• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
Dana Point Times
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide 2023
    • Money Matters
    • Ocean Institute Jazz Festival Fundraiser
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
    • WSL Rip Curl Guide 2023
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide 2023
    • Money Matters
    • Ocean Institute Jazz Festival Fundraiser
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
    • WSL Rip Curl Guide 2023
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
Dana Point Times
No Result
View All Result

Community, Sustainability, Prosperity: City Council Candidate Forum on Environment

by Dana Point Times
October 23, 2020 4:39PM
in Letters to the Editor, SOAPBOX
Question #1: Meet Your City Council Candidates
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Hoiyin Ip

Four city council candidates in two districts are running toward Tuesday, Nov. 3: Mike Frost and Gary Newkirk for District 4; Benjamin Bebee and Michael Villar for District 5.

I’ve wondered how much they care about the environment. So I sent them three questions with a request for succinct responses. Here are their answers in alphanumeric order.

 

What Is Your Most Critical Environmental Issue?

Frost (D4): Keeping our beaches and ocean clean and healthy by reducing plastic, trash and man-made debris in our open spaces, our streets and on our beaches and harbor. Continue to focus on keeping the streets free of trash that will eventually make its way to the ocean.

Newkirk (D4): Dana Point has some of the most beautiful coastal beaches. My critical environmental issue is ensuring water and beach cleanliness, including controlling inland watershed waste runoff. This can only be accomplished through collaboration with local agencies and working toward a common goal.

Bebee (D5): Beach Restoration for Capistrano Beach.

Villar (D5): We need to continue to protect our ocean, coastline, and beaches. Our coastal waters are rich with all sorts of marine life that thrive on our rocky shorelines and kelp forests. The ocean needs protection so the sea life can continue to thrive, and we all can enjoy our beaches.

 

What Solution for the Issue Will You Champion as a Councilmember?

Frost (D4): Continue to make strides in single-use plastic reductions including bottles, lids and caps, and plastic bags at take-away and retail. Since 2012, we have had ordinances for no Styrofoam in restaurants and no plastic bags at grocers.

Newkirk (D4): The city’s role in protecting our beaches and waters should be to lead and coordinate joint efforts of surrounding cities, county, state and federal agencies to set policies and lobby for funding. Through these efforts, programs can be crafted to achieve coastal protection for Dana Point.

Bebee (D5): I would work toward a Beach Restoration project.

Villar (D5): Dana Point City Council has supported the Marine Protected Areas which protect our shores on a large scale. But an equally important impact comes from us as individuals. We need more coordinated beach cleanup days, efforts to reduce use of plastic, and commitment to reduce pollutants.

 

Should the City Form an Environmental Committee? Why or Why Not?

Frost (D4): The city already has an Ocean Water Quality Subcommittee that covers environmental issues and makes recommendations on ordinances for the Council to review. While improvements can always be made, our city already has a very well-informed, seasoned staff focused on environmental stewardship.

Newkirk (D4): Dana Point should take the lead in environmental protections with a committee comprised of city leaders and staff, community and business interests to identify issues and problems facing our beaches. With a strong voice, Dana Point can lead efforts at broader levels advocating for these precious resources.

Bebee (D5): If the citizens desire a committee, then one should be organized.

Villar (D5): I support an environmental committee. Environmental sustainability is critically important for a beach community such as ours. We have an obligation to our children to improve the health of our ocean. We need innovative, dynamic, and aggressive ideas to ensure its protection.

 

Hoiyin Ip is often recognized on the street as the plastic lady for her cleanup work. But she likes to think of herself as a guardian of the ocean. She is often reminded of a quote by former California Coastal Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas: “The coast is never saved. It’s always being saved.”

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
Tags: election 2020
ShareTweetPin

Dana Point Times

Related Posts

Countdown to Election Day Fewer than 50 Days

Registrar to Conduct Audit amid Biden’s Declared Victory   

November 9, 2020
Frost, Villar Win City Council Seats

Frost, Villar Win City Council Seats

November 4, 2020

2020 General Presidential Election Results

November 3, 2020 - Updated on November 4, 2020
OC Democrats Outearning GOP in Congressional Races

A Closer Look at Campaign Finance for City Council Candidates

October 29, 2020
Next Post
City and Surf Club Announce May 2 Food Drive

Interact Club to Hold Food Drive for FAM

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

DP Times Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get the DP Times delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Dana Point Times
  • San Clemente Times
  • The Capistrano Dispatch
  • DP Chamber Directory

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit a Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Graduation Special
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide 2023
    • Money Matters
    • Ocean Institute Jazz Festival Fundraiser
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
    • WSL Rip Curl Guide 2023
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media