There were two intriguing shout-outs during today's "State of the City" festivities in Sacramento.
Mayor Kevin Johnson put in another plug for interim City Manager Gus Vina, whose prospects for getting the permanent gig are uncertain at best.
"I think you would be a great city manager for Sacramento, or wherever you land," the mayor told an audience that included business leaders and fellow council members.
While Johnson and others want to keep him, other council members want to do a national search that could lead to a new city manager. The council has been meeting behind closed doors to discuss the issue and evaluate Vina. After another closed session on Tuesday, it could decide and announce its decision on a search.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Metro Chamber, which hosted the event, announced that Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis medical school and CEO of the UC Davis health system, is its "Businesswoman of the Year."
The chamber recognized her for helping make UC Davis "a major contributor to the health care industry and economy of the Sacramento region."
But Pomeroy may be better known these days as one of 36 UC executives who signed a letter to the regents demanding higher pensions, and threatening legal action.
They want their pensions based on their total salary, even the amount above a $245,000 federal cap. Pomeroy made $529,000 in 2009. The San Francisco Chronicle says that if the officials get their way, someone who earns $400,000 a year and retires after 30 years would get an annual pension of $300,000 instead of $183,750.
The execs have been pummeled by the press and by legislators. UC's top officials, including UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi, oppose the request.
So the response will be interesting to say the least when Pomeroy joins other awardees in being recognized at the chamber's annual dinner on Feb. 4.
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