Again, you're right on the mark, Scott. Despite the empty excuse from a Faulconer apologist -- "A buddy of mine is on Vaction [sic] with Kevin, this trip has been planned for months...it wasn't like he skipped town last week because he knew a vote was coming..." -- a diligent councilmember who takes his/her job seriously -- as he took an oath to do -- would know well in advance that labor negotiations would be coming up during this specified time period. Sorry, Faulconer apologist, but your attempt at justifying the councilmember's actions just doesn't hold up in this instance. Next???

Posted by Tell the Truth | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 1:49 am

Having been to Mexico City many times, one has to wonder what in heck Sandag could learn about transportation while visiting there. That place is a mess. Madaffer's responsibility is to be here at budget time. Ditto for Faulconer. It's clear that neither considers representing their consituents a priority.

Posted by Ray | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 1:59 am

Here's hoping that Madaffer gets lost on his way back from Mexico and wanders into Iranian territorial waters.

Posted by RINO Hunter | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 2:19 am

Scott, could you establish whether Faulconer's absence was officially excused by the City Council or not? Probably not. Normally if a vacation is planned well in advance, as his staff say it was, he would have sought and received an official excuse. I kinda doubt Council would have done that considering the legislative calendar this week. Stick with it; the public deserves an honest answer on this. He will have to vote on the FFs pay and the salary ordinance anyway when he gets back. Sounds like a big blooper to me. Now it will test his political skill.

Posted by Pat Flannery | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 2:55 am

This is 21st Century. You know... the INTERNET,co invented by former Vice President Al Gore. I watched the council sessions on Monday and Tuesday on my PC, LIVE and DIRECT from the beautiful Civic Center Hall. I believe the City gives cell phones to the Councilmembers too. Are you telling me there is no way these members can't call in their votes. Heck Mr. Maienschein should have been at home rather than infecting city staff and when Council President Peters finally called for the vote he could have cast his telephonically. Seems to me "Conference Calling" has been around for years. There is absolutly no valid reason why technology couldn't be used to solve the problem of the missing council members!

Posted by Can't Believe this... | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 3:10 am

15 weeks of legislative recesses, or should I say vacation opportunities, that's 3½ months a year. Come on Mr. Faulconer you've failed your duty to follow the Charter, to represent your district and people in it, and lost my vote in the future! No wonder the citizens of San Diego have little on no faith in the so-called elected leaders.

Posted by Outraged | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 3:30 am

It's obvious that all 3 council members gave themselves alibis in order to avoid the voting conflict with the firefighters. The firefighters union backs the council members, but all 3 want to stay in good standing with Mayor Sanders. So instead of stepping up to the plate and making a decision, they just skip town and leave it up to the remaining 5 council members who won't let politics stand in their way of voting. this was a golden opportunity to avoid conflicts and sit on the fence.

Posted by Cheeky | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 3:32 am

Faulconer campaigned against "gold plated" pensions and benefits of City Workers, yet his City job allows him 15 paid weeks of vacation a year. And, on top of that, he takes a week off during the legislative year. Sounds like someone should campaign against Faulconer's gold plated City Job.

Posted by Disgusted | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 4:32 am

I think that you have made some extremely unfair accusations towards Jim Madaffer's work product and motivations. I'm sure he is engaged in some detailed blighted neighborhood investigations, from the Mexican perspective. And, no doubt, Mr. Madaffer has been checking into the systemic developement of canyons, parks and streets while he is on tour. He was only given one tax payer paid week-end,this year, at the Cas Del Zorra resort, to accomplish his important advocacy positions, for the 7th District. How do you expect this public servant to accomplish constituent service, if he has to interact with the public, press, and other city officials?

Posted by Dale | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 4:56 am

Ray hit the issue right on the button. With 15 weeks of Legislative Recess, aka vacation time, per year, it is the responsibility of each councilmember to be present for all or most meetings. This is especially true when an issue of the magnitude of the firefighters' contract is on the Agenda. If there is any accountability at City Hall, it should begin with our elected officials and continue through the ranks of all city employees. And please stop with the routine excuses of absent councilmembers without a reason listed for the absence.

Posted by Buddy in Mission Valley | reply to this comment
April 18, 2007 5:46 am

Who pays for Madaffer boondoggle? I thought he was elected to be here and represent the city and his district. So much for integrity. I am sure there are district and city issues in Mexico City that require his attendance. Is he being paid while he is there? He went to DC to look at transportation which he missed a very important vote, he was absent a couple of weeks ago and missed an important vote, now this. I know I heard him say that he was really doing work and business at the retreat. Did he ever document what work and what business. Madaffer has established a pattern of skipping town when he should be here representing.

Posted by Rick | reply to this comment
April 19, 2007 1:29 pm

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