Opinion: The 8 Issues That Will Decide the San Diego Mayor's Race

San Diego’s race for mayor will most likely turn on eight contentious, even divisive issues.

None of these—except possibly one—is a lopsided winner.

And the candidates are split or silent on each thus far. The reason: Any one could be the “niche issue” which swings a close election.

The number one lopsided winner—city employees’ pensions.

• (1) Pension caps and reform. Candidate Carl DeMaio has staked out this position, and devoted the entirety of his campaign thus far to getting over 145,000 signatures to qualify the pension initiative for the ballot. He succeeded with more $1 million in contributions, 200 volunteers and an extra 17 days to spare. An impressive achievement. The public’s mood has soured on “air time,” “early retirements,” “double dipping,” and other pension enhancements.

The clear opponent of any pension changes is Bob Filner. He will garner strong public employee union support in an attempt to block passage of this “reform.”  However, many city workers do not live in San Diego proper, and hence, are unable to vote for mayor. They can, and do, work hard at “get out the vote.”  That will matter a great deal, as at least 100,000 of DeMaio’s petition signers are registered voters—and potential contributors. Filner and his union backers will need a concerted effort to match this force.

• (2) A new football stadium for the Chargers. While a wildly popular idea with the fans and the owners, the taxpayers of San Diego are still reeling from the expensive “Charger ticket guarantee” that put the city in the hole financially. In the midst of this Great Recession, there is the promise of much needed jobs, but the counterargument is that “no taxpayer money” should be used to finance a stadium. The city’s budget is already shaky and the macroeconomic picture will not improve it, hence the resistance to any more big public projects.

After all, the three-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots financed their new field with all private money. Bob Filner is the only candidate, thus far, to be clear on the need for less taxpayer monies and more private funds—even if such a stadium is necessary.

• (3) Dog vs. People’s rights. Recent attacks by pit bulls on individuals and a horse have raised concerns about the non-compliance with “leash laws” and the irresponsibility of some dog owners. Conflicts abound over when and where dogs can run free (O.B.’s dogs’ beach is one area already allocated for this purpose); other small parks are also “dog friendly.”  However, concerns over dogs in restaurants; along pedestrian frequented walking spots; (Harbor Drive, Liberty station, neighborhood parks, etc.) make this a simmering issue.

This, like gun control, is an issue no candidate really wants to tackle unless forced. San Francisco’s mayor’s race may well turn on the question, as that city has more dogs than children living within its limits. In addition, as the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the question of expanding dog free-running rights into national park preserves is pitting environmentalists vs. dog owners.

• (4) Bankruptcy. Again, an issue no candidate wants to address. It may become moot before the end of the month as Gov. Jerry Brown will most likely sign a bill forbidding cities and counties from seeking bankruptcy protection or “restructuring” without a litany of very time consuming, expensive, and near-certain-to-fail obstacles. Nonetheless, the City of San Diego does have a serious budgetary problem.

• (5) Potholes and a deteriorating infrastructure. The taxpaying voter is assaulted every day by the evidence that this issue is still a major concern.  Question: “Where does all my property tax money go?” Answer: “Not here.” Every pothole. Every graffiti-filled space and crumbling sidewalk re-enforces the sense that the city is crumbling.

Surely, each of the major candidates—Bonnie Dumanis, Carl DeMaio, Bob Filner, and Nathan Fletcher—will all tackle this with lots of promises and photo ops. Still where to find the money?

• (6) Homelessness, Poverty and Crime. Any weekend or after-hours’ drive around City Hall, the edges of downtown or most inner city neighborhoods reveal the extent of what is now an almost permanent underclass. The plight of the mentally ill, those sleeping in cars or near their shopping carts, is no longer hidden under bridges or behind vacant buildings and park trees. The current release of state prisoners—mandated by court order to relieve overcrowding—will only exacerbate this problem. Again, no easy solution, but it needs the attention of the next mayor. 

• (7) Parks, Beaches and Bays. Support for maintenance of these gems requires little debate. They bring the tourists. They revive the inhabitants and are probably the greatest assets San Diego possesses. Look for each of the candidates to address some form of protection for the local environment. Any candidate who comes up with a greater vision for the city than just “hanging on to what we’ve got” may be blessed with more votes than they imagined.

• (8) An emergency plan. The recent blackout caught most San Diegans and their leaders by surprise. Too many failures. Too many “coulda, shoulda, wouldas” to remain unaddressed. Look for someone to come up with a thorough, thoughtful remedy. The “governing class” must react swiftly to a crisis. Had this blackout lasted more than 24 hours, the repercussions would have been much worse. 

While not a comprehensive list of what the next mayor will confront, this is a short version of what the voters will keep foremost in their minds when they choose the next leader of the city.

Indeed, more partnerships with high-tech, nano-tech, venture capitalists; more attention to land use development, waste management, libraries, our schools and universities, water rights and lots more issues, belong on the mayoral candidates’ lists.

We are fortunate that the bench of San Diego’s contenders is deep, well-educated, experienced and committed to public service. Not every city is so blessed.

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