Editorial : Stallings and Filner for San Diego Council : Difficult choices for voters in districts 6, 8

Of the four San Diego City Council seats on Tuesday’s ballot, District 6 and District 8 present the most difficult choices.

In District 6, the voters must decide whether the incumbent’s accomplishments outweigh his quirky manner and troubling rhetoric. If the answer is no, they must further ask whether his shortcomings are sufficiently serious to elect a neophyte who is not well versed in several important citywide issues.

In District 8, it’s a happier choice between two well-qualified candidates. The difficult question here is how to weigh the advantages of ethnic diversity on the council versus experience. Also at issue, in this race, is a possibility that the incumbent will run for Congress next year.

DISTRICT 6: In the 6th District, which stretches from Pacific Beach through Clairemont and Serra Mesa to Mission Valley, Councilman Bruce Henderson, a 48-year-old attorney, is being challenged by Salk Institute researcher Valerie Stallings, 51, and write-in candidate Don Stillwell.

We recommend Valerie Stallings.

Henderson fought unrelentingly against federal Clean Water Act requirements that San Diego upgrade its sewage treatment plant. He marshaled significant scientific judgments from Scripps oceanographers that persuaded a federal judge to postpone the Environmental Protection Agency mandate, thereby possibly saving San Diego about $1 billion. He also was instrumental in protecting single-family neighborhoods and in getting helicopters for the police.

But it’s hard to have confidence in a public official who too often substitutes flippancy and insult for serious debate and who plays to public fears.

For instance, Henderson derailed a reasonable plan for a Rose Canyon site to collect household toxic wastes--paint thinner, bleach, pesticides, etc.--which would then have been transferred to appropriate landfills. His attacks on colleagues, other public officials and opponents--such as recently calling slow-growth activist Peter Navarro “San Diego’s Tom Hayden,” a buzz phrase in conservative circles referring to the liberal Assembly member from Santa Monica--hamper efforts to reach intelligent, well-reasoned agreements on important issues.

When recently asked how the city should manage growth, he cavalierly said the high cost of housing will take care of the problem. Despite his obvious intelligence, he has become known for seemingly off-the-cuff ideas with little practicality.

For these reasons, and his questionable record on environmental issues, we endorse Valerie Stallings, although with some reluctance. Stallings, 51, serves on the Pacific Beach Community Planning Committee and Pacific Beach Town Council. As with most challengers, she has few specifics to suggest on many city issues. But she understands that there are no simple answers to complex problems, and even people who point out her lack of experience and savvy about City Hall describe her as a hard worker and a quick study.

DISTRICT 8: In the 8th District, which includes San Ysidro, Palm City, Otay Mesa, parts of downtown, Golden Hill and Burlingame, there are two strong candidates. Councilman Bob Filner, a former history professor and school board member, is being challenged by Andrea Palacios Skorepa, executive director of Casa Familiar, a San Ysidro social services agency. Skorepa also chairs the Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations and the mayor’s Latino Advisory Board. Lincoln Pickard is the other challenger.

As the result of a settlement of a Voting Rights Act lawsuit last year, the 8th District was redrawn to make it 61.5% Latino. The goal was to remove impediments to Latino representation on the council, which has never had an elected Latino who was not first appointed.

With a population that is 21% Latino, San Diego should have Latino representation on the council. But the primary question is which of the top two candidates--ethnic background aside--can best represent the district. We recommend Filner.

Despite his prickly personality and his reputation for hardball politics that alienates many people, Filner has proven himself a hard worker who can help his district, and he has gathered broad-based support in his first term. Filner is bright, thoughtful and understands government. And he has a strong environmental record. He has brought new parks to the district, which has been shortchanged on amenities. He also successfully fought for treatment of Tijuana sewage that spills into southern San Diego. While keeping his eye on his district, however, Filner also has a citywide view.

Filner’s tenure on the City Council could be short, if he successfully runs for Congress next year. But such vacancies are unavoidable given that council elections are held in odd-number years.

In another race at another time--perhaps as a replacement for Filner--Skorepa would be a strong candidate. She would bring energy and a fresh voice to the council, and a strong knowledge of the community, where she has worked as a teacher as well as a social service provider.

Times Ballot Recommendations

Primary Election, Sept. 17 San Diego City Council * District 2 Ron Roberts (incumbent)

* District 4 Wes Pratt (incumbent)

* District 6 Valerie Stallings

* District 8 Bob Filner (incumbent)