A San Diego Port commissioner who was blamed for the failure of a project to develop the Chula Vista waterfront resigned Friday, a week after the city's mayor called for his voluntary departure.
Michael Najera is Chula Vista's representative on the Board of Port Commissioners, and had previously indicated he would fight to keep his
position.
In a resignation letter, however, Najera said a legal battle wasn't in the best interest of Chula Vista. "I feel strongly that my legal position was strong,'' Najera wrote. "However, I have determined that a protracted legal battle against my beloved hometown is not in my best interests, and more importantly it's not in the best interests of Chula Vista's taxpayers, since they are the ones that would have to foot the legal bill.''
"Given all due consideration, for now I have decided that it is in my best interest to resign from the Port Commission and concentrate my efforts on several exciting new business ventures,'' he said.
In a statement, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox said she is "glad we were able to move forward together on resolving what could have been a complex legal
battle.''
"I want to thank Commissioner Michael Najera for having served our city to the best of his ability,'' Cox said.
The Board of Port Commissioners sets land-use policies and manages tenants along San Diego Bay's tidelands.
