CHULA VISTA, Calif. — After a lengthy Special Chula Vista’s City Council meeting, Rachel Morineau was voted to fill the vacant District 4 seat.
"I am committed to restoring trust and transparency and advocate for policies and incentives aligned with the needs of District 4," said Morineau.
A total of eight candidates were up for consideration for the spot.
The Special City Council meeting on Thursday was widely attended with very few open seats available inside council chambers as dozens of residents watched the proceeding.
The eight candidates included: Christine Brady, Sharmane Estolano, Megan Moore, Rachel Morineau, Guadalupe Ruiz, Nicholas Segura Jr, John Volland, and Daniel Zavala-Soto.
All eight candidates made their case to Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, the council and a chamber full of Chula Vistans as to why they're the right fit for the job.
“With the highest population density, it is vital that our constituents feel like they have a representative that hears them and works for them and will be there for them and tied to their necessities," Morineau told the public.
The meeting began with public comments where at least 30 people addressed everything from what they said is corruption in Chula Vista's City Council to supporting the interim candidate of their choice.
CBS 8 spent the day in the district, talking to constituents about what matters most to them. They told CBS 8 that family, culture, housing and economic development were some of the priorities they have for the area.
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann highlighted the importance of holding a transparent and fair process of appointing a new councilmember.
“They’re only going to be there for several months so they’re not going to be able to run for reelection so we really need to have somebody who can immediately start working in the community," he said. "I will only support people who are there and who are going to put Chula Vista and District 4 first. It should not be a political appointment. It should be someone who actually works in the district and has a track record of serving the district," he added.
William Simpson is a retired Chula Vista police officer. He’s been living in the area for decades and said the person filling the seat has a lot of issues they need to tackle in the district. His top priority was helping the unhoused population find a place to call home.
"The increase in people on the streets has gone up quite a bit. Some of them can function just fine. I'm particularly concerned about the older people I see, who don't look healthy and are living on the streets," Simpson said.
Morineau cannot run for re-election in November for the seat. District 4 will elect their city council representative in November’s general election. Cesar Fernandez and Rudy Ramirez are the top two vote-getters in the March primary who will advance to that election.
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