Correction: The second sentence of this section was updated to clarify that there’s a close tie with one member of the Sweetwater Authority board.
Critics of the Sweetwater Authority, South County’s governing water agency, say the good ol’ boy network is alive and well within Sweetwater’s governing board.
Those critics say nepotism rears its head in a number of ways — most recently with a proposed $150,000 no-bid, consulting contract to a former Sweetwater employee that has previously sued the water authority and has ties to a Sweetwater board member.
As Jim Hinch, our new South Bay reporter, writes: The “$225-per-hour [proposed] consulting contract [would go] to Michael Garrod, a retired engineering manager who, along with three other employees, sued the agency in 2012 for allegedly discriminating against non-white employees and retaliating against people who complained.”
“It is egregious,” said one former Sweetwater employee.
But Sweetwater’s general manager defended the contract, saying Garrod, as a former employee, was just the person for the job.
The contract: On Wednesday, the Sweetwater board approved the contract with Garrod in a 5-2 vote.
Mayor’s Challenger Gets Big Money Boost
The Lincoln Club of San Diego County received a $1 million check from a Point Loma attorney to help its causes this cycle – in particular to help give Larry Turner a boost in his race for mayor.
Lincoln Club executive director Victor Lopez would not comment on the donation. Paperwork for a new committee he and others were forming was not complete. But two sources confirmed Steven Richter, an attorney, until now relatively unknown in local political circles, sent the donation to help boost Turner’s chances in his race for mayor against incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria.
“We have a community interest from a lot of donors who want us to support Larry,” Lopez said. “A lot of people want to see change. I can’t comment on any donors on any level. Right now, we need to stick to the rules and that’s all I’m able to disclose.”
What it means: The Lincoln Club can spend the money as it sees fit. Candidates are not allowed to receive donations that large but committees can independently spend and receive unlimited amounts to support candidates. They just cannot coordinate with those candidates.
We reached Richter by phone, but he declined to comment.
The donation could spur others. Turner is the underdog in the race against an incumbent. But a recent 10 News/Union-Tribune poll put the race somewhat close.
North County Report: Election Season Heating Up
As election season heats up, candidates and organizations are starting to lay their money down in terms of where they stand on certain ballot measures, propositions and other candidates.
As our Tigist Layne reports, several cities have come out in favor of a statewide measure called Proposition 36. Proposition 36 would overturn key components of a previous law that reduced penalties for theft and drug crime. Proposition 36 deals with that $950 threshold for felony theft you’ve been hearing about.
Layne also breaks down where North County leaders stand on Measure G — a half-cent countywide sales tax that would fund transportation.
She also delves into specific races and how the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce endorsed a candidate for mayor, even though it rarely does that.
Read the North County Report here.
Politifest! It’s Going to Be Great
We’ve come to the time in Politifest when everyone realizes they should go or they wish they had a speaking slot.
Get your tickets now. We may actually hit our limit this year.
Some highlights:
- City attorney and City Council debates.
- Debate over Measure E, and Propositions 5 and 36
- Tijuana River crisis featuring members of Congress, a supervisor and mayor
But for all of you anxiously watching the national election, we have your fix. David Wasserman is the premiere analyst of national election data. He’s Senior Editor & Election Analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
After a day filled with debates about complex state and local races, Wasserman will give Politifest attendees a review of the national race, the key states, critical trends that affect voting and what the future holds for both parties.
In Other News
- The state’s campaign watchdogs are investigating a complaint against Nathan Fletcher that alleges he improperly used campaign funds from his abandoned bid for state Senate to pay the law firm representing him in a sexual harassment and assault lawsuit. The former county supervisor isn’t denying that he used the money for his legal defense, but an attorney representing Fletcher told the Union-Tribune that there’s nothing “untoward” about his use of donations.
- How about that triple play?! Listen to that very moment again in three different languages. (Union-Tribune)
- The City Council is set to vote next Tuesday to amend its safe sleeping contracts to accommodate more than 230 more tents in the two Balboa Park lots and help address the upcoming closure of hundreds of city shelter beds.
- Voice editor Scott Lewis explains on KPBS why there are no Republicans running for office in the city of San Diego. Can they make a comeback? Watch the Why It Matters series here.
- County supervisors are moving forward with changes to its flood prevention law that makes it easier for residents in unincorporated areas to secure affordable flood insurance. (City News Service)
- Your dose of cute: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomed a baby aardvark. (NBC 7)
The Morning Report was written by Will Huntsberry, Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Lisa Halverstadt. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.