San Diego, CA
Concerned about disrespectful behavior at public meetings, San Diego considers civility policy
San Diego officials say concerns about name-calling, interrupting and other disrespectful actions at public meetings have prompted them to begin creating a civility policy that would discourage such behavior.
The policy would prohibit abusive conduct and verbal attacks, especially those that focus on someone’s character or alleged motives. It also would require city officials to listen attentively during public discussions instead of ignoring speakers they disagree with.
Though an initial proposal is aimed only at elected city officials, supporters say their good behavior would set the right tone and example for members of the public to be more civil in their comments.
“As democratically elected officials, we have an obligation to strengthen our democracy by setting an example for respectful, civil debate,” City Attorney Mara Elliott said.
San Diego is following the lead of other local government agencies that have adopted civility policies, including the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, San Diego Unified School District and the cities of Chula Vista and Del Mar.
Despite the county policy, supervisors regularly struggle to rein in disruptions during public comments at their meetings.
City Councilwoman Vivian Moreno said she’s concerned about how growing political polarization is changing the tenor of public meetings.
“Governments across our region have seen an increase in uncivil behavior from public commenters,” she said. “We’ve seen some of this behavior at our own council meetings, where they’ve become a forum for public commenters to shout out racial and anti-Semitic slurs.”
Elliott, Moreno and Councilman Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, have agreed to create a proposed civility policy that would be presented to the full City Council for consideration later this year.
But there is disagreement among the three officials about how the policy would be enforced, whom it would apply to and many other details, such as when the council must speak with one voice to soften acrimony.
LaCava wants to eliminate part of Elliott’s initial proposal that would make the civility policy enforceable. Her proposal says council members could not be fined or suspended but could be singled out for criticism and possible censure.
Elliott’s initial plan would apply only to the council, but Moreno said the policy also should apply to the mayor, city attorney and city clerk.
Moreno also wants the policy to apply explicitly to members of the public, within the bounds of the First Amendment.
“That will need to be carefully considered,” she said.
Moreno also criticized a proposal from Elliott saying that once the council has taken a position on an issue, all council members must indicate the majority position when they speak to other organizations.
“This would severely limit council members from expressing constituent concerns with the state and federal government,” said Moreno, who represents the city’s southern neighborhoods. “The neighborhoods that I represent have been on the losing side of many City Council votes. I would think it’s a huge mistake to take away the ability of their council member to effectively advocate for them.”
Elliott, who conceded her proposal should be worded more carefully, said that rule would be limited in scope.
“It does not at all tie your hands in speaking about how you feel personally,” she told Moreno. “Of course you have to speak with your communities and be true to yourself.”
Elliott, Moreno and LaCava are expected to present a proposed policy to the City Council’s Rules Committee in coming months.
Elliott’s proposal is based on a recommended civility policy for government agencies from the National Conflict Resolution Center.
“In my 20 years leading the NCRC, I’ve never seen this level of polarization and division in society,” Steve Dinkin, the center’s president, said during a Jan. 31 Rules Committee hearing. “Increasingly, our political leaders are showing a lack of respect for one another.”
Dinkin said social media and what he called the rural-urban political divide are contributing to the problem.
He said adopting a civility policy doesn’t mean a government agency is criticizing itself.
“Even if you believe in this moment that the City Council is working well with one another and that you are being collaborative, it’s really about the future,” Dinkin said. “Take this moment now to adopt a code so you can preserve the sense of civility and decorum in the City Council for many years to come.”
Councilman Raul Campillo said the city is making the right moves.
“Getting the details right really does matter, but the start of this is strong,” he said. “Communicating outwardly that we, as elected officials and as a government, are dedicated to civil discourse is one of the most important things we can do to reflect the dignity of our communities.”
— La Jolla Light staff contributed to this report. ◆
OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.
“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.
So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.
With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.
The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.
Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”
One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.
“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”
Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.
Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.
“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.
As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.
Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”
That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.
The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.
“She’s a great player,” said Brown.
“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”
Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.
“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”
Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.
Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.
About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”
Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.
Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.
“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.
Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.
“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”
Joan Endres
OBITUARY
Born January 1939 in Cincinnati Ohio. Died February 14, 2026, in San Diego, California, with her sons at her side. Her beloved husband Dean passed away in 2010.
Joan was the only child of Thomas and Edna Palmer. In 1943, the family moved to San Diego, where Joan graduated from Helix High School in 1956.
In 1957 Joan married Dean Endres of San Diego, where they raised two sons. Joan followed her two great passions outside the home, the Arts, and Gardening. Both activities being a way to bring beauty to others and to the community.
Joan received a degree in Environmental Design from San Diego State University, and afterwords worked at UCSD, for the Campus Architect.
As an artist, Joan worked in various media, especially ceramics. She was active in many cultural and arts organizations, eventually becoming President of the Combined Organization for the Visual Arts (COVA). Later she turned to gardening, with the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca Community College and the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County.
Joan is survived by her son Jeff and wife Katrin, grandson Jackson, and son Todd Endres, all of La Mesa, and sisters Alice Buck of Phoenix, Elaine Kennedy of San Diego, Nancy and husband Don Jones of Vista, Eva Budzinski of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and their children and grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Joan in the near future. Those who wish to attend should contact celebratejoanuvart@gmail.com to receive details when they are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests a donation to the Water Conservation Garden or the Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN).
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