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One of San Diego's Three Propositions Creating Controversy

Voters in the City of San Diego have three initiatives on their ballots. Prop A would exempt police and firemen from privatization. Prop B would put the strong mayor form of government on the ballot i

One of San Diego's Three Propositions Creating Controversy

Voters in the City of San Diego have three initiatives on their ballots. Prop A would exempt police and firemen from privatization. Prop B would put the strong mayor form of government on the ballot in 2010, rather than letting it sunset. Prop C is the city measure that has created the most controversy. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

It's not something voters would normally care much about, but it's at the heart of keeping the city on the straight and narrow financially. How to appoint a city auditor who is truly independent has proven to be a tricky issue.

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Prop C is the result of a compromise after months of meetings. It would let the mayor be involved in picking the auditor, but the auditor could only be fired by the city council. The appointment is for 10 years.

The Taxpayers Association and the Labor Council made an unusual pact to support Prop C.

 
But it's opposed by the League of Women Voters and John Torell, Mayor Sanders' first Auditor, who resigned because of what he considered interference from the mayor's office. The opponents are led by city councilwoman Donna Frye who says the measure amounts to allowing the fox into the chicken coop.

 
The last campaign filings show supporters of Prop C have raised five times as much money, but Frye points out the opponents have raised money from more than 15 times as many contributors.

Alison St John, KPBS News.