San Diego, CA
Did term limits make maintenance less of a priority in San Diego?
Re “San Diego has put off $1 billion in routine building maintenance, audit says” (Nov. 9):Infrastructure isn’t sexy and term limits reward sexy. Elected officials looking for the next rung up the ladder don’t generate headlines and contributions by being responsible managers.
I had a friend who’d often ask how I thought Mayor Jerry Sanders, a mutual friend, was doing. I’d note he was being responsible but not sexy, which was exactly what San Diego needed during tough fiscal times. “Repairing miles of ancient water and sewer lines and covering them with smooth asphalt is very important, but doesn’t get TV cameras out.” Patching roofs and fixing air conditioning won’t get cameras either.
Prior to term limits, a district could keep its City Council member, who had the time to concentrate on the non-sexy.
— Kirk Mather, Point Loma