Juan Vargas passes the contribution hat again

Democratic congressman Juan Vargas has been passing his campaign-contribution hat again. An invitation circulated to Washington lobbyists for an hourlong 8:30 a.m. September 18 breakfast event at Johnny’s Half Shell on North Capitol Street Northwest says a host billing cost $5000, with sponsor set at $2500 and plain old guests allowed in for $1500.

As previously reported, Vargas has been using his congressional fundraising clout to pay off a $53,000 California Assembly campaign debt to onetime political aide turned California insurance-industry lobbyist Jim Anderson.

San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, himself widely seen to have his eye on higher office, is looking for a “Leadership and Succession Planning Program Manager,” salary unspecified.

“Under the leadership of the Mayor, this position will be responsible for leading the City’s succession planning and leadership development effort to create a trained and inclusive pool of future leadership for the City, develop bench strength, and plan for the successful transfer of institutional knowledge within the organization,” the notice says. Among “key areas of responsibilities” is listed the need to “research and advise the organization on how to recruit, develop, and retain current and future leaders.”

Scripps Institution of Oceanography wants to hire a new $106,000-a-year PR person. The institution’s director of strategic communications “serves as a public affairs advisor and places communications material in local, national, and international media outlets,” according to the job posting.

The interim director, Mario Aguilera, pulled down $82,930 in 2014 as a senior public information representative, according to the university’s online salary information. Director of Scripps and UCSD’s vice chancellor for marine sciences Margaret Leinen, was paid $323,115.