Post holiday politico gifts

Each new year heralds the distribution of extracurricular appointments to members of the San Diego City Council, for which they have the opportunity to accrue extra money from the taxpayers, in addition to their salaries. One of this coming year’s big piñatas goes to Republican Lorie Zapf in the form of a seat on the board of the Metropolitan Transit System’s taxi-cab committee. According to a December 11 filing by deputy city clerk Bonnie Stone entitled “2016 Appointments of Councilmembers to Outside Organizations - Proposed,” Zapf has the potential to pick up an annual $3500 at the rate of $150 per meeting. She is also first alternate to GOP mayor Kevin Faulconer on the board of the San Diego Association of Governments, otherwise known as SANDAG, which pays the same. Termed-out councilmember Todd Gloria has also been designated to serve on the association’s board with fellow lame-duck Democrat Sherri Lightner chosen as his first alternate.