Politics & Government

Pease to Challenge Lightner for District 1 Seat

Bryan Pease plans to run against Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, who represents Rancho Peñasquitos.

Updated Friday 11:11 a.m.

Bryan Pease, the lawyer for advocates of harbor seals at the Children's Pool in La Jolla, filed papers on Thursday to run for the City Council seat of Sherri Lightner, who represents the area.

"We need to give voters an alternative," Pease said at a news conference

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Pease said Lightner not only favors beach access over the welfare of the seals, but has supported plans to put operations of the Miramar Landfill out to bid and desalination to make potable water.

Environmentalists fear that putting the landfill into private hands could result in more pollution.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Desalination is horrible for marine life," Pease said.

He said he opposes the Comprehensive Pension Reform measure that will appear on the June ballot, calling it "expensive" and of "unknown legal viability." The measure would, if passed, give most new city employees 401(k) retirement plans instead of enrolling them in the pension system, and place a five-year cap on pay current workers can later use to calculate their pensions.

Pease held off on making definitive statements about other issues, including whether to build a new stadium for the Chargers and whether to expand the Convention Center. He said would support proposals that favor San Diego residents over corporate interests.

Before he filed papers at the City Clerk's Office, about 20 supporters held signs and sang "All we are saying is give Pease a chance."

Businessman, philanthropist and former San Diego City Employees Retirement System President Ray Ellis is also in the race to unseat Lightner.

-City News Service


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