Scott Peters in the News

San Diegans complain that the current City Council can't seem to get anything done.

Anyone who attends council meetings knows why: The continual bickering and pettiness, the lack of vision, the parochial focus on district interests rather than citywide needs and the general incapacity to legislate effectively.

Fortunately, voters have a great opportunity on Nov. 7 to raise the level of professionalism on the City Council. There are candidates for each of four open seats who could help turn this council into an effective governing body. They are Scott Peters in the 1st District, Toni Atkins in the 3rd District, Brian Maienschein in the 5th District and Deanna Spehn in the 7th District.

We're impressed not only by the intelligence and acumen on city issues of these four candidates, but also by their desire for the council to work as a team. They appear to have the character to achieve that transformation.

Character, rather than issues, is paramount in these races. Everyone pledges to take care of district needs, to reduce traffic congestion, improve quality of life, focus on public safety and support smart growth. And they all profess concern for citywide issues. We chose candidates who exhibit the best personal abilities to produce a cohesive and effective council.

In the 1st District, Peters shows remarkable preparedness for a rookie candidate and better insight and leadership qualities than Linda Davis. Our City Council has suffered from a lack of overall commitment to the city. Peters noted that San Diego often embraces divisive and unnecessary debates, such as downtown vs. neighborhoods, main library vs. branches, or the ballpark vs. infrastructure. He wants the city to move beyond that. We agree.

In the 3rd District, John Hartley didn't prove to be a terribly effective council member during his one term from 1989 to 1993. Atkins, on the other hand, has been an integral part of outgoing council member Christine Kehoe's staff, which has accomplished a lot in the district. We see in Atkins a greater aptitude for citywide issues, and an ability to work with other council members to move issues forward.

In the 5th District, Maienschein shows a great deal of promise. His opponent, Tom Cleary, has a lot of good ideas but doesn't appear to have the collaborativeness and geniality to work well with other council members. Maienschein, on the other hand, is a smart man who seems very willing to work cooperatively with others.

In the 7th District, Spehn and Jim Madaffer seem to agree on nearly all issues. But, in his years as Judy McCarty's chief of staff, Madaffer earned a rough reputation for untrustworthiness as a team player. Spehn, on the other hand, is soft-spoken and very knowledgeable on city issues from her years as a budget and policy analyst for McCarty and for Mayor Golding.

Council candidates Peters, Maienschein, Spehn and Atkins would help bring an end to the municipal ineptitude that so rankles San Diego residents. Voters should seize this opportunity to bring in four intelligent new council members who appear dedicated to working together for the entire city and changing the dismal tenor of San Diego politics.

Copyright SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY Oct 22, 2000


	Press Article The San Diego Union - Tribune Oct 22, 2000 New City Council Peters, Atkins, Maienschein, Spehn will end municipal ineptitude San Diegans complain that the current City Council can't seem to get anything done. Anyone who attends council meetings knows why: The continual bickering and pettiness, the lack of vision, the parochial focus on district interests rather than citywide needs and the general incapacity to legislate effectively. Fortunately, voters have a great opportunity on Nov. 7 to raise the level of professionalism on the City Council. There are candidates for each of four open seats who could help turn this council into an effective governing body. They are Scott Peters in the 1st District, Toni Atkins in the 3rd District, Brian Maienschein in the 5th District and Deanna Spehn in the 7th District. We're impressed not only by the intelligence and acumen on city issues of these four candidates, but also by their desire for the council to work as a team. They appear to have the character to achieve that transformation. Character, rather than issues, is paramount in these races. Everyone pledges to take care of district needs, to reduce traffic congestion, improve quality of life, focus on public safety and support smart growth. And they all profess concern for citywide issues. We chose candidates who exhibit the best personal abilities to produce a cohesive and effective council. In the 1st District, Peters shows remarkable preparedness for a rookie candidate and better insight and leadership qualities than Linda Davis. Our City Council has suffered from a lack of overall commitment to the city. Peters noted that San Diego often embraces divisive and unnecessary debates, such as downtown vs. neighborhoods, main library vs. branches, or the ballpark vs. infrastructure. He wants the city to move beyond that. We agree. In the 3rd District, John Hartley didn't prove to be a terribly effective council member during his one term from 1989 to 1993. Atkins, on the other hand, has been an integral part of outgoing council member Christine Kehoe's staff, which has accomplished a lot in the district. We see in Atkins a greater aptitude for citywide issues, and an ability to work with other council members to move issues forward. In the 5th District, Maienschein shows a great deal of promise. His opponent, Tom Cleary, has a lot of good ideas but doesn't appear to have the collaborativeness and geniality to work well with other council members. Maienschein, on the other hand, is a smart man who seems very willing to work cooperatively with others. In the 7th District, Spehn and Jim Madaffer seem to agree on nearly all issues. But, in his years as Judy McCarty's chief of staff, Madaffer earned a rough reputation for untrustworthiness as a team player. Spehn, on the other hand, is soft-spoken and very knowledgeable on city issues from her years as a budget and policy analyst for McCarty and for Mayor Golding. Council candidates Peters, Maienschein, Spehn and Atkins would help bring an end to the municipal ineptitude that so rankles San Diego residents. Voters should seize this opportunity to bring in four intelligent new council members who appear dedicated to working together for the entire city and changing the dismal tenor of San Diego politics. *Copyright SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY Oct 22, 2000*

Paid for by San Diegans for Scott Peters, Larry Scott, Treasurer PO Box 1852, La Jolla, CA 92038 Copyright 1999 San Diegans for Scott Peters. All rights reserved.