Virtual Town Hall Questions for Shirley Weber

Patch sent questionnaires to the candidates running for the seat in the 79th Assembly District race. Shirley Weber is a professor of African American Studies at San Diego State University. She has garnered numerous endorsements. Her  opponents in Tuesday's open primary election are Mary England, Matt Mendoza, Sid Voorakkara, Pat Washington and Rudy Ramirez.

Patch: I'm a 37-year-old public school teacher, and every year I fear losing my job. Why should I vote for you?

Shirley Weber: I am an educator and have been at San Diego State University for 39 years. Additionally, I have served on the school board for San Diego City Schools from 1988-96, and laying off teachers was the absolute last resort. I have spent my entire life fighting for educational opportunities because I know how important it was in my life.

After my parents brought our family to California from the segregated South, we lived in a housing project. But the public schools were excellent. Our teachers there were not under threat of lay-offs and they focused on providing a quality education for every child, even the children of poor neighborhoods like ours. These teachers gave me a foundation that led to UCLA where I received three degrees by the age of 26.

It is because of the crisis in education that I chose to run for the state assembly. I will be a strong advocate to stop the bleeding of our schools and restore funding for excellent teachers and schools. I will surely be your greatest advocate. It is for that reason that CFT, AFT, CSEA and CFA (all educational organizations) are supporting my campaign.

Patch: I'm 52 and own a greeting card shop, and this economy is still killing me. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: The majority of businesses in San Diego are small businesses. As the chair of San Diego's Equal Opportunity Commission, I have fought for businesses such as yours. My advocacy resulted in the establishment of a small local business initiative that has produced more businesses doing business with the city. Our numbers increased threefold over the past year.

I realize that we must support our businesses if we are to have stable families that contribute to our neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life. I will fight for high-wage jobs because they, too, provide our families with the necessary income to support small businesses. I am a supporter of redevelopment in our communities because they enhance small businesses and draw more people into shops. You should vote for me because I will continue to fight for small, local businesses and high-wage jobs that promote those businesses.

Patch: I'm 45 and have been out of work for 14 months. I'm well-educated, but employers won't even let me in the door. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: High-wage job creation is one of the pillars of my campaign. As someone who helped promote job growth by expanding opportunities for small businesses in San Diego, I know that the fastest way to get people back to work is to dramatically expand small business markets. I'll work to do in Sacramento what I did here—give small businesses ready to hire the extra help they need to expand. Additionally, we must create incentives for businesses to hire persons who have been unemployed for a significant amount of time.

For those who have education and find themselves unemployed, we must have retraining programs where persons can update their skills and show they are work-ready. This can be accomplished through our community college system that must be better funded. I also understand the long-term path to economic prosperity is great public schools, and excellent and affordable public colleges and universities.

More jobs and better schools will be my focus in Sacramento.

Patch: I'm 18 and getting into the state university system is harder than ever—and more expensive. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: I have been a champion for the admission of local students to our university. It is extremely important in these difficult times. As a university professor and department chair for the past 39 years, I hear the stories of how difficult it is for our students to get admitted and remain at the university.

I am committed to enhancing local preference for our students, and expanding the CSU to include a campus in Chula Vista. Education at the K-12 and post-secondary levels is my passion and I will carry that to Sacramento.

Patch: I'm 39 and worried about our country's moral fabric, since it is moving toward gay marriage and marijuana legalization. My church is my main source of strength. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: I, too, share your concern for America. I worship at my church and am an active member in youth activities, a regular speaker at Christian women's seminars across the nation, and serve on the board of a Christian college in Texas. My faith has been the solid rock in my life that has allowed me to stand firm on behalf of my community and critical issues in society.

My church is also my strength that makes me appreciative that I live in a country where there is freedom of and freedom from religion. My husband and I raised our children to respect themselves and others, and to be contributing members of society.

As an active Christian, I would solicit your vote because I hold fast to my Christian values while also refusing to give up the democratic principles that built this nation. I am an empathetic Christian in the race and understand the challenges of religious values in a democratic process.

Patch: I'm 90 and can't leave my house because I hear police sirens all the time and my neighbors had their car broken into. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: I have lived in the Oak Park community for more than 30 years. I have been the victim of crimes like those mentioned in your question. As a homeowner and permanent resident in the district, safety is important to me. I have participated in numerous programs to stem the tide of violence against persons and property. I will continue to work on these issues because I live here. I love the community spirit of my neighborhood. I am not here because it is required to run for office. I am living here by choice.

Patch: I'm a 47-year-old musician, but singing a sad tune. I'm losing my house to foreclosure. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: Home ownership is often the foundation for many families. I know it was for my family. I'll fight hard in Sacramento for sensible laws like the “Homeowners Bill of Rights” that will hold our banks accountable, and make sure we are doing everything possible to keep Californians in their homes.

Recently, along with my church and my sister (who works to support homeowners), I sponsored a seminar to help those facing foreclosure understand their rights and options. This was just one more wake-up call to me—the foreclosure crisis is devastating too many families, and addressing it in San Diego, Sacramento and Washington must be a top priority.

Patch: I'm a 67-year-old rancher, and illegals use my yard to relieve themselves. The border is still wide open. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: I am a firm believer in having clear and enforceable immigration policy that protects our borders, and protects the rights and dignity of immigrants. Yes, I understand that it is a federal issue, but I reject the naysayers who believe there is nothing we can do locally.

Patch: I'm 35 and see nothing happening in Sacramento or Washington to solve my problems. All I see are the extreme wings of both parties blaming each other and getting nothing done. Why should I vote for you?

Weber: As a member of the San Diego school board, I worked across the aisle to bring change for the children of San Diego. I look forward to utilizing my skills as a negotiator to reach consensus that benefits the 79th District.

The San Diego delegate should be a role model for other counties in the state. I know most of the delegation and have worked with them on various issues. I welcome the opportunity to work in a bipartisan fashion on the issues that we all care about—particularly to promote great schools and stronger economy.