Politics

Big Escondido city manager salary reveal and more came Wednesday (spoiler alert)

Time for the big reveal on Wednesday, Nov. 18. That’s when the Escondido City Council members unanimously approved, with no practical discussion, the new $234,719 annual base salary with an additional, and lucrative, benefits package and contract for newly hired city manager Graham Mitchell who assumes office Dec. 18. It’s the same as outgoing city manager Clay Phillips got in his last three-year contract although Mitchell…


There’s a new city manager in town (Breaking News)

As expected, Escondido assistant city manager Graham Mitchell was elevated in rank Wednesday,  following last week’s resignation of long-time city manager Clay Phillips. Phillips, 58, suddenly announced his retirement last week, effective Dec. 18. His $200,000-plus city pension begins at age 60. Mitchell, 46, was hired this summer as assistant city manager following the retirement of another longtime official, assistant city manager Charles Grimm. Mitchell…


Without warning, Escondido city manager resigns (Breaking News)

Just ahead of a pension vestment that pays him over $200,000 annually, Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips, 58, suddenly resigned on Wednesday. Coincidentally, Phillips’ 3-year city manager contract that made him the highest paid city manager in San Diego County was set to expire next year. Dec, 18 would be his last day on the job, Phillips said. It was unclear if the pension and…


President Obama comes to town for little golf, little luxury, little fundraising (Video)

 President Obama comes to town for a little golf, little luxury, little fundraising. All systems were go, go, go for President Obama to walk among the wealthy, and play some golf,  in North County San Diego, just a few miles down Del Dios Highway from Escondido this weekend. The president, and family,  landed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar late Saturday. He was expected to…


Former Escondido Mayor Jim Rady dead of cancer at Age 73

‘He was an awesome dad and a wonderful grandfather.’ — Daughter Julie McKay. Known for his intellect and directness, former Escondido Mayor James Michael “Jim” Rady died at his home surrounded by loved ones following a long battle with cancer on Sept. 18. Mr. Rady served from 1976 to 1988 on the Escondido City Council, serving in the largely ceremonial post as mayor from 1982…


State Sen. Joel Anderson (R-38th District) comes home to ALEC

Earlier this year, following his sub rosa Washington D.C. meetings with the chief Geico lobbyist, we asked the question: Where in the world is state Sen. Joel Anderson, R-38th District? He’s your state senator in case  you didn’t know, and he was about as far from Sacramento as possible. Answering that question is easy this week. Anderson is at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San…