There was port, and plenty of port

It was no doubt a tough job, but somebody at the Port of San Diego apparently had to do it. In this case, somebody was district board member Lee Burdick, who recently quit the port to sign on with the administration of new Democratic mayor Bob Filner. The assignment: show up at last November’s San Diego Wine & Food Festival, sponsored by World of Wine Events, LLC, which furnished the free tickets, reportedly worth $150 each, according to a recent disclosure filing.

“The magnitude of culinary talent in San Diego combined with an international showcase of the world’s premier wines and spirits, and the nation’s trendsetting culinary masters, makes attendance at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival a mouthwatering feast and precursor to the Thanksgiving holiday,” says the event’s website.

Burdick’s role was to supply “Representation of the District at an event to sustain or build relationships with tenants, businesses, or local, regional, state or federal agencies.” A free pass was also awarded to Kimberly R. Mettler, general counsel for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. In addition, four tickets were given to the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, the filing says…The City of Coronado has been looking for a new “Director of Police Services.” Just in case anybody might be wondering, the job notice adds, in parentheses, “Police Chief.”