COMMENTARY & CALL TO ACTION: We Need to Stand Up for City Manager Ashley Jones

Dan Quirk’s latest e-blast to Del Mar voters attacks City Manager Ashley Jones personally. We who care about Del Mar need to stand up for Ashley.

Here’s why:

Ashley is the best city manager Del Mar has ever had. I know that as fact having worked as a councilmember and Mayor with her over my ten years on council (2014-2024 including two terms as Mayor), and having worked as an attorney for the city with all prior Del Mar City managers dating back to the 1970s. If we don’t stand up for Ashley we may lose her.

• Councilmember Quirk has repeatedly asked the City Council to direct Ashley and her staff to provide him with detailed cost breakdowns from SDG&E and subcontractors on the component parts of undergrounding — how much for a transformer, for a piece of wire, etc. Each time, council discussed his request openly and in public. The answer is always the same: The city does not have access to the cost information Dan seeks and can’t compel its disclosure. Ashley has asked, but so far SDG&E won’t share this proprietary information, and the City Attorney advises the law does not allow the city to compel its disclosure.

• After failing each time to gain council support, in frustration, Dan now attacks Ashley knowing she cannot respond. Ashley and her staff take direction from the council as a whole, not from Dan or any one councilmember. Ashley has fulfilled every single direction from the council. She shares information equally with all councilmembers, including Dan. Dan’s gripe is with his council colleagues who won’t support what he wants, not with Ashley.

• Let’s stand up for Ashley the way she stands up for our city. We have much at stake — the guidance and skills of our city manager are a significant factor in our success.

• Let me be clear: airing differing opinions is valued. I encourage Dan to continue sharing his views with council. That contributes to our civil discourse. But, when he, or any councilmember, has made their case repeatedly, cannot convince his council colleagues to support his request, that’s the end of it. Dan’s beef is with council and that’s where it should be aired. Attacking our city manager embarrasses Quirk, weakens our city, and is demoralizing to our City staff. Let’s ask him to stop.

Call to Action: Stand Up for Ashley Jones! I suspect Ashley would find it encouraging if she heard from the community that we support her and appreciate her service to Del Mar. Please add your name to this message to stand up for Ashley. Simply send an email to me at: dworden@roadrunner.com.

Put “I support Ashley” in the subject line of your email. I will send our collective message to Ashley with your name listed.

~Dwight Worden