This month’s LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast featured Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilmember Toni Atkins speaking about the city budget, the new airport and the Navy Broadway Complex.

The Coalition Breakfast is a monthly get-together at The Center designed to help build strong community connections with elected officials and community leaders.

City officials spoke primarily about reforming the city’s struggling finances, but also spotlighted some central issues regarding the community.

Sanders opened with his approach to the budget.

“You see what needs to be done, then you look to the decisions of the past and you find common ground,” he said.

Sanders went on to say that city officials are trying to locate every source of revenue and figure out how best to run the city efficiently. Next year’s goal, he said, is to reclaim the budget. To do so, the mayor is committed to cutting 500 positions within the city. He argued, however, that while his office is looking to save money, they are also careful to be fair to city employees and work with them to find new positions within the city government or elsewhere. As the country’s seventh largest city, he said, it’s important that the city of San Diego find its way back into the national market, and quickly.

“I’m really proud of what this city’s accomplished in such a short period of time,” he said of the progress thus far.

Sanders commentated on the plans for a new international airport. He agreed with the audience that it’s essential for the city but pointed out the need for further research and discourse with the military.

“We don’t want to push the subject down the military’s throat,” he said.

And seeing that all available sites are military, Sanders concluded that it may be a few years of open, supported dialogue before a conclusion is met.

Following the mayor, Councilmember Toni Atkins discussed the mayor’s plans and her own goals.

“This year we learned a lot about positions and shifts in funds … and for the first time we’re getting honest, objective information about the budget.” Atkins said. “I may have been a little wrong about the strong mayor/strong council form of government, and I’m beginning to see the benefits.”

She praised the mayor for his progress, but maintained that the city is not yet out of the woods. Atkins said she is dedicated to going through each department and finding adequate funding, specifically for parks and recreation. She said the City Council will do all it can to make sure the parks department has the money it needs to maintain San Diego’s park and recreation areas.

As a final thought, both speakers mentioned the Navy Broadway Complex and the problems it poses. Sanders and Atkins said they acknowledge the problems and are looking for the best solution despite the many complications.

“It’s a process,” said Atkins, “and the community pressure needs to be there.”

Although the city’s plate is nearly full, Atkins said, the mayor and the council recognize there is a huge opportunity to do something “really great” with the Navy Broadway Complex and only ask that members of the community get involved and voice there opinions.

The Community Coalition Breakfast is held every third Friday of the month from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. The price is $10 for breakfast and a chance to ask city officials questions regarding San Diego policies. For more information, including information about future speakers, visit

www.thecentersd.org.