Campaign to focus on reducing traffic, improving infrastructure and protecting quality of life
Three-term City Councilman Chris Orlando today announced his campaign for Mayor of San Marcos. Orlando, who has served on the San Marcos City Council since 2006, announced his intention to run for mayor through social media and an email to supporters.
“My priorities as mayor will be reducing traffic congestion, keeping city finances and infrastructure strong, planning for our future with a more thoughtful approach toward growth, and constantly focusing on improving the quality of life in San Marcos for families, students, and seniors,” said Orlando.
In addition to serving on the Council, Orlando has represented San Marcos on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Association of Governments as the city’s primary member and first alternate since 2014. From 2007 to 2012 he was a member of the North County Transit District’s Board of Directors, serving as chairman from 2010 to 2012 and vice chairman from 2009 to 2010. Before his election to the Council, he was vice chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, serving on the panel from January 2005 to December 2006. He has previously served on the boards of directors for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and San Diego Youth and Community Services.
Orlando has been an active part of the San Marcos community for 16 years. As a community member, he advocated for improved fire protection and smarter development, and worked to add the citizens’ voice to city decisions. Orlando has been a strong advocate for schools and improving infrastructure – opposing projects that add to crowded schools and bring more traffic.
“When I was first elected to City Council in 2006, my goal was to be a strong voice for the residents of San Marcos,” said Orlando. “In my time on City Council, I’ve tried to do exactly that – standing up when I thought residents’ voices were not being heard.”
Orlando was the lone “no” vote on the San Marcos City Council in two recent controversial development decisions. In November 2016, the Council voted 4-1 to approve the Highlands project, which annexed unincorporated county land into the city and up-zoned it for the development of 189 units. In January 2018, the Council voted 4-1 to grant Brookfield Homes a General Plan Amendment to build 218 units adjacent to an existing 346-unit project that is under development. A referendum is currently being circulated by residents to overturn the Council’s decision to approve that General Plan Amendment. Orlando voted against both projects based on their traffic impact and a lack of capacity in the schools that would serve the new communities.
The election for San Marcos Mayor takes place November 6, 2018.
