Back-Room Deals Continue in San Diego As San Diego heads into their most important election this November, communities continue to face ethics issues caused by closed-door decision making. According to today's
Union Tribune:
A $1.4 billion proposal to build several towers with housing, stores and offices across from Petco Park suddenly faces a troubled future.
The carefully planned Ballpark Village project unexpectedly came unhinged last week after its developers and a coalition of labor and environmental groups announced details of a secret deal as an alternative to an agreement worked out through lengthy community meetings.
The new deal unleashed an immediate backlash and prompted the City Council to delay until next month a vote on the project's master plan.
The core questions boil down to whether Ballpark Village should have affordable housing within its 6-block project area, and whether community groups should change terms of public deals, as this one does.
Opponents say the last-minute deal undermines an established manner for community participation and would further segregate the wealthy from the poor. Supporters say the alternative deal - known as a community benefits agreement - would create more affordable housing, though outside the project area, and provide good jobs with benefits.
It's closed door decisions like these that has led to San Diego being dubbed "Enron by the Sea." The good news is that San Diego is in a position to demand government reform and transparency. The first step is to ensure that both mayoral candidates put ethics in government at the top of their agendas.
Join
California Common Cause this
Friday, September 30th at our
Defending Democracy Mayoral Debate between Donna Frye and Jerry Sanders. We'll address the accountability problems that have led to our current crisis and provide an opportunity to ask serious questions. Details for the debate after the jump.
Here are the logistics for Friday's event:
Defending Democracy Mayoral Debate
Date/Time:
September 30, 2005 o 6 - 8 PM
Location:
Price Center Theatre
University of California, San Diego
Parking: Faculty Club Parking ($3 fee)
Directions to Event Parking:
Interstate 5 to Genesee Avenue exit. est on Genesee and proceed up the hill to North Torrey Pines Road. Left on North Torrey Pines Road to Muir College Drive. Left on Muir College Drive and proceed up and around to the right to lot P206.
Again attendance is free, but there are a limited number of seats available. Please RSVP by emailing
ca-info@commoncause.org or call
(866) 534-0789 (toll free). The stage is set for one of the most important elections in San Diego history. We look forward to seeing you.
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