COTACT: Mary Anne Lagda, Board of Directors Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2010

Googins Hopes to Raise the City Attorney Bar

Chula Vista—As the 2010 California primary election nears, Chula Vista city candidates are revving up and
taking their message straight to the voters. The Chula Vista Civic Association has already hosted two open
Board of Directors meeting featuring candidates for City Attorney, City Council, and Mayor.

The February 11th Chula Vista Civic Association Board of Directors meeting opened up in historic prospect
with Glen Googins, who if elected will serve as the first-ever elected City Attorney.

In the aftermath of the 2008 vote approving a citizen-driven ballot initiative known as Proposition “Q” which
altered the designated the City Attorney post from appointed to elected, Googins, while respectful of his
predecessors, identified the need to restore public trust and integrity to the office. “[The City Attorney should]
serve as a watchdog, which makes sure the city complies with the law and sees to it that that conflicts of interest
are identified.” stated Googins.

Googins also acknowledged the need to bring balance to the needs of the city and its citizens. “The City
Attorney needs to be responsive of needs of city departments and city residents.” And with the city’s shrinking
budget, Googins stands as a firm guardian of taxpayer dollars. “[The City Attorney’s Office] needs to protect
against frivolous lawsuits, vetting them vigorously, and sending a message that discourages that kind of
behavior.”

When asked why he would be the best candidate, Googins pointed out that it is “…crucially important the [City
Attorney] understand the role of city attorney and has professional qualifications.” said Googins. “It’s extremely
important that the city attorney be of the community and work for the community. If those are the criteria…
municipal law and being of the community, I think I’d be the ideal candidate, developing public and private
partnerships.”

Chula Vista Civic Association board members where impressed by Googins' creative approach to adapting to
what appears eminent--more budget cuts. Googins' response to expand the City Attorney's internship program is
both ideal for saving tax dollars and serves as an investment toward training highly-qualified future city attorney
hopefuls as an elected legal post such as this requires a thorough background and understanding of municipal
law.

Googins’ top priorities are ambitious, but they are both admirable and precisely what the office needs: “Make it
the best city attorney’s office in the state providing good legal advice, holding the city accountable.”

“[I want to] change the culture of the city’s attorney, to a culture of serves with a sense of duty and
responsibility, with a connection to the community.” concluded Googins.

Chula Vista Civic Association, the city’s largest city-wide business and community non-profit organization, will convene
again March 18 for its next open Board of Directors meeting. For more information visit:
www.ChulaVistaCivicAssociation.org ###

www.ChulaVistaCivicAssociation.org | info@chulavistacivicassociation.org | 396 E St. Chula Vista, CA 91910