Cross-border sewage pollution and community blight were top goals for two-term politician
Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina did not mince words in 2017 after yet another spill from Tijuana’s broken wastewater system contaminated local beaches.Dedina pushed for answers from U.S. and Mexico officials, and got none that were satisfying. So he sued the federal government in 2018 and was later joined in the lawsuit by Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego.“We didn’t have anything to lose,” Dedina said. “We’ve lost our beach.
“And so, I just think what we did was we connected the spirit of the community, because is a very grassroots, a very friendly, unpretentious town, and then that culture has infused the city,” he said. “The city is now in lockstep with the community.” That is reflected in the colorful crosswalks along the busiest streets and the empty lots that have been transformed into recreational spaces.
The U.S. pledged $350 million and Mexico about $144 million to replace failing sewage treatment facilities in Tijuana. His advocacy for clean water and addressing sea-level rise has even inspired others to run for office, including Paloma Aguirre. She got a first-hand look at Dedina’s environmental efforts when she worked for him at Wildcoast and joined him as a council member in 2018.
“ gets his fingernails dirty a lot,” said Dave Frink, executive director of the Imperial Beach Arts Bureau. “Things were improving just on the attitude of the populace. But when he came in, he really had a different attitude about things. If people wanted to do something positive, his first response was, ‘Yes, we can make that happen,’ which is really important.”
Imperial Beach, with a population of about 26,100, most of whom are predominately low-income families, deserved better, he thought. He ran for office with a hyperlocal lens to restore the city into a safe, vibrant and inviting community.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mayor Turner, HPD Chief Finner walk through Galleria Mall to promote safe holiday shoppingIt’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Read more »
In rare public spat, Zelenskiy criticises Kyiv mayor over emergency centresIn a rare public spat involving Ukrainian leaders, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday criticised the mayor of Kyiv for doing what he said was a poor job setting up emergency shelters to help those without power and heat after Russian attacks.
Read more »
New York's mayor seeks balance with regulators after PoW mining moratoriumThe comments follow the new law signed by New York governor Kathy Hochul, banning proof-of-work (PoW) mining activities for two years in the state.
Read more »
St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones quits Twitter over Elon Musk’s Ferguson tweetSt. Louis mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced she has quit Twitter over a now-deleted tweet by Elon Musk referencing the 2014 Ferguson protests.
Read more »
Scott Jablow to be sworn in as Sedona mayorFormer Vice Mayor Scott Jablow will be sworn in as Sedona's new mayor on Nov. 28. He beat out challenger Samaire Armstrong.
Read more »