As the June Primary looms, the Gay & Lesbian Times will begin publishing its voting recommendations and endorsements.

In the coming weeks, the magazine will endorse candidates in the District 3 City Council race, the City Attorney’s race and the mayor’s race.

This week, we endorse Marti Emerald in the District 7 City Council race, and we recommend voters vote “no” on Proposition C.

Perhaps best known as the 10News Troubleshooter and Consumer Advocate, Emerald has lived in San Diego for more than two and a half decades.

Emerald, who says she’s just looking for a “fair deal” at City Hall, supports needle-exchange programs, agreed with the mayor’s support of the amicus brief in favor of same-sex marriage, and says the Boy Scouts of America’s exclusion of gays and lesbians runs “counter to the Constitution,” which should result in loss of city support.

With regard to our community’s issues, Emerald’s role on the City Council will be key. Openly gay candidate Carl DeMaio will likely win the District 5 seat, but our community cannot count on his support. When contacted by a local news outlet regarding Mayor Jerry Sanders’ support of the amicus brief, DeMaio was mum on whether he supported same-sex marriage. Emerald, who has vocalized support on our issues, will be a key vote for our community on the City Council.

Emerald, who is committed to quelling the fiscal fiasco at City Hall, also opposes Proposition C, primarily on the basis of the charter amendment that would allow the mayor to appoint the city auditor. She’s a staunch supporter of open government – her background in watchdog journalism speaks to that.

“I gather we all want openness in city government – we all want a fair deal,” she says. “And we want the appearance of openness and fair deals. That is all at stake in the outcome of this election. This is an opportunity to set a new direction for the city and make sure the decisions we make are fair to taxpayers and workers in the city.”

That’s just the kind of watchdog attitude we need at City Hall.

The brouhaha regarding Proposition C has become a divisive issue among the candidates and has produced unlikely allies.

DeMaio, the staunch Rancho Bernardo Republican in District 5, alongside City Attorney Mike Aguirre, Councilmember Donna Frye, and candidates Emerald and District 3’s Stephen Whitburn oppose the proposition.

In favor, District 3’s Todd Gloria sides with the Republican candidate in Emerald’s district, April Boling, Mayor Sanders and the Independent Budget Analyst, Andrea Tevlin.

The Gay & Lesbian Times recommends voters vote “no” on Proposition C, which would amend the city charter relating to the Chief Financial Officer, the City Auditor, the Independent Budget Analyst, the Treasurer and the Audit Committee.

It would also allow the mayor to appoint the city auditor. The city auditor is tasked with auditing all city management and city departments, and would report to the mayor.

Frye, who has campaigned against the proposition alongside a man dressed in a fox suit with chicken feathers in his mouth, has been the most vocal opponent of the appointed city auditor. It’s no surprise – Frye is also an outspoken advocate for transparent, honest government.

An appointed city auditor is more likely to be pressured by management to produce false or misleading information. The city auditor, much like the city attorney, must operate independently of the mayor and council. Job security should not be a concern for the city auditor – he or she should be hired and fired by voters.

Proponents say the $1.2 billion pension deficit that threatened the city’s fiscal stability is the result of improper checks and balances, and a lack of transparency.

How an appointed city auditor, who answers to the person signing his paycheck, would create more transparent government and proper checks and balances is beyond our comprehension.

John Torell, Certified Public Accountant and former San Diego City Auditor, also opposes Proposition C, saying, “Lack of independence negatively impacts the auditor’s ability to be objective. The citizens of San Diego deserve better.”

We couldn’t agree more – vote “no” on Proposition C.