhood association. I was able to accomplish a great deal in just a few months as a councilmember, but you don’t have to be in office to bring positive change to your community. I would ask that you continue to be engaged and participate in being part of the solution to solve problems small and large to make your neighborhood the best it can be.
As I gather around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends at the end of this month, I’ll be reflecting on this experience and giving thanks for this chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to serve.
Respectfully,
Ed Harris
Councilmember, District Two
POINT LOMA & OB DEMS 