October 1 forum gives residents and media an opportunity to hear directly from candidates for Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 2 on issues shaping Escondido’s future
WHAT: Candidates for Escondido Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 2 will participate in a community candidate forum hosted by the Escondido Times-Advocate and Escondido Chamber of Commerce.
The forum comes as Escondido faces several significant decisions with long-term implications for residents, including questions surrounding the future of public parkland and the City’s Memorandum of Understanding with The Rinks Foundation regarding a proposed ice sports facility at Kit Carson Park.
Questions have been submitted asking candidates to address their positions on protecting public parkland from commercial development and their approach to transparency, accountability and major decisions involving City-owned property.
With both incumbents and challengers participating, the forum offers the public and local media an important opportunity to hear candidates address these issues directly and on the record.
WHEN: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Doors open: 5:00 p.m.
City Council Districts 1 & 2 Forum: 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Mayoral Forum: 7:15–8:45 p.m.
Mix & Mingle: 8:45–9:00 p.m.
WHERE: California Center for the Arts, Escondido – Conference Center
340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
WHO: Candidates for Escondido Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 2. The forum is hosted by the Escondido Times-Advocate in partnership with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and is free and open to the public.
WHY THIS FORUM MATTERS
On June 3, the Escondido City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with The Rinks Foundation to explore the feasibility of a three-sheet community ice facility at Kit Carson Park. The proposed facility would be located on City-owned parkland currently occupied by the adult softball complex and would include three sheets of ice, spectator seating, a restaurant, and training and competition facilities.
The MOU itself describes the agreement as a preliminary, non-binding expression of cooperation and states that any future agreement would require additional City Council approval.
The proposal has also prompted a broader community discussion about the appropriate use of Escondido’s public parkland and the standards city leaders should apply when considering private or commercial development within public parks.
Save Kit Carson Park has submitted questions for consideration at the forum addressing these issues and believes the candidates’ responses will be highly relevant to residents as they evaluate the people seeking to represent them.
