SAN DIEGO COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Wes Pratt for City Council District 4

The race for the 4th District seat on the San Diego City Council is a rematch from 1987: George Stevens versus Wes Pratt. The difference is that, in 1987, the contest was between two candidates vying for an open seat. This time it’s George Stevens, the community activist, going up against Wes Pratt, the incumbent.

Both have grown over the last four years.

Stevens, 59, is associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church and was a longtime aide to former Rep. Jim Bates. He is now a self-employed public relations consultant. He has quieted some of the rhetoric and bombast of earlier days.

Pratt, 40, has become more self-assured and knowledgeable about the political system. He has successfully made the move from the behind-the-scenes roles of supervisorial and Assembly aide to elected official.

Each candidate has avid supporters in the community, and each would bring strong civic commitment to the job. The differences between the two are more a matter of style, and their appeal may reflect generational differences in values among blacks.

Pratt is better connected to the business establishment. He is described by other black community leaders as having made headway into the white community and as able to pull blacks and whites together.

Stevens is a grass-roots activist with a big heart. Over the years, he has helped people find jobs, sat with them when they were sick, cut red tape for them. His days of civil rights activism, his outspokenness and his church work have earned him a reputation as a moral leader. Supporters acknowledge his confrontational style but say that district elections have made louder voices for minorities possible and perhaps even desirable. Stevens’ can-do attitude is appealing. Someone who believes in cleaning up drugs and crime, street by street if necessary, is refreshing. But, although Pratt may need to devote more attention to his constituents, Stevens’ perspective is too district-oriented.

Pratt has the potential to get more accomplished for his district and the city. His work to establish a housing trust fund is an example of the kind of program that could pay dividends for the whole city. He also has worked well with the economic development establishment to bring jobs to the 4th District, which includes the communities of Encanto, Skyline, Oak Park and Chollas. We recommend a vote for Wes Pratt.