But it seems there's no need to use money to lure really good candidates. Now it is true that Merrifield and Thalheimer are successful businessmen who are spending thousands to self-fund their campaigns, and probably don't need an extra $20,000 in salary from the city. And I would guess that Lightner's motivation to run is not money, since she's spent years working pro bono for community organizations and is a retired professional engineer.
So with all this quality, how will voters decide who should get their support? That's not going to be easy. All three agree on at least several issues discussed last night:
- oppose paid parking in La Jolla's commercial area
- oppose raising taxes
- oppose the 24% pay raise for council members
- agree that the Children's Pool should return to the children
But there were some differences: on whether a stem cell research institute should be built at the glider port, on controlling development in the district, on the "mansionization" of La Jolla, and how public transportation within La Jolla could be improved. And although the council is a nonpartisan body, some voters will look to political party affiliation to help them make a decision. &
These candidates deserve a closer look before the June 3 rd primary, and based on last night's turnout for the forum, there's plenty of interest in this race to replace termed out Scott Peters.
