San Diego’s Mayor Bob Filner “Not Welcome Back”

Opponents of Mayor Bob Filner are scheduled to hold a “Not Welcome Back” rally at the Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Diego today, following his completion of a stint in a behavioral therapy program.

Filner’s lawyer, Irvine-based James Payne, said his client finished the
program on Saturday, although he would not return to work this week. He said
Filner would continue treatment as an outpatient.

The rally, which organizers say is a nonpartisan event, is scheduled for
noon.

The mayor has been publicly accused of sexual harassment by 14 women,
including two city employees — one of whom has sued Filner and the city. He
also is being investigated for allegations of shaking down developers.

According to the City Attorney’s Office, the locks in the mayor’s office have been changed. A spokesman said the office agreed with the move but did not say why it was taken.

All nine members of the City Council, both of California’s senators and other local civic and business leaders have called for the mayor to step down immediately to seek treatment as a private citizen.

A poll conducted by U-T San Diego and 10News released on Sunday showed
that only 21 percent of San Diegans want Filner to remain in office, and that
65 percent would support a recall if he does not voluntarily step down.

The recall effort was ramped up over the past week, with the addition of political consultants who previously qualified a pension reform initiative for the June 2012 ballot.

Nearly 102,000 valid signatures are needed to qualify the Filner recall petition for the ballot, according to the City Clerk’s Office, which must receive the signatures by Sept. 26.

According to U-T San Diego, Filner has until today to submit a statement to the recall effort’s organizers stating the reasons he should not be voted out of office, which the organizers would in turn would be required to publish.