The Honorable Jim Madaffer

Despite Dist. 7 Councilman Jim Madaffer’s prominence in San Diego, little has been published about his life or financial troubles, even in his own newspaper.

It may appear that Madaffer is well-liked by his community. The local community newspaper, The Mission Times Courier, endorsed him for his elections to office in 2000 and 2004.

But what the newspaper doesn’t say is that Maddafer owns the newspaper, and his wife Sally Ortega Madaffer publishes it. His mother, Ruth Maude Madsen, is a staff writer.

James Vincent Madaffer was born March 4, 1960, in San Diego. He attended San Diego State University for two years and Grossmont College for two years, never obtaining a degree. He married Sally Ann Ortega, and before taking office in City Council, Madaffer worked as chief of staff for Judy McCarty, whom he replaced.

Madaffer has been a small business owner since 1981, but he and his wife have had their share of business ventures. In 1988, they filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy when their pool and spa accessories business JVM failed. They’ve also tried their hand at an Internet service provider and a direct mail marketing firm. When the Madaffers failed to pay their mortgage for a year, they filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy to stop an impending foreclosure.

Sources:

McLaughlin, Evan. “All the Jim that’s fit to print.” Voiceofsandiego.org 24 July 2006.

“Biography of Council President Pro Tem Jim Madaffer.” CityofSanDiego.gov

Vitalsearch.com

http://www.intelius.com/search-summary-out.php?ReportType=1& -- one address in Roma, Texas, and six in San Diego, Calif. (92124)

Mapquest.com – lives in Kearny Mesa/Santee area

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/arcc/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx -- Superior Ready Mix Concrete (owned by Jack Brouwer), with Ruth Madaffer, High Cotton, Bath A Rama, Calif Reconveyance Company

http://finance.google.com/finance?cid=2188092

http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/portal/page?_pageid=55,1056871&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL – found several civil cases

http://search.marquiswhoswho.com/executable/SearchLog.aspx

Other researched information:

In 1994, the Madaffers filed for bankruptcy. Up until 2006, Jim Madaffer owned a company named Bath-A-Rama. There was also a 10-year attempt at automotive detailing, and now the Madaffers run their newspaper business. Their residence in Tierrasanta is now owned by the Madaffer Family Trust.

Madaffer is currently working on a redevelopment project in Granville, an area in his district that he claims is “blighted.” Despite a pending court case between the city and the county over the funding, Madaffer has followed through with plans. One location he hopes to reclaim is the land owned by Superior Ready Mix, which is linked to his name in the county clerk’s records.

A search of Who’s Who yielded no results.