Alot of us are unhappy with Bill Clinton coming to San Diego this weekend and talking at the Manchester. Manchester is a filthy reactionary (and to those who know him, a jerk).
Predictably, Labor Central Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzales (LOGO), and her BFF, Todd Gloria issued the meaningless letter this week urging that Clinton not attend. That was an easy letter: all show and no action. Lets see if either of them showup Sunday in the cold and walk the talk.
Lorena should provide us constructive input and guidance on two important labor issues. The proper form of leadsership is not "to stay out of it". What is Lorena's position on:
(a) On the UNITE vs. HERE fight, who is right? Bruce Raynor or John Wilhelm? If she was on the UNITEHERE board, how would she had voted this week?
(b) On the SEIU/Andy Stern vs. SEIU California UHW dispute, who is right? What will Lorena do to insure the labor movement locally will react to these situations? (www.seiuvoice.org/trusteeship for background)
Showing posts with label Labor Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labor Council. Show all posts
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, November 7, 2008
Election Results Show Big Wins for Region’s Working Families
Working families came out ahead in Tuesday’s election as voters chose at least 68 candidates and propositions endorsed by the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.
Highlighted wins include Marty Block and Manuel Perez for the State Assembly; Sherri Lightner, Todd Gloria and Marti Emerald for San Diego City Council; Steve Castaneda for Chula Vista City Council; and the failure of Proposition B.
The Labor Council is confident Pamela Bensoussan, who is trailing by approximately 100 votes as of Friday, will ultimately win the other Chula Vista City Council seat once all the ballots are counted.
“The real winners of Tuesday’s election are the working families of San Diego County,” Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez said. “Voters went to the polls not to point fingers or continue the rhetoric of blaming working families for San Diego’s woes, but to find real solutions to the challenges that face our neighborhoods and our economy.”
The wins were cemented with the help of nearly 1,500 individual union members who volunteered for 4,000 shifts during the course of the election season, a total representing 16,000 hours of volunteer time dedicated to informing voters of the candidates’ support for working families.
“I want to thank and recognize every union member who helped our endorsed candidates win,” Gonzalez said. “They are the ones who sacrificed countless weekends, holidays and evenings to make a difference in their communities.”
Highlighted wins include Marty Block and Manuel Perez for the State Assembly; Sherri Lightner, Todd Gloria and Marti Emerald for San Diego City Council; Steve Castaneda for Chula Vista City Council; and the failure of Proposition B.
The Labor Council is confident Pamela Bensoussan, who is trailing by approximately 100 votes as of Friday, will ultimately win the other Chula Vista City Council seat once all the ballots are counted.
“The real winners of Tuesday’s election are the working families of San Diego County,” Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez said. “Voters went to the polls not to point fingers or continue the rhetoric of blaming working families for San Diego’s woes, but to find real solutions to the challenges that face our neighborhoods and our economy.”
The wins were cemented with the help of nearly 1,500 individual union members who volunteered for 4,000 shifts during the course of the election season, a total representing 16,000 hours of volunteer time dedicated to informing voters of the candidates’ support for working families.
“I want to thank and recognize every union member who helped our endorsed candidates win,” Gonzalez said. “They are the ones who sacrificed countless weekends, holidays and evenings to make a difference in their communities.”
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
PSA: Campaigns
Because we are a week away from the Primary and campaigns are preparing their who’s or what will get blamed or take credit for their victory or defeat, let’s review some basics to see through the spin:
Labor does not run candidate campaigns
They can run IE campaign on behalf of candidates and issues but they are not the “campaigns.” Those belong to the candidate, their consultants, and staff. Regardless of what the other side would have you believe, Labor does not dictate to candidates how to run their campaigns.
The Democratic Party does not run candidate campaigns
Here, the other side gives the Dems too much credit. The purpose of the local party is to assist, though volunteers and the media, their endorsed candidates and causes. They do not operate candidate campaigns nor to they, like Labor, order campaigns to bow to their wishes.
Consultants run candidate campaigns
Ever notice how the local press goes to the consultant first, then the campaign manager? These hired guns are called in to give the campaign the oversight, direction, and keep said campaigns on course. They can tell campaigns what to do and can clue them into resources that these campaigns would otherwise not have.
Candidates run campaigns
The final nail of accountability goes to the name at the top of the letterhead. It is seen as a reflection of their abilities in being able to hire (and fire) the right people and to get elected. Some campaigns operate more independently of their consultant than others, but it is up to the candidate and their manager, chosen to be the right hand, to decide what is the best course of action. At the end of the day, it is the candidate who accepts responsibility for what has happened no matter who was at fault.
Unless there was some boneheaded move by a staffer, consultant or volunteer that gets press time, these are the tiers of responsibility.
So when consultants start blaming the “party” or “labor”, just remember that neither of these two can run the shop for the campaign. That’s why there is a campaign manager and consultant in the first place.
Labor does not run candidate campaigns
They can run IE campaign on behalf of candidates and issues but they are not the “campaigns.” Those belong to the candidate, their consultants, and staff. Regardless of what the other side would have you believe, Labor does not dictate to candidates how to run their campaigns.
The Democratic Party does not run candidate campaigns
Here, the other side gives the Dems too much credit. The purpose of the local party is to assist, though volunteers and the media, their endorsed candidates and causes. They do not operate candidate campaigns nor to they, like Labor, order campaigns to bow to their wishes.
Consultants run candidate campaigns
Ever notice how the local press goes to the consultant first, then the campaign manager? These hired guns are called in to give the campaign the oversight, direction, and keep said campaigns on course. They can tell campaigns what to do and can clue them into resources that these campaigns would otherwise not have.
Candidates run campaigns
The final nail of accountability goes to the name at the top of the letterhead. It is seen as a reflection of their abilities in being able to hire (and fire) the right people and to get elected. Some campaigns operate more independently of their consultant than others, but it is up to the candidate and their manager, chosen to be the right hand, to decide what is the best course of action. At the end of the day, it is the candidate who accepts responsibility for what has happened no matter who was at fault.
Unless there was some boneheaded move by a staffer, consultant or volunteer that gets press time, these are the tiers of responsibility.
So when consultants start blaming the “party” or “labor”, just remember that neither of these two can run the shop for the campaign. That’s why there is a campaign manager and consultant in the first place.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Several Hundred Union Members Honor Cesar Chavez Day by Marching for Better Working Conditions Across the Region
In honor of Cesar Chavez Day, several hundred union members will march through the streets of downtown San Diego to highlight the need to increase the number of quality jobs in the region.
The “Journey for Better Jobs” will stretch from the San Diego Convention Center to the County Administration Center, making six stops throughout downtown to demand that all workers receive fair wages, benefits and working conditions.
“Forty-two years ago Cesar Chavez marched from Delano to Sacramento to bring attention to the plight of farm workers,” said Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez. “Today the 120,000 working families of the region stand together and say, ‘We will not stand idly as we see injustice on the job.’”
Several faith leaders, community groups and elected officials will join the workers on along the route.
Elected officials speaking at the various rally points include San Diego City Councilmembers Scott Peters, Toni Atkins, Tony Young and Ben Hueso and State Assembly Members Lori Saldaña and Mary Salas.
The event will highlight the need for San Diego workers to receive livable wages, health care and respect at the workplace. As the housing market collapses, the economy struggles and the prices of basic goods continue to rise, the region’s middle class is finding it more difficult to survive making justice on the job an important issue 15 years after Chavez’s death.
The principles that caused San Diego’s labor community to organize the event are the same as those that guided Chavez, one of the most prominent labor leaders of the 20th Century.
“Cesar Chavez said, ‘We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community,’” said Gonzalez. “We in the labor movement take that to heart, and will always stand beside our brothers and sisters who are in need of help. Some of us work for employers that realize the value of their workforce. We must stand up for those who aren’t as fortunate.”
The “Journey for Better Jobs” will stretch from the San Diego Convention Center to the County Administration Center, making six stops throughout downtown to demand that all workers receive fair wages, benefits and working conditions.
“Forty-two years ago Cesar Chavez marched from Delano to Sacramento to bring attention to the plight of farm workers,” said Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez. “Today the 120,000 working families of the region stand together and say, ‘We will not stand idly as we see injustice on the job.’”
Several faith leaders, community groups and elected officials will join the workers on along the route.
Elected officials speaking at the various rally points include San Diego City Councilmembers Scott Peters, Toni Atkins, Tony Young and Ben Hueso and State Assembly Members Lori Saldaña and Mary Salas.
The event will highlight the need for San Diego workers to receive livable wages, health care and respect at the workplace. As the housing market collapses, the economy struggles and the prices of basic goods continue to rise, the region’s middle class is finding it more difficult to survive making justice on the job an important issue 15 years after Chavez’s death.
The principles that caused San Diego’s labor community to organize the event are the same as those that guided Chavez, one of the most prominent labor leaders of the 20th Century.
“Cesar Chavez said, ‘We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community,’” said Gonzalez. “We in the labor movement take that to heart, and will always stand beside our brothers and sisters who are in need of help. Some of us work for employers that realize the value of their workforce. We must stand up for those who aren’t as fortunate.”
Labor Council Unanimously Re-Elects Lorena Gonzalez as Secretary-Treasurer
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s delegates voted unanimously to re-elect Lorena Gonzalez to a four-year term as Secretary-Treasurer and CEO on last week.
The delegates, a representative body of members from all 119 local unions affiliated with the Labor Council, declared Gonzalez the winner of the regularly-scheduled election after no other candidates were nominated.
Gonzalez served as the Labor Council’s political director from September 2006 to the end of last year, when Jerry Butkiewicz stepped down from the position.
“It is an honor to represent the working families that make up the Labor Council,” Gonzalez said. “I look forward to growing San Diego’s labor movement during the next four years and beyond.”
Labor Council President Mickey Kasparian nominated Gonzalez.
In addition to winning another term themselves, Kasparian and Gonzalez were re-elected alongside First Vice President Sandra Oleson, Second Vice President Virginia Cobb and Sergeant-at-Arms Ricardo Guzman.
The Labor Council conducts elections for all five officers and 25 executive board members every four years. Delegates are allowed to nominate another delegate for any of the 30 spots.
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
The delegates, a representative body of members from all 119 local unions affiliated with the Labor Council, declared Gonzalez the winner of the regularly-scheduled election after no other candidates were nominated.
Gonzalez served as the Labor Council’s political director from September 2006 to the end of last year, when Jerry Butkiewicz stepped down from the position.
“It is an honor to represent the working families that make up the Labor Council,” Gonzalez said. “I look forward to growing San Diego’s labor movement during the next four years and beyond.”
Labor Council President Mickey Kasparian nominated Gonzalez.
In addition to winning another term themselves, Kasparian and Gonzalez were re-elected alongside First Vice President Sandra Oleson, Second Vice President Virginia Cobb and Sergeant-at-Arms Ricardo Guzman.
The Labor Council conducts elections for all five officers and 25 executive board members every four years. Delegates are allowed to nominate another delegate for any of the 30 spots.
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Labor Council Membership Endorses Scott Peters for San Diego City Attorney
The membership of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council voted to endorse Council President Scott Peters’ candidacy for San Diego City Attorney last night.
The endorsement was based on Peters’ demonstrated respect for public service, his commitment to San Diego and his desire to bring civility back to city government.
“We represent thousands of firefighters, nurses, teachers, letter carriers, social workers, sanitation engineers and other public servants,” said Lorena Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer of the Labor Council. “We need elected representatives who understand and respect the value of these jobs, and don’t simply vilify people who work for a living. Electing Council President Peters as City Attorney will help bring an end to divisive politics in our fine city.”
The Council also voted for a tri-endorsement in the race for San Diego City Council District 3. The unprecedented move for a triple endorsement of candidates Todd Gloria, John Hartley and Stephen Whitburn came after all three candidates’ demonstrated to the Labor Council’s Committee on Political Education their commitment to lift up San Diego’s working families.
“Although individual unions may have favored one candidate over the others, we all agreed that we had never had such a pro-labor trio of candidates vying for our endorsement in a San Diego City Council race,” said Gonzalez. “Whoever is elected in District 3, it is clear that the working men and women of San Diego will have a true advocate on our City Council.”
The tri-endorsement allows individual unions to independently endorse a specific candidate in the race, if they so desire.
The Labor Council also endorsed San Diego City Council District 1 Candidate Sherri Lighter and San Diego School Board Candidates Richard Berrera and Shelia Jackson. The Labor Council also recommended to California Labor Federation the endorsements for Assembly Candidate Marty Block (78th AD), Greg Pettis (80th AD) and Congressional Candidate Nick Leibham (50th CD).
The endorsement was based on Peters’ demonstrated respect for public service, his commitment to San Diego and his desire to bring civility back to city government.
“We represent thousands of firefighters, nurses, teachers, letter carriers, social workers, sanitation engineers and other public servants,” said Lorena Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer of the Labor Council. “We need elected representatives who understand and respect the value of these jobs, and don’t simply vilify people who work for a living. Electing Council President Peters as City Attorney will help bring an end to divisive politics in our fine city.”
The Council also voted for a tri-endorsement in the race for San Diego City Council District 3. The unprecedented move for a triple endorsement of candidates Todd Gloria, John Hartley and Stephen Whitburn came after all three candidates’ demonstrated to the Labor Council’s Committee on Political Education their commitment to lift up San Diego’s working families.
“Although individual unions may have favored one candidate over the others, we all agreed that we had never had such a pro-labor trio of candidates vying for our endorsement in a San Diego City Council race,” said Gonzalez. “Whoever is elected in District 3, it is clear that the working men and women of San Diego will have a true advocate on our City Council.”
The tri-endorsement allows individual unions to independently endorse a specific candidate in the race, if they so desire.
The Labor Council also endorsed San Diego City Council District 1 Candidate Sherri Lighter and San Diego School Board Candidates Richard Berrera and Shelia Jackson. The Labor Council also recommended to California Labor Federation the endorsements for Assembly Candidate Marty Block (78th AD), Greg Pettis (80th AD) and Congressional Candidate Nick Leibham (50th CD).
Monday, February 25, 2008
Labor Council's Delegate Fight
This Wednesday, the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council's delegates will again have a fight over whether to endorse CA-53 Representative Susan Davis.
Susan Davis was originally endorsed by the Labor Council back in 2000, when she took on Representative Brian Bilbray in his former district. Bilbray was a bad vote time and time again at both the local and the national level for Labor. So, they organized, as unions know how, and helped then Assemblymember Davis beat Bilbray and sent her to the House of Representatives.
Representative Davis made a controversial vote during her first term by voting for CAFTA. This earned her the wrath of Labor in the following election cycle. Davis made it through the election without issue. However, time and time again she comes before Labor, asks for their support and time and time again Labor never forgets and never forgives her for that vote.
There seems to be no consideration by the local unions of Representative Davis’ overall record. She has voted for minimum wage increases, Head Start funding, the Employee Free Choice Act, environmental and labor rights including in future trade deals, healthcare reform, welfare re-authorization and so forth. Even though, the sentiments among the anti-Davis folks are strong, she still continues to receive the support by some of the labor unions that make up the Labor Council. Take a look at her PAC numbers; she receives money from AFSCME, AFT, Postal Workers, Fire Fighters, Letter Carriers, SEIU, Boilermakers, Transport Workers and so forth.
Labor needs to ask themselves the hard question. Do they oppose Susan Davis yet again this year, or try to reach out to her and figure out how they can work together? Does Labor move forward or continue to look backwards this Wednesday night? I hope they look forward. TQ
Monday, January 7, 2008
Evan McLaughlin Named Political Director of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council has hired award-winning political reporter Evan McLaughlin as its new political director.
McLaughlin, who covered San Diego City Hall and local politics for voiceofsandiego.org since 2005, fills the position vacated by Lorena Gonzalez. Gonzalez was unanimously named secretary-treasurer of the Labor Council last month.
“I’m excited for this opportunity,” said McLaughlin. “For the last three years I was fortunate enough to learn about the region’s government. This position is a natural extension of that work.”
Several media groups, including the San Diego Press Club and the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, have recognized McLaughlin for his political reporting.
McLaughlin’s hiring is the only notable change in the Labor Council under the leadership of Gonzalez.
“We had a lot of great candidates interested in the position,” said Gonzalez. “It was a tough decision for our executive board’s hiring committee, but Evan’s experience made him the clear choice.”
A graduate of UCSD, McLaughlin interned for Rep. Pete Stark (D – Calif.) and Stephens Media Group’s Washington bureau.
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
McLaughlin, who covered San Diego City Hall and local politics for voiceofsandiego.org since 2005, fills the position vacated by Lorena Gonzalez. Gonzalez was unanimously named secretary-treasurer of the Labor Council last month.
“I’m excited for this opportunity,” said McLaughlin. “For the last three years I was fortunate enough to learn about the region’s government. This position is a natural extension of that work.”
Several media groups, including the San Diego Press Club and the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, have recognized McLaughlin for his political reporting.
McLaughlin’s hiring is the only notable change in the Labor Council under the leadership of Gonzalez.
“We had a lot of great candidates interested in the position,” said Gonzalez. “It was a tough decision for our executive board’s hiring committee, but Evan’s experience made him the clear choice.”
A graduate of UCSD, McLaughlin interned for Rep. Pete Stark (D – Calif.) and Stephens Media Group’s Washington bureau.
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Unanimously Selects Lorena Gonzalez as Secretary-Treasurer
The delegate body of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council voted unanimously to appoint Lorena Gonzalez as its new secretary-treasurer and CEO last night.
The delegates, a representative body of members from all 119 local unions affiliated with the Labor Council, followed last week’s unanimous vote by the organization’s executive board. Gonzalez will become the first female to lead the Labor Council, since its charter in 1902.
Gonzalez, who has served as the Labor Council’s political director since September 2006, takes over for the retiring Jerry Butkiewicz effective January 2, 2008.
“I am humbled by the support I have received from our local unions,” Gonzalez said. “It's a privilege to be entrusted with the opportunity to work as hard for our members as they do for the families they support.”
Labor Council President Mickey Kasparian echoed the sentiments of the organization’s membership.
“No one is more qualified to take over for Jerry than Lorena,” said Kasparian. “Under her leadership, San Diego’s labor movement will continue to grow and thrive.”
“If we didn’t have someone like Lorena to step right in and continue to strengthen the foundation that has been laid, I wouldn’t feel so comfortable retiring,” said Butkiewicz. “This is a great and historic day for San Diego’s working families.”
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
The delegates, a representative body of members from all 119 local unions affiliated with the Labor Council, followed last week’s unanimous vote by the organization’s executive board. Gonzalez will become the first female to lead the Labor Council, since its charter in 1902.
Gonzalez, who has served as the Labor Council’s political director since September 2006, takes over for the retiring Jerry Butkiewicz effective January 2, 2008.
“I am humbled by the support I have received from our local unions,” Gonzalez said. “It's a privilege to be entrusted with the opportunity to work as hard for our members as they do for the families they support.”
Labor Council President Mickey Kasparian echoed the sentiments of the organization’s membership.
“No one is more qualified to take over for Jerry than Lorena,” said Kasparian. “Under her leadership, San Diego’s labor movement will continue to grow and thrive.”
“If we didn’t have someone like Lorena to step right in and continue to strengthen the foundation that has been laid, I wouldn’t feel so comfortable retiring,” said Butkiewicz. “This is a great and historic day for San Diego’s working families.”
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is a coalition of 119 local unions that represent 120,000 working families in the region. The Labor Council strives to ensure that all workers in the region earn a fair wage and health care for their families.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tribute to Jerry Butkiewicz
Via Local Jobs First: Below is tribute to Jerry Butkiewicz written by Tom Lemmon, Business Manager of the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.
The Legacy of a Leader
By Tom Lemmon Business Manager of the San Diego
County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
Tomorrow the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council will host a tribute luncheon to Jerry Butkiewicz at the San Diego Convention Center. There are guaranteed to be tonsof great stories about how Jerry rose in the union ranks from a postal clerk to the president of the Labor Council and all the struggles in between, so we hope you can make it.
Frankly, it’s almost impossible to believe how much Jerry has accomplished since he took over the Labor Council in 1996. Not only has the Council’s annual budget grown more that 1,200 percent(!) and the staff from four full-time employees to 34, but Jerry earned labor a seat at the table for all major regional projects. Considering the strong anti-union sentiment among San Diego’s prominent Republican politicians and developers and in the media, this was no easy accomplishment. Before Jerry, San Diego business had its way without question; the working people were a secondary consideration for politicians.
It takes a tenacious pit bull like Jerry to fight for every union job and ounce of respect that labor deserves. Jerry knows how to take his message to the street and make people understand why they need to fight, and he’s never been afraid to work a week of 18-hour days, if that’s what’s needed.But Jerry isn’t just a firebrand: When he needs to be articulate, Jerry can put down the bull horn and step right up to the bargaining table without missing a beat. It was totally unprecedented when Jerry got a seat at the Chamber of Commerce, and there was definitely some grumbling about that from both sides, but it really gave labor a broadened perspective on the business community’s thinking and motivation.
On a personal note, Jerry reached out to me when I took this position, and he made me recognize how important it is for everyone in labor to feel like part of a big team. That’s why the Labor Council is so crucial: It gives the individual unions power in the same way that fingers come together to form a fist.
Some people have asked me if I’m worried about Jerry’s departure. Obviously, there’s never a good time to lose someone like Jerry, but he’s leaving his position in a spot where labor is a serious force. … And labor’s power is much bigger than one person. Jerry has been a coalition-builder, not a “one man show,” so I’m optimistic about upcoming struggles, including the current campaign to make sure that the bayfront development is an environmentally-friendly project built by local workers.More than anything else, I think Jerry will be remembered for his commitment to the workers. He has never stopped thinking about the folks he was fighting for, and that’s a legacy that I look forward to keeping alive with my brothers and sisters at the Labor Council.[Link]
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday - Quick Hits
Labor Council secretary/treasurer Jerry Butkiewicz, who is leaving his post in December has accepted a position with Sempra Engery. VOSD
Department of Water Resorces expects to export on 25% of water requested by water suppliers. VOSD
Pointing out the obvious, Senator Feinstein says San Diego needs more firefighters and tougher building codes. NCTimes UT
The legendary Daily Double Saloon in Encinitas is scheduled to change ownership afte being owed by the same famly for 50 years. UT
Fight over transportation bonds, San Diego wins round one, Nunez complains that San Diego received more than it should have. UT
Department of Water Resorces expects to export on 25% of water requested by water suppliers. VOSD
Pointing out the obvious, Senator Feinstein says San Diego needs more firefighters and tougher building codes. NCTimes UT
The legendary Daily Double Saloon in Encinitas is scheduled to change ownership afte being owed by the same famly for 50 years. UT
Fight over transportation bonds, San Diego wins round one, Nunez complains that San Diego received more than it should have. UT
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Next Mayor?
Tonight's CPI 10th Anniversary Dinner was abuzz tonight. Not because of the stuffed chicken dinner, but because just a couple hours earlier it was reported that San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Butkiewicz will resign from his post at the end of 2007.
While making rounds, I heard from a couple people that Butkiewicz is leaving the Labor Council to run for mayor. I couldn't get anyone from the Labor Council to address the rumors, but the timing would certainly make sense. Leaving at the end of the year would give him two months to start a campaign before the filing deadline.
While I'm sure the Lincoln Club would spend a record amount of money against him, he certainly has the credentials. He's currently on the board of directors for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of San Diego. He also would certainly have the support of labor, and be able to easily raise funds.
We can only hope these rumors are true, giving San Diego an option besides Sanders and Francis.
While making rounds, I heard from a couple people that Butkiewicz is leaving the Labor Council to run for mayor. I couldn't get anyone from the Labor Council to address the rumors, but the timing would certainly make sense. Leaving at the end of the year would give him two months to start a campaign before the filing deadline.
While I'm sure the Lincoln Club would spend a record amount of money against him, he certainly has the credentials. He's currently on the board of directors for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of San Diego. He also would certainly have the support of labor, and be able to easily raise funds.
We can only hope these rumors are true, giving San Diego an option besides Sanders and Francis.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Vigil for Health Care
Tell Governor Schwarzenegger:
Sign Affordable Health Care Legislation Now
COUNTLESS CALIFORNIANS have fallen victim to soaring health care costs. Yet Governor Schwarzenegger has failed to give us affordable health care this year.
JOIN WORKING FAMILIES across the state for a state-wide vigil to honor the victims of health care by lighting candles, delivering flowers and sharing personal health care stories. to make our voices heard and demand action.
WHEN: October 17th-19th, 2007
WHERE: The Governor’s Offices - 1350 Front Street, San Diego
CONTACT: Ryan Mims, San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council - (619) 228-8101 or rmims@unionyes.org
Events during the 48-hour vigil will include:
Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. - Candle-lighting ceremony, and personal health care stories
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - Prayer circle and reflection
Friday, 11:30 a.m. - Conclusion ceremony, and delivery of memorial to the Governor's office
***Come by when you can - morning, noon or night!***
Bring your families, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
Because if health care isn’t affordable, it’s not real reform.
Sign Affordable Health Care Legislation Now
COUNTLESS CALIFORNIANS have fallen victim to soaring health care costs. Yet Governor Schwarzenegger has failed to give us affordable health care this year.
JOIN WORKING FAMILIES across the state for a state-wide vigil to honor the victims of health care by lighting candles, delivering flowers and sharing personal health care stories. to make our voices heard and demand action.
WHEN: October 17th-19th, 2007
WHERE: The Governor’s Offices - 1350 Front Street, San Diego
CONTACT: Ryan Mims, San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council - (619) 228-8101 or rmims@unionyes.org
Events during the 48-hour vigil will include:
Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. - Candle-lighting ceremony, and personal health care stories
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - Prayer circle and reflection
Friday, 11:30 a.m. - Conclusion ceremony, and delivery of memorial to the Governor's office
***Come by when you can - morning, noon or night!***
Bring your families, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
Because if health care isn’t affordable, it’s not real reform.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Back in Town
After leaving town for a few days, I came back yesterday to see San Diego was literally crashing in on itself. I saw the national news coverage of the La Jolla landslide, but missed the internal politics. Seems that Mike Aguirre may have given the insiders (the Mayor, the UT, the downtown establishments) enough fodder to make him look like he has gone off the deep end. That, combined with the ugly UT story yesterday pointing out the cost of his pension lawsuits, marks the official start of the "Anyone But Mike" campaign. We Dems need to be careful and start looking for a real Dem candidate (read: NOT Alan Bersin), in case Mike really is in trouble or decides to run for Mayor.
Some pieces of gossip I picked up this morning:
1. New names being floated among Dem circles for Mayor of San Diego: Scott Peters and Bob Filner. Both are intriguing, but have some serious negatives. I heard both were being floated in circles at the San Diego Democratic Club Dinner this weekend. The beauty is, with Francis and Sanders duking it out, whoever the Dem candidate ends up being, s/he almost guarantees themselves a spot in the November run-off. In a Presidential year, you gotta believe a Dem has a great shot at pulling it out against whatever bloodied Republican makes in into the general. So, who is going to stand up and make it official?
2. I had a friend e-mail me about the Labor Council's Candidate training this past Saturday. I guess there were quite a few Republicans who came out for the pre-endorsement meeting. That should be interesting. Are we going to have Republicans looking for favor with the unions this go around? I guess appearing mainstream must poll well.
3. It looks like there will definitely be two viable Republicans running in San Diego City Council District 1 (Scott Peters is termed out). Lincoln Club endorsed candidate - Phil Thalheimer is facing opposition from millionaire-Republican Marshall Merrifield. This means Sherry Lightner may be able to get into the run-off just by being the Democrat in this swing district. Not an exciting candidate, Lightner lacks the polish you would want from a candidate in that district. But, I hear she has a substantial following in La Jolla and is willing to spend her own money. We will see, but it looks like another likely November showdown.
Some pieces of gossip I picked up this morning:
1. New names being floated among Dem circles for Mayor of San Diego: Scott Peters and Bob Filner. Both are intriguing, but have some serious negatives. I heard both were being floated in circles at the San Diego Democratic Club Dinner this weekend. The beauty is, with Francis and Sanders duking it out, whoever the Dem candidate ends up being, s/he almost guarantees themselves a spot in the November run-off. In a Presidential year, you gotta believe a Dem has a great shot at pulling it out against whatever bloodied Republican makes in into the general. So, who is going to stand up and make it official?
2. I had a friend e-mail me about the Labor Council's Candidate training this past Saturday. I guess there were quite a few Republicans who came out for the pre-endorsement meeting. That should be interesting. Are we going to have Republicans looking for favor with the unions this go around? I guess appearing mainstream must poll well.
3. It looks like there will definitely be two viable Republicans running in San Diego City Council District 1 (Scott Peters is termed out). Lincoln Club endorsed candidate - Phil Thalheimer is facing opposition from millionaire-Republican Marshall Merrifield. This means Sherry Lightner may be able to get into the run-off just by being the Democrat in this swing district. Not an exciting candidate, Lightner lacks the polish you would want from a candidate in that district. But, I hear she has a substantial following in La Jolla and is willing to spend her own money. We will see, but it looks like another likely November showdown.
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