Candidate Profile: Gary Newkirk Dana Point Dist. 4 City Council

DANA POINT, CA — The 2020 election is heating up in Orange County, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Closer to home, Patch has asked candidates for city council races to discuss their campaigns, publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Running for the Dana Point, Lantern District 4, City Council:

Gary Newkirk

County office
Municipal office

Lantern District 4

Gary Newkirk

Town/City of Residence

Dana Point

Office Sought

Municipal office

Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.

Lantern District 4

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

Non-partisan

Family

Our family has lived in the Lantern District for 23 years. My wife of 30 years, Kathy, is a public school speech pathologist. Our son, Nick, 20, is now a Junior at UCSB. Nick was raised in the Lantern District, attended local public schools and graduated from Dana Hills High School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

UCLA Economics degree

Occupation

Early career as a stockbroker and financial analyst. Successful career in sports photojournalism since 1984. Media marketing and business development since 1991.

Campaign website

www.Newkirk4DP.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Dana Point Planning Commissioner 2009 to 2015 including final year as Chair.
Served on Dana Point's Residential Building Height Task Force in 2005.

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our City is the financial fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)) was down $3.3 million (24%) in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, and total revenue is expected to take another $6 million hit in fiscal 2021. While Dana Point has reserves available, they will not last forever - especially if the economic downturn is prolonged and deep. Current reserves stand at $14.7 million, with almost $5 million of that balance set aside for unfunded pension liabilities. The City Council must face this economic challenge head on - examining every possible avenue for revenue enhancement and thinking outside the box to find efficiencies and new ways of doing business without sacrificing public safety or services to residents. At the same time, it is necessary that we make plans to replenish reserves for future economic uncertainty or extreme events. I have no doubt that our City is up to the challenge and I look forward to working with fellow Council members to ensure that Dana Point not only survives this financial crisis but finds new ways to thrive.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The main difference between me and my opponent is that I have a proven public track record of being consistently pro-resident, while he has a record of supporting developers and real estate interests. While on the Planning Commission I built a reputation as someone who made sure residents' voices were heard and respected. I encouraged responsible development and supported projects (like Craft House, Coastal Kitchen and South Cove) that reflected the character of our community but rejected projects like the Doheny Hotel and Majestic (now Raintree) project in Town Center because they asked for inappropriate concessions that were not appropriate for Dana Point. My opponent spoke at public meetings in support of the large developer variances on the massive Majestic/Raintree project and publicly supported reduced parking requirements that were a huge concession to developers. He contributed to a Political Action Committee that opposed a popular residents' Measure which upheld the Town Center Plan and supported a competing measure backed by developers and real estate interests. We also differ on short term rentals, where I oppose investor owned STRs in residential areas and believe residents should have the ultimate say at the ballot box on such a major change to the zoning of their most valuable asset.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Parking - the City's failure to create dedicated parking structures as envisioned by the Town Center Plan has resulted in a commercial/mixed use area with inadequate parking, causing any overflow to end up in adjoining neighborhoods where parking is already quite scarce. A solution is absolutely necessary to the success of our commercial area. It can be derived through collaborative discussions with stakeholders. I support the work of the Homeless Task Force and believe that homeless issues should be addressed compassionately and promptly. I support the enactment of a sober living home ordinance similar to the one passed by Costa Mesa that was recently upheld on appeal.I support public safety as a core city responsibility, support enhanced neighborhood watch, and will work to ensure codes are enforced fairly and uniformly. I believe the City Council works on behalf of residents and that we have a responsibility to conduct ourselves ethically, respectfully and transparently. We are doing the people's business and as much of that business as possible should be conducted in the public eye.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

When I served on the Residential Building Height Task Force, I worked collaboratively with a very diverse group. We put aside personal biases, worked together and developed a solution for residents that was clear, efficient and consistent. My lengthy service on the Planning Commission is well documented on the City's website. I built a reputation for looking out for the interests of residents, encouraging responsible growth that reflected the character and culture of our town. Despite being encouraged, at times, to cut public discussion short, I made sure that every public comment was heard and that all residents' opinions were heard and respected. I have a significant background in business, a degree in economics and work experience as a financial analyst. All of these attributes will serve me well as we grapple with the City's financial difficulties. I pride myself in both professional and civic roles as a person who can work well with others who I may not agree with on some issues. I can be counted on to seek solutions that fit my top priority -helping residents maintain and enhance our town as a great place to live, work and play.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

My term will be a success if Dana Point moves forward with appropriate development creating a sound parking plan for its commercial and mixed use zones while retaining its unique coastal charm. Success also means that we develop a short term rental ordinance that enjoys solid approval of the majority of Dana Point voters; enact a sober living ordinance modeled on Costa Mesa's; balance our annual budgets; and create a formal plan to replenish reserves.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of putting their interests first. I have a clear public record of unwavering support for plans and policies supported by the majority of Dana Point residents, supported by an unwavering reputation of respectful regard for their opinions and desires.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Dana Point has enjoyed unusual prosperity thanks to a lucrative tourist industry that adds transient occupancy tax to city coffers. Unfortunately this revenue source can be volatile, as evidenced by significant declines experienced in the 2008 recession and again this year with the unprecedented covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, the City Treasurer had already acknowledged that the City was facing structural (meaning not one time) deficits because we were simply spending more than we took in. Revenue was rising each year, but operating and capital expenditures were outpacing that increase, resulting in net deficits in 8 out of the last 10 years, even though our population has not changed. In my opinion, Dana Point needs to "right size" its expenditure levels, stripping out wasteful or inefficient practices that may not be the best use of taxpayer funds. We also need to diversify our revenue sources so that sales tax levels, in particular are enhanced by increasing commercial development. We have allowed sales taxes to "leak" out of our City as local residents and tourists seek restaurant and store options not available here. TOT will return and likely exceed 2019 levels once again, but we must resolve to live beneath instead of beyond our means, replenishing reserves and setting aside funds for capital expenditures for not only necessary road and sewer maintenance, but also investments that reflect the hopes and dreams of our community. A leaner, more efficient City will be positioned to take utmost advantage of opportunities as we return to prosperity.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I have been a Lantern District resident for 23 years and have no plans to relocate. Dana Point is our beloved home, and I would be honored if voters grant me the privilege of representing residents on our City Council. There is no reason I would choose to leave this amazing town.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

“Learn to see with your heart” I was fortunate to study photography briefly with a contemporary of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Minor White who would always tell students this was the key to seeing the world through a camera. I have found this also applies to everything in life whether family, business or play when compassion and empathy are at the core of your motivations life is better.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am an Orange County native who grew up in Anaheim where my family owned the local bike shop. Surfing and the ocean have always been a constant in my life. I have been a musician most of my life playing the acoustic guitar with a special love for old blues and Hawaiian slack key tunes.

Do you have any questions to ask your candidate? Ask in comments, or by emailing your Patch Editor.