Don't Believe Everything You Read

By Scott Peters, San Diego

E-MAIL STORY

Monday, Feb. 5, 2007 | In his screed, "Governing by Fiat," Jon Dunchack bases his argument on an indirect quote attributed to me by The San Diego Union-Tribune. Don't believe everything you read in the local paper.

I have never claimed that it is possible for the city to maintain current service levels at this time. Each member of this council recognizes that the level of service provided to citizens will be affected by a tight budget. I have listed my budget priorities (available on my website): public safety, core services, paying down pension costs, and boosting reserves) and am prepared to make cuts elsewhere to fund these priorities.

This council has indeed made tough choices. We denied pay raises for police officers and fire fighters in the wake of Sept. 11 and the Cedar Fire, despite intense political pressure. We cut library and pool hours and park maintenance and approved the mayor's re-engineering proposals which eliminate city jobs. We put two tourist tax increases on the ballot in 2004; one lost because it fell 5 percent short of the required 2/3 vote. These decisions were not easy, but they were necessary and responsible.

Dunchack suggests that the City Council "have a candid conversation with their constituents about the cost of doing the public's business." I absolutely agree. In order to have that candid conversation, the council and the public must know what services can be maintained and which cuts are necessary. I do not understand why the mayor wants to keep that budget information from the public by denying the council its responsibilities defined by the City Charter.

The public has the right to be informed and participate in the discussion. I invite your readers to join us at the City Council as we craft the new budget over the next several months.

Scott Peters is the San Diego City Council President

3 Comments so far on this story...

Your list of budget priorites would lead one to believe you car about the needs of the citizens of San Diego. Yet your votes at city council certainly show otherwise. The city continues to cut important services as the mayor hires one six-figure consultant after another. In addition, you invite constituents to come to city council meetings. I have watched enough council meetings to know that you ingore the wishes of the people in order to please the developers who line your pockets. Speaking in front of the council is useless and falls on deaf ears.

Posted by Guest | reply to this comment
February 6, 2007 12:15 am

Dear Guest: Cynicism and cheap shots do not constitute informed discussion. In a political system, money frequently does not flow according to the unbiased logic of cost/benefit analysis, and often that is true because the people are not sufficiently vigilant. But I would prefer that we continue to move away from Government by Squeaky Wheel (i.e., cave in to those who shout the loudest) and toward a government that, in providing essential services, operates as efficiently as possible, and in so doing truly respecting the taxpayers. Much more to say....

Posted by Don | reply to this comment
February 6, 2007 10:27 am

Scott, you can't understand why Sanders doesn't want to include the council or the public in his decisions? come on, Sanders does not care about San Diego's future. His whole team want to make a name for themselves and move on to another city to take over and "fix". Strong Mayor = Dictator. That's all there is to it. I for one, am moving out of San Diego. Chula Vista is looking better and better. This city will be a mess soon.

Posted by Frank | reply to this comment
February 13, 2007 10:04 pm

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