| Committee decides against putting eminent domain on June ballot
By ELIZABETH MALLOY, The Daily Transcript Wednesday, January 23, 2008 The San Diego City Councils rules committee rejected several proposed charter amendments recommended by citizen groups Tuesday, but forwarded a recycling ordinance to the council for further discussion. The rules committee voted against further discussion on potential charter amendments that would lower the salaries of elected officials, increase the number of elected officials on the San Diego City School Board, have voters elect the city auditor, increase government transparency, give subpoena power for the city attorneys office and change the way eminent domain works. They voted in favor of a proposal from City Attorney Michael Aguirre that would make recycling mandatory. City Council President Scott Peters, who sits on the rules committee, said he was against the salary change because it would prevent more average citizens from sitting on the council. He added he was against having an elected, rather than appointed, auditor because previous elected financial officers have not worked for the city, and he was against the eminent domain change because the state is set to vote on eminent domain on the June ballot. The eminent domain change proposed was inspired by an ongoing battle over the Grantville re-development project, which would build a mixed-use development in what is now largely an industrial zone. The Grantville Action Group, composed of residents; property, business and homeowners; and patrons of the area, is fighting to have eminent domain laws changed to better define the term blighted and to not allow eminent domain to be used for private economic benefit. Councilwoman Donna Frye largely agreed with Peters, though for different reasons. She said eminent domain needs to be addressed and if the June ballot doesnt address these issues, then the city should possibly take it up in November. Lowering the City Councils salaries was not necessarily the best approach, she said, but the city should consider forming a non-political committee to look into salary issues. Frye said she liked the idea of a more transparent government, but the ballot wasnt necessarily the best way to go about it. She wanted to see more of Aguirres recycling proposal. Frye also said, however, that she would like to see an elected city auditor. You cannot allow management to elect your city auditor, she said. Please tell me one other city -- any major city -- that would do that. A few council members said some of the issues, like eminent domain and the school board, should be taken up again for more discussion, possibly for the November ballot. The council must decide in February what items to put on the June ballot. Councilman Ben Hueso said reforming the election for the school board should be an imperative of the council because that falls under their jurisdiction. Im very concerned that the current (school board election) process gives special interests a lot of power over our school system and I would like to see that changed, Hueso said. But I think -- given the deadline that we have -- it's going to be difficult to have a meaningful discussion. Send your thoughts and comments to elizabeth.malloy@sddt.com. |