Re “In San Diego city attorney candidates’ fight for key support, Mara Elliott endorses her chief deputy” (Nov. 8): Electing Assemblymember Brian Maienschein as city attorney of San Diego next year would be a big mistake. He has somehow dodged around the clear intent of the recent City Charter amendment that required that candidates be lawyers actually practicing law. Mr. Maienschein is, and has been, a politician for decades, rather than a practicing lawyer.
I believe the mayor and council members support him because they know he will play their political games, which is a very bad thing for citizens who need an independent lawyer to protect public assets from being given away to political supporters of the mayor and council, as has been the case in recent years. Vote smart.
Hal Valderhaug
La Mesa
