When will people wake up to the fact that Aguirre is incompetent as an attorney and as the chief of a critical department within city government? His last filing regarding the pension issue was the 6th amended complaint, proving that he couldn't get it right the first five times -- and the courts continue to tell him that his case cannot be won.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 12:50 am

Hi Dave, Aguirre is the only person who will stand up to those players, like the developer of the over-sized office tower near Montgomery field, who don't think the rules apply to them. That's why so many people support him even though he's less effective than he could be because of his lamentable personal style.

Posted by Carrie | reply to this comment
November 30, 2008 4:42 pm

Dave, your question has been asked hundreds of times since Aguirre was elected as "The City Attorney". The real question is, Why do we have so many ill-informed people still backing that Lunatic up including Mayor Sanders? I cannot believe our elected officials continue to blame the cause of this "Citys" financial problems on the Blue collar workers employed by the "City". San Diego Citizens, it is time you realize the quality of services you receive is in direct relationship with what you are charged. It is time "You" pay your fair share!

Posted by RW | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 1:22 am

Hmm, first, I see the letter writer is from San Marcos, not San Diego... Yes, as a taxpayer/homeowner here in SD, I have supported his lawsuits to try to have the illegal pension benefits overturned. Maybe you could respond with some actual substance as to your difficulties with Mr. Aguirre, and not the hyperbole and silliness that fills your "letter".

Posted by Robert | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 1:23 am

Robert-you are one of those ill-informed citizens, or maybe you are one of those homeless individuals that want something for nothing!

Posted by RW | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 1:38 am

Robert...You refer to the benefits as illegal. So does Aguirre. But they are not illegal just because you and he say they are. The courts have made it very clear that they are not illegal. Bad government, perhaps; poor choices by elected officials, perhaps -- but not illegal. In the meantime, Aguirre continues to run up the tab -- that you and I as residents of the city are responsible for -- while, at the same time, neglecting the real duties of the office of the City Attorney.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:05 am

(continued) He consistently is late with legal opinions required by city agencies...or he doesn't issue any at all. You perceive Aguirre as Robin Hood, looking out for the little guy (the taxpayer), but his personality and his lack of legal skills make him the wrong person for the job.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:05 am

(continued) His office just directed the Municipal Employees Association to come to a meeting to discuss doing away with the option workers have to purchase service time (new hires no longer have this option). MEA fired back that there is a contract through June 30, 2008, and there will be no discussion of giving away a negotiated benefit until talks on a new contract begin early next year. Aguirre should know better; so should his people. It is sheer incompetence, pure and simple.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:13 am

As a city resident, I can't wait to cast my vote for anyone other than Aguirre as the next City Attorney. The courts have made it very clear the pension benefits are legal. Its time to move on. How many ways does Aguirre have to lose before he gets the message and stops wasting precious city resources?

Posted by Jim | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:17 am

What will it take for the Mayor & City Council to grow spines & reign in Yosemite Sam aka Aguirre? He is the most incompetent atty to ever walk the streets of San Diego. He wastes taxpayers money & he's also the highest paid employee of the City! How did that happen? Columnist Gerry Braun, in today's U-T, compared him to Huey Long. How appropo! And Chris Reed's Blog (U-T) on Aguirre consistently hits the Bulls Eye. Yosemite Sam is going to run for re-election; hopefully the voters have had enough of his spin & vote him out.

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:18 am

Dave-this pension scam case is one of "first impression". If you do not know what that means, then you should not comment on amended pleadings. The court obviously agreed the case has merit-otherwise the court WOULD NOT allow amended pleadings-especially more than once. Fantastic article in today's UT by one of the columnists. Check it out. Service year credit purchases are just another pension scam.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 2:23 am

It's time to stop fighting a losing battle. Once the pension benefits and debt are recognized as legit, the city can finally end the charade and declare bankruptcy. Then let's see how dell'orfano and the rest of his fellow city employees feel about unenemployment.

Posted by Ray | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 3:08 am

It's heartening to see people are aware of Aguirre's incompetence. I always hear praise for his "creative legal mind," but creativity does a fat bit of good if it's unsuccessful in court! The guy loses a lot more than he wins, and always had. I didn't vote for him because I looked at his record as a gadfly, and it was truly unimpressive. All he ever did was succeed in making noise and causing delays, but he never actually *won*. Sad that this distinction is lost on voters. While it's nice to have someone who "shakes things up" (cont.)

Posted by RGL | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 3:28 am

Robert: You are kidding right? Here is a blurb from Chris Reed's blog today: Quote: At some point, Aguirre's easily documented record of pursuing wild goose chases and grandstanding while neglecting basic city attorney duties might catch up with him. Retail political skills and effective populist rhetoric can only go so far...Here's another reason it might catch up with him come election time in 2008: By then, some of the lawsuits related to his management of his office figure to have come to trial. End of quote. His blog is a must read and an eyeopener for you Robert.

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 3:34 am

... it's worthless if they don't succeed with their arguments. Open your eyes, Aguirre supporters. The man has done nothing to advance our city's recovery. Even as far as holding people accountable, he calls press conferences to announce investigations, but people forget that they never hear the results of the investigations when they turn up nothing. So he creates the impression of fighting for the people, yet he accomplishes nothing. Thanks, anyway. I want someone to mind the shop and keep city officials out of trouble. That's the city attorney's job. It's not to be a parallel mayor or A.G.

Posted by RGL | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 3:43 am

A couple of responses: 1. Aguirre is not the only employee of the City Attorney's office. There are other staff attorneys who continue to tend to the other legal matters of the city. 2. One court saying something is "so" does not stop a suit in its tracks. Appellate courts overturn trial court decisions and supreme courts (state and Federal) overturn appellate and trial court decisions all the time. 3. I would agree that Aguirre's personality can be abrasive and/or offensive, but that does not negate the substance of (some of) his arguments. Next...

Posted by Robert | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:09 am

Right on RGL! Aguirre holds press conferences to call people corrupt, and spouts off about illegal this and that. And then, poof! It falls off of the media radar screen! He drops lawsuits quietly & nobody hears about it in the media! Can you imagine what this has doen to those poor people whose lives he's ruined wish his false accusations that has gone nowhere? I hope they sue his pants off. His day will come. He will be his own un-doing and that will be justice served!

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:11 am

Another thought: I can take it, but aiming personal barbs and insults at those you disagree with often demonstrates a lack of substance or knowledge on the part of the mud-thrower...

Posted by Robert | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:19 am

Robert, you're right about the courts. And that is why the CA Supreme Ct wants the App. Ct. to explain why the Superior Ct's lawsuit against the six SDCERS board members should NOT BE THROWN OUT! CA Supreme Ct want to throw it out dude!!! It's another loser! So, who started all this? Aguirre! Your incompetent People's Atty! I'm telling you, he's the worst thing that happened to San Diego. I can't wait for him to be voted out, he's got to go San Diego!

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:30 am

Robert, I couldn't agree more with you commenta about slinging mud at those who you disagree with...I wonder why Mr. Aguirre does it?!?!?

Posted by matt | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:42 am

Hope this isn't too far off track. Did anybody else notice that Mr. Aguirre's last opponent, Leslie Devaney, is representing Laurie Madigan? Mrs. Madigan was out on sick leave from her $170k, city of Chula Vista position (collecting full salary), while at the same time teaching at UCSD. In essence, another bureaucrat gaming the system. These are the types of folks that Ms. Devaney really represents. I don't see how the landscape in SD would be improved by having Ms.Devaney ahead of our legal affairs. It would have been more of Casey Gwinn.

Posted by Dale | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 4:52 am

Does everyone remember the knight in Monte Python's Search for the Holy Grail? You have lost your arms, legs,and torso, now you are the bodiless head with the mouth yelling, "Stay and fight!". Most people know the 1st rule in police work is everyone goes home at the end of the shift, the second rule of police work is you can't argue with ignorance, arrogance or drunks. I won't mention names, but there seems to be lots of Monte Python knights in Aguirre's corner that DON'T have a drinking problem, so why argue with them?

Posted by Gene | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 5:52 am

The VCity employees just dont get it-no matter how much you try to get through to them-GIV. CANNOT SUSTAIN PENSIONS PAYING AS MORE IN RETIREMENT THAN WHEN A PERSON WORKED. lets not forget that SDPD/FD can retire at age 50 and if they live to be 80, 90 or even 100 will be getting 2-3 times what they made during their 30 years of work. Once ALL GOV municipalites are REQUIRED to expense out future penions in 2008 virtually every municipality in CA will be forcing Bankruptcy. Not to mention average gov worker makes more than a private worker.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 7:56 am

See what I mean? Come on, Gene, show some substance, not just cute words...

Posted by Robert | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:05 am

BBH...Your knowledge of the pension issues is so flawed, perhaps you should not be commenting on this forum. DROP, purchase of service credits and the retirement calculation all were approved by city negotiators during contract talks with the unions. Nobody held a gun to their heads. In fact, many of the benefits were proposed by the city precisely because it could not afford salary increases for its employees, who accepted what was offered. There's no scam here, BBH; you're very slow to understand that.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:09 am

There is a village out there looking for Mike Aguirre. Let's hope they don't decide to focus on the City Council also.

Posted by RUDY | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:15 am

Wow Dale what a stretch! A part time gig, if you can even call it part time, teaching a college class and she is scaming the system? Has about as much teeth as me complaining about you calling in sick and selling something on ebay. I'm surprised Aguirre didn't call a press conference and launch an investigation for Chula Vista.

Posted by DW | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:43 am

Big shock. He's at it AGAIN! Little Italy group decries Aguirre's latest move http://news.yahoo.com/s/sddt/20070315/ lo_sddt/littleitalygroupdecriesaguirreslatestmove

Posted by Point Loman | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:48 am

Did you attend class the day they taught law at law school or were you absent?

Posted by BBH | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 8:57 am

Dave-perhaps you need to have a bit more knowledge than what you have with regard to DROP and the purchase of service year credits at 20% on the dollar-you sound just like the typical gov worker sponging welfare type pensions scams to line your own pocket--at every tax payers expense. No one held a guns to anyones head-they just BRIBED them to breach a fiduciary duty-get it now. So yes-it is a scam. I will say it once again-you want to retire and go fishing at 50-fine-but you pay for it.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 10:03 am

How many times have we heard Aguirre call a press conference announcing that "so and so is corrupt, and I'm going to start an investigation"? Shouldn't he do the investigation first? It would not surprise me if the city eventually has to bear the burden of massive civil rights lawsuits because if his antics.

Posted by LC | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 10:44 pm

BBH: No one was BRIBED!!! And neither you nor Aguirre has ANY PROOF to back that one up! That must be why he lost in Court? Maybe that and the fact that the benefits are LEGAL???? Get over it and move on. We are all growing weary of your baseless, empty allegations.

Posted by Kathi Ward | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 11:01 pm

I'm no longer a fan of Aguirre. When election time comes around I'll be happy to vote against him. BUT I suspect the other candidates in the race will be out of the Mayor Murphy mold and tied to the city hall-downtown establishment crowd. In which case, I'll have to vote for Aguirre again.

Posted by Bob | reply to this comment
March 14, 2007 11:24 pm

BBG: you show some promise of beginning to understand public pension matters, but you have a long way to go to be credible. Public agencies already book their pension liabilities. The coming GASB change is for OPEB's (other post employment benefits), primarily, retiree health benefits. Also, you fail to appreciate Aguirre's legal defeats. His chances of prevailing with the Supremes is remote.

Posted by tseuG | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 4:09 am

Tseu- Gov agencies DO NOT currently expense out pensions /healthcare retirement costs-that is a fact-and that is why NATIONAL legislation was passed to FORCE ALL state/local government's to expense out those costs. If you follow the news the State of California is facing San Diego style pension debt-and Arnold will NOT expense it out on the books (until forced ot in 2008)- likely because it blows his budget out of the water (hmmm, where have we seen this before??). You, like your fellow gov employees here, have no idea how higher courts will rule on pension scam.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry-Kathi Ward | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 8:37 am

BBH. Speaking of higher courts. We have no idea how your Supreme Court appeal ended. Are you ever going to respond. Hey, you brought it up, not us. We must assume it did not go well for you from your lack of responses. If you were victorious you surely would have gloated by now. Your credibility is nill with me and your bitterness is heard loud and clear.

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 9:08 am

Oh Billy Bob, we know who you are. At least Kathy Ward has the courage to use her true name. You have no honor, no credibility. The Voice is making a mistake allowing this type of anonymous banter, it cheapens their publication. By the way, I don't care if Aguirre takes his case to the Supreme Court or the Supreme Croissant, he's going to lose for two reasons: 1. He's wrong. 2. He's a bad lawyer.

Posted by Jim Carter | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 2:19 pm

Now, Billy Bob, don't be go getting a big head on me now. You're not my "favorite poster", just the most amusing! lol

Posted by Kathi Ward | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 8:42 pm

Oh My -how the truth hurts the pamper gov union employees!

Posted by Bily Bob Henry-Still Kathi | reply to this comment
March 15, 2007 11:11 pm

BBH. Maybe I overestimated your potential. You seem to just make stuff up. GASB changes re OPEB's were not the result of national legislation. Pick up any CAFR for a gov. agency with a DB pension and you'll see their actuarially required pension contributions reported. Not so with their OPEB's, yet. That's coming, and that's a good thing. Pensions and OPEB's are not the same thing. Those like you, with pension envy, prefer to confuse them for rhetorical purposes. And your record on legal predictions speaks for itself.

Posted by tseuG | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 12:40 am

Right on tseuG! But I think your factual writing will only confuse Billy Bob. Ya gotta keep it simple, and don't put so much truth in it, okay? He'll think you're picking on him and he'll tell his Daddy Aguirre on you! And then his Daddy will sue you. You don't want to spend the next 2-4 years battling his Daddy in Supreme Court do you?

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 1:48 am

tseuG-Yes-I have pension "envy"....lol...... No-Gov does not currently expense out long term pension DB benefits-you must think because you state this garbage it must be true. That is why legislation was passed to exepense these DB costs out, so they could be planned for long term-and tax payers don't end up holding the bag.The City of San Diego is proof buddy. You are obviously one of the pampered gov scammers trying milk the gravy train for everything it is worth at everyone else's expense. You need to get more knowledge before you post.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 3:41 am

BBH...You've asked several people to get more knowledge before they post. For me, the only knowledge needed is that this whole issue drives you crazy -- admittedly, a short drive. To be so enraged -- and wrong -- just eats you up, doesn't it? I don't see many others stepping up to your side of the plate here. I wonder if it's because you're a cult of one.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 6:30 am

Yes Dave-I am a "cult of one".....the pension scam you public scammers have going is ending-and that is why all of you are so hostile. Hey-hate the game not the player.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 8:22 am

BBH...I'm not hostile. In fact, I'm enjoying my retirement. I worked hard for it. I wish you a happy life.

Posted by Dave | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 12:23 pm

BBH: what legislation? be specific or own up to your mistake. You think long term pension debts kept secret? What plantet are you on? the only pension secrets kept in this town, by the media and your ilk, are the ASSETS and funding ratios, which have been growing for the last few years. why on earth should we think our pensions are ending? there's no real sign of that at all, just your tantrums.

Posted by tseuG | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 10:45 pm

Dave- I hate to break it to you but you did not "work hard" for your pension scam. It was a scam put in place by your union board-who broke a fiduciary duty so you could milk the system and the tax payers. I know all the people on welfare say they have "earned" their benefits too, so the apple does to fall far from the tree.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
March 16, 2007 10:49 pm

Dave, don't encourage BBH. This site is apparently all he has in his life. Enjoy your retirement. We know you earned it and deserve it. BBH is just jealous. BBH stated he attended a police academy but wont say why he is no longer in your chosen career field. I suspect he couldn't hack it and now he pokes fun at you. BBH, without more info, we all have to assume. We don't want to assume, so please tell us more. We all want to hear about your triumphs at the Supreme Court and other legal accomplishments.

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
March 17, 2007 7:05 am

Looks like Billy Bob ("college educated....but can't spell)Henry is on a roll again. If someone doesn't agree with your crazy logic, you call them "hostile." You might look in a mirror my friend. You sound like an attorney I know who lost a couple of "big-money" lawsuits for harassing a SDPD Officer? That might explain your venomous attitude toward Law Enforcement and Government employees. You might consider taking an anger management course before you totally lose it. Oh....some English courses would be a good idea too!!

Posted by SHOE | reply to this comment
March 17, 2007 8:54 am

BBH - such hostility across the board. Wearing a shield as a mall security officer is still pretty good and you almost look like a cop; be proud of your accomplishment and accept your station in life. Aguirre is fighting windmills like Don Quixote wasting time and taxpayers money and is being shot down over and over again. In a big law firm he would be making no money on losing cases but in the City he is paid regardless and apparently has no one to reel him in. Even the Mayor and Council can't.

Posted by The Roaming Gnome | reply to this comment
March 18, 2007 9:44 pm

BBH - Here is a personal invite to Mikey's 2004 campaign debt retirement party. Apparently he is only good at spending other people's money. Bring your checkbook. The San Diego Sierra Club Political Committee invites you to a campaign debt fundraiser for San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre Mike will discuss his job, answer questions and ask for your support to help retire his campaign debt. Saturday, March 24th 1 - 3pm In Pacific Beach RSVP for address and directions Call: 858-272-0347 or email: carolyn@icontactweb.com Suggested donations: Seedling: $10 - 20 Grass Roots: $25 .....

Posted by The Roaming Gnome | reply to this comment
March 18, 2007 10:16 pm

BBH - Here is a personal invite to Mikey's 2004 campaign debt retirement party. Apparently he is only good at spending other people's money. Bring your checkbook. The San Diego Sierra Club Political Committee invites you to a campaign debt fundraiser for San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre Mike will discuss his job, answer questions and ask for your support to help retire his campaign debt. Saturday, March 24th 1 - 3pm In Pacific Beach RSVP for address and directions Call: 858-272-0347 or email: carolyn@icontactweb.com Suggested donations: Seedling: $10 - 20 Grass Roots: $25 .....

Posted by The Roaming Gnome | reply to this comment
March 18, 2007 10:19 pm

For my good buddy BOOT...errr...I mean SHOE.... more pension problems.... http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070319/news_mz1ed19botto.html

Posted by BBH | reply to this comment
March 18, 2007 10:34 pm

Mr. Aguirre, First let me say the article from the Union Trib is an editorial. There is one quote, which Am.Fed.of-State-County-and-Municipal-Employees Official-testify, the system is “safe and Secure”. The rest of the article is opinionated garbage and most likely offered up by you. If this was so overwhelming and devastating to Calpers or Cers, I’m sure it would be front-page news on the Union Trib. and not an Editorial. We all know about their Editorials! Again no substance just undocumented fluff! Mr. David Westco, the person who replaced Grissom, states SDCERS is sound! You have no documented evidence to-show-otherwise-Michael!

Posted by RW | reply to this comment
March 19, 2007 9:58 am

Aguirre or BBH-same thing: Now here is an article that I was surprised to read in the UT.Local section of today’s paper. “Pension is SOUND”! Read and weep you p--- ants. The truth will always prevail, regardless how many times you print your spew Edgar and BBH!

Posted by RW | reply to this comment
March 21, 2007 12:39 am

"No, reasonable minds cannot differ!" "There's only one reasonable mind, and it's mine." - From MikeAguirre.com

Posted by The Roaming Gnome | reply to this comment
March 21, 2007 10:23 pm

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