By Herman Collins
Recent changes by the Mayor of San Diego affect all of us, particularly those captured under the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) flag. It prompts the question, why now, are we signally to the Feds we’re with you? Are we trying to curry favor with the corporations who have tucked away their commitment to diversity with no explanations?
Eric Dargan was selected as the City’s third Chief Operating Officer (COO), following the departure of Jay Goldstone. On Tuesday (02/19/2025) Mayor Gloria announced Dargan’s departure from the city, referencing office reorganization, budgetary constraints, and the need for greater control over economic dynamics.
Dargan’s arrival in San Diego was seen as visionary, promoting public-private partnerships to tackle homelessness and infrastructure needs. Dargan was hired for his skill in securing resources for unfunded services. In short, Dargan’s success would be measured by his ability to secure private funding to boost city revenues.
In 2021, Kim Desmond was appointed as the city’s first Chief Race and Equity Officer in the newly formed office of race and equity. After three years Desmond left for Washington DC. The responsibility of filling the position was assigned to the (COO) by the mayor. However, five months after the vacancy, there has been no significant progress in filling the role or making an interim appointment. Is the mayor’s office deliberately causing the delay?
Following the death of George Floyd, there has been a call for community investment across the state and country. California Cities have recognized an opportunity to support equity by utilizing new funds generated from the sale of cannabis. Much was made how this new market cash infusion to the city could be used to address community needs, infrastructure and social services. This was a promise made by the cannabis industry and the mayor.
The previous year’s budget cycle initiated this administration’s efforts to diminish the dedication to equitable service provision. The mayor’s office was at the focal point of both the controversy and the commitments made. The city council subsequently reinstated $1 million of the $3 million that the Mayor diverted, with a directive that these funds be allocated towards new services. Additional revenues would be incorporated as budgetary allowances permit.
This year the moves towards unwinding DEI programs were surgical and bold. The Mayor claims budgetary savings. While attention was focused on the right hand, the removal of Dargan (the first Black COO) and departure of Desmond (who is a Black Gay Woman responsible for Equity), actions on the left hand saw the Mayor walk away from his equity and inclusion commitments from the new cannabis revenues. This is particularly evident with the integration of the Office of Race and Equity into Human Resources, as well as the merger of Cultural Affairs into Economic Development. These Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are now incorporated within city operational departments rather than reporting directly to the Mayor. They all but disappeared, simply magical.
To cut costs, two employees of color, several vacant positions, and all city operations will now be managed for the first by the mayor’s office without a professional organization manager.
Communities supporting the new cannabis market didn’t expect revenues to go to the city’s general funds, leaving promised new services unfunded. Pure deception.
These funds could have been used for the homeless programs Dargan was tasked with, or equity investments the which were the responsibilities of Desmond.
Are Dargan and Desmond being singled out? Are the programs and access to necessary revenues for rehabilitating the city’s most needed neighborhoods being overlooked again?
“Strong Mayor” form of government infers that the mayor is where the buck stops; with or without Dargan or Desmond.
To address the city’s current budget issues, it is necessary to examine the city’s organizational chart for an in-depth analysis of its bureaucratic layers. Additionally, exploring new revenue streams and establishing a clear vision for the city’s future are essential steps. We must be methodical, not reactionary.
From an external perspective, it appears there is a systematic reduction in investments related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a term that is often misunderstood by many.
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Mayor Gloria is the first openly gay person of color (Filipino) elected as Mayor of the 2nd largest city in the state of California. Ironically, he was elected with strong support from the older neighborhoods south of Interstate 8, which need resources.
Mayor Gloria has been elected to a second term. I find comfort in knowing that the makeup of the council is more diverse than it has ever been. We check all boxes, Women, Black, Hispanic, Asian and Gay. It is my sincere hope that they collaborate effectively to ensure that the vision promoting equity for all endures over time. But, no more magic acts.
Collins is the owner of a government relations consultancy and was the former Chief of Staff to the late Deputy Mayor George L. Stevens.
Please contact Mayor Todd Gloria asking him to direct all Cannabis revenues to community services promoting equality, rehabilitation and diversion. Prior to the legalization, cannabis was the gateway sentence to 3 strikes.
Thank you OB Rag for your support.
Gloria claims he is Filipino, and a piece of his heritage is, along with Caucasian, Alaskan, and 2 or 3 other cultures he claims. He also claims he was raised by a gardener, and a house cleaning mom, and he was, if you count his parents did that before they had Toddles older brother and Toddler was no where on scene until a couple years after his brother. His parents were so poor they paid for him to go to USD to college. If you believe that, Ihave some sand in the desert to sell cheap. Hmmmm lots of people can’t afford to go to private colleges, and he didn’t get a free ride either. But he didn’t graduate with any kind of a finance/economics degree, and his lack of knowledge and experience shows, time and again. His parents bought a house in a nice neighborhood, and gardeners and house cleaners couldn’t afford to do that then or now. A L W A Y S a twist in his stories. Seems to me, he uses whatever story he can, when he can use it to his advantage, to get preferential treatment. And naive voters go for his snake oil salesman, okie doke. And it sure looks like he’s slowly but surely looking more and more like a dictator the way he’s moving more and more department hiring to his office to control.
From my perspective, the critical question is how these decisions will impact the quality of life for San Diegans in terms of services that matter most.
Like many residents, I care deeply about tangible outcomes that directly affect my daily life: well-maintained streets, responsive police services, reliable city operations, and most importantly, a decrease in the cost of living in San Diego. Frankly, while I am not dismissive of the value of diversity, I do not believe that the resources poured into DEI programs should be the priority over fundamental city services. San Diego is facing real challenges in terms of infrastructure and public safety, and my concern lies more in whether or not the city will maintain its streets, ensure timely police response when needed, and keep vital services running smoothly.
I am also deeply concerned about the ever-increasing cost of living here, which continues to be a pressing issue for myself and many others in the community. While programs that focus on equity and inclusion can be valuable in some contexts, they should not overshadow the city’s basic duties to its residents, such as maintaining public safety, fixing potholes, and keeping utility costs affordable.
Do you have actual examples of something DEI-related that resources have been “poured into?” I think the right is loving that they’ve managed to get people all riled up about a vague scary buzzword that can mean whatever they want it to mean, like when they created hysteria about “critical race theory” being taught in schools, etc. If DEI were simply called “making sure we’re not overlooking good candidates who aren’t straight white males just because that’s who we’re used to hiring” it would be harder to make it the newest conservative pet grievance, though it would be a mouthful to say. I do agree that San Diego wastes a whole lot of money that should be spent on infrastructure but I doubt DEI initiatives have any measurable impact on the budget.
John Shaw does not have any real examples.
What does one expect from a Trump supporter?