Dear Neighbors,
I met with a delegation from Texas recently. They played golf on the Ocean Course, watched the sun set from Redondo Beach Road, and enjoyed our spectacular facility and hospitality. They were awestruck. How does a place like this still exist so close to ‘Frisco? Wince.
And that’s the question you need to ask. Our success has many hands, but the most steady person nudging and herding us away from short term fixes that would have wrecked paradise is Mayor Debbie Ruddock. Here is why you should join me in voting for her reelection this fall.
Debbie created the policies and plans that have protected our community from sprawl, strip malls and highrises. She authored sound growth control protections with Measure A, Measure D, and provided the leadership to lock in permanent protections in our new Local Coastal Land Use Plan, which was approved unanimously by the Coastal Commission in 2020.
Debbie protected the bluff tops where the Coastal Trail is now located from intrusive development. She also partnered with Coastside Land Trust to extend the Wavecrest trails, install safe parking and permanent restrooms, a new beach staircase access, and remove damaging traffic from the bluffs at the end of Redondo Beach Road. Those projects are a direct result of her diligence and financial discipline.
The recent Carnoustie project alone of just 40 houses provided $2.2M for affordable housing, $1.5m for parks, and an extra $1m for local traffic improvements. You cannot protect the environment or provide affordable housing without reasonable commercial development. It’s her ability to work cooperatively with project proponents and strike the right balance – concentrating on infill development downtown and in established neighborhoods like Ocean Colony, that keeps Half Moon Bay special. Having dealt with Debbie for almost 30 years, she’s tough, fair, hardworking, and always keeps the City and Coastside’s best interests in mind.
According to the California State Auditor, Half Moon Bay ranks #2 in affordable housing production per capita throughout San Mateo County (tiny Colma pop. 1,722 nudged us out). We are recognized by the state in the “Most Development” category, a distinction we share with other high-performing cities. I understand that since 2000, we have produced nearly 350 affordable and transitional homes for seniors, farmworkers, and others, even though our overall population has remained stable. All of these other projects have been tucked in and well-designed.
Even if Half Moon Bay voters decide not to approve Measure Q and the 555 Kelly agreements this November, the City has other active housing projects in its pipeline that provide a path to meeting our housing obligations going forward.
Every few years, some group pops up wanting their “special” project to move forward. Even though it may be unpopular, Debbie has been there blocking the bull dozers on the bluff tops or pushing back on ill-conceived lease agreements that put tens of millions of dollars of risk and financial obligations on the City’s books. She was reelected 12 years ago to clean up the Beechwood mess and she continues to do her job.
We need to protect our small town, coastside character, fund trails and parks, exercise fiscal responsibility, and continue to provide market rate and affordable housing in clever ways. Every election it is important that we elect a City Council that shares those key priorities. Bottom line, Debbie’s breadth of experience, extensive governmental relationships, and skill in defending the unique landscapes that make our town so special make her the obvious choice.
If you have questions, you can learn more about her on her website DeborahRuddock.com.
Yours truly,
Bruce Russell
