A Decision Deferred

The meeting in City Council chambers wrapped up last night with the fate of seven San Diego city library branches and nine recreation areas still up in the air. There had been speculation that the council might accept the recommendation of the Independent Budget Analysis (IBA) study and hold off on any action until February 2009. But Mayor Sanders launched a withering attack against the IBA and analyst Andrea Tevlin in particular, accusing her of "procrastination" and warning that her behavior was costing the city $330,000 a week (this is the same individual who last week attacked representatives of the fire and police departments of using "baloney" scare tactics to make their points). Sanders also left the proceedings immediately after speaking and before the public was allowed to make their case. Council member Donna Frye angrily commented on the Mayor's absence: "It would be nice, just once," she told the audience, "to see someone delivering bad news to not only deliver the bad news, but hear your input in person at a public hearing".

One of the key arguments over this budget would seem to be council frustrations with how the mayor's office has made information available to council members. There is a general sense that many key details have been glossed over, that little information has been shared, and that many recommendations have been held back until the last minute, allowing time for less perusal and consideration. At any rate, we'll now have to wait until this Monday, November 24th, for a city council vote on the matter. No public comments will be accepted at that time, but the public may still attend (and bring signs).

More public rallies in front of the threatened libraries and rec centers will take place this Saturday at noon. I heartily recommend following either (or both) The Voice of San Diego or the OB Rag for updates and information. So far, they've been vocal and informative on this issue in a way our city's major newspaper has not.