COMPARE YOUR CANDIDATES FOR ENCINITAS MAYOR: PRO OR "NO"

CATHERINE BLAKESPEAR:
​PRO AND "PRO"

JULIE THUNDER:
CANDIDATE OF "NO"

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Prop. A and Housing

Catherine Blakespear: Protecting your right to vote while also complying with state housing laws. Supports an inclusive and diverse community. Advocates for granny flats to diversify housing options.
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Julie Thunder: Thunder would lead us into expensive lawsuits, fines, and regulatory problems. No plan for state compliance. Falsely accuses city of suing residents, when our lawsuit is with the state. Vague promises about “working with other cities.” 

Our Environment

Catherine Blakespear: Helped create our “gold-standard” climate action plan. Recognized as a regional environmental leader. Supports increased biking and walking, a new park, reducing plastic waste, planting trees, and many green initiatives.

Julie Thunder: Actively opposes biking and walking projects. Falsely claims city is in violation of water management requirements. Fails to address climate change as a threat.

Tackling Homelessness

Catherine Blakespear: Committed to preventing homelessness and helping those who need it. Actively working with regional partners and other cities. Identifies homelessness as a top concern.

Julie Thunder: Lots of complaining, but no actual ideas on how to reduce homelessness. Opposed to the 25-spot parking lot that provides a safe place to stay and a self-betterment program for neighbors experiencing homelessness.

City Finances

Catherine Blakespear: Committed to maintaining Encinitas as a fiscally sound city. Always monitoring the city’s bottom line. Supports pre-paying pension debt.

Julie Thunder: Doesn’t address fiscal solvency. No stated position. Criticizes infrastructure projects for their cost and then suggests impractical, costlier alternatives.

Public Safety

Catherine Blakespear: Supports and invests in fire fighters, lifeguards and the sheriff’s department to keep Encinitas among the safest cities in the county. Crime down 32% since becoming mayor in 2016. Endorsed by Encinitas Firefighter’s Association.

Julie Thunder: Vague and unclear promises. False, fear-mongering accusations about rising crime and “unsafe” city facilities.

Social Justice

Catherine Blakespear: Supports a diverse and inclusive city. Recognizes housing policy, transportation networks and climate change as social justice issues.

Julie Thunder: States that “diverse and inclusive” are empty words. No stated social justice goals. 

Philosophy

Catherine Blakespear: Believes in working with residents to proactively solve problems and enhance Encinitas. Jumps in and gets results, with substantial meaningful improvements delivered. Advocated and facilitated our Coastal Rail Trail.

Julie Thunder: The candidate of “no.” Opposes many major city improvements, but rarely offers real alternatives. Founded “No Rail Trail” to fight against the creation of the popular Coastal Rail Trail. Believes in waiting for other cities to act first when problems arise.

Relevant Experience

Catherine Blakespear: Practicing attorney, former news reporter. Four years as Encinitas mayor, two years on Encinitas City Council, and over three years as a member of the city’s Traffic & Safety Commission. 

Julie Thunder: Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, Secondary teaching credential. Founder of “No Rail Trail” group.

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From Catherine Blakespear's website. Full article linked here.