Carlsbad City Council Candidate Forum

Posted on Oct 13, 2016
 
Last night our club held a Carlsbad City Council Candidate Forum. It was very informative to hear from the candidates. A big thank you to TK Arnold for being the evening's moderator. And to the candidates, Lorraine Wood, Cori Schumacher, Brandon Rowley, Ann Tanner and Bill Fowler for spending time to let us get to know them a little better.
 
 
The City of Carlsbad's next municipal election is Nov. 8, 2016. Two City Council seats will be up for election, those held by Mayor Pro Tem Lorraine Wood and Council Member Keith Blackburn.
 
Frank Silva introduced the evening’s program: 5 of the 6 candidates running for election to the Carlsbad City Council were present for presentations about their own background and primary reasons why they are running in this election. Candidate and current Council member Keith Blackburn was not present – he sent his regrets.
 
Lorraine Wood: Was elected to the Carlsbad City Council in 2012.  Previously she served as the Carlsbad Deputy City Clerk from 1999 – 2000 and was elected City Clerk in 2000 where I remained until retiring in 2012.  Her perspective as a citizen, City employee and Council Member, gives her the ability to see the unique qualities that make Carlsbad special. 
 
Cori Schumacher: As a California native, Cori has lived in North County San Diego for 28 years and in Carlsbad for the last 10. She is most widely known as a 3-time world-champion surfer. For 10 years, she has redirected her energy, focus and efforts into effecting global change through activism.
 
Brandon Rowley: 23-year-old keeper of invertebrates at the San Diego Zoo. A 2015 graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Brandon has lived in Carlsbad for 15 years, Says Brandon says that Carlsbad needs a voice to channel young adults, and his youth is a large part of his selling point.
 
Ann Tanner: B.A., Stanford University; M.S. Columbia University. President and Board Member, Carlsbad Unified School District, 2010-2014.  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Supervised medical staff of 40. Since 2004 provided emergency mental health services for over 500 individuals and families. Surfer, 3-time Marathon Finisher, Piano Player, Avid hiker, small business owner (La Costa Counseling), Genealogist, Published Author.
 
Bill Fowler:  Previously RAND Corporation; got a PhD degree. Consultant at Search Technologies; UCLA's Crump Institute for Medical Engineering; now an independent technology consultant. Concerned about Climate Change and active in the North County Climate Change Alliance and the Carlsbad Sustainability Coalition.
 
TK Arnold was the moderator. After allowing 2-3 minutes each for a self-introduction, TK then posed issues for discussion by each candidate in turn:
  1. Affordable Housing in Carlsbad.
  2. Carlsbad growth plans.
  3. Continued Development of Carlsbad Village.
  4. Extending the Palomar Airport runway.
  5. Term-limits; spending-limits; limits on campaign contributions.
Read TK’s excellent article in the Seaside Courier –
Meet the candidates: Carlsbad City Council race - Full Q&A: