Date: January 7, 2003	Contact: Darren Pudgil (619) 531-5544

ROBERTS BEGINS NEW TERM ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Renewing his pledge to create a better, brighter
San Diego for all, especially the region’s children,
Ron Roberts was sworn in today to serve his third term
on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

“When I made the decision to leave my architectural practice
after nearly twenty years to run for public office, my wife called
it ‘the ultimate mid-life crisis,’” joked Roberts. “Helene, you were probably right. But let me just say this – for me, having the opportunity to serve the people of this great region has been the ultimate honor and privilege.”

“We’ve breathed new life into this county, taking it from the brink of fiscal collapse to become one of the best-run counties in America,” added Roberts, who was re-elected last year without opposition. “We’ve wiped away the dust and cleaned off the rust and polished the County of San Diego into a shining example of good government.”

During his seven-minute address, Roberts thanked the voters for placing their trust in him and for giving him the opportunity to represent them.

In addition to reducing traffic congestion and cleaning up the county’s beaches and bays, Roberts highlighted three of the areas he will focus on during the next four years.

First, he vowed to make good on his proposal to create a beautiful waterfront park around the historic County Administration Center downtown. “We’ve come too far to stop now,” he said. “The design is almost complete and now we must take that final step and fund this monumental civic project, which will change the face and heart of our waterfront.”

Roberts also pledged to complete the build-out of the San Pasqual Academy, a one-of-a-kind residential education campus exclusively for foster teens. “Before this board came to be, foster children were treated somewhat like second-class citizens in San Diego. Now, they are treated like the precious resource they are.”

Finally, Roberts said he would work to help San Diego businesses expand into the rapidly developing Asian markets, particularly China, which recently joined the World Trade Organization and opened its doors to foreign investment. “Home to more than one billion people – that’s one fifth of the world’s population – China gives our businesses unprecedented opportunity to expand and prosper.

Roberts was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Jeff Fraser. First elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1998 and 2002, Roberts represents the Fourth Supervisorial District, which spans from the Golden Triangle to Paradise Hills, including Balboa Park, Chollas View, Clairemont, the College Area, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, Linda Vista, Little Italy, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Normal Heights, North Park, Old Town, Oak Park, Serra Mesa and University City.