Now that San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has made plans to enter behavioral counseling treatment facility for two weeks, who will be in charge of San Diego during that time?
The city charter does not outline a provision if the mayor leaves temporarily, meaning Filner maintains full powers, according to legal expert Dan Eaton.
"He's going to remain mayor," said Eaton.
Filner said that he will be at treatment full time, but will be briefed every morning and evening on city business.
Special Section: Mayor Under Fire
Those who have called for a recall issued a statement today said that if Filner does not resign by Monday, July 29, a formal recall effort will begin.
Timeline: Mayor Filner's Term as Mayor
The recall process is very difficult and costly, said Voice of San Diego editor Scott Lewis.
According to the process outlined by the City Clerk’s office, the clock starts ticking once there is a published notice of intention to circulate a recall petition.
Within 10 days, an affidavit stating that the notice has been published has to be filed with the City Clerk. Within five days, the mayor must be notified, and then, within 14 days, the mayor can respond.
Exactly 21 days after the published notice, the petition can be circulated among voters. The signed petition must be filed within 60 days after the notice of intent is published.
That leaves proponents 39 days to gather signatures from 15 percent of the voters in the city, meaning they need at least 100,001 signatures.