I spent 31 years living in San Diego, but I’ve lived in Poway for 19 years now. I like to stick to Poway issues, but every once in awhile, I look at what San Diego is doing, and for the most part, I shake my head and become more thankful that I live in Poway.
So this morning, I read the UT article “Bigger City Council has its critics” (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/may/17/bigger-city-council-has-its-critics/). This article immediately sparked my attention since I’ve been amazed that the City Council would push this one thru. Personally, I believe that this measure should have been split up into 3 different measures, but as mentioned, I live in Poway, and we have our own problems (Heard about the recall recently??).
This measure wants to enlarge the Council from 8 to 9 (Past Councils have messed things up so much, do they really think adding another member of the Council would actually help???), make permanent the “Strong Mayor” concept, and also require 6 votes to override the Mayor (That makes sense-currently 5 out of 8, and then if this passes, 6 out of 9).
About the only part of this measure that I would support would be making the “Strong Mayor” permanent. Now, let’s look at enlarging the Council. Since the Council districts would be shrinking, how come I see no mention of cutting the salaries of the Council? I mean, if they are going to represent less, then they should be paid LESS. We should be electing leadership, but where is it in regards to handling the City’s mess? Carl DeMaio is really the only bright spot on the Council. Maybe because he is not a RINO, but actually a practicing fiscal conservative (How come we don’t elect more of these to public office??). Increasing the override vote number makes sense, but again, why can’t these different items be separate on the ballot? Could it be that the Council is afraid that they wouldn’t get an added member of the Council if they split these items??
I really feel sorry for my friends in San Diego.
Comments 2
I think I agree with you, these all should have been separate measures.
But if the overall council budget is just divided by 9 instead of 8, like DeMaio and Faulconer proposed, there won’t be much of a spending increase for that extra ninth council person.
So it’s not too bad! Also, city council people aren’t actually paid all that much, relatively. Their staffers are paid a lot though!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/apr/17/1m17pay233759-council-members-cut-back-expenses/
The pay and benefit package is a sore topic. First of all, politicians should have no involvement in setting their salaries or benefit package. Second, I believe that politicians should have no benefit package-which they should rely on a main job (Thus keeping them part time and thus not losing touch with the people) for their health and retirement.
JMHO, of course.