The right people, at the right place, at the right time. That’s what it takes to do big projects -- to take big dreams and turn them into reality. Consider the redevelopment of the Chula Vista bayfront, a big project on the drawing boards for more than 40 years. One day in the not-so-distant future, the bayfront dream will come true.

A power plant that has outlived its useful purpose will finally blossom into a complex that helps turn Chula Vista into an economic powerhouse for the region, preserving the environment we love, the ecosystems we need and providing dramatic new public spaces for all to enjoy. Turning the dream into reality was the hard work of leaders who came together to develop a strategy and to make it happen – the right people at the right place at the right time.

During my tenure on the Chula Vista City Council, the City accomplished the Montgomery annexation, the largest inhabited annexation in California history. Many streets in the Montgomery area had no sidewalks. Parks were as rare as lease terns on San Diego Bay and police, fire and library services were not up to Chula Vista's standards. The City Council believed that by annexing Montgomery to Chula Vista, the quality of life for Montgomery area residents and for Chula Vistans who lived near the area could be improved.

Robert Robinson McAllister is the oldest living Chula Vista Mayor, having served two terms, 1960-61 and 1966-67. He was elected to three terms on the City Council, 1958-70. He was born in Monroe City, Missouri, in 1922, attended Notre Dame University and graduated from the New England Institute, a school for morticians. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II as a pharmacist's mate and saw action in the Solomon Islands.

Bob married Dorothy Schofield in Newport, RI, in April 1945. They started their family while Bob worked as a funeral director. Sons Robert McAllister, II, was born in 1946 and Thomas was born in 1947. Dorothy suggested they visit her parents, Leonard and Nellie Schofield, who had moved to Chula Vista after the war. Leonard Schofield was a toolmaker with the Navy in Portsmouth, NH, shipyard and then took a job at North Island in San Diego in 1948.

By the time my father was involved in electoral politics in Chula Vista, I no longer lived at home. I was out of college, bearded, long-haired, and deeply involved with the anti-Viet Nam war movement. I remember my dad’s “family photo” for his initial City Council run. The photo included Peggy (our mom), Dad, my brothers Grant and Jeff, and our dogs Fella and Charlie. He was elected councilman twice and then went on to become Mayor. It was a natural extension of his life of service. He had served his country in the U. S. Navy and the future of the South Bay as a teacher at Sweetwater High. It made sense when he chose to serve the City of Chula Vista.

What do you get when you build a 37,000-square-foot building, color it mustard yellow and fill it with books? For one thing, if you’re not careful you can get a lot of controversy. But if you add internationally acclaimed architect Ricardo Legareta to the mix, you get a branch library that former California State Librarian and Historian Kevin Starr has described as his favorite branch library in all of California.

But that mustard yellow color that makes this library so distinctive almost didn’t happen.

It was exciting to have President Clinton come to Chula Vista to light the torch for the 1996 Olympic Games. Chula Vista loaned a million dollars to the Olympic Training Center to build the women’s softball field. The women went on to win the Gold medal. The City received lots of publicity and good marketing during the president’s visit. Working with the Olympic Training Center was fun and interesting.

I became a member of the Chula Vista City Council on May 5, 2002, following the resignation of Councilmember Robert Fox. Twenty-two applicants applied for the appointment to fill Mr. Fox’s term which expired in December 1996. I committed myself to the integrity and honesty that the citizens deserved. Because it was a time when the City Council was clearly split into two ideological factions, I was the “swing vote” on a number of controversial decisions we were to face. I never missed a City Council meeting or cast a vote I couldn’t feel good about explaining to my young children.

Story by John Goss, City Manager

As Chula Vista’s longest tenured City Manager (1983 -98), I oversaw the achievement of many tangible, significant projects. These included the 1986 annexation of the Montgomery area, the State’s largest inhabited annexation, and the annexation of the Otay Ranch in 1997. These two annexations and some smaller ones increased the City’s size from 22 to over 50 square miles over in 15 years. During that time, the Nature Center and Olympic Training Center were built. Improvements were made to Third Avenue’s historic downtown. A second Costco on Broadway, two Home Depots and a Wal-Mart were brought into the City along with many new restaurants, including two on the bayfront. The Chula Vista Yacht Club and Marina were completed.  

I’m Frank Scott.  I served on the Chula Vista City Council from April 1968 until May 1986.  It was a time of rapid growth.  Many decisions were made that set the tone for the City for the next couple of decades. 

I served with 12 members of the City Council during my 18-year tenure:  Jack Sylvester, Bob McAllister, Dan McCorquodale, Tom Hamilton, Jim Hobel, Will Hyde, Lauren “Bud” Egdahl, Gayle McCandliss, Greg Cox, George Gillow, Len Moore and Dave Malcolm. 

Five City Managers worked with us:  Fred Ross, John Thompson, Gordon Thorn, Lane Cole and John Goss.

Share Your Memories of Chula Vista to Commemorate the Centennial

A lot can happen in 100 years. Commemorate the city’s Centennial by sharing a story of your memories of a favorite person, place or event in Chula Vista from your past.

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