Several weeks ago, we surveyed the mayoral candidates about workplace discrimination and one thing stood out: Kevin Faulconer was the only candidate who said someone had filed a complaint against him – back in his student government days at San Diego State.
Liam Dillon pulls back the curtain on that episode – racial tensions were high on campus back then. Faulconer’s own campaign opponent says he was a gracious winner and never discriminated against anyone. But the woman who filed the complaint says she still feels wronged to this day. The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and no action was ever taken against Faulconer.
Tech Bosses to the Rescue
A group of technology entrepreneurs decided to put their commitment to San Diego’s tech startup scene in writing.
Mentorship for fledgling tech companies has always been a weak link in San Diego’s tech startup scene. So has money to help new companies thrive.
The commitment enshrined in the San Diego Tech Founders Pledge: “I will invest 10 percent of my earnings from my successful San Diego company’s exit back into another San Diego startup.”
What We Learned This Week
• Kevin Faulconer has consistently positioned himself as voters’ favorite backup plan.
• Only $16 million of Prop. Z money has been spent so far, but a lot more money has been earmarked for future projects.
• The candidates stopped being polite and started getting real at our #NoBSMayor debate.
• The Unified Port of San Diego is in the beginning stages of formulating a new master plan.
• Jan Goldsmith takes a lot of credit for Bob Filner’s “removal from office” (Reminder: Filner removed himself).
Quick News Hits
• The city’s employee pension system has decided that it will only expect to earn 7.25 percent from its investments, not 7.5 percent. And that means taxpayers will have to dump more into the fund.
• The city has checked one of the boxes required by Prop. B – posting a list of everyone with a pension and how much they’re paid. But the list is “confusing and misleading in a number of ways,” reports the U-T.
• Catch up on the week in the mayor’s race with this handy roundup.
• Each of the three top mayoral candidates has raised over $1 million so far. (inewsource)
• Too depressed to talk about the Chargers or the Padres? San Diego State starts its basketball season tonight, reminds John Gennaro in this week’s Sports Report.
• This Navy corruption scandal involving an Asian supplier and ties in San Diego is just getting bigger.
Quote of the Week
“They can probably afford it.” – Nathan Fletcher, when asked at the #NoBSmayor debate how the controversial increase to the affordable housing fee might affect his employer, Qualcomm, which may expand.