Tuesday, August 09, 2005 | Diann Shipione, a former pension trustee who spotted problems with the city’s retirement system in the face of criticism, sent a letter to Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins today asking her not to return Shipione to the embattled pension board today as was scheduled.
Shipione said in the letter that she may be willing to return to the pension board in the future. (Read the letter.)
The City Council was set today to decide whether Shipione and three others recommended by Atkins will serve on the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System after four trustees stepped down last month amid various litigation that involved the pension system. The retirement fund currently has a shortfall of at least $1.37 billion and is under scrutiny by various federal and local agencies.
Taxpayer activist and past mayoral candidate Richard Rider, attorney Ezekiel Cortez and attorney Thomas Hebrank were also nominated by Atkins. The council will also decide whether SDCERS board president Peter Preovolos should be removed from the retirement board.
– EVAN McLAUGHLIN, Voice Staff Writer