A Call for Term Limits Then—A Call for Unlimited Tenure Now

Susan Heavilin
3 days ago
4 min read

THEN: Back in 2009, Rob Davis—writing for the Voice of San Diego—published an article titled "A Call for Term Limits."

The story stated:

"The union representing county employees announced today that it plans to push a ballot initiative forward next year that would limit county supervisors to two elected four-year terms.

The five-member Board of Supervisors — Ron Roberts, Greg Cox, Bill Horn, Pam Slater-Price and Dianne Jacob — has been intact since 1995.

Only one of the five supervisors has been forced past the primary since they took control more than a decade ago.They don’t just beat their opponents; typically they obliterate them. More often than not, the “supes” — as they’re known around the county’s bay front headquarters — face token challengers in the primary or run completely unopposed."

Where Did the Initiative Come From?

Service Employees International Union Local 221 were the ones backing the initiative. More than 12,000 members strong, they represent employees in San Diego and Imperial counties who work for county, local city governments, clinics and school districts, as well as Head Start.

What Did the Initiative Say?

The following statement was the reason given for pushing the initiative:

"The San Diego County Board of Supervisors have lost touch with the needs of average San Diego residents and have become entrenched in their positions. Despite the worsening economy and uncertainty due to the state budget, County Supervisors refuse to limit their own perks and benefits. Supervisors refuse to limit these benefits even as they consider more layoffs and privatization of County work. It is time for a change."

NOW: I believe that the reason given for asking for term limits (above) is as true today as it was stated back then. The majority vote of the Board of Supervisors is held by three women—Terra Lawson-Remer, Paloma Aguirre and Monica Montgomery Steppe—and many constituents would agree that they HAVE lost touch with the needs of the average San Diego residents and become entrenched in their positions.

Homes for the Homeless

Hard working, tax-paying homeowners and future homeowners are dying-on-the-vine while millions of dollars are allocated to building homes for the homeless.

California has the highest cost of living across the United States, the highest real estate and housing, the highest gas prices, the highest insurance, the highest utilities, the highest groceries .. . need I go on? I have heard residents voice "Why are we building homes for homeless when they would be better served in a state with a lower cost of living?"

New Perks and Benefits

And about those perks and benefits . . . Since the newbies arrived, Supervisor perks have included babysitting fees, travel expenses, body guards and an SUV with a gasoline budget. I would have to say the benefits have become more of a personal nature compared to days of yore.

Taxpayer Grants to Community Groups

THEN: Rob Davis continued his story:

"The supervisors’ perks have long given fuel to critics. The supervisors have continued handing out taxpayer grants to community groups despite making budget cuts and layoffs. As they have cut county services, the supervisors have maintained a grant program to give money to local nonprofits. The program has been criticized as a multi-million-dollar tool to reward campaign donors and curry political favor.

From a January story about the program: Since November, Cox and his fellow supervisors have handed out $1.5 million in grants. They sent $300,000 to fund a Verdi opera, $16,000 to build batting cages and $3,497 to pay for a holiday dog festival. The county government, like all local municipalities, is tightening its belt because of the economic downturn. While some supervisors have signaled they may consider the program’s fate next year, they continue awarding the grants, which they describe as coming from surplus revenue. The county currently has a $50 million shortfall in its current budget and expects to have another $50 million shortfall in the next one."

NOW: The giving of grant money is still in full swing.

Last year the San Diego County Board of Supervisors gave away $15,483,284 . . . over 15 million. That amount is ten times what the termed-out Supervisors awarded.

This amount came from allocations for two separate grants.

Community Enhancement Program grants are County grants aimed at promoting tourism, promoting the economy, and enriching the quality of life in local communities. The sum for the 2024-2025 fiscal year totaled $5,329,900.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants are awarded by the County to non-profit organizations and public agencies for one-time community, social, environmental, educational, or recreational needs. The total for the 2024-2025 fiscal year totaled $10,153,384.

Removing Term Limits

This time it wasn't the union behind the initiative. The plan to remove term limits was voted in by Terra Lawson-Remer, Paloma Aguirre and Monica Montgomery Steppe. They are voting to keep themselves in office. Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson voted against it and Anderson presented a new proposal.

I was told by someone that the vote for term limits back in the day was a political move. They said the union leans to the left and they wanted to end the terms of the five Republican Supervisors.

Monica Montgomery Steppe, Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre | Click on image to enlarge

The three Supervisors requesting the removal of term limits are all Democrats.There are three of them and only two Republicans so the Board of Supervisors now leans Democrat. Back in July of 2025, the trio removed Jim Desmond from his three board positions "because he has differing opinions from some on the board."

The A-Team

From what I understand, this termed-out Board of Supervisors was pretty much the A-Team. That's why they were voted in year-after-year for nearly 30 years. I've provided their farewell stories in case you'd like to know more about them.