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Did Somebody Change the Charter?
What do you think of Aguirre's one-on-one yesterday with Roger Showley? Is it true? Showley reports that Aguirre "will not sue the city over the issue and may even donate to the project himself." Didn't he say at City Council public comment that Jacobs was harming the city by donating?— July 29, 2010 9:11 a.m.
Did Somebody Change the Charter?
Don: I got a prompt and very detailed response from Jan Goldsmith personally. He obviously takes your concerns very seriously. He emphasized this part of Section 80 “all moneys applicable to its payment which before the maturity thereof are anticipated to come into the treasury to the credit of such appropriation shall, for the purpose of such certificate, be deemed in the treasury to the credit of the appropriation from which the contract, agreement or obligation is to be paid”. He pointed out that the Comptroller’s certificate covers Phase 1 only. It does not apply to Phase 2. The Phase 1 contract is for a total amount of $127,931,121.00 and is fully funded relying in part on $30,770,000 of privately pledged funds. He attached two MOLs from John Witt, one from ’90 and one from ’91, dealing with the questions of “anticipated” income and phased funding of contracts. So he appears to have done his homework. As I understand it, he seems satisfied that the pledged $30,770 can properly be treated as “anticipated” income under Section 80 for Phase 1 and the “missing” $32 million applies to Phase 2, which has not yet been contracted. He ended with: “In sum, we have an enforceable contract for the donations pledged so far ($30,770,000), and we haven’t authorized construction of that part of the library that depends on future donations ($32,512,092).” I hope that helps you and your readers.— July 28, 2010 7:32 p.m.
Did Somebody Change the Charter?
Don and your readers, I just emailed the following question to Mr. Goldsmith: "Could you please explain how hoped-for private gifts could equate with anticipated normal City revenues to qualify as “is anticipated to come into the treasury” in a Comptroller certification under Charter Section 80? Also, how can the Comptroller “encumber” the former? The concept of encumbering anticipated future City revenue is widespread but such revenue must be a City entitlement not some hoped-for generosity of a private citizen or citizens." I will let you know his response.— July 28, 2010 2:38 p.m.
Graham Claims She Was "Spotless" in Florida. Hogwash!
Don: read my blog about Nancy Fay of The Reader and a key email exchange between Nancy Graham and CCDC Director Kim Kilkenny. http://www.blogofsandiego.com/BlogArchives/2008-3…— May 21, 2010 1:07 p.m.
Graham Claims She Was "Spotless" in Florida. Hogwash!
She was a virgin too.— May 21, 2010 8:43 a.m.
Stocks Crash in Panic Selling, Volatility
We have been living in a giant expanding bubble of credit creation. I think that Wall Street is beginning to see the writing on the wall (pardon the terrible pun). The Harvard MBAs finally see that even if Europe bails out Greece, where is the next round of refinancing going to come from? Wall Street is now entering a “rollover crisis” and have only woke up to that fact. It is like a drug addict whose supplier just got shot (again pardon the terrible analogy). “The Street” is staggering from side to side of “The Street”. It is up and down like a yo-yo. Instability always comes before a crash.— May 6, 2010 1:28 p.m.
Dumanis Gives the Green Light to Corruption
Yes, the "Voice of San Diego" wins awards - I get the boot. Seems fair to me. Four "Voice" journalists just got nominated for awards by the "San Diego County Taxpayers Association". I think I prefer the boot.— May 5, 2010 3:33 p.m.
Dumanis Gives the Green Light to Corruption
Said the master to the student. You were my mentor Don. I'm sure Bonnie and Lied would love to lock us in the pokey :)— May 5, 2010 2:44 p.m.
Dumanis Gives the Green Light to Corruption
Government in San Diego county is really a crime syndicate. The New West is more lawless than the Old West. Back then most lawmen were honest. As for Bonnie .....— May 5, 2010 2:02 p.m.
La Jolla Officials Get Advice from Li Mandri
City of Pillagers? I love it! Is that an "Honest Government" original? May I use it? And thanks for your insight into "Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of MADDs" (pardon the terrible paraphrase).— April 30, 2010 2:25 p.m.