Both candidates for San Diego’s next mayor have addressed the need for a job-friendly climate at City Hall and have released plans for how they will accomplish this.
City Councilman Carl DeMaio detailed his plans broadly in his “Pathway to Prosperity” plan – a weighty book that lays out a streamlining of city processes, better competition policies and restructuring the city’s small business office.
Like his opponent, U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, DeMaio has recently chosen to emphasize small business development in his business plan.
“First and foremost, you have a very uncertain process at City Hall that drags on and on and on,” he said at a Sept. 18 press conference. “Many of our small business owners come to me frustrated and fed up almost willing to cancel projects and walk away from this city.”
He appeared at the press conference next to several restaurant owners who were part of an association that endorsed him as mayor. He said restaurants like the ones in the San Diego County chapter of the California Restaurant Association would benefit from a more streamlined regulation process in the city.
DeMaio says as a former small business-owner himself, he's more suited to meet their needs than Filner.
He also visited Baja California as part of a “Jobs Tour” in September, learning of ways to foster development, partnerships and more efficient cross-border commerce.
“My focus is all about jobs, jobs, and more jobs,” DeMaio said in a statement about the tour. “There are numerous ways we can work together to create jobs on both sides of the border if we are willing to overcome stereotypes and work together.”
For more on DeMaio, Filner and all the issues facing voters this November, check out our Decision 2012 feature page.
