April 26, 2005
New turmoil in Enron-by-the-Sea
San Diego mayor Dick Murphy unexpectedly resigned yesterday amid a deepening pension-fund scandal, and his deputy mayor is about to go on trial on federal corruption charges. Fortunately, the L.A. Times has its finger on the pulse of what's important about this story: What does this mean for the Chargers' stadium plans? The answer, according to Chargers stadium lobbyist Mark Fabiani: "In such extremely uncertain circumstances, it's a real challenge to persuade investors to put their money in San Diego. But we're a long way from giving up, we still have meetings scheduled, and we still have parties who are interested" in the team's proposed 60-acre private development project that would be built on public land.
Aside from the Chargers' p.r. line, what does the Times have to report? Well, Donna Frye, the city councilmember who staged a write-in campaign for mayor last year, losing only when some of her voters' ballots were disqualified - I tell you, this story just gets better and better - "has consistently opposed a new stadium for the team," and plans to run again in a special election this November. Unless the city council chooses, as it can, to instead just appoint someone as mayor for the next three years. Really, it's hard to see how a political system like San Diego's could ever become mired in scandal, isn't it?
You are absolutely right, Neil.
It is ridiculous that we have to put up with this circus from the City of San Diego's elected officials.
Even the deputy mayor of San Diego, Michael Zucchet himself, is under indictment for federal corruption charges unrelated to the pension mess.
Councilwoman Donna Frye, to her credit, seems to be a responsible party and unculpable for the rest of the city council's actions. However, it is troubling to me and other Chargers fans that she is unwilling to compromise on the stadium issue. Her appointment or election as mayor would be devastating to the already damaged city-team relations.
Posted by Dan Touchette on April 28, 2005 12:24 PM