MonDiego Tube makes it two weeks in a row. We might be on a permanent roll. In this clip, Lani Lutar from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association debates City Councilwoman Donna Frye about Proposition C, the measure that would realign the auditor's position at City Hall.
What do you think of Prop. C?
Comments so far on this story:
1. Steve K wrote on May 5, 2008 4:35 PM:
"'Wolves guarding the hen house!"
2. Leanne1 wrote on May 5, 2008 6:56 PM:
"How can the auditor be independent if appointed by a corrupt mayor and affirmed by a corrupt city council? I'm not saying this mayor and council is corrupt (heaven forbid) but where are the safeguards? A committee appointed by the same mayor to select the auditor? Yeah, the current weak mayor has shown the problems with his committees. Bad idea promoted by a bad mayor and his self-selected pandering committee. Couldn't be worse....oh, yeah, it could. Scott Peters could be City Attorney at the same time."
3. Another Prop C Video wrote on May 5, 2008 7:40 PM:
"I like the NBC debate video, but take a peek at this video on Prop C. Kinda funny. link"
4. Get A Clue wrote on May 5, 2008 10:57 PM:
"ANY process to do anything is subject to manipulation. The essential task is to create a reasonable system of checks and balances to minimize any manipulation. There are a number of factors that favor this proposal: 1) San Francisco (a VERY political environment) utilizes a 10 year term and it has worked flawlessly. Their auditor was president of GFOA, the gold standard in this field; 2) the appointee must be confirmed by the city council; 3) the 10 year term far exceeds the term in office of any one mayor i.e. this appointee would be auditor 6 years after Sanders left office; 4) the auditor reports to an audit committee. And the opposition to this measure? A councilmember who has built a reputation on opposing things rather than accomplishing them and an ex-auditor that announced to his staff the first month on the job:"
5. Get A Clue wrote on May 5, 2008 11:15 PM:
"...continued: I'm just here to raise my base salary for retirement purposes. Pressure was brought to bear by the mayor to bring him more into line with their policies, but that's the beauty of this proposal. The checks and balances would now be in place to avoid that immediate type of pressure."
6. Rick wrote on May 5, 2008 11:54 PM:
"Ms Luntar does the city a disservice by her comments that Prop C will get us money. Prop C is flawed from a number of views. It contains the auditor, the makeup of the audit committee, the IBA, etc. Each of these issues should stand on their own and voted by the people on each issue. Watching Ms Luntar performances lately has made me question the honesty and integrity of the Association. She sure does not represent my positions. I sure wish she would talk on the issue not what she thinks will happen in regards to the Market. Additionally, just what does the SEC monitor think his job is, it sure isn't becoming involved in the politics of San Diego Government. NO on C."
7. Fred Williams wrote on May 6, 2008 7:10 AM:
"When the current city "leaders" say they are "fixing" things, it doesn't mean repair...they mean fix as in "fix in place" forever. Poposition C will allow the Mayor to select his pet auditor, meaning we will continue to see the books cooked to benefit the well-connected few. If you don't want to see more giveaways to billionaires, please vote NO on C."
8. googled wrote on May 6, 2008 8:18 AM:
"The 5 largest cities. in the U.S. all elect their auditor. The mayor is not involved at all. Are they all wrong ? Should they change their procedure and copy San Diego,a city that has set such a great example for the rest of the country?"
9. Steve K wrote on May 6, 2008 9:55 AM:
"#7--FW is right--THE FIX IS IN."
10. Norman wrote on May 6, 2008 9:09 PM:
"Lani saying this prosition is a cure all to fix our pot holes reminds me of Sea World saying they need to break the height limit so Shamu can have an education ride. They are both a bunch of bull. What is even more ironic is that they are both proposition C's .... that tells me cause to pause, if in doubt leave it out. I only hope the public is smarter this time around to realize when someone is throwing crap (Prop C) that its just that, CRAP!"
11. Norman wrote on May 6, 2008 9:09 PM:
"Lani saying this prosition is a cure all to fix our pot holes reminds me of Sea World saying they need to break the height limit so Shamu can have an education ride. They are both a bunch of bull. What is even more ironic is that they are both proposition C's .... that tells me cause to pause, if in doubt leave it out. I only hope the public is smarter this time around to realize when someone is throwing crap (Prop C) that its just that, CRAP!"
12. Billy Bob Henry wrote on May 7, 2008 8:26 AM:
"3. Another Prop C Video wrote on May 5, 2008 7:40 PM: "I like the NBC debate video, but take a peek at this video on Prop C. Kinda funny. link"...I LOVED THAT VIDEO!...and Lani Lutar, oh brother, am I losing respect for her :("
13. Andy Berg wrote on May 7, 2008 9:57 AM:
"Direct from the Comptroller General of the United States GAS July 2007 Revision, section 3.14: "Audit organizations in government entities may also be presumed to be free from organizational impairments if the head of the audit organization meets any of the following criteria... c. appointed by someone other than a legislative body, so long as the appointment is confirmed by a legislative body and removal from the position is subject to oversight or approval by a legislative body, and reports the results of audits to and is accountable to a legislative body." I have the greatest respect for Council member Frye, but on this issue I would not substitute her judgement for that of the Comptroller General of the United States."