San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
A CHANCE TO CLOSELY LISTEN TO SAN DIEGANS’ CONCERNS
San Diego is my hometown. My parents came here in 1979 escaping religious persecution. They lived in a modest studio in La Mesa. Both worked hard and took English lessons, and each worked their way through medical school. Eventually they opened up their own practice together and to this day they continue to remain on the front-lines helping patients who they have been treating for over 20 years. Because of their determination in pursuit of the American dream and the opportunity San Diego provided to them, I was afforded the opportunity to graduate as a double bear — as a University of California Berkeley undergraduate and then from UC Berkeley School of Law. Public service is about giving back to your community. San Diego’s success is personal to me. I grew up playing basketball at the YMCA in my district, and this my hometown. That’s why I ran for San Diego City Council earlier this year — to give back to the community that has been so great to me and my family.
We will soon know who the leader of this great district is. I want that leader to listen to the district’s constituents, deliver on his promises, and even when elected to continuously hold virtual town halls and hear from those who elected him, regardless of political affiliation. That’s the reason I knocked on thousands of doors when I was running — to hear from the people who live in this district and to address their concerns.