Teresa Acosta
www.teresaacosta.org
Facebook: @teresaforcarlsbad
Twitter: @TeresaAcosta
Instagram: @teresaforcarlsbad
Why are you running for office?
In our community, I founded a business, raised a child, taught community college classes, and volunteered for and invested in a variety of local non-profits and causes. Four generations of my family live in my district and I cannot think of a better way to give back to and serve the community that has given me and my family so much. I’m running because Carlsbad’s District 4 deserves a representative who is experienced in government, non-profit and business leadership, and is fully committed to serving our community.
What does a strong local economy look like to you? How would you encourage it and promote it?
As a small business owner and the Chair of the Government Affairs and Technology Advisory Committees at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, this is something I think about every single day. A strong local economy for me means a diverse economy that is home to small businesses providing key services and employing local residents. As your Councilmember, I will encourage open, regular communication with our small businesses; flexible, forward-thinking, and nimble governance that will assist our small businesses to adapt and be resilient during challenging times; streamlined, online processing of city permits and fees; and promotion of our local “mom and pop” shops.
What are you going to do to encourage the creation of affordable workforce housing for businesses?
We must build the affordable workforce housing we need, while preserving the small, beach town character of our community. I recently hosted a virtual meeting to discuss this issue with my District 4 neighbors, and I have been observing the Housing Element Advisory Committee carefully. I will continue to encourage public engagement on the future of housing in Carlsbad, and I will support a combination of strategies, including re-zoning commercial and industrial areas to residential/mixeduse, up-zoning residential areas near transit corridors, and re-developing underutilized properties.
Identify 3 unique problems that your district is facing now.
1) Protection of open spaces and our environment
2) Street safety and traffic congestion
3) Assistance for local businesses so they can adapt and thrive.
What are ways in which you will collaborate and work together with neighboring cities?
Collaboration among cities in our region is extremely important, and my extensive experience with negotiations and building partnerships will be very useful. As Councilmember, I will collaborate with neighboring cities on shared issues like infrastructure, public safety, environmental protection, and homelessness. District 4 shares a border with Encinitas, and many of our residents feel very connected to Encinitas because their children attend Encinitas school district schools, and they frequent nearby Encinitas shopping centers. Fortunately, I already have strong relationships with Encinitas city leadership and we are ready to work together. District 4 also includes several major streets that carry through-traffic from I-5 and neighboring communities, including Encinitas, San Marcos, Vista, and Oceanside. I am ready to work on our transportation issues with our neighbors and regional organizations. Collaboration between our neighboring cities and regional organizations that serve our population will result in better outcomes for our children and families.