Jerry Sanders: The World Is Not Enough

As reported in the Union Tribune today and explained in an emailed press release from Mayor Jerry Sanders' office a few minutes ago, the San Diego City Charter is under review.  A Charter Committee has been established by the Mayor, headed by John Davies and Judge James Milliken, to review what Sanders calls "a half-finished job" of switching to a strong mayor form of city government as Sanders continues his work to expand the unilateral powers of the mayor's office.

"One of the greatest disservices that was done to our citizens last time was the rushed nature of the process," Sanders said. "I'd like to eliminate that this time and give citizens and interested stakeholders plenty of time to reflect on the issues."

According to the Sanders release, the committee will focus on "financial reforms; the duties of elected officials; fixes to the strong mayor system during this interim period; and considering making strong mayor permanent," which dovetails nicely with every squabble he's had with other officials in the city since taking office.

He's fought with the City Council over his ability to cut entire civic programs from the budget without council review (a decision on which has been delayed by Mike Aguirre).  He's driven out the city's auditor by insisting that the auditor be a mouthpiece for the mayor's office rather than an independent voice.  In short, he's really chafed over having to fight for his strong-mayor rights.

So he's got a committee together to figure out how to expand, extend and then make permanent the role of the Mayor as The Decider of San Diego.  The city council, if Sanders gets his way, will mostly be left as advisors and administrators of whatever the Mayor isn't interested in dealing with.  That Sanders has promised to support any recommendations from the committee suggests either good faith, or faith in the committee he assembled to deliver the recommendations he wants.

Council President Scott Peters ("It's...not an only-mayor form of government") has declined to commit blindly to the recommendations of the committee, but sounds supportive of strengthening the mayor, hoping for "ideas to finish the job" of transitioning to a new form of city governance.  Doesn't exactly sound like he's ready for a fight.  Councilwoman Donna Frye has fought well against Sanders over the budget cuts, but since the committee will also consider changing the number of seats on the city council and the number of votes required to override a mayoral veto, she could find her power to slow down the Sanders power grab severely curtailed.

It boils down to Sanders establishing a committee to conclude that he should have more power and people shouldn't be able to get in his way.  The perceived mandate from voters in support of the "strong mayor" form of government is checking too many members of the city council, clearing the road for Sanders to seize unilateral control of the city government.  Sanders said in his press release that he "will of course ask the Committee to comply with the Brown Act and ask that the public participate in the Committee's work."  I strongly recommend that people in San Diego take advantage of the opportunity to participate.  If you thought San Diego was corrupt and mismanaged before, just wait until it's a mayoral fiefdom.  Head it off while there's still time.