Paloma Aguirre, a candidate for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, has placed the county budget at the forefront of her campaign efforts.
Aguirre emphasized the significance of controlling San Diego County’s substantial $8 billion budget, stating that the upcoming election’s outcome will influence the region’s direction for years to come.
In a message to her supporters, Aguirre highlighted the importance of leadership in handling such a massive financial portfolio.
However, her own financial difficulties, which include unpaid property taxes and multiple lawsuits by creditors, have intervened in her campaign narrative.
As the current mayor of Imperial Beach, Aguirre still owes over $2,600 in unpaid property taxes related to her condo, a debt that has lingered for three years.
Additionally, records reveal that Aguirre has faced multiple lawsuits in California and Washington, D.C., for debts totaling nearly $7,000 linked to unpaid credit card bills and various obligations.
Compounding these issues, her husband, Jose Bacalski, underwent bankruptcy proceedings less than a year after their marriage, seeking relief from debts exceeding $31,000 owed to various financial institutions and collectives.
These financial struggles have become a focal point in the election, particularly for her Republican opponent, John McCann, who serves as the mayor of Chula Vista.
McCann criticized Aguirre’s financial situation, asserting that if she struggles to manage her own finances, she is unsuited to oversee the county budget effectively.
On social media, he shared his disbelief, questioning how Aguirre could manage an $8 billion budget while grappling with her own unpaid bills.
In response to these allegations, Aguirre’s spokesperson indicated that she has made progress in settling some of her debts and is on track to resolve the outstanding property taxes, which the candidate attributes to an unintentional oversight.
Dan Rottenstreich, Aguirre’s campaign consultant, noted that many residents in South County encounter financial setbacks and understand Aguirre’s situation, suggesting it resonates with their personal experiences.
He asserted that this shared understanding is why local working families place their trust in Aguirre, emphasizing her commitment to fighting for their needs.
In related news, the San Diego City Council recently voted to reinstate funding for a safe sleeping site at Central Elementary School, a project that had faced uncertainties in its future.
The budget approved by the council included $250,000 towards this initiative, which aims to provide a safe location for families with children.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, in his advocacy for the project, expressed the importance of maintaining a focus on the community’s moral obligations to support those in need.
Despite this funding restoration, the site’s future remains tentative, as there is still a risk of Mayor Todd Gloria using his line-item veto to eliminate the allocation.
Furthermore, the funding for the broader city budget is predicated on optimistic revenue projections, leaving the potential for cuts if those forecasts do not materialize.
Elo-Rivera voiced his determination to keep the project moving forward, emphasizing his commitment to helping the community.
In a related circumstance, the future of a homeless shelter in Midway looks bleak after Mayor Gloria opted not to finance its operation in hopes that the county would take responsibility.
While the City Council’s recent vote allocated $488,000 to extend the shelter’s operation, it is not a permanent resolution.
This funding will allow the nonprofit Alpha Project and city housing officials extra time to assist shelter residents in relocating to other facilities.
As of the latest reports, 94 individuals remain at the Midway shelter, with some transitioning to other accommodations while others have returned to living on the streets.
As the city winds down operations at the Midway shelter, it has also ceased accepting new arrivals at many other shelters, significantly limiting access for homeless individuals seeking assistance.
In further news, immigration service providers along with 11 foreign nationals have initiated a class-action federal lawsuit in San Diego, contending that the Trump administration has severely restricted access to asylum by imposing barriers at ports of entry.
On another note, a taquería renowned for its outstanding quality and featured in the Michelin Guide in Tijuana has made its debut in National City.
Meanwhile, Senator Alex Padilla encountered a contentious situation when he was forcibly removed by federal agents during a press conference led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles after attempting to ask a question.
Additionally, an Uber driver has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that an officer abused him with derogatory language during a traffic stop late last year.
The Morning Report is compiled by Jim Hinch, Lisa Halverstadt, and Tessa Balc and edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.
image source from：https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/13/morning-report-supervisor-candidate-left-trail-of-unpaid-debts-taxes/
