Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Labor Council Membership Endorses City of San Diego Propositions A, B and C

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council announced its endorsement of Propositions A, B and C, which would amend the San Diego City Charter to ensure greater independence of the City’s auditing process, forbid the City from outsourcing the jobs of Firefighters, Lifeguards and Police Officers, and provide voters with the opportunity to vote in 2010 on whether to continue the Strong Mayor Form of Government in a responsible and balanced manner.

Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez noted that a coalition has formed to support the checks and balances the Labor Council championed very early in the charter review process, such as (1) increased independence for the City Auditor, (2) a fair mayoral veto, and (3) patience to see the trial Strong Mayor government play out before judging it.

“Although we disagreed during last year’s Charter Review, I am excited that San Diegans from all sides of the discussion can come together to rally around a package of reforms that we have said all along will keep City Hall accountable to working families and their neighborhoods,” Gonzalez said.

Propositions A, B and C were placed onto the ballot by the San Diego City Council after a contentious charter review process. Despite heavy pressure by a few in the community who wanted to concentrate more power in the hands of the Mayor, the City Council proposed a very balanced set of charter amendments that will improve the charter changes voters made in 2004 and 2006.

The Labor Council also endorsed George George (San Diego City Council, District 5), John Lee Evans (San Diego Unified School Board, Seat A) and Steve Castaneda (Chula Vista City Council, Seat 4). Additionally, the Labor Council recommended to the California Labor Federation the endorsements of Robert Hamilton (49th Congressional District) and Mike Lumpkin (52nd Congressional District).

George won the Labor Council’s endorsement after impressing union members with his on-the-job experience protecting San Diego’s homes. George served in the San Diego Fire Department for 31 years and later became the Fire Chief of Solana Beach.

“In a region that is woefully underfunded when it comes to fire protection and public safety, San Diego’s neighborhoods will really benefit by having an experienced first responder like George fighting to do what’s right on the City Council,” Gonzalez said. “Voters know the difference between real-life experience in the field and empty buzzwords when it comes to keeping neighborhoods safe.”

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Labor endorsement is huge for Mike Lumpkin in the 52nd CD. They'll come out big for the Navy SEAL guy--first time in years.

BTW, he's also got the California Democratic State endorsement and the endorsement and ALL 4 of the regional club endorsements--La Mesa, East County, Poway and Santee.

This Mike Lumpkin campaign is poised to be a big winner for Dems.

Anonymous said...

Why Labor supports Prop C is beyond me - perhaps part of a deal? Seriously - the spin that Prop C offers better audit independence is a farce! Letting the mayor choose, or "participate in choosing" the auditor??? The same auditor that's going to audit him or her? It's just common sense that's a bad way to set up internal controls, not to mention goes against GASB standards, is not in line with other major city structures, and is counter to the recommendations of Kroll. Enron by the Sea lives on, thanks Lorena!

Anonymous said...

Stop the propoganda and read Government Auditing Standards §3.13and §3.14 - Prop C does not go against GASB standards. Labor understands employment law better than anyone. It matters less how you are hired, its who, and under what circumstances, you are are FIRED that really matters. Prop C does allow for auditor independence.

Anonymous said...

Mike Lumpkkin is one of the best democratic candidates San Diego has seen. Too bad he is in such a conservative area. Navy Seal, Legislative guy for the pentagon, volunteer firefighter, smart, abitious...dude, this guy could be an action figure.

Anonymous said...

Prop. C strictly follows independence standards of the US Government Accountability Office. Labor supports Prop C so the city can regain its bond ratings and begin more than $1 BILLION in projects that are stalled or too expensive because San Diego lost its good credit. If Prop C passes, we get San Diego moving again; if it fails, the wait goes on, failed sewers spill into canyons, and overwhelmed storm drains dump trash into the ocean. Prop C meets the standards of US GAO, SEC monitor, and the authors of the Kroll report on repairing out credit. These are people who actually have expert knowledge, not uninformed opinion. Auditing, like physics, is based on external facts, not political conjecture.

Anonymous said...

I'm a Vietnam Vet and can't understand why most people are saying that Mike Lumpkin is a great democratic candidate. From what I've seen and heard, he is the best candidate this district (the 52nd) has had period. It doesn't matter if your a republican or democrat, this guy is going to be the best congressman San Diego County has had in a very long time.

Anonymous said...

So riddle me this - Sanders will hire the person who will audit him? For all the cronyism and incompetent hires that man has allowed, I'd be very suspect of anyone he chose to be auditor. Putting that process into stone gives me the heebie jeebies. Where's the independence if I gave someone a job to oversee me? Might that person place loyalty above reality? Likely, but even if not, the process still allows for crony types. I smell books cookin already - bad idea!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I agree. Regardless of party, the Navy SEAL guy will steal the show this year. He's a combat veteran and as a candidate, about as smart and pragmatic as they come.

Lumpkin can reach across party lines no other candidate. This is the first exciting candidate in this district in a long while.

Anonymous said...

Let the mayor choose the auditor. Doesn't matter at all if they have to answer to council.

Anonymous said...

Folks--Labor is nutty, took the quick way out as directed by Scott Peters, the great coward of San Diego.

PS---To earlier blogger--Govt Accounting Stds do not condone the mayor appointing his auditor. Check out the GAO website. Please don't post here if you don't have your facts.

Why we can't or won't fight in this town is incredible--is it that we have an inferiority complex?

Anonymous said...

Getting an auditor in place will do little to solve San Diego's financial problems--its about revenue and expense. Stop passing the Jerry Sanders (I'll pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today) apologist line.

Anonymous said...

Is that you up there, Tom Sheppard? Feeding at the trough of big Manchester bucks supporting bogus proposition campaigns. I hear you're doing a shitty job with the re-election campaign too.

Anonymous said...

Voters can always change it later, but for now Prop C needs to pass to at least free the auditor from having the mayor looking over its shoulder on a daily basis.

Anonymous said...

Prop C allows the mayor to appoint the auditor - or at least to have a hand in appointing the auditor (if that's how they spin it). The voters can change it later? How about an acceptable proposition be presented in the first place. Progressives and reformers and people tired of the failures of City Hall should unite, send a message, and vote NO on C.

Anonymous said...

www.auditsandiego.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to see the Labor Council involved in the upcoming San Diego School Board election. The teachers need a voice, and the students need a voice. I am backing John Lee Evans for San Diego School Board 2008, whom the Labor Union also endorses. Evans has some good articles about Donna Frye's endorsement, Mitz Lee (incumbent), and other issues.

Anonymous said...

mitz lee is going to have a difficult time charming voters, especially against the well-spoken child psychologist john lee evans. Evans is very straight forward with his ideas, and he is backed by the union, which is good. BUT he is by no means a tool of any union or lobby group!

The San Diego School Board District A race will be an exciting one. This 3 min video between mitz lee and john lee evans explains a lot!:

mitz lee, john lee evans 3 minute video