Scott Peters in the News

By Angela Lau
STAFF WRITER

Failing to define sharp differences on the issues, the two candidates for the open seat in San Diego City Council District 1 are turning to their personal qualifications and a tug of war over who would be less influenced by special-interest groups. Scott Peters, 42, a La Jolla attorney specializing in environmental law, likes to tell audiences at candidates' forums that he and opponent, Linda Davis, 45, a registered nurse from Rancho Peñasquitos, are concerned about the same problems.

But, he says, he is the only one with municipal government experience and intimates that he is the only person who will vote independently, unfettered by special-interest influence.

Davis, on the other hand, touts her managerial resume while serving as an administrator in Orange County for nationwide health care corporations and her determination to disregard pressure groups. But on issues of major concern to District 1 voters -- such as traffic congestion and environmental deterioration -- there appears to be little to distinguish the two candidates from each other.

They are competing for the nonpartisan seat being vacated by Harry Mathis, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. District 1 encompasses some of the city's most affluent neighborhoods, among them La Jolla, Carmel Valley, University City, Rancho Penasquitos and Sorrento Hills. The median household income of its roughly 170,000 residents is $64,000, and the number of households earning more than $100,000 a year has grown 91 percent in the past decade, according to the San Diego Association of Governments. While the district's population has increased 27 percent over the past decade, its average weekly traffic volume has doubled over the past two decades, according to SANDAG.

Peters cites his tenure as an economist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and, later, as a deputy San Diego County counsel who handled trash-related and environmental litigation, as valuable background. His former supervisor, Diane Bardsley, a special assistant county counsel, said he played a key role in the refinancing of the failed San Marcos trash-recycling plant, which threatened to bankrupt the county, and in negotiating a joint management agreement with local cities to revive the plant. When county supervisors finally decided to sell the trash plant, Peters had left the county counsel's office for private practice.

Peters thinks having another lawyer on the council would help with touchy contract negotiations with organizations such as the Padres and Chargers.

Davis highlights what she says is her record of sound fiscal management.

During her 1996-97 tenure at Apria Healthcare, a home medical care corporation, Davis directed a national center that commanded an annual budget of $15 million. Her staff took referrals from physicians and health plans to match patients with home care equipment.

Before that, she worked for a corporation that later merged into Matria Healthcare. She was a project manager for a multimillion dollar new product to assess the risks of pre-term delivery.

Davis says her job as community liaison for Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, where she is currently on a leave of absence, involves contract negotiations and contacts with state and congressional legislators.

"Tell me what experience in managing budgets does an environmental lawyer have," Davis said. "I have been working in the highly litigious, low-profit margin health care industry. That's exactly what the city faces."

But Peters questions Davis' managerial and budgeting skills by citing her 1994 bankruptcy when Davis, then operating a commercial printing shop with her husband, filed for Chapter 11, temporarily defaulting on a Small Business Administration loan that Davis said she paid back in 1999. But she declined to release how much of the $147,000 loan, 80 percent of which was SBA-guaranteed, has been returned. That information is not available through Freedom of Information Act requests.

"Mr. Peters is desperate ... he has to attack me," she said.

"We settled with our creditors, losing our entire savings, including an inheritance and IRA," she later wrote in a statement, saying she will not discuss the subject any more, and accusing the Peters campaign of diverting attention from important issues.

Furthermore, she said, the failure makes her a better advocate for small businesses.

Peters also questions Davis' commitment to managed growth since she is endorsed by the Building Industry Association, an organization he also courted for support.

Some of Davis' campaign contributions also came from members of the Alex G. Spanos Cos., a conglomeration of development and financial concerns that includes the San Diego Chargers.

While he sought the BIA endorsement, Peters said builders chose Davis because "they are much more interested in getting a solid yes vote from her than from an independent thinker."

Davis, however, says she will hold builders accountable.

There is common ground between the two when it comes to issues affecting District 1. Both support a clean environment, clean water, clean beaches and less traffic congestion.

They advocate completing state Route 56 with connectors primarily to I-5 at Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights Road, improving roads, and installing a user-friendly transit system.

They support the expansion of Lindbergh Field as opposed to building a replacement or companion airport at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

They also promise to try to reduce military aircraft noise over the coastal area, partly by ensuring that the military stick to assigned routes.

The two support construction of the new ballpark, but suggested interim funding sources until bonds can be issued.

Davis opposes ticket guarantees for the Chargers, while Peters says he wants a more equitable deal that will benefit the city and the team.

Both believe council member Valerie Stallings should resign. Stallings is under investigation by a federal grand jury for her stock trading with a company controlled by Padres owner John Moores while the council was voting on the ballpark.

Copyright SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY Oct 23, 2000


	Press Article *The San Diego Union - Tribune* *Oct 23, 2000* Traffic, pro teams key S.D. campaign issues District 1 hopefuls stress ability, freedom from special interests By Angela Lau STAFF WRITER Failing to define sharp differences on the issues, the two candidates for the open seat in San Diego City Council District 1 are turning to their personal qualifications and a tug of war over who would be less influenced by special-interest groups. Scott Peters, 42, a La Jolla attorney specializing in environmental law, likes to tell audiences at candidates' forums that he and opponent, Linda Davis, 45, a registered nurse from Rancho Peñasquitos, are concerned about the same problems. But, he says, he is the only one with municipal government experience and intimates that he is the only person who will vote independently, unfettered by special-interest influence. Davis, on the other hand, touts her managerial resume while serving as an administrator in Orange County for nationwide health care corporations and her determination to disregard pressure groups. But on issues of major concern to District 1 voters -- such as traffic congestion and environmental deterioration -- there appears to be little to distinguish the two candidates from each other. They are competing for the nonpartisan seat being vacated by Harry Mathis, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. District 1 encompasses some of the city's most affluent neighborhoods, among them La Jolla, Carmel Valley, University City, Rancho Penasquitos and Sorrento Hills. The median household income of its roughly 170,000 residents is $64,000, and the number of households earning more than $100,000 a year has grown 91 percent in the past decade, according to the San Diego Association of Governments. While the district's population has increased 27 percent over the past decade, its average weekly traffic volume has doubled over the past two decades, according to SANDAG. Peters cites his tenure as an economist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and, later, as a deputy San Diego County counsel who handled trash-related and environmental litigation, as valuable background. His former supervisor, Diane Bardsley, a special assistant county counsel, said he played a key role in the refinancing of the failed San Marcos trash-recycling plant, which threatened to bankrupt the county, and in negotiating a joint management agreement with local cities to revive the plant. When county supervisors finally decided to sell the trash plant, Peters had left the county counsel's office for private practice. Peters thinks having another lawyer on the council would help with touchy contract negotiations with organizations such as the Padres and Chargers. Davis highlights what she says is her record of sound fiscal management. During her 1996-97 tenure at Apria Healthcare, a home medical care corporation, Davis directed a national center that commanded an annual budget of $15 million. Her staff took referrals from physicians and health plans to match patients with home care equipment. Before that, she worked for a corporation that later merged into Matria Healthcare. She was a project manager for a multimillion dollar new product to assess the risks of pre-term delivery. Davis says her job as community liaison for Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, where she is currently on a leave of absence, involves contract negotiations and contacts with state and congressional legislators. "Tell me what experience in managing budgets does an environmental lawyer have," Davis said. "I have been working in the highly litigious, low-profit margin health care industry. That's exactly what the city faces." But Peters questions Davis' managerial and budgeting skills by citing her 1994 bankruptcy when Davis, then operating a commercial printing shop with her husband, filed for Chapter 11, temporarily defaulting on a Small Business Administration loan that Davis said she paid back in 1999. But she declined to release how much of the $147,000 loan, 80 percent of which was SBA-guaranteed, has been returned. That information is not available through Freedom of Information Act requests. "Mr. Peters is desperate ... he has to attack me," she said. "We settled with our creditors, losing our entire savings, including an inheritance and IRA," she later wrote in a statement, saying she will not discuss the subject any more, and accusing the Peters campaign of diverting attention from important issues. Furthermore, she said, the failure makes her a better advocate for small businesses. Peters also questions Davis' commitment to managed growth since she is endorsed by the Building Industry Association, an organization he also courted for support. Some of Davis' campaign contributions also came from members of the Alex G. Spanos Cos., a conglomeration of development and financial concerns that includes the San Diego Chargers. While he sought the BIA endorsement, Peters said builders chose Davis because "they are much more interested in getting a solid yes vote from her than from an independent thinker." Davis, however, says she will hold builders accountable. There is common ground between the two when it comes to issues affecting District 1. Both support a clean environment, clean water, clean beaches and less traffic congestion. They advocate completing state Route 56 with connectors primarily to I-5 at Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights Road, improving roads, and installing a user-friendly transit system. They support the expansion of Lindbergh Field as opposed to building a replacement or companion airport at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. They also promise to try to reduce military aircraft noise over the coastal area, partly by ensuring that the military stick to assigned routes. The two support construction of the new ballpark, but suggested interim funding sources until bonds can be issued. Davis opposes ticket guarantees for the Chargers, while Peters says he wants a more equitable deal that will benefit the city and the team. Both believe council member Valerie Stallings should resign. Stallings is under investigation by a federal grand jury for her stock trading with a company controlled by Padres owner John Moores while the council was voting on the ballpark. *Copyright SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY Oct 23, 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.