Saturday, May 16, 2009

Where is the mayor?

On Friday it was revealed SDCERS was not going to follow the mayor's illegal attempt to change, reduce, or eliminate DROP; a vested benefit. The question for many is, "Where is the mayor?" Since this revelation there has not been one word from the mayor or his office. Word on the streets is the mayor was told some time ago by the City Attorney his attempts at changing, reducing or eliminating DROP would be a violation of the City's Charter. The mayor hired the firm "Burke, Williams & Sorenson" to provide legal services and lead negotiations with the five labor groups in the City. Attorneys William Kay and Timothy Davis of"Burke, Williams & Sorenson" lead separate teams for the City during the negotiations with the five labor groups.

Timothy Davis led the City's charge against the SDPOA. Hell bent on eliminating DROP, Davis and company threw as much mud onto the walls during negotiations as they could muster in hopes something would stick. The SDPOA Board of Directors held firm and refused to discuss this vested benefit. The law did not allow them to "negotiate" changes, reductions or elimination of this vested benefit (Why did they know this and the attorney for the City did not). Davis was getting no-where and knew it. His only alternative was a law suit. So, in the middle of negotiations the mayor gives the go ahead and the SDPOA is served notice of the City's intent to sue the SDPOA for their refusal to negotiate this vested benefit. Does anyone think this had a chilling effect on the remainder of negotiations? Does anyone wonder why the mayor chose the SDPOA for this law suit? It would not have anything to do with PERB or MMBA, would it? Why is "Burke, Williams & Sorenson" handling negotiations and this law suit? Why is the City Attorney NOT handling these two issues? Could it be Jan Goldsmith told the mayor he could not do what he set out to do?

The silence is deafening from the mayor. Might be he is holed up at home in Kensington nursing a black eye? Maybe trying to spit the blood from a swollen, split lip and not capable of talking? Oh, rest assured, his statement when he does break his silence will berate SDCERS; extol his solid legal footing in making the changes he did; plead his case for taking the issues to court for a legal ruling; and assure taxpayers he is only looking out for them and not the employees of this city. Care to venture a guess how much the taxpayers are paying for the outside firm of "Burke, Williams & Sorensen" to handle negotiations and the law suit regarding DROP? The mayor attempts to plead his case for; cutting wages; reducing and cutting benefits; holding onto services; raising revenue by increasing fees; not raising taxes and then turns around and hires an outside firm to do the City Attorney's job?

The mayor had the pleasure of playing with San Diego's American Idol; Adam Lambert last week. If you missed it, a young lady took her shirt off (still wearing a green bathing suit top) and ran onto the field and stage. The mayor cracked he would not take his shirt off (Thank God). Someone needs to let the mayor know; he is not wearing ANY clothes. He shed them long ago.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sparky great question? You hit the nail on the head! Apparently the City Charter is only for us little people, the mayor and council don't have to abide by something so restrictive as the law. Fullfilling work contracts is only enforced if your the City Employee. The City, as an employer, doesn't feel they have to abide by their contracts they can just walk over employees. I hope the San Diego Judges hammer them for their failure to negoiate in good faith. The employees give their labor, bodies and sometimes their lives in "GOOD FAITH!"

Anonymous said...

mmm... The mayors decision to violate the City Charter... This makes me wonder if way back when, when Sanders was a patrol officer sworn to uphold the law, if all of his enforcment was just and legal. If I were one of his past "victims", I would demand a re-trial!

Mid-City Cop said...

Word on the street is Sanders was seen at Starbucks in Kensington with a black eye, split lip and a few stitches. HaHaHaHa... When the POA begins their fight in court I have a suggestion... How about working on his mid-section... he needs to be punished for the crap he has done to this police department... jab and punch... upper cuts to the mid-section and then back away... don't let him take a knee... he needs to be pounded for his actions... I volunteer if you need someone to get into the ring with the idiot...

Little Guy said...

"Mid-City Cop" that is metaphorically correct?

Secretsalmon said...

When you pick up the rock the cock roaches always run for cover. Obviously SDCERS picked up the rock and the roaches have taken cover.

Retired Cop now Fisherman said...

The Mayor has never been quiet for this long. Is he still in town? Hey Odie; where is the Mayor hiding out? I think you hit on something Steve. I can't wait to hear what the mayor's position is on SDCERS action. When do we get to vote?

Larry said...

I think the mayor has fled the state. Has anyone seen him? He was absent the city clowncil meeting when his office and people were blasted for again failing to provide the clowncil with the financials for review. Excuses, excuses, excuses... what a joke!!! I had to laugh, I found myself agreeing with Carl. HELP!!!

City Employee in Crisis said...

The mayor was on KUSI this morning (Friday, May 21, 2009) and he did not look good. Big bags under his eyes, a little haggard. If you missed it sorry. He said the Governor was going to "steal" money from the city and he was angry. So he steals from City Employees and that's OK? What a jerk!!!