NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE OFFICE IN OCEANSIDE
Rick Robinson, Eric Joyce replace Kori Jensen, Christopher Rodriguez
Two new members elected in November took their places on the Oceanside City Council this week, promising what could be a more peaceful period at City Hall.
District 1 Councilmember Eric Joyce and District 2 Councilmember Rick Robinson were installed and presented with plaques during a short ceremony Wednesday in the council chambers at City Hall. Both newly elected members replaced people who survived attempted recalls and were often at the center of controversy.
“Thanks to all the good troublemakers and the community advocates,” Joyce said. “I want to see you still coming around, and I think you will.”
Joyce, a special education teacher and Oceanside Unified School District trustee, took the oath of office with his two children at his side. He will fill the council seat previously held by Kori Jensen, who was appointed to a partial term in January 2021. Jensen ran for election to a full fouryear term, but finished in second place among the five candidates.
“It’s been a great experience,” Jensen said Wednesday. “I’ve learned a lot. I’m proud of the two new council members coming in, and I’m sure they are going to do an
excellent job.”
Robinson, the city’s recently retired fire chief, was sworn in by the new fire chief, David Parsons, a 20year member of the department who took his place earlier this year.
“I promise to support all who reside, work in or visit our city,” Robinson said after taking his seat on the council for the first time. He thanked everyone from his wife to his only opponent in the election, Daniel Dominguez, whom he said ran a respectful, issues-oriented campaign.
“I’m excited to work collaboratively with our mayor and fellow council members to find solutions to some of our most difficult challenges — improving public safety, managing homelessness, keeping our beaches, increasing housing availability, traffic improvement, supporting and expanding our business community, improving our recreational facilities, maintaining and improving our infrastructure,” he said. “All of those will require a shared sense of purpose, sound policy development, wisdom in our decision-making and the best efforts of city staff.”
Robertson succeeds one-term Councilmember Christopher Rod
riguez, who did not seek reelection and was absent from Wednesday’s swearingin ceremony. Both Jensen and Rodriguez have left recent council meetings early.
Gratitude and optimism filled Wednesday’s short ceremony, unlike many of the council’s long and contentious meetings over the past two years or longer.
Jensen and Rodriguez both survived recall attempts
led by residents who often addressed the council angrily during public comment opportunities and battled openly on social media sites.
With Jensen, the issues were a lack of experience and the possibility that she lived in Carlsbad when she was appointed, which she denies. An investigation by the District Attorney’s Office ended with no charges filed.
Opponents of Rodriguez said they sought his recall in large part because of his enthusiastic support for the controversial North River Farms project, a 585-home, farm-themed community proposed for South Morro Hills. Rodriguez ran for mayor and lost in 2020 to Mayor Esther Sanchez. He also lost a bid earlier this year for the congressional seat held by Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano.
Rodriguez, a real estate agent, said he was stepping down to spend more time with his family and business.