MAYOR BILL WELLS TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS IN 51ST DISTRICT

I've voted for Sara Jacobs since she started, and I'll continue to do so because Sara has a proven, stellar track record with many accomplishments. As a nearly 30 year resident I've seen the city of El Cajon change from rundown and ugly to much improved under the leadership of mayor Mark Lewis. Sadly though, the city has become rundown and dirty again under the current regime. I can only wonder why this is... Yes, numerous improvements to infrastructure, along with new buildings have been accomplished (and very appreciated) yet the upkeep of the aforementioned has been lacking. Maintenance is vital in my opinion. Traffic lights are a nightmare, especially for pedestrians. Long wait times for a go signal, and timers which don't give a person enough time to completely reach the opposite sidewalk (28 seconds is not enough time for crossing 4 lanes), and delays are common due to aggressive, inconsiderate drivers impinging on a pedestrian's right to walk across the street. So the 28 seconds is often shortened to much less, and this creates a hazardous situation for pedestrians, especially seniors and those who can't walk fast. I've been nearly hit by aggressive drivers many times over the years while crossing at a traffic light controlled intersection. Improvements must be done for safety reasons. Wait times for drivers at some intersections are very long and probably very frustrating, especially when a signal remains red for extended periods of time with no cross-traffic. Streets, sidewalks, gutters are typically filthy and littered with debris such as leaves, cigarette butts and paper. Numerous buildings have become an eyesore and decrepit needing a makeover, paint would help as a starting point. Most people I know have a similar opinion. Recently the city of El Cajon urged residents to help keep the streets clean by volunteering for picking up litter, sweeping, etc. I don't have an issue with that, in fact years ago I did that in various areas that I chose randomly. Unfortunately the city now wants everyone to fill out a lengthy, somewhat convoluted online application that one must submit a detailed plan of action before they will (I assume) allow someone, or a group of people to volunteer to clean up a particular area. Seems there must be a reason for this organizing by the city, yet how many folks are discouraged and don't follow through ? I didn't, and was actually going to go buy my own equipment - broom, trash picker, trash can & bags. Yet I have no inclination to do so if I'm required to be vetted in such a manner to perform volunteer cleanup that in many cases should be done by the businesses themselves, not at the taxpayers expense.