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Politics Special elections set for Vargas, Stallings posts



Politics: Votes Will Cost the City More Than $400,000

With the recent resignation of City Councilwoman Valerie Stallings and former Councilman Juan Vargas’ election to the state Assembly, two seats on the San Diego City Council are vacant for the first time in more than 10 years.

Stallings, who represented the 6th District, resigned Jan. 30 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of failing to report gifts from Padres owner John Moores and failing to disqualify herself from votes regarding the downtown ballpark for the team.

Stallings had two years remaining on her term.

Vargas, also with two years remaining on the council, left the 8th District after beating Denise Moreno Ducheny in November to win the 79th District state Assembly seat.

And they weren’t the only vacancies the council has had to face on short notice.

Councilwoman Barbara Warden left her seat in August to take private-sector job just before her tenure ended due to term limits.

In her 12 years with the city, special elections officer Joyce Lane said she has never seen anything like this.

“It’s unprecedented for us to have three council vacancies in such a short period of time,” Lane said.

Because there were only three months left in Warden’s term, Lane said, the council was allowed to appoint businessman Phil Blair to fill the seat.

However, appointments are not allowed in the cases of Stallings and Vargas. The City Charter mandates a special election to a fill council seat if more than one year remains in the term.

A Feb. 27 special election has been set as the primary race to fill Vargas’ 8th District seat, which encompasses the communities of Nestor, Otay Mesa, Palm City, Centre City East, Grant Hill, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Memorial, Stockton, Barrio Logan, San Ysidro, Tijuana River Valley, Golden Hill, Shelltown and Southcrest.

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a runoff is scheduled for April 17 , the same date of the primary election to fill Stallings’ seat. Bay Park, Clairemont, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, Mission Village, Pacific Beach and Serra Mesa are among the communities in the 6th District.

A run-off, if needed, in the 6th District is set for June 5.

It’s costing the city more than the $150,000 to hold the 8th District election and $273,000 for the 6th District. The money is coming from the general fund.

The council is facing critical votes related to the Downtown ballpark project, and according to several sources, the sooner a full council is seated, the better.

However, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association said a hurried decision on ballpark issues is not the best one.

In a letter to the mayor, taxpayers association President Mary Ball stated, ” we are concerned that a rushed re-vote by the City Council, most of whom did not participate in the previous votes and associated public hearings, could result in creating new pitfalls for the city and create a perception of ‘rubber stamping’ this project by the public.”

The city’s Rules Committee will look into allowing the council to make an interim appointment to fill a vacant seat while a special election is held.

“It’s very important to get the seats filled,” said Councilman George Stevens. “Many votes will probably take place before the seats are filled.”

Stevens also said there’s a change in the way council members communicate on issues since Mayor Dick Murphy took over. Even with the two vacant seats, Stevens said, the current council is prepared to handle the load.

“What’s taken place now is unlike the last eight years,” Stevens said. “The new mayor has formed an inclusive kind of government with council members. There’s communication other than on the council.”

Stevens said Murphy has implemented an open policy of communication with council members. He said there is no longer a need to make appointments to speak to the mayor, and there is more clarity among council members.

“Because of that you have cooperation on issues,” Stevens said. “With that understanding, you can be on the same accord.”

The races to fill both council seats are crowded ones, with several well-known citizens and some unknowns.

Among those vying for the 8th District seat is Ralph Inzunza, 32, who comes from a family of local politicians. His father, Ralph Sr., was a longtime National City councilman; his brother, Nick, is on the National City City Council; and his brother, Mike, works for county Supervisor Greg Cox.

Others in the 8th District race include: Mary Arends-Biddlecome, 45, an attorney; Richard Babcock, 40, a businessman; David Gomez, 60, a water district director; Kevin Hancock, 43, a property investor; Janice Jordan, 36, a writer; Joe Ortega, 49, a building inspector; Lincoln Malcolm Pickard, 59, an Internet consultant; Christian Ramirez, 24, a student; Rafael Ramirez, 37, an educator; Elias Rojas, 28, a financial securities broker; and Gloria Tyler-Mallery, 52, a marketing consultant.

Those running for the 6th District to date include the past chair of the county Democratic Party, a candidate with previous political experience and a chief of staff for a county supervisor.

Kim Cox, 46, currently an administrative hearing officer for San Diego, was the chair of the San Diego Democratic Party from 1990-95. Michael Pallamary, 47, a professional land surveyor, ran against Stallings in 1995, while Steve Danon, 35, is chief of staff for county Supervisor Ron Roberts.

Others in the campaign include: Carolyn Chase, 43, a writer; Otto Emme, 37, a small-business owner; Donna Frye, 49, a small business owner and local activist; James Hart, 48, a school bus driver; Donald Mayes, 33, an attorney; Larry L. Murray, 42, an electrical contractor; Brian Olson, 27, a community college trustee; Earl “Rick” Richard, 69, a real estate agent; Gary Rotto, 40, an executive director; Daniel Smiechowski, 47, a real estate agent; and Tom Switzer, age unknown, who is self-employed.

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