DeMaio Has Real Solutions

Published: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:18 PM PDT

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Carl DeMaio brings an impressive record and array of experience to the San Diego City Council. As our watchdog on City Council, he will be the taxpayers’ eyes and ears to fight waste, end corruption and improve neighborhood services.

In addition to continuing his watchdog efforts, DeMaio brings a bold plan for fixing San Diego’s problems. DeMaio does not see tax increases as solutions to the city’s problems. The city does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem.

1.) Balance the Budget:

2.) Reform the Pension: As part of his pledge to trim labor costs and reduce city debt, DeMaio will champion real pension reform such as ending the DROP plan, abolishing the purchase of service credits and requiring previously purchased credits to be fully paid for, and requiring city employees to pay their fair share of retirement costs. While keeping the option of a defined benefit plan for public safety, DeMaio supports the shift to flexible and affordable defined contribution plans for general city workers. Finally, DeMaio also will push for the appointment of new pension board members to ensure a taxpayer-friendly majority on the board.

3. Improve Infrastructure: DeMaio is committed to rebuilding San Diego’s roads, water and sewer system and public facilities. He proposes creating an infrastructure financing “lockbox” to pay for improved maintenance and upgrades. DeMaio will also push for reforms in the contracting, management and oversight of all public works projects.

4. Enhance Public Safety: DeMaio would put police and fire as the top budget priority -- expending the number of sworn police officers on the patrol by 150 and adding new fire stations. DeMaio strongly supports the recommendations of the San Diego Regional Fire Safety Forum and will demand improved coordination and management of public safety functions across government entities. Finally, DeMaio will pursue improved brush management in District 5 and city-wide to protect neighborhoods.

5. Ethics and Open Government: DeMaio will champion independent audits, an end to inappropriate uses of closed session meetings, and true campaign finance reform that curbs the use of special interest money from big labor and big business in city politics. In addition, DeMaio calls for restructuring the Ethics Commission and providing for truly independent selection of city ethics commissioners by a retired federal judge using a grand-jury-like selection model.

As some of the responses to the earlier posts illustrate, DeMaio’s opponents can’t argue with his solutions, so they fall back on what they have been doing since 2003: shoot the messenger. Nasty and erroneous personal attacks do nothing to move our city forward. Instead of reacting, DeMaio does as he always has done: focus on solutions for positive change in San Diego.

And when it comes to ideas, solutions and innovations, DeMaio has an ample supply of them. As a nationally-recognized government reformer, DeMaio has a network of government innovators across the nation to tap to redesign and reform every city department.

These are just some of the important ideas and solutions that Carl DeMaio will champion as a city councilmember to restore San Diego’s financial health and improve the quality of life in our city.

-- ALEX HOLSTEIN

6 Comments so far on this story...

what no PR firms work after 5pm? a flurry of daytime posts by deMaio's political consultant and then..... silence. hmmmm, all theatrics without the cost of entry. what a sad sad state of politics in San Diego.

Posted by where did the PR companies go? | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 7:33 pm

Well put Alex. I have enjoyed watching Carl DeMaio champion the cause of the people the past few years. At first, I was a critic because I felt he was too confrontational. But Carl DeMaio always puts his money where his mouth is and I think we need some one to stand up to the old guard at city hall. Those who oppose him fear change, probably because they too draw a pension. I, on the otherhand, desire it, crave it. Fix the streets, fight the special interests and for christs sake get a bond rating!

Posted by DeMaio = Reform | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 8:05 pm

Alex,you mention that DeMaio intends to improve public safety by increasing the number of fire stations.Carl has publicly stated that he intends to reduce the number of firefighters per engine.Numerous studies have shown that company effectiveness drops below acceptable levels and that time lost to injuries skyrockets when dropping from 4 personnel to 3.So how exactly does that increase public safety?

Posted by JF | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 9:21 pm

where did the PR companies go, you crack me up. Funny when the commentary dries up shortly after 5:00pm. I guess lots of the 'bloggers' were just racking up billable hours. But on the subject at hand, Mr. DeMaio, I just wonder, is there any 'there' there? He seems to have appeared on the scene in 2003 like a replicant, slick, savvy, smart, and as opportunistic as a pathogen. See an enfeebled city weakened by poor financial decisions, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, with a bonus stripper scandal? See a population fed-up and hostile, looking for someone to vent their frustrations for them? See an opportunity for your aspirations to money and power? San Diego, Carl DeMaio is your man! Just don't ask him to respect you in the morning.

Posted by Simple Guy | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 9:44 pm

Why won't Carl answer the questions about claiming Virginia residency to get out of a lawsuit? I don't like the unions, or the website, but that document was pretty clear on that dirty demaio site.

Posted by Truly Curious | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 10:32 pm

He'll tell you he wants more fire stations but also has said publicly that the City should hold the line on salary increases for fire. He would continue the four years without a salary increase, creating an unnecessary safety issue for his district and all of San Diego. Face it, employees will go to other agencies to give them and their families a better opportunity to get ahead. San Diego deserves better than to be a training ground for every other fire department. Seasoned, veteran firefighters provide continuity to provide the highest level of service possible to the community. Knowledge of the community and its roads/traffic patters are critical to assuring quick response times, which provides a greater chance at survival for the most critical trauma patients. But people like Carl want to change that...why?

Posted by don't look into his eyes. | reply to this comment
April 14, 2008 10:58 pm

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