Written by Nicholas Vetrisek
A proposed ballot measure to split the city attorney position into criminal and civil departments was recently passed 7-2 by the San Diego City Council. If the measure was officially passed, it would mean that the job would now be one city attorney prosecuting misdemeanors, while another would deal with litigation and advising the City Council.
This is an important step for the city to take. This measure would help eliminate crusading city attorneys involving their politics in writing laws and giving advice to the council. This would be an essential measure even with a city attorney that properly does their job, but it is especially important given the one we have now.
Mara Elliot, our current city attorney, has become infamous for her corruption and injection of politics into strictly legal matters. She has used her position to enrich herself financially while at the same time using the Second amendment—a fundamental right under our Constitution—as a doormat.
The fact that the measure could pass 7-2 on a council where six members are Democrats and likely share the same beliefs as Elliot shows how important this separation is.
“This is not about any of our city attorneys—it’s about a system I believe is flawed,” said Councilwoman Monica Montgomery. “I think this is the right thing to do.” Coming from Montgomery, the only council member with a background in law, that means a lot.
In addition, Councilman Mark Kersey, the driving force behind the ballot measure, said that his experience on the council has convinced him that the city attorney role needs to be split.
“I’ve come to believe this is one of if not the most important good government reforms that we can make to improve the efficiency of the city, as well as the relationship between the City Council and our legal advisers,” Kersey stated.
This separation of powers is long overdue, but it is finally on the horizon. This vote is a good sign and when it’s time for the measure to officially be passed by voters, it’s likely that it will be.
