Nowhere Near Bankruptcy?

Twenty people attended District 3 city councilmember Todd Gloria's latest community coffee klatch on August 14 at Grant's Marketplace in South Park. (Contrary to what the photo suggests, alcoholic beverages were not served.)

Gloria spent most of the time talking and fielding questions about what one might expect: the San Diego’s economic situation. Though he acknowledged that everyone is “feeling the pain” and more city budget cuts are needed, he said, “We're nowhere near bankruptcy.” As he explained to one frustrated constituent, declaring bankruptcy wouldn't help the city pension problem.

Gloria said he recently met with the mayor of Phoenix to share notes and discuss how to fund overdue infrastructure repairs. The councilmember said, “We don't have the luxury of Sacramento, in stealing from cities.” He said that state government has taken about $30 million from San Diego.

Gloria sees one solution as “more privatization of city services” while working to prevent private contractors from overcharging the City. But selling city assets, he says, is “not viable.”

While Gloria supports business development, he doesn't want the “big box stores. Walmart doesn't like me,” he said.