Firefighters Back Goldsmith

Published: Monday, June 30, 2008 12:03 PM PDT

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The San Diego Fire Fighters Local 145 has announced its support for city attorney challenger Jan Goldsmith. It's the third recent endorsement for the judge, who recently announced backing from Councilman Ben Hueso and the San Diego Police Officers Association.

I just spoke to Frank DeClercq, who takes over from Ron Saathoff as president of the San firefighters union tomorrow. DeClercq said San Diego desperately needs a city attorney who will do what he or she is supposed to do according to the city charter: represent the City Council and the mayor.

"We can't continue to spend all this money on outside lawyers to represent the city," DeClercq said.

In his first term in office, City Attorney Mike Aguirre has gone to court to attempt to repeal a series of city employee pension benefits granted over the previous decade. He has also made Saathoff the frequent subject of his investigative reports and critical press conferences.

DeClercq said he sees Goldsmith as a "solid lawyer." He said he worked with the judge previously when Goldsmith was mayor of Poway, and that he is the best choice for the city of San Diego.

A press release from the Goldsmith camp quoted Goldsmith:

San Diego’s fire fighters are an experienced, vital core of the City’s public safety effort. I respect them tremendously and thank them for their endorsement.

-- WILL CARLESS