Chargers Stadium, PB Bars and the County: Your Comments of the Week

 Here’s the latest roundup highlighting the discussion from the week:

• Chris Brewster on “Chargers Stadium Work Done Without Contract“:

For all those who supported the concept of a strong mayor form of government, the chickens are coming home to roost. In my view, Jerry Sanders is a pretty straight shooter (although I think his chief operating officer is anything but, and the Mayor is responsible for his staff). Sanders worked in the city when there was a strong city manager form of government – a manager who could do nothing of this nature without council approval. He understands the need for checks and balances, but even he has ignored them in the Snapdragon case and apparently here, perhaps intentionally testing the boundaries of Mayoral power. A year from now, there will be a new mayor who may have far less appreciation for or even understanding of checks and balances.

• Elmer Walker on “Mayor Declares Victory Over Budget Crisis“:

If there are actually some monies available to use, save, save save. To take this small amount of money and spend it to make taxpayers happy is the type of response that got us in a financial bind in the first place. Now is the time to put funds in reserve accounts or to pay down debt. This is what a knowledgeable and responsible Mayor would do.

• Simon Baer on “The Bars That Can’t Count in PB“:

As a soon to be open restaurant in PB, I have no problem sharing my opinion on the issue (I am an admitted newbie to ‘the situation’). The bars bring a lot of extra people to PB, that’s for better and for worse. These people park in parking lots, eat in restaurant and shop at other local merchants. It also brings alcohol-related problems such as; DUI, vandalism and many other crimes and nuisances.

Yes, there are people on both sides of the issue that have drawn their lines in the sand (pun intended) but the rest of us are better served to come together. As a business that can’t get a wine/beer license because of the (at times) reckless behavior by some of the bars, I am very frustrated with the situation too but I also acknowledge the positive impact they have in our community (read: recycling for education, bringing new customers to the area, contributing to the tax base) I think the vast majority of commercial business owners in PB want a safe, happy and supportive community and are willing to work with the community at-large to make that happen.

• Pat Seaborg on “Shrinking County Workers: Fact Check“:

In my work I have regular contact with those private agencies who have taken over functions formerly handled by County employees. That includes agencies doing the work I formerly did when I worked for the County. The quality of work has suffered, and things that were routinely done by me when I did that work are now often met with “we don’t do that.”

What I have seen, time and time again, is that the private contractors, because they pay significantly less, tend to get employees fresh out of school, willing to work for less money. Due to high workloads, as soon as they get a little experience under their belts, they leave the company for better compensation elsewhere, leading to several problems in the workforce.

• Gabrielle Dumka on “Letter: Teachers Union’s Stance Creating “Long-Term Harm“:

Also, the teacher’s union is losing the PR battle. That whole layoff notice thing looked pretty bad. They’re not giving the public much reason to root for them.

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Dagny Salas is the web editor at voiceofsandiego.org. You can contact her directly at dagny.salas@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5669.

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