Chris Duncan for State Assembly

In the Assembly, I’ll fight to put middle-class priorities first. For our families. For our future. For a change.

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“In the Assembly, I’ll fight to put middle-class priorities first. For our families. For our future. For a change.”

Chris Duncan is a third-generation Californian, accomplished local mayor, former federal prosecutor, and a father of three. Now, Chris is running to represent our community in the Assembly to put the middle-class first, lower costs for working families, and ensure all our children grow up safe with real opportunity.A graduate of California public schools, Chris’s parents taught him the value of hard work, integrity, and the importance of going against the grain to do the right thing. From an early age, he sought to bring people together to solve problems.As the Mayor of San Clemente and a City Councilmember before that, Chris has made his city safer, protected a woman’s right to choose, prioritized smart growth and affordable housing, worked to create jobs, invested in clean energy, and helped small businesses survive the pandemic. Hailed for being a bridge-builder and a problem solver, Chris has earned a reputation for his bipartisan accomplishments and delivering real results.Called to public service after 9/11, Chris Duncan spent more than 16 years as a federal prosecutor under both Democratic and Republican administrations, going after political corruption, corporate wrongdoing, and domestic terrorism. While working as a Senior Attorney at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, Chris won several awards for his work penalizing foreign companies for trade violations, rooting out government corruption, and training hundreds of special agents on how to spot and report ethical violations.During his career as a homeland security professional, Chris has focused on a wide range of topics, including immigration, customs, civil and criminal investigations, intellectual property protection, ethics, labor, and disclosure of information. Additionally, Chris served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, where he helped recover millions of dollars for U.S. businesses who were victims of unfair trade practices by foreign governments and corporations.

In the Assembly, Chris Duncan will do what he's always done – focus on independent, common sense solutions that get real results on the issues that impact local families most.

Chris Duncan has made the safety of our country his top priority as a Federal prosecutor and Homeland Security attorney. He knows that there is nothing more important than the safety of our communities and our families. He’ll fight to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources, tools, and support they need to keep our communities safe, pass common sense gun safety legislation and more. He will take on crime related to homelessness, while getting our local law enforcement out of the business of mental health care and drug abuse management, so they can focus on keeping our communities safe.

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Public Safety

Chris is a vocal champion for reproductive rights and will stand up for access to safe, legal abortions. After the end of&nbsp;Roe v Wade, state legislatures have become the frontlines for the battle for women's health. Chris knows that everyone must have the freedom to access reproductive health care services, and he'll stand up to extremist efforts to restrict health choices. That's why he's endorsed by Planned Parenthood and reproductive justice advocates.

Women’s Right to Choose

Chris will make addressing our housing crisis and reducing homelessness a top priority. On the Council, he led efforts to expand the homeless outreach program to help those experiencing homelessness get resources and keep our community safe. He'll work to pass legislation that gives people access to more affordable housing and helps get them off the streets and on the path to permanent housing.

Housing & Homelessness

Chris believes that climate change is real, and he’ll support reasonable and effective legislation to reduce greenhouse gases, ensure cleaner air and water and protect our coastline and oceans. On the City Council, he's been a leader on environmental issues - championing Community Clean Energy to increase the use of green energy choices and he's working with Congressman Mike Levin to protect our coasts and issues.

Environment

Chris will work across party lines to improve our local and state economy, fighting to cut unnecessary red tape that prevent businesses from succeeding and regulations that are driving too many businesses out of state. He’ll also fight for tax relief for middle class families and small businesses, and will invest in the 21st-century workforce to ensure no one is left behind.

Jobs & The Economy

Chris understands that local families are already stretched too thin and taxed too much. He’ll oppose new state taxes and work to reduce the tax burden on middle class families. This includes opposing unnecessary and harmful fees, charges and projects, such as the toll road.

Taxes

Chris has been a vocal advocate for gun violence prevention and stronger, common sense gun laws to make our kids and communities safer. In the Assembly, he will work to pass common-sense gun safety and gun violence prevention legislation like stronger background checks, protecting victims of domestic violence, prohibiting “ghost guns” and stronger safe storage policies. He will also work to keep guns out of our schools and hold gun manufacturers accountable. That's how he earned the distinction as a 2022 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.

Gun Safety

As a Homeland Security attorney, Chris has taken on corruption and examined bureaucracies for waste. In the Assembly, he’ll take that experience and be a steadfast steward for taxpayer dollars, ensuring it is used as intended and taking on waste – even when it comes from his own party. He’ll spearhead the creation of a bipartisan Special Committee focused on investigating and reducing waste in the State Government, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of state agencies.

Government Waste and Corruption

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From keeping costs and crime down as Mayor of San Clemente to rooting out political corruption as a prosecutor, Chris has spent his whole career fighting to keep the promise of the California Dream alive. And that’s exactly what he’ll do for us in Sacramento.

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Chris is running in the new 74th Assembly District which covers South Orange County and North County San Diego County. It includes the cities of Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Oceanside, Vista, and the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. 

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Chris holds law degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Hawaii School of Law and graduated with honors from Boston College. He lives in San Clemente with his wife, Haley, who runs a small business, and his three kids, who attend local public schools.

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Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

Chris Duncan for Assembly

Dave Min, State Senator

Josh Newman, State Senator

Josh Becker, State Senator

Cottie Petrie-Norris, State Assemblymember

Sharon Quirk-Silva, State Assemblymember

Avelino Valencia, State Assemblymember

Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, State Assemblymember

Eloise Gomez-Reyes, State Assemblymember

Mike Gipson, State Assemblymember

Kevin McCarty, State Assemblymember

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Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Supervisor

Richard Hurt, Aliso Viejo Mayor

Bob Whalen, Laguna Beach Mayor

Ross Chun, Aliso Viejo City Councilmember

Tiffany Ackley, Aliso Viejo City Councilmember

Priya Bhat-Patel, Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem

Teresa Acosta, Carlsbad City Councilmember

Manny Chavez, Costa Mesa City Councilmember

Michael Villar, Dana Point City Councilmember

Tammy Kim, Irvine Vice Mayor

Kathleen Treseder, Irvine City Councilmember

George Weiss, Laguna Beach City Councilmember

Alex Rounaghi, Laguna Beach City Councilmember

Stephanie Oddo, Laguna Niguel City Councilmember

Cynthia Vasquez, Mission Viejo City councilmember

Mark Enmeier, San Clemente City Councilmember

Sergio Farias, San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember

Dan O’Donnell, Vista City Councilmember

Amy Hanacek, Capistrano Valley Unified School District Trustee

Cipriano Vargas, Vista Unified School District Trustee

Fran Sdao, Democratic Party of Orange County Chair Emeritus

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The 74th Assembly District

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We need to put the focus back on the middle-class. Growing the economy from the middle out, not top down. Ensuring all our kids grow up safe with real opportunity.

As a prosecutor, I fought the political corruption that robs people of progress. As Mayor of San Clemente, I’ve kept costs and crime down.

In the Assembly, I’ll fight to put middle-class priorities first. For our families. For our future. For a change.

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Latest Campaign Developments

Just days after announcing, Duncan continues to build powerful coalition with addition of region’s top elected leader US Congressman Mike Levin
San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan, Democratic candidate for Assembly District 74, today&nbsp;announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mike Levin. Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which spans the entire 74th Assembly District, including Oceanside, Vista, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and Laguna Niguel.
Rep. Levin joins more than 30 local elected officials who have endorsed Duncan for State Assembly, including California State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, along with more than two dozen state legislators, mayors, city councilmembers, and school board members. Duncan has quickly consolidated support from across the 74th Assembly District.
The Duncan campaign released the following statement from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin:
"Chris Duncan is the bipartisan leader Assembly District 74 needs. As Mayor of San Clemente and a former federal prosecutor, Chris has a successful track record of supporting small businesses and keeping our community safe.
With Chris in the Assembly, I know I'll have a strong ally to work with on strengthening the middle class, supporting our veterans, and finally fixing our critical coastal rail line at risk of collapse. I strongly support his campaign and urge everyone to vote for Chris Duncan."
Levin flipped the 49th Congressional District in the 2018 Midterms, which had been represented by Republican Darrell Issa. His victory in 2018 and subsequent re-election campaigns in 2020 and 2022 have helped pave the way for more Democrats to be successful in North San Diego County and South Orange County.
Duncan said of the endorsement,&nbsp;“I’m honored to have Mike Levin’s support in my campaign for the Assembly. Mike has been tireless in fighting for our district’s fair share from Washington, DC, just recently delivering nearly $10 million for sand replenishment right here in San Clemente to protect our beaches and their critical economic impact. As a representative, Mike Levin leads by example and puts his constituents first—which is exactly what I’ll do in the Assembly.”
Duncan is a graduate of California public schools and holds law degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Hawaii School of Law, along with a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College. A native Californian, he lives in the Talega neighborhood of San Clemente with his wife, Haley, a small business owner, and their three kids, Brooklyn, Olivia, and Rico, who attend local public schools.
To learn more about Chris Duncan and his campaign, visit his website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://votechrisduncan.com/">VoteChrisDuncan.com</a>.&nbsp; Follow Chris Duncan on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/ChrisDuncanCA">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://facebook.com/ChrisDuncanCA">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/chrisduncanca">Instagram</a>.
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San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan, Democratic candidate for Assembly District 74, today announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mike Levin. Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which spans the entire 74th Assembly District, including Oceanside, Vista, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and Laguna Niguel.

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U.S. Rep. Mike Levin Endorses San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan for Assembly in AD-74

“I want to give people hope in this difficult time that you can excel and live out your dreams as a middle class family,” Duncan added. “We need to get back to that by lowering costs and making California more affordable. That’s not getting done right now.”

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan is running for State Assembly in AD-74

SAN CLEMENTE, CA – Today, San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan announced his campaign for Assembly District 74, which includes North San Diego County and South Orange County, pledging to bring a change agenda to the State Capitol focused foremost on making California more affordable for middle-class families.
San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said: “California families are facing unprecedented challenges, but the Republican who represents us is unresponsive to our community and unwilling to act. I’m running to put the middle class first, lower costs for working families, and ensure all our children grow up safe with real opportunity. From keeping costs and crime down as Mayor of San Clemente to rooting out political corruption as a prosecutor, my life’s work has been fighting to keep the promise of the California Dream alive, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for in the State Assembly.”
As San Clemente Mayor and on the City Council, Duncan has made his city safer, protected a woman’s right to choose, prioritized smart growth and affordable housing, and worked to create jobs, invest clean energy, and help small businesses survive the pandemic. Called to public service after 9/11, Chris Duncan worked as a federal prosecutor under both Republican and Democratic administrations, going after political corruption, corporate wrongdoing, and domestic terrorism.
Duncan begins the campaign with a powerful endorsement coalition that spans both San Diego and Orange Counties. Duncan’s full endorsement list includes:

<ul>
<li>Catherine Blakespear, State Senator</li>
<li>Dave Min, State Senator</li>
<li>Josh Newman, State Senator</li>
<li>Josh Becker, State Senator</li>
<li>Cottie Petrie-Norris, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Sharon Quirk-Silva, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Avelino Valencia, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Eloise Gomez Reyes, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Mike Gipson, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Kevin McCarty, State Assemblymember</li>
<li>Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair</li>
<li>Katrina Foley, Orange County Supervisor</li>
<li>Doug Chaffee, Orange County Supervisor</li>
<li>Richard Hurt, Aliso Viejo Mayor</li>
<li>Ross Chun, Aliso Viejo City Councilmember</li>
<li>Tiffany Ackley, Aliso Viejo City Councilmember</li>
<li>Priya Bhat-Patel, Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem</li>
<li>Teresa Acosta, Carlsbad City Councilmember</li>
<li>Manny Chavez, Costa Mesa City Councilmember</li>
<li>Michael Villar, Dana Point City Councilmember</li>
<li>Tammy Kim, Irvine Vice Mayor</li>
<li>George Weiss, Laguna Beach City Councilmember</li>
<li>Alex Rounaghi, Laguna Beach City Councilmember</li>
<li>Stephanie Oddo, Laguna Niguel City Councilmember</li>
<li>Cynthia Vazquez, Mission Viejo City Councilmember</li>
<li>Mark Enmeier, San Clemente City Councilmember</li>
<li>Sergio Farias, San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember</li>
<li>Dan O’Donnell, Vista City Councilmember</li>
<li>Amy Hanacek, Capistrano Valley Unified School District Trustee</li>
<li>Cipriano Vargas, Vista Unified School District Trustee</li>
<li>Fran Sdao, Orange County Democratic Party Chair Emeritus</li>
</ul>
Duncan surprised political insiders last cycle by making the race for Assembly District 74 competitive for the first time in history and among the most hard-fought legislative battles in California. The Republican incumbent, the GOP, and their special interest backers were forced to spend well over $1 million to defend the seat in 2022, and a rematch amid the higher turnout Presidential election is expected to make the race even more competitive this time around.
Dan Rottenstreich, strategist for the Duncan for Assembly campaign said: “Chris Duncan is building powerful support because his accomplishments as a prosecutor and local Mayor alongside his focus on the middle class resonate strongly in this swing district.&nbsp; And the Republican incumbent is deeply vulnerable – Laurie Davies has less than $3,000 in campaign funds to start the year, the Presidential election will give Democrats a voter turnout advantage in 2024, and she has no record to run on aside from her unyielding MAGA extremism and unwavering support for the special interests making life more expensive for everyday Californians. It’s clear AD 74 will be a top pick-up opportunity for Assembly Democrats in 2024 and Chris Duncan has the profile and path to win.”
Duncan is a graduate of California public schools and holds law degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Hawaii School of Law, along with a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College. He lives in the Talega neighborhood of San Clemente with his wife, Haley, a small business owner, and their three kids, who attend local public schools.
To learn more about Chris Duncan and his campaign, visit his website, <a target="_blank" href="http://votechrisduncan.com/">votechrisduncan.com</a>.&nbsp; Follow Chris Duncan on <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/ChrisDuncanCA">Twitter</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://facebook.com/ChrisDuncanCA">Facebook</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/chrisduncanca">Instagram</a>.
-END-

SAN CLEMENTE, CA – Today, San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan announced his campaign for Assembly District 74, which includes North San Diego County and South Orange County, pledging to bring a change agenda to the State Capitol focused foremost on making California more affordable for middle-class families.

Chris Duncan Announces Campaign for Assembly District 74

The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to instruct city staff to apply for grant funding aimed at supporting zero-emission transportation projects, improve public health and strengthen the economy.
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock was the main force for wanting to pursue a grant from the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program, a first-come, first-served public initiative that has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cleanmobilityoptions.org/mp-awardees/">awarded nearly $1 million each to community shuttle programs</a>&nbsp;in Chula Vista and National City.
“I’d rather be at the front of the line than the back,” said Knoblock.
<a target="_blank" href="https://cleanmobilityoptions.org/">Clean Mobility Options (CMO)</a>&nbsp;is funded by California Climate Investments and the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, both of which have pledged billions of dollars to activities involving the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the establishment of clean transportation infrastructure and workforce development.
The first of two application phases for the Clean Mobility Options Mobility Project Voucher, of which $33 million will be available, begins on March 1. Voucher recipients could see up to $1.5 million in their direction.
The vote comes after the council heard from a representative of public affairs and government relations firm Curt Pringle &amp; Associates at its previous Feb. 7 meeting about the rideshare service Circuit.
A client of the Curt Pringle firm, Circuit proposed bolstering San Clemente’s existing trolley system by providing last-mile transportation with an on-demand app and fleet of electric vehicles.
Circuit administers services across the United States, including in numerous California cities such as Huntington Beach and Oceanside.
At the Feb. 7 meeting, Knoblock noted that the rideshare company “could be a great supplement” to San Clemente’s trolleys.
Paul Simonds, vice president of the Curt Pringle firm, came to Tuesday’s meeting after incorrectly noticing that the application deadline was on March 1 while working with city staff on an application. He also noted that if the city did receive funding, it would not be required to match the money.
“We were moving right along through this process, but it came to our attention today that there is a hiccup and that (with) any grant application, there needs to be direction from the City Council to proceed,” said Simonds.
Later in the council meeting, acting Public Works Department Director Zach Ponson confirmed the March 1 opening date and that the city had until March 24 to submit.
Even so, City Clerk Laura Campagnolo found from the minutes of the Feb. 7 meeting that the council had assigned to staff a project regarding an electric vehicle on-demand app and available grants, and Simonds was strictly asking for direction in relation to the grant application deadline.
Councilmember Mark Enmeier motioned for the council to agendize discussion of the grant even though it was not previously listed on the agenda. The approval of at least four councilmembers, according to City Attorney Scott Smith, would legally allow for discussion.
Councilmembers Victor Cabral and Gene James initially voted against it. Cabral would later change his vote to set the debate in motion, but James said it was “highly inappropriate” for the matter to arise how it did.
“My issue, Mr. Mayor, is (that) I don’t have a report,” said James. “We’d be discussing this blindly.”
Now assured that the city technically had more time before it needed to send in an application, Enmeier said that the council could provide direction at the March 7 meeting with more information in front of them.
However, Mayor Chris Duncan pointed out that San Clemente would likely fall behind other cities if it waited too long.
Knoblock interjected to say the grant would give the city funding for it to use at its own discretion and that would “tie in beautifully” to the existing trolley system. He added that the money could be allocated with the guidance of City Manager Andy Hall.&nbsp;
“I thought at our last meeting, we instructed the city to pursue the grant request,” Knoblock said, adding: “I think it’s a no-brainer. It’s something that helps our citizens, it’s free state money, and it could be continued or it could be terminated.”

The San Clemente City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to instruct city staff to apply for grant funding aimed at supporting zero-emission transportation projects, improve public health and strengthen the economy.

Council Gives Green Light to Application for Clean Transportation Funding

The San Clemente City Council directed city staff to speak with both the City of Oceanside and the California Coastal Commission about sand retention efforts, and appointed Councilmembers Victor Cabral and Mark Enmeier to a related subcommittee on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The decision came as the council was set to discuss an application to the Coastal Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.san-clemente.org/home/showpublisheddocument/72252">to authorize the use of a ship to dredge beach-quality seabed</a>, found past where waves break, onto San Clemente beaches.
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock agendized the application as he wanted to address the miles of coastline other than the city’s main beach that wouldn’t be touched by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/city-formally-approves-agreement-with-army-corps-of-engineers-for-sand-replenishment-project/">recently approved San Clemente shoreline protection project</a>.
He said that if Coastal Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers permitted the dredging, he foresaw numerous other Southern California cities doing the same thing along their shores.
“Part of my thinking on this would be that if this goes forward and if we have the courage, in my opinion, to request the Coastal Commission grant a permit like this, that we simultaneously ask the city mayors from San Diego to Imperial Beach to join with us in this application,” Knoblock said.
Such a collaboration would allow for both cost-sharing and other cities to “reap the benefits” of the project, according to Knoblock. He added that he was aware of the analysis in multiple disciplines needed to go forward but said it was never a bad time to propose the idea.
The Sand Replenishment Project looks to place approximately 250,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach from Linda Lane to T-Street, about every six years, to create a new beach area measuring 3,700 feet long and 50 feet wide.
City staff determined the project would need to be reviewed by entities including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the agenda report.
Enmeier said going through with the application would be hasty without receiving the results of the ongoing Nature Based Coastal Resiliency Feasibility study, which Mayor Chris Duncan said would be distributed later in 2023.
Duncan also agreed with Knoblock about the urgency of protecting San Clemente beaches.
“I do think we need to prioritize the feasibility study, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work on sand replenishment now,” he said.
He didn’t align with the Knoblock on the specific nature of the application but said he would consider a motion to direct staff to consult with city officials from Oceanside regarding a partnership for a dredging project.
Knoblock clarified that his main goal was to use a nonspecific method to capture sand and bring it onto beaches.
“I have no problem with additional analysis and additional study, but my concern is we’ve been studying this to death,” said Knoblock, adding that he wanted to see action.
Citing Oceanside’s progress and communication with the Coastal Commission, Duncan said the council could provide direction for staff to learn from Oceanside in developing language that would avoid the commission’s full permitting process.
The Oceanside City Council approved a $2.6 million appropriation to pay a consultant to determine the best solution to retain sand at the city’s own beaches on Jan. 25.
Councilmember Gene James expressed his doubts about the rainbow dredging, referring to the words of Suzie Whitelaw, a member of the local group Save Our Beaches SC, who spoke to the item on Tuesday.
“I looked into the ‘rainbowing,’—and again, Suzie, you’re spot on—it really doesn’t get onto the beach, I’m not too sure what it does once it gets close to the beach,” James said.
He cautioned that the city couldn’t be certain that sand would even be available past the surf zone, and they shouldn’t attempt to do the project until study results come back.
James echoed his colleagues’ sentiments that action needed to be taken but wouldn’t cosign any efforts to undertake rainbow dredging.&nbsp; He added that everyone appeared to agree that a subcommittee should be formed to work with Save Our Beaches SC and other entities.
“If we had done that 10 years ago, 15 years ago, we wouldn’t have the problems we have at Cyprus Shores right now,” said James.
Discussing past mistakes wouldn’t be helpful, James acknowledged, but at least those memories can show the city what not to do going forward.
Duncan proposed a motion that would include instructing staff to “forge an alliance” with Oceanside’s sand replenishment and retention efforts, to engage with the Coastal Commission to determine projects worthy of its approval, and to form a subcommittee.
In relation to the subcommittee, James also mentioned that the California State Assembly and State Senate will form a joint committee focused on coastal erosion, according to a recent conversation between him and Assemblymember Laurie Davies.
Duncan piggybacked on that information to remind the public that San Clemente would rely on state funding and grants to make any tangible progress.
“They’re not going to pay for it unless we have a good plan to pitch to them,” Duncan said.
Knoblock affirmed his stance that rainbow dredging would be effective, and that sand would be present for the city to use. He also expressed support for a subcommittee but didn’t want the group to take an “ungodly” amount of time to come back with analysis results.
Duncan responded that the additional parts of the motion were “why we’re giving also direction to staff, separate from the subcommittee, to do certain things.”

The San Clemente City Council directed city staff to speak with both the City of Oceanside and the California Coastal Commission about sand retention efforts…

Council Looks to Collaborate with Oceanside, Coastal Commission on Sand Retention Efforts

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SCT_0105_EYE_LookingAhead_MayorDuncan3.jpg"> </a><img src="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SCT_0105_EYE_LookingAhead_MayorDuncan3.jpg" alt="Looking Ahead: New Mayor Chris Duncan Seeks Tangible Progress in 2023" align="center" alignwidth="80" tiltdirection="center" variant="framed">
New San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan spoke with San Clemente Times to discuss the year ahead, as he looks to key on coastal erosion and homelessness among other issues. Photo: C. Jayden Smith
New San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan spoke with San Clemente Times to discuss the year ahead, as he looks to key on coastal erosion and homelessness among other issues. Photo: C. Jayden SmithAfter two new councilmembers joined the dais in December 2022 following the departure of San Clemente Councilmembers Laura Ferguson and Kathy Ward, Chris Duncan was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/duncan-appointed-mayor-knoblock-to-mayor-pro-tem-as-new-council-seated/">tapped as the city’s next mayor</a>.
Duncan—a lawyer, husband and father of three children now in his third year on the council—spoke with&nbsp;San Clemente Times&nbsp;about what he expects to address and accomplish in 2023.
Duncan said he was happy and humbled to be appointed mayor, but he affirmed that there are challenges to tackle such as coastal erosion, homelessness and public safety, as well as the remaining waste at the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
“If we don’t have the beaches, we’re not a beach town,” he said. “It’s an existential issue for San Clemente to make sure we save our sand (and) keep our beaches, so that’s going to be priority No. 1 for me.”
COASTAL PROTECTIONS
Duncan emphasized that the city must work with Orange County and state officials to find solutions to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/city-formally-approves-agreement-with-army-corps-of-engineers-for-sand-replenishment-project/">replenishing and retaining the sand</a>&nbsp;at San Clemente beaches and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/contending-with-coastal-erosion-cyprus-shore-residents-seek-permanent-protection/">halting the movement in the slope</a>&nbsp;near the Cyprus Shore community in south San Clemente.
Duncan added that city staff has orchestrated an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.san-clemente.org/home/showpublisheddocument/71020/638012723097330780">ongoing study to investigate sand retention</a>.
Regarding other quality-of-life topics, Duncan expressed a desire to find shelter for homeless individuals and stop them from sleeping on sidewalks or in public view in places including North Beach and on Avenida Del Mar. Residents deserve and pay for their city to look clean, he said.
The city’s two community outreach workers will play a substantial role in the initiative, according to Duncan, who also said he wanted to ensure Police Services has all the support necessary to best serve.
“I want to make sure that (in) this next year, we make a real impact on limiting homelessness in San Clemente,” said Duncan.
He called the proximity of SONGS a danger to the city because of the potential for natural disasters such as earthquakes, saying he would work to ensure the spent nuclear fuel was kept safe and far from residents.
Duncan intends to work with Katrina Foley, Orange County’s new Fifth District Board Supervisor, and call on State Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, State Sen. Janet Nguyen and other connections to lobby at the state and national level on the city’s behalf.
“We deserve resources here in San Clemente, and we haven’t gotten them,” he said. “We have not gotten the attention we deserve. Coastal erosion is a perfect example.”
BUREAUCRATIC IMPROVEMENTS
In terms of maximizing the council’s efficiency during meetings, the additions of Victor Cabral and Mark Enmeier present the opportunity to distance the council from the “consternation” of past meetings, according to Duncan.
He added that residents deserved a body of decisionmakers focused on city issues and not political matters, and he mentioned the quickness with which the new council has conducted its first two meetings.
Duncan cited his concerns for his children’s safety and proper education in relation to the effects of COVID-19 and virtual learning as a part of the unique perspective that he brings.
“I think these are things that are on the minds of many San Clementeans, and we haven’t had as many councilmembers like me, with a family,” he said, referring to raising young children. “Now, we do. I’m looking forward to a council that’s very professional, that focuses on the issues, that’s very efficient.”
Addressing what he believed his role to be within a council-manager form of government, Duncan said he wanted to be direct and lead by example with how to interact with fellow councilmembers without attacking them or questioning their integrity.
He also expressed his excitement to be in the public eye as the mayor, to represent the city well and to display how the council is receptive to residents’ feedback and questions.
Regarding development, Duncan said the city’s top priority should be maintaining its historical heritage while engaging in smart development that retains San Clemente’s essence. Duncan added that balancing those two ideals will be difficult but fun, and that challenge is what all councilmembers sign up for when they run for election.
“We have to also take into account (that) if we don’t develop at all, we’ll get left behind,” he said. “(We’ll be) unable to take care of ourselves, because we don’t have the revenue coming in.”
The city must be able to take part in projects that allow for compliance with state laws and help San Clemente avoid litigation with the state or other interested third parties.
Duncan also spoke to the exodus of talent from City Hall that has occurred in recent months, including the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/breaking-big-bear-lake-hires-sund-as-new-city-manager/">departures of former City Manager Erik Sund</a>&nbsp;and Jennifer Savage, former assistant to the city manager.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/staffing-shortages-city-looks-to-make-hiring-push-while-grappling-with-attrition/">Such turnover</a>&nbsp;is one of the biggest challenges in the new year, he said.
At all positions, the city can’t properly serve residents without stability and leadership at the top, which the council is tackling with its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/council-appoints-joyce-to-interim-city-manager-position/">ongoing search for a new city manager</a>.
“We’re going to look for that city manager to have a reputation of fostering staff to develop on their own, to reach their full potential, and stay at the city,” Duncan said. “We need that bench where people are coming up through the city, they want to stay here, they know they can develop and get to that next step here, (so) they don’t have to go anywhere else.”
He called city staff San Clemente’s “heart and soul” and the reason for clean beaches and parks and proper maintenance. Duncan emphasized the need to have employees in place so that they can adjust to dynamic situations.
The council’s role in the matter can come in the form of directing the city manager to provide proper compensation and benefits, as well as the career path that staff “haven’t always had.”
“We’ll get that with our new city manager,” Duncan said. “I’m confident about that.”
<img src="https://i0.wp.com/www.sanclementetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SCT_0105_EYE_LookingAhead_CDuncan2.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" alt="" align="center" alignwidth="80" tiltdirection="center" variant="framed">
After being tapped by his fellow councilmembers to serve as mayor for 2023, Chris Duncan—now in his third year in local office—said he’s looking to cut chatter and be more proactive as an elected leader. Photo: Shawn Raymundo
AVOIDING LITIGATION
Speaking to an increasingly polarizing topic in pickleball, Duncan recognized the competing interests of residents who love to play the sport rapidly growing in popularity and others at their wit’s end from the noise the sport creates at San Gorgonio Park.
Duncan said he wanted the city to continue to foster a sport that is accessible for all ages, and addressed the “heartbreaking” situation with the park’s neighbors.
“I’ve heard the noise; it’s not something that I would want to hear,” he said. “But at the same time, we can’t just shut the whole thing down with no plan of action moving forward.”
Past council direction to staff has requested&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/council-approves-404k-contract-to-design-pickleball-courts-at-steed-park/">an expedited process of constructing courts</a>&nbsp;at Richard T. Steed Park, and Duncan said they are working as fast as possible to address the matter.
“I hope for a resolution within the next year that starts to alleviate the anxiety and the adverse effects, frankly, on the quality of life of folks in that San G area,” he said.
Given that the council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in October to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/city-to-look-beyond-bbk-seek-proposals-for-legal-services/">look beyond Best Best &amp; Krieger’s legal services</a>, with which the City of San Clemente has contracted since 2015, Duncan gave his opinion on what the city should look for in a law firm.
To start, he wanted a firm to be fully prepared to research and give unbiased legal opinions that provide clear guidance and allow for the council to make an informed decision.
“If we’re going the wrong way, that city attorney needs to step up and say, ‘You’re entering difficult waters here, you’re putting the city in jeopardy,’ ” he said.
That input is a part of what Duncan said should factor into all decisions for the city, in terms of putting the residents’ best long-term interests first. Avoiding costly litigation is especially important to that end.
The city’s attorney should not be afraid to be blunt or disagree with the council, according to Duncan, and should also be able to accept the council’s choice and execute direction.
He commended BB&amp;K’s service and said the council will exit the RFP process with consensus in its next steps.
“I’m really confident that we’re going to be able to come to consensus on many of these issues; we already have,” said Duncan. “I think on the legal issue, we’ll continue to have that.”
He also noted that since past periods of increased legal costs related to council-directed litigation, the city has stepped back and found more resolutions away from the court system with the advice of current City Attorney Scott Smith.
Regarding San Clemente’s efforts to improve the permitting process for residents and businesses, Duncan said streamlining was critical.
He added that the “excellent” staff in permitting and the Community Development Department are working to overhaul the process, but that it couldn’t be done overnight despite their best intent. The issue can be connected to past council direction that stacked an untenable number of priorities to address on staff’s desks, according to Duncan.
“We’ve got to make sure we bring in the best and brightest, and we fully staff,” he said. “That will allow us to do projects like the streamlining more quickly.”
The conversation with&nbsp;SC Times&nbsp;moved on to health care options in town, which Duncan first tried to address as part of the council’s Hospital Subcommittee along with Councilmember Gene James.
The two&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/discussion-of-health-care-in-san-clemente-continues-new-hospital-a-non-starter/">investigated whether hospital systems</a>&nbsp;would be interested in coming to San Clemente and whether the city could afford to build a new one. Both questions were met with negative answers.
“It seems that the community hospital model is not something that hospital groups are focusing on,” Duncan said. “They’re focusing on community-based health care centers, like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/providences-712-million-expansion-project-to-bring-2-satellite-health-centers-to-san-clemente-rmv/">Providence is putting in</a>&nbsp;(at the Outlets), like Hoag would like to put in, and frankly, like MemorialCare proposed a few years ago.”
With the trend of outpatient care growing in popularity, he said the city should encourage providers to establish a footing in San Clemente that enables access for everyone. Going into hospital rooms for non-emergencies is close to being of a bygone era, said Duncan.
“Now, even with serious conditions, they have monitors and they want you to be at home,” he said. “It’s more cost-effective for everyone.”
He added that “wellness centers” focused on preventative services are a good fit for a town as smitten with outdoor activities as San Clemente.
LESS TALK
To close, Duncan said he was hopeful and excited for the council to work together in 2023 and attend to the numerous challenges he has heard about through resident feedback and other avenues.
Additionally, residents’ concerns and desires to improve their city inspire him, he said, as their involvement is a sign of a city worth fighting for.
Duncan circled back to the topics of coastal erosion and homelessness as matters he is confident the city will make significant progress in addressing.
“I want the residents to feel it and see it,” he said. “No more talk. I want action, and I know in talking to my fellow councilmembers that they want the same thing.”
The varying backgrounds of himself, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock, and Councilmembers James, Cabral and Enmeier are an asset, according to Duncan.
He also expressed their availability to residents, as he can be reached through his council email at duncanc@san-clemente.org.
“It’s going to be a great year for San Clemente,” he said. “We’re past the pandemic now, largely, and so we’ll be able to really get back to addressing the pressing needs that are before us.”

After two new councilmembers joined the dais in December 2022 following the departure of San Clemente Councilmembers Laura Ferguson and Kathy Ward, Chris Duncan was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanclementetimes.com/duncan-appointed-mayor-knoblock-to-mayor-pro-tem-as-new-council-seated/">tapped as the city’s next mayor</a>.

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