By Donna Frye, San DiegoFriday, May 9, 2008 | Public confidence in the city’s finances begins with the auditor. We need someone who will keep an eye on our tax dollars and speak out if it looks like the books are being cooked. That’s why it’s necessary for auditors to be independent from the entity that they audit.
Proposition C allows the mayor to choose the person who audits all city management and all city departments. Since the mayor is the manager in charge of all city management and departments, allowing any mayor to appoint the person who will audit the city departments is like having the fox guard the henhouse.
How can you honestly audit the person who not only appoints you, but also participates in the selection of the majority of the audit committee members who will have the ability to recommend firing you? Does anyone really believe that an auditor selected by management/mayor will be independent from the person who appointed him or her?
The only "standard" relied upon by those who support the mayor appointing the city auditor is the following eight words from the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards issued by the United States Government Accountability Office - "appointed by someone other than a legislative body." However, nowhere in the Government Auditing Standards does it ever state that management/mayor should be that "someone." In fact, page after page of the Government Auditing Standards provides standards as to why auditors must be independent from the entity they audit, both in fact and appearance.
None of the five largest cities in the United States allow their mayor to appoint the city auditor; neither should San Diego. We can have real reform by voting NO on Prop C on June 3rd and doing it right in November.
Frye represents District 6 on the San Diego City Council.
By Bob Nelson, Bankers HillWednesday, May 7, 2008 | I was surprised at the curious spin in David Washburn's story about Proposition C. While the story highlights the "strange bedfellows" of Donna Frye and Carl DeMaio, it totally ignores that the "Yes on C" co-chairs are Taxpayers Association President Lani Lutar and Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez.
While glorifying Ms. Frye, the story fails to name any of the five council members who sponsored Prop. C -- including Gonzalez' one-time rival council candidate, Kevin Faulconer. But none of them bring cuddly animal characters to public events, so maybe that is not so important.
It is a shame that this cult of personality angle became the focus of an otherwise thoughtful article. Mr. Washburn's coverage and the Union-Tribune editorial page (talk about your strange bedfellows!) seem to be the only places where there has been a dispassionate description of the checks and balances in Prop. C.
As was recommended by the SEC monitor, the mayor names the auditor-designate in consultation with an independent Audit Committee; thereafter the Council confirms or denies the appointment; once seated, the auditor reports to a new and independent Audit Committee on which the mayor has no representative; the auditor serves a 10-year term which outlasts the maximum eight-year term of any mayor or council member; and the auditor can only be fired for lawful cause, and upon a majority vote of the Audit Committee, and upon a super-majority confirmation by the Council.
Donna Frye likes to talk about foxes and hen houses; when you strip away the cute rhetoric, I see more horsefeathers than chicken feathers flying in the wake of her argument.
By Barbara Cleves Anderson, San CarlosWednesday, May 7, 2008 | The mayor's Charter Review Committee voted 6 to 7 in favor of the mayor hiring the independent auditor. Six felt that independent meant independent.
Will the independent auditor be beholden to the mayor if he/she is hired by the mayor? You bet. Is there a perception of impropriety? Guess. Why would the mayor want to hire the IA? It looks bad.
The new audit committee will have six members and report to the council. It would be pretty hard to stack the deck with that many people involved in the decision. I commend all who are against Proposition C and See it for what it really is. Another chance to manipulate the figures. By Judy Ki, PowayWednesday, May 7, 2008 | Dear Editor,
Upon reading Mitz Lee's statement regarding Dr. Evans' stance alongside with teachers, parents and their children, her remark, and I quote "It's not my cup of tea to go to a rally and score points with one side," she said. "It doesn't solve problems."
Isn't it the role of a school board trustee to stand up for stakeholders to demand fair treatment by the legislators? After all, parents and teachers are also taxpayers. Why would our talented young people go into the teaching profession if they know that nobody will stand up for them when it matters? By Jeff Knox, Imperial BeachTuesday, May 6, 2008 | Dear Editor,
I arrived home after work last Thursday, May 1, to the strange sight of fixed-wing aircraft sharing the airspace of the Imperial Beach Naval Outlying Field (Ream Field) with what appeared to be normal helicopter operations. From the vantage point of my backyard, I watched the Red Bull pilots dive and slice through their towers, nicely set up in the middle of the runway, while Navy helicopters performed their normal maneuvers, rotating around the airfield. When I called North Island, I was informed that the tower had everything under control and asked if I wished to file a noise complaint. My concern, I told them, was not noise but safety. They filed my call as a noise complaint anyway. The joint use continued on Friday. Since I have been repeatedly informed over the course of many years, that fixed wing and helicopter operations in the same air space are dangerously incompatible, and that civilian and military flights can never safely operate out of the same airport, a couple of questions quickly come to mind. If the tower can control such flight operations at Ream Field, why can't they do the same at North Island, thereby saving our military the expense of keeping Ream Field active? If both civilian and military aircraft can fly out of the same military instillation, why can't the airliners utilizing Lindbergh Field move to Miramar, thus creating a more practical and safer joint use airport, freeing the space occupied by our extremely inadequate San Diego International Airport for development benefiting the city, county, and port of San Diego? By Ian Trowbridge, Mission HillsTuesday, May 6, 2008 | Lorena is being disingenuous when she says the mailer was just a thank you to the City Council.
According to Evan McLaughlin, political director of the Labor Council, they reported the piece as an election campaign mailer to satisfy the San Diego Election Ordinance that I helped put in place. And that is what it is--a "Peters for City Attorney" mailer.
The mailer is a naked endorsement of Scott Peters for city attorney, and Lorena should be honest about that. Why conceal the fact by this foolish mailer?
Regulating the content of dishonest campaign mailers is too complicated for authorities.
That is why public criticism is the only way to keep union and business interests in line. By Dianne Parham, Normal HeightsTuesday, May 6, 2008 | "The San Diego County Water Authority is rolling out its $1.8 million advertising campaign that implores the region's residents to stop using quite so much water." How about just getting water wasters like Scott Peters to save their fair share of water instead of going after people who have been conserving for several years? I'm tired of being told to save save save when Scott Peters and a couple of his pals on City Council waste waste waste.
By Lorena Gonzalez, Pacific BeachMonday, May 5, 2008 | I was honestly surprised when I heard Donna Frye was upset about the mail piece we sent out from the Labor Council earlier this week, and I am truly sorry if anyone was offended by the mail. We were motivated to create the piece because of our desire to highlight the leadership exhibited by Democrats on the City Council when they supported these positive, progressive actions despite the unwarranted but heavy opposition mounted by Mayor Jerry Sanders and some of the more reactionary members of the business community.
Although one of the newspapers in town has taken to printing the e-mail addresses of our council members when they want readers to contact them about more sensational issues, we didn't see the same courtesy extended to the public on the General Plan update after the Council fixed the mayor's proposal to better protect our environment and promote self-sustaining wages. I wish we could afford to alert the voters every time our Council accomplishes something as visionary as the general plan update, but unfortunately, we just can't possibly do that.
We stand by our decision to publically thank Councilmembers Toni Atkins, Donna Frye, Ben Hueso, and Tony Young; and, to highlight the leadership of Council President Scott Peters, who authored both the environmental and economic prosperity policies that made their way into the General Plan. But, I am sorry if Councilwoman Frye or anyone else took the "Thank You" the wrong way -- that certainly wasn't our intentions.
By Hector Viadiu, San DiegoFriday, May 02, 2008 | Nice article!
Would it be a good idea to use some of the fence that people want to separate Mexico from the United States on the Coronado Bridge instead?
The builders who are promoting the border fence would make as much money per foot and they later can come back to promote the border fence. By Frances O'Neill Zimmerman, La JollaFriday, May 2, 2008 | Judging from writer Randy Dotinga's graphic description of what happens to suicidal people who jump from the Coronado Bridge, I guess he wants to have safety mesh put up there as a deterrent. Barriers will probably be ugly and expensive, but they would be worthwhile to save lives and the indescribable heartache of surviving families.
Not long ago, there was a documentary film on bridge suicides that was well-reviewed in New York and Los Angeles papers, but the movie never made it to San Diego -- presumably because of its devastating subject and unlikely marketability. It will be interesting to see if any of our legislators are literally willing to come to the rescue after this powerful series. By Ed Martin, San DiegoWednesday, April 30, 2008 | Once again we see an article in the Union-Tribune that needlessly highlights the fact that a military person is involved in a crime. (Page 2, Our Region 'Public Safety' section titled "Navy enlistee arrested in stepdaughter's death"). The fact that he is in the Navy has nothing to do with his offense. What is the point of including that information? It isn't pertinent.
Why am I irritated by this? Because by pointing out the man's occupation it contributes to a mindset that military people as a group are prone to violence or unacceptable behavior. Not one other crime reported on that page identifies the perpetrator's profession. This a pattern of reporting that keeps recurring in the U-T newspaper.
I've contacted the U-T on this issue before, about an 80-year-old man who had served in the Marine Corps in his youth, and was labeled an 'ex-Marine' in the article describing his arrest for rape (at his trial he was found to have been falsely accused and not guilty). At that time I was informed by the readers' representative that the police don't make note of non-military perpetrators' professions so the U-T was unable to identify them by their profession. So? Does that mean the Union-Tribune is obliged to report military affiliation even if it's not pertinent?
Much as they might deny it, I believe the U-T's editors have an agenda. And I'm not alone in thinking it's high time to change it. It currently smacks of elitism, or worse. By Gideon Rappaport, ClairemontWednesday, April 30, 2008 | According to the article by Steve Schmidt in the San Diego Union-Tribune on April 24, 2008, John Moores, (former chairman of bankrupt and scandal-tainted Peregrine Systems, now "downtown developer" and owner of the Padres), funds the California Independent Voter Project, a "nonprofit think tank" whose chairman, Steve Peace (CEO of Killer Tomatoes Entertainment, termed-out California State Assemblyman, Gray Davis's Director of the California Department of Finance, author of California's electricity deregulation bill, and lobbyist), was appointed to the Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee by Mayor Jerry Sanders.
Thereupon Mary Sessom, Chairwoman of the San Diego Association of Governments, walked off the committee, claiming that "the appointment threatens to taint the work of the... committee because Peace is lobbying officials to build a massive terminal and transportation hub on Lindbergh Field's north side... 'This process needs to be open and transparent,' Sessom said. 'I think this appointment makes that much more difficult.'" Now there's an understatement.
As Don Bauder writes on February 11 of this year, "I understand that through Steve Peace, Moores is making sure the airport expansion is a mess. He has big plans there."
Short version: Jerry Sanders appoints Steve Peace, who is funded by John Moores, to sit on the Airport Policy Committee. Mary Sessom walks out in protest. Sanders says, "I don't think it's her role to tell me who [sic] to appoint to represent the city of San Diego." No, but it is our role as voters to elect an appointer with the people's--not the developers'--interests at heart.
What more do San Diegans need to prove that Steve Francis is the only hope for a city government that will serve the interests of the people of the city? The alternative is the status quo, an oligarchy of in-crowd developers who for decades have been abusing the purposes of government and robbing the public coffers to fill their own pockets.
I am not opposed to free enterprise or to appropriate development. I am opposed to graft, corruption, politico self-interest, and the reign of greed.
The citizens of San Diego, including the members of all building trades and unions, will, I hope, vote for Francis because he will treat all with integrity and fairness under the law and for the good of the citizens and their city.
What responsible citizen, even one whose self-interest depended on big developers or big unions, would chose to leave the city government in the hands of the purveyors of predatory greed and their elected acolytes?
Steve Francis cannot be bought. Of what mayor in the last two decades could that be honestly said?
A vote for Sanders is a vote for Steve Peace, for John Moores, for deepening debt, and for developer handouts. A vote for Steve Francis is a vote for integrity, hard but salutary financial decisions, and transparency. By Lee Moore, San DiegoWednesday, April 30, 2008 | Who is Marshall Merrifield? The voters of District 1 are being asked to vote for him, and his resume sounds great. I would think the voters and contributors would want to know his stance on city issues. His website tells of his business experience (very impressive), it tells of his community service (very nice). His website and his commercials tell us nothing about how he is going to be as a councilman. What are his feelings on the employee pension plan, the DROP program, pay raises, development, transportation, cross on Mt. Soledad, potholes, transportation, Charger stadium, sanctuary city, gay marriage? He is asking for contributions--how about a reason. By Todd G. Glanz, EastlakeTuesday, April 29, 2008 | Too often the genesis for development within the city of Chula Vista has been identified by way of waiting for the chance appearance of a "suitor." However, there is no good reason for us--i.e. the city of Chula Vista, or for that matter any of us throughout San Diego County--to just wait for a suitor or chance cards to show. The culture should be to seek out, or preserve as the case may be, that which comports with the character of our city or area, thereby also comporting with our character as individuals. This means that character, or identity, must first be defined. The General Plan Protection Initiative, or Prop. E, is about defining the identity of Chula Vista. It has been said that "there needs to be a there there." The initiative should be considered in the light of whether it would protect the character and identity of Chula Vista(ns), already defined by all concerned Chula Vistans, through many meetings involving much civil discourse and exchange of ideas, manifested in the agreement reached and articulated in the general plan. The residents of any area, including Chula Vista, naturally define their own character, be it by statement, or silence. Does the initiative provide the guaranteed opportunity for residents to ensure they say what their identity is, and not surrogates in this time of crisis in trust concerning our political and corporate culture? Is wealth, solely in terms of money, our only consideration, as it has been allowed to be the defining characteristic in other areas of this county and country? I think this is also about the opportunity to conserve and develop Chula Vista as a model of wholesome and happy excellence. If you will: "Carpe diem": make use of the opportunity.
Feel free to email Todd Glanz with comments. By Demi Sakadelis, Mission ValleySunday, April 27, 2008 | I was very disappointed after reading Emily Alpert's article on Iftin Charter School, "A School Called Enlightenment." During the interview process, I felt extremely uncomfortable with Ms. Alpert's questions when she asked me to share stereotypes and generalizations about "these people." I must not have satisfied her thirst for cultural bias as nothing said during my 30-minute conversation with her was included in the article. I know another teacher also spent around 30 minutes talking about our school, only to have one comment about a Muslim dietary observance put in the article.
Ms. Alpert wrote, "A non-Muslim teacher asking her Muslim students if a food dye breaks religious dietary law. . . epitomizes the mission of Iftin, a fledgling charter school where Somali-speaking parents are comfortable, Arabic is offered, and perfecting English is a mission." Was Ms. Alpert misinformed about the mission of Iftin Charter School, which hung in my classroom inches away from her seat while she took notes? Allow me to share the accurate version of Iftin's Mission Statement: "Iftin Charter Schoool (ICS) provides students in grades K-7 an academically rigorous . . . core curricula supplemented with a technology-intensive program in a safe and caring learning environment. ICS will address the needs of students, their families, and their communities by building on the strength of students' cultural heritage and life experiences to enable them to become successful, lifelong learners, and valuable members of the global community." This is also located on our school website which Ms. Alpert included a link to but perhaps did not look over very carefully. Does a passing comment by a teacher about Doritos epitomize Iftin's mission? I sure hope not, otherwise our school is in big trouble.
Ms. Alpert articulated well the challenges that Iftin faces with many non-English proficient students who are new to the country. But, isn't that a very similar story in most San Diego schools south of interstate 8? Is she trying to bring a voice to the issues many San Diego schools face, or does including this information help her suggest Iftin is similar to "MidCity Charter Academy, which closed in 2006"? I believe Iftin stands to be counted among successful charter schools in the future.
I realize Ms. Alpert cannot include everything in her article; however, she clearly chose to include elements that supported her narrow perspective of our school. I expect better. By Jamie Esposita, La MesaSunday, April 27, 2008 | After reading Emily Alpert's article "A School Called Enlightenment" about Iftin Charter School, I am extremely disappointed in the way the school, staff, and students were represented. Emily's focus regarding Iftin was on obscure cultural beliefs, religious dietary habits, and arbitrary incidences that the school has faced. On behalf of my students and colleagues, I feel it is necessary to present a true representation of what Iftin Charter School provides to some very special students in San Diego.
The vision of Iftin Charter School is to provide students in grades K-7 a tuition-free public education that is academically rigorous and at the same time culturally sensitive. In a caring-centered elementary school, our staff and teachers involve members of students' families and communities as partners in the circle of education, both inside and outside of the classrooms. Students and their families distinguish Iftin as a place with highly qualified and dedicated teachers who put an emphasis on character building and creating successful lifelong learners. The director of our school, with the support of the board of directors, meticulously oversees the business aspects of Iftin with care and consideration, ensuring the future success of the school.
As with any school in the nation, Iftin puts a great emphasis on raising student test scores. Emily quoted that Iftin's first batch of test scores were "among the lowest in San Diego." Ultimately, Iftin's test scores cannot be compared to any other district, because there is no other district in the state with the same student population. Some schools in the area have a few Somali students, in combination with a diverse blend of cultures, but there are no schools that compare to Iftin. In retrospect, teachers at Iftin face this as a challenge. Often, teachers arrive at work an hour and a half early, in order to prepare meaningful and effective lessons for students. Similarly, all teachers at Iftin offer after-school tutoring for students every day of the week, ensuring understanding of content matter and raising academic confidence in students of all ages. Teachers are also currently working on building an academically rigorous curriculum, aligning the state content standards with the Core Knowledge Sequence and Units of Study that focus on critical literacy. As a 501c3, Iftin's director, staff, and teachers must take on multiple responsibilities outside of their typical duties to ensure that Iftin thrives and excels as a district, as well as a school.
While others like Emily Alpert choose to focus on the cultural taboos and negative aspects of a school like Iftin, others will continue to be advocates for the school and its vision. Consequently, we will overcome the ignorance of closed-minded individuals and obstacles that present themselves as we work hard to enhance the quality of education for our nation's youth. In the future, our success will be measured not by test scores, but by the success of Iftin students as they complete high school, college, and post-college endeavors. |
The mayor announces that negotiations between the city and three unions have reached an impasse.
Friday, May 9 -- 12:25 pm
As internet executives leave, others switch positions.
Friday, May 9 -- 11:35 am
 San Diego Unified's new chief starts shaking things up.
Friday, May 9 -- 10:50 am
SURVIVAL IN SAN DIEGO
It'll be quiet in the blog for a bit.
Wednesday, April 30 -- 9:47 pm
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
None of the five largest cities in the United States allow their mayor to appoint the city auditor.
Friday, May 9 -- 9:22 am
CAFÉ SAN DIEGO
EHC members want to see Barrio Logan redeveloped and improved, but to the benefit of its residents, local businesses and historic cultural heritage. Big developers and speculators have other interests.
Thursday, May 8 -- 4:37 pm
COMMENTARY: SLOP
A former fraternity leader speaks out about his old house.
Thursday, May 8 -- 10:38 am
COMMENTARY: RICH TOSCANO
San Diego resale volume picked up considerably last month.
Friday, May 9 -- 10:25 am
|
|
Letters may be edited for length -- we prefer they not be longer than 350 words. And they may be edited for style and libelous content.