This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 15, 2009.
With a rise in border-related drug violence, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano felt compelled to form a task force to tackle the issue head-on.
San Diegan Ruben Barrales was more than happy to get involved.
Personifying the old adage: if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person, Napolitano offered one of the 20 task-force positions to the active San Diegan.
In addition to his new duties, Barrales is president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce during a time of economic misery and a board member of the state’s 22nd District Agricultural Association overseeing the Del Mar Fairgrounds as California mulls the possible sale of the facility.
He said he isn’t daunted by his current tasks though. Rather, he said he sees this as an opportunity to improve the image of communities on both sides of the border.
“I tend to get involved in a number of different things,” Barrales said. “I’ve been more energized than ever.”
Barrales was born and raised in Northern California. He grew up in in a family of small business owners in Redwood City. His mother was a coffee shop owner and his father had a small roofing company. Both emigrated from Mexico. Barrales was accepted into UC Riverside where he majored in political science and administrative studies. In 1992, Barrales won a seat on the San Mateo County board of supervisors after he switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP because of his interest in “small business people, economic competition free trade, and individual rights.”
During his second term as supervisor, Barrales embarked on an unsuccessful run for California controller in 1998, losing to Kathleen Connell in the Republican Party primary. In 2001, President Bush appointed him director to the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. When his D.C. stint ended two years ago, he ventured back to Southern California where he became president of the Chamber.
And, so his sunny San Diego days began…
Barrales joined Homeland Security Advisory Southwest Border Task Force two weeks ago. Their assignment: To advise Napolitano on security matters while also focusing on legal travel and trade. Barrales was tapped for his experience with business and national policy.
Americans often see the entire country of Mexico as “dangerous,” Barrales said, when the violence primarily affects areas near the border.
“The biggest misconception [about Mexico] is that it’s unsafe,” Barrales said. “The violence is very real but not in all areas. It’s a matter of putting it all into perspective.”
Barrales said there are three main reasons why there has been an increase in violence: the demand for drugs from the U.S., competition among cartels to fulfil the demand and the Mexican government taking them on.
“They are abosolutely attacking the problem,” Barrales said. “They are being very aggressive with the drug cartels and in the long term it will make Mexico and the U.S. much safer.”
However, he said, it has contributed to the short-term problems seen at the border.
“What we’ve seen over the last year is that it’s become less fluid. We’ve seen more restrictions – which in one way helps to secure our border more. It does deter some illegal immigration,” Barrales said. “Unfortunately, what we’ve seen is a lot of gridlock for legitamate commerce and travelers.”
As a member of the task force, Barrales hopes to explore new technologies that will allow for “the freer flow of goods and travelers. For goods both coming to the U.S. and those going to Mexico.”
“It’s in good faith,” he said. “I’m pleased to be on the task force because I want to make sure we can do all we can.”
South County Economic Development Council CEO Cindy Gompper-Graves is confident he will do all he can. “Ruben has opened many doors,” she said.
Barrales represents 3,000 local business owners in his Chamber of Commerce role.
But, he’s the best person for the job, said Chamber board member Teresa Drew, managing partner of Deloitte & Touche’s San Diego office.
“Ruben has been a great addition to the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the business community,” Drew said. “He’s a forward-thinking leader.”
Barrales said economic problems facing his members are mixed. Many smaller businesses have reduced their membership dues or cannot pay. Some businesses have seen a decline in revenue while others are seeing increases. While housing, real estate and construction struggle, the education industry is doing better than ever as many people return to school.
To help members make it through the recession, Barrales and his team have been organizing more workshops such as one about President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that taught members how to qualify for aid.
“We’re starting to see some glimmer of hope,” Barrales said.
But members’ main concern is California’s current fiscal crisis. The state, facing a $24.3 billion deficit, has business leaders apprehensive.
Barrales is concerned that when the budget is expected to pass at the end of the month, his members will have to pay higher taxes and more fees. In addition, a number of his members “do business” with the state and may see less revenue because the state can no longer afford such connections.
“California is a tough place to do business,” Barrales said.
If Barrales thought for one second he could escape California’s fiscal crisis by soaking in the beauty of the historic fairgrounds — he learned quickly he couldn’t.
To help balance California’s books, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed selling state assets including the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Overwhelmed with locals upset about this possibility, Barrales wants to make it clear to San Diegans that a sale doesn’t mean the Fairgrounds will completely disappear.
“T think there actually could be an opportunity here for more local control [while] saving the fairgrounds, saving the racetrack and the other uses at Del Mar,” he said. “And allowing for, potentially, a model that would involve some of the adjacent cities, county and other local investors who can actually purchase and save the fairgrounds and at the same time extracting the state’s interest. I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that may end up, would be loss of the fairgrounds.”
He said the most important part of this process is hearing from locals, which he did during the District’s last board meeting where numerous San Diegans told the group they didn’t want the fairgrounds sold.
“I’m encouraged when I hear people come and state their opinions in a public meeting,” he said. “People were very eloquent in stating why the fairgrounds should stay. I agree it’s a great resource.”
A sale of the fairgrounds wouldn’t happen immediately and it certainly wouldn’t help the state’s deficit, Barrales said. Sale talks in Sacramento haven’t started yet, but he’s interested to hear more from state leaders on the subject.
With such a venerable resume, is Barrales contemplating another run for elected office?
“Not likely,” he said, as his calendar is already overflowing with tasks from his three different roles.
Oh, and he’s a father of two teenagers too.
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.