Re-elect Peters; Councilman deserves a second term
SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNEOctober 5, 2004
The San Diego City Council, facing the most dire financial crisis in its modern history, needs a moderate, experienced and calming voice to help guide it through the shoals ahead.
Incumbent Councilman Scott Peters of District 1 — La Jolla, University City, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley and Rancho Penasquitos — is a quiet, unassuming lawyer whose stock in trade in his first term has been to solve problems that had in some cases languished for years.
He is an environmentalist who has, when he thought it in the public interest, voted against the environmental activists. He enjoys the support of labor, but opposes the so-called living wage, the top priority of labor’s local agenda. In other words, he is moderate and independent.
He was chairman of the city’s Clean Water Task Force, helping to reduce spills from the city sewer system by nearly 60 percent. He also has represented the city on the state Coastal Commission, again demonstrating a moderate voting record.
Perhaps his most significant accomplishments have been in combatting that most aggravating of urban aggravations — traffic congestion. He worked hard for the much-needed completion of state Route 56 between Interstates 5 and 15. He helped with the reconfiguration of La Jolla Parkway and helped fast-track the opening of a key interchange on Route 56 and the completion of Vista Sorrento Parkway, both years ahead of schedule.
Peters’ opponent is Phil Thalheimer, a former employee of the city’s Financial Management Department and a former employee and board member of the city-owned Data Processing Corp. He now owns and operates a flight training school.
Fueled by more than $700,000 of his own money, a staggering amount for a City Council race, Thalheimer is running a heavily negative campaign attacking Peters. We find his attacks unsubstantiated.
This page endorsed Peters in the March primary election. He has done nothing since to dissuade us, while Thalheimer has done nothing to persuade us otherwise. We urge the re-election of Councilman Scott Peters.
The San Diego Union-Tribune (Print Edition)SECTION: OPINION; Pg. B-8:7; B-6:1; B-10:2,6