Political pocket change

Myrtle Cole, the San Diego city councilwoman who beat fellow Democrat Dwayne Crenshaw in a knock-down, drag-out fight between big labor and the wealthy GOP Lincoln Club, has finally gotten her just rewards. Besides being on the council, Cole has been named by her fellow council members as the city’s second alternate representative on the board of the San Diego Association of Governments. Mayor Bob Filner is number one, followed by councilwoman Marti Emerald as first alternate, both Democrats. If Cole is ever called upon to serve in their stead, she’s entitled to pick up $150 per meeting, courtesy of the taxpayers. That can amount to $3500 a year, provided, of course, that Filner and Emerald don’t make any meetings. In addition, Cole was named first alternate to Emerald on SANDAG’s public safety committee, where she’s entitled to receive $100 per meeting if Emerald doesn’t show, according to a recent city disclosure filing.