4 Pull Candidacy Papers, Guerin's Intentions a Mystery

Four pull candidacy papers for Encinitas City Council

By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer

ENCINITAS ---- The race for two seats on the Encinitas City Council has officially begun.

Two Parks and Recreation commissioners, a community activist and incumbent Councilman Dan Dalager have taken out their candidacy papers for the Nov. 7 City Council election, City Clerk Deborah Cervone said Tuesday.

In addition to Dalager, the field so far includes parks Commissioners Robert Nanninga and Bert Long and Teresa Barth, an activist from Cardiff

The filing period began Monday and ends Aug. 11. By that date, candidates must return their paperwork, a $25 filing fee and the signatures of 20 registered voters to qualify for the ballot in the vote-for-two race.

While Dalager said Tuesday he intends to seek a second term, the intentions of Mayor Christy Guerin remain a mystery.

Earlier this month, Guerin accepted an offer from newly elected U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad, to work as director of his district office.

At 3 p.m. Thursday, she is scheduled to announce whether she will seek a third term at a press conference at City Hall.

If Guerin runs, Nanninga, 42, said Tuesday his focus would be to unseat her.

"If Christy's in the race, I'm in the race," he said. "And if she's not, it's very unlikely I'll be in the race."

Nanninga, a small-business owner, freelance writer and environmental activist, said that among other things, he disagrees with Guerin's endorsement of recent ballot measures that sought to allow housing on agricultural property and to institute a citywide clean-water fee. Proposition A and Proposition C both failed.

A native of Vista, Nanninga has lived in Encinitas since 1992.

In contrast to Nanninga, Long said Tuesday he supports the council's policy-making and is running because "too many people came and asked me to do it."

"So far I'm looking at the other people who've pulled papers," he said. "I don't agree with them and I don't want the council to stray that way."

Long, 56, attended San Dieguito High School and has lived in Encinitas since 1952. He owns a plumbing business and is a former Little League coach.

He said he'll run regardless of whether or not Guerin runs.

Barth, 53, said Tuesday she plans to run because she has a lot to contribute to the community.

"I also feel the current council is out of touch," she said. "Prop. A and Prop. C said that loud and clear."

Barth is a lifelong resident of North County and has lived in Encinitas since 1994. She serves on the board of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Chamber of Commerce and is president of the Friends of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library. She also is a board member of the Greater San Diego Resource Conservation District and the county Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee.

Dalager, 56, said Tuesday he has not launched his campaign but has already received $500 in contributions. The lifelong resident and small-business owner said he gave away leftover money from his 2002 campaign to Patrons of Encinitas Parks.

Before he won his City Council seat, Dalager served on the Parks and Recreation Commission. He said he's in no real rush to begin campaigning.

"After 56 years here, a lot of people know me," Dalager said. "There are people who'll never vote for me and others who will."

My take on the canidates:

Nanninga is nutcase, there I said it. I mean that in the best way. I don't think Nanninga is a bad person. I love his coffee shop and I think he is a pretty nice and interesting guy to talk too, but seriously dude comon'. I read his Coast News columns more for comedy than anything else.

I admit I don't know much about Bert Long. I don't hang in those circles.

I like Teresa Barth, she seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders. I think a solid common sense local woman could pull in a lot of female votes in this town. She is the favorite of the three newbies I think.

Dan could be re-elected easier than people think. I've noticed a change in Dan. He used to look either sleepy or grumpy up there but now he seems more alert and enthusiastic.

I think Christy should run. I know her new job pulls in the sweet moola but it's kind of like sports, if you win an event you should always enter the next year to defend your title.

It will probably come down to who has the coolest sign posted on the coast highway.

Personally I'll vote for ever brings back the Stone Steps chug-a-lug surf contest.