By Mark Nielsen, former San Juan Capistrano City Councilman
While much has changed over the past decade, there is even more that has remained the same in our town. The question is, are the right things changing or being preserved? As I reflect on the past 10 years of The Dispatch, I have been blessed to have seen our community from the perspective of community activist, businessman, parent, mayor and councilman, Redevelopment chair, concerned citizen and taxpayer, and chair of our Open Space Committee. I learned about issues that most of us take for granted and was forced to look at the many sides of complex issues that, too often, we only see from our own perspective. I urge you all to remember this as we enter the election cycle of half-truths and spin.
Yes, traffic continues to get worse and we have limited ability to address it due to the control the state and Caltrans exert, as well as the geographic limits placed on us by the freeway bisecting our town, the creeks and limited streets to traverse these challenges.
However, another top hallmark of our city, the abundant open space, is far better protected today than at any other time in the past, since we passed the initiative in 2008 that removes the ability for any future City Council to rezone open space without a vote of the people.
A long-term vision and strategic plan was developed so that we finally are looking at our city and its finances on a 10 and 20-plus-year basis, instead of only a couple years out at a time. Our Downtown Master Plan is another example of planning for the future, which was missing 10 years ago. Decision making is far easier and effective in the context of knowing where you are ultimately going.
But most important, we have continuously held to the absolute commitment of preserving our historical, rural and equestrian character that makes San Juan Capistrano an oasis in the midst of urban Orange County. The small town character, citizen activism and tight-knit community that comes together when needed, despite our differences, has not been lost and is reflected in the history and the future of The Dispatch as an example of that local focus and pride.
Mark Nielsen is a local business executive who was Mayor in 2009 during his four years on the City Council. He has lived in San Juan Capistrano for over 20 years.
