Politics & Government

Virtual Town Hall Questions for Carl Hilliard

Hilliard: "Each of you has an economic or public safety concern and I am the only candidate that is tackling those issues head on."

Carl Hilliard is a candidate for San Diego County Supervisor District 3. Here he fields questions from imaginary voters asking about real-life issues.

Patch: I’m 52 and own a greeting card shop, and this economy is still killing me. Why should I vote for you?

Carl Hilliard: Each and every resident of the Third District regardless of the age or issue will be treated with dignity and respect, and will be provided with the utmost responsive service possible by my office. Currently, my home phone number is listed. As Mayor, I receive emails and phone calls from concerned residents every day and I work to resolve them. I’ll do the same at the County level. Who says we can’t?

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Patch: I’m a 37-year-old public school teacher, and every year I fear losing my job. Why should I vote for you?

Hilliard: The current arrogant culture at the County government simply doesn’t care about you, only the entrenched bureaucrats and a process of saying “no.” I will change that culture. Each of you has an economic or public safety concern and I am the only candidate that is tackling those issues head on.

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Patch: I’m 25 and graduated college 14 months ago, but I still can’t find work. Why should I vote for you?

Hilliard: As a successful businessman, I built a business here in San Diego County that grew to 165 employees and know how to attract jobs. Additive, or 3D, manufacturing is the key to bringing back jobs–a lot of better-paying jobs–from overseas. The quiet, but huge, manufacturing revolution that uses only computers and the Internet to build products will replace old assembly lines. With additive manufacturing, anyone from individuals to businesses can turn virtual models into physical ones by using computer-aided design software. The process involves adding thin layers, a layer at a time so just enough material is used to make a part—nothing more, nothing wasted. The requirements are simple, basically a computer, the software to run it, and an Internet connection.

Patch: I’m 52 and my commute to work is close to an hour. So these gas prices really pinch. Why should I vote for you?

Hilliard: I have served as a member of North County Transit District’s Board of Directors and as an alternate for the North Coastal region on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee. I have gained valuable experience planning for public transportation needs now and into the future. Lost in the discussions about how we should widen our highways or how we should integrate and provide more public transit (both concepts that I support) is the acknowledgement of the new technology coming to transportation that will improving our lives including new light-weight materials, alternative energy sources, and collision prevention technology. 

Patch: I’m 90 and can’t leave my house, because I hear police sirens all the time and my neighbors had their car broken into. Why should I vote for you?

Hilliard: Prisoner dumping is a major public safety concern. The State is systematically dumping prisoners on the counties. In some counties, authorities are simply releasing these prisoners. By this summer, the State will have sent 6,000 prisoners to our county and the burden will cost taxpayers $100 million the first year. As to prisoner dumping, local governments need exclusive control of funds for county courts. The state’s financial problems have spilled over into county court budgets to the point where courtrooms are closed and offenders cannot be prosecuted. We need to use validated risk assessment to manage the jail population and keep violent offenders behind bars.

Patch: I’m a 48-year-old member of a local taxpayers association. I’ve lost faith in a government that overspends our tax dollars and thinks six-figure pensions are OK. Why should I vote for you?

Hilliard: I am proud to have been endorsed by Prop 13’s Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which has called me a “taxpayer ally.” As a two-term Mayor, we turned our city around from financial gloom to what is now a Triple A bond rated city with a surplus. I understand how to pencil out expenses. I would appreciate your vote. I’m giving back to the community and am here to serve the public. I have no ambitions for higher office and unlike my main opponents, I’m not receiving any money from the entrenched special interests or government employee unions who want to pad their pensions. This is about giving back and providing service to each and every one of you. As the only candidate who has served in the military as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, I understand the needs of military families.

For more information about Carl Hilliard, you can visit his campaign website.

So how did Carl Hilliard do? What did you like or dislike about his answers? Tell us in the comments.

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