Floods and crumbling political careers among 2024 events (original) (raw)

Despite being re-elected in November Nora Vargas said she will not fulfill her second term when it starts in January.

JANUARY
• The Chula Vista City Council voted to reopen Harborside Park after the public space was shut down in 2022 because of an overwhelming homeless population.
• Torrential rains caused severe flooding and storm damage throughout the county, including in Bonita, National City and Chula Vista, prompting the County Board of Supervisors to declare a local state of emergency. The declaration would request federal dollars for clean up and damage repair.

A submerged Subaru in Sweetwater River was surrounded by water on Central Avenue between Bonita Road and Sweetwater Road in January after heavy rain pummeled the county. (File)

FEBRUARY
• Andrea Cardenas quit her post on the Chula Vista City Council. The former city councilwoman was facing a slew of criminal fraud charges filed by the District Attorney. The Democrat would later in the year plead guilty.
• The Chula Vista City council took another step in creating more shelters for the unhoused by partnering with Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation to convert the Palomar Hotel into supportive housing.

APRIL
• Marco Verdugo was sworn in as Chula Vista City Attorney and Rachel Morineau was made a temporary council member representing District 4 after she was appointed by the city council to serve the remainder of Andrea Cardenas’ term this year.

MAY
• The National City City Council voted to remove Sandy Naranjo as their representative on the San Diego Harbor Port Commission. In October of 2023, Naranjo was censured by fellow port commissioners. The council later chose GilAnthony Ungab to replace her.

SEPTEMBER
•The National City Council voted to implement a homeless encampment ban. The ordinance outlaws people from sleeping on city streets when shelter beds are available. Chula Vista enacted a similar ban.

DECEMBER
•Michael Inzunza and Cesar Fernandez were sworn in as new members of the Chula Vista City Council and Jose Rodriguez and Marcus Bush were sworn in to the National City City Council.
• Supervisor Nora Vargas, re-elected in November, announces she will not fulfill her second term that starts in January.

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