Here are some predictions for 2007:
- Mayor Sanders proposes an austere budget that meets the funding gap recently outlined by his office. Program boosters cry foul forcing the City Council to intercede. The resulting fight delays the adoption of the budget forcing a shut down in city government. The general public, of course, doesn’t notice.
- Local labor unions push for a term limits initiative at the county citing the Board of Supervisors arrogance for attempting to reign in employee related unfunded liabilities as the last straw. The effort fizzles because most don’t know what the county does, and those that do, love their supervisors (public employees union members being the notable exception).
- The Empire Strikes Back…Mike Aguirre announces his plan to run for mayor (coincidentally opening the door for Scott Peters to run for City Attorney). Aguirre’s Deputy City Attorney, Karen Heuman announces her run for District 5 and Henderson, Aguirre’s new confidential advisor, sues the City of Chula Vista for their new Bayfront Stadium proposal.
Here are some “sleeper” predictions:
- Governor Schwarzenegger parlays the public sympathy for his broken leg into bi-partisan support for his universal health care plan that covers everyone at no cost.
- Mayor Jerry Sanders finds that coating water and sewer pipes with Nu-Coat can save millions of dollars and extend the life of the pipes without the need for fee increases.
- The County Board of Supervisors makes a move to fold in the city of San Diego creating a mega-government with a manageable unfunded pension debt ratio; they immediately appoint LaDainian Tomlinson and Tony Gwynn as “at-large” Supervisors.
- Wal-Mart builds three mega stores right on the outskirts of the city of San Diego, generating billions in revenue and jobs for anyone NOT a resident of the city of San Diego.
And some of my business predictions (“my” being the operative word):
- Harmony Grove gets approved by the Board of Supervisors.
- Bajagua’s RFP goes forward and the company signs its “fee for services” contract with the IBWC.
- GP 2020 gets adopted by the county of San Diego.
- Cricket Communications becomes the number one cellular provider in San Diego County.
- The Ivy Hotel opens with much fanfare.
Ok, now for you…it’s time to hear the vox populi.