Top Mayoral Candidates Talk Pensions, Experience

The four major candidates in San Diego mayor's race kept to their main themes Friday night in their first debate.

Councilman Carl DeMaio, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, and Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, answered questions from moderator William Osborne, the editorial director of U-T San Diego, Steve Bosh of KUSI, Gene Cubbison of NBC 7/39 and Scott Lewis of the website voiceofsandiego.org  at the U.S. Grant Hotel.

DeMaio said he would have the backbone to stand up to public employee unions and continue efforts to cut pension costs.

"I will reach out, in some cases to former adversaries, and say, we have to work together for the good of our city," DeMaio said. "Democrats, independents, Republicans -- and if the unions won't accept it, if the council won't accept it, we will take our case directly to you, the taxpayers, the voters, the people."

Dumanis stressed her experience in running a large public agency.

"What I bring to the table is -- you know me -- I've been your district attorney for nine years," Dumanis said. "I may not be practiced, I may not be polished, but I am proven."

Filner said changes to the pension system should not be made on the backs of public employees. He stressed returning services to neighborhoods.

"Why not have a city that actually says to its neighborhoods 'We will invest in you, we will invest in the quality of life for its citizens, and have a better future for all of us,' " Filner said. "Why not have a city where every neighbor -- every neighbor -- takes a role in both the political and economic life of this city."

Fletcher kept focus on discussing the future instead of fighting over the past and embracing innovation.

"There is a great future to be embraced," Fletcher said. "As mayor I will redefine San Diego as the world's most innovative city, and we'll drive the conversation about the economic base we want, not just today, but 20 or 30 or 40 years from now."

The best exchange of the approximately 75-minute debate came between DeMaio and Fletcher, both Republicans, as they argued over a bill authored by Fletcher to increase the amount of money the Centre City Development Corp. could raise, which was passed in the middle of the night.

DeMaio said he was offended that the measure went through the Legislature without public input.

"We have to have open government as one of our core principles," DeMaio said. "The ends don't justify the means."

Fletcher said he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity for a good result for San Diego. It's simply a question of whether the voters are more interested in process or results, he said.

"I think they want results," Fletcher said. "I believe you're elected to make decisions."

The debate was organized by The Lincoln Club of San Diego County, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and The City Club of San Diego.

The next debate is scheduled for Wednesday night at the University of San Diego, focusing on land use issues.

The nonpartisan primary election is scheduled for June 5. Mayor Jerry Sanders is barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.

-City News Service