Endorsement:

The race for San Diego City Council, District 4 is between two deserving individuals, Dwayne Crenshaw and Myrtle Cole. We like the fact that two qualified individuals are running to represent their community. The bad news is that in endorsing we have to choose one over the other, which is not always a pleasant thing to do.

Both candidates are Democrats, both have a long history of working in the community, Myrtle more so on the political side as campaign manager for previous candidates in the district. Crenshaw has a long history in the community, working in the social service arena, serving the community on various projects, and choosing to stay in the neighborhood.

Both appear to be genial nice people that you can enjoy talking with.

The difference between the two candidates lies in what they bring in the way of substantive answers to the many issues facing the residents of the district.

What we particularly like about Myrtle Cole is that she brings a sense of black pride and enthusiasm to the campaign. In our one-on-one conversations with Myrtle, she raises your spirits, she knows the plight of the community, and she wants to inspire hope. Unfortunately, Myrtle did not provide the type of details that would see hope become reality.

For example Myrtle’s ideas to address the problems of the community are generic and do not really address the issue. When it comes to community safety the bulk of her plan is to revive a neighborhood watch program and to get police officers out onto sidewalks where they can meet the residents. First, these are old ideas that fizzled because they didn’t produce the results required and secondly they do little to address the causes of crime.

The number one issue in District 4 is jobs, followed closely by community development, yet when it comes to these issues, by way of Myrtle’s Union employment and support, she is pre-disposed from even considering a Wal Mart in the district. At present Jacobs Center is in discussions about just such a project. Wal Mart may have its issues, but with the community starving for jobs and grocery stores in the community, you have to be open to all opportunities.

What we like about Dwayne Crenshaw is that he knows the community, he knows the issues, and he has detailed ideas on what to do.

Dwayne Crenshaw is willing to negotiate with Wal Mart to meet the needs of the community. Negotiate, part-time and full-time jobs, and that they hire from within the community. Pay is not as big an issue as some would have you think, the state sets the minimum wage, and when your number 1 issue in the community is jobs, you work to get those jobs into your community.

Crenshaw has worked within the community with Hire-A-Youth program. And while with Jacobs Center Crenshaw worked on bring Market Creek Plaza and the jobs associated with it to the community.

Crenshaw has proven his ability to create change within the community. As executive director of the nonprofit Coalition of Neighborhood Councils, he took it from a one employee and $50,000 budget to a program that was about starting a jobs programs for high-school dropouts and gang-affiliated youth, and giving out free lunches in the summer to neighborhood kids, all the while raising the revenues to almost $1.5 million.

Crenshaw has worked to create Safe Routes to School, cleaned up Chollas Creek, and plans to spend $1 million dollars to bring lights to the streets.

Crenshaw just has a better overall track record within the community and he has solid ideas, the experience, and education to make it work. This is why five of his council candidate opponents, who lost in the primary, came out and endorsed him in this campaign, which is an un-precedent showing of support.

We encourage the residents of District 4 to Vote for Dwayne Crenshaw.