My Vote for Steve Francis

I finally mailed my absentee ballot yesterday after debating who I was going to vote for mayor. Now being the good Dem that Gracchus is, I normally vote for the endorsed Democrat in the race. This time, however, I couldn't fill in the bubble for Floyd Morrow.

I have meet Floyd Morrow on several occasions, I have talked with him and I like the guy. I think he is sincere in why he is running for mayor, I just don't believe he is a credible candidate. So that left me with the "less-of-two-evils" candidate to choose from.

Now, I'm not one to buy into the "new and improved" Steve Francis despite receiving flashy mail pieces touting union endorsements and showing Steve with his new best friend Donna Frye. As Public Enemy says "Don't Believe the Hype." But what is the alternative to Steve Francis?

It is Jerry Sanders who has shown himself to be about as competent in the job as was Dick Murphy. Sanders is emblematic of a current type of Republican pol who believes that being both petulant and disingenuous are governing virtues. Mayor Sanders has refused to work with others on the council to try to solve some of the myriad of problems in the city. Instead he has demonstrated that he has no leadership skills and that his primary duty as mayor is in keeping the status quo when it has come to the special interest downtown.

Now, I know what supporters of Sanders are going to say: Hey, he came into office with the city in crisis, while at the same time embarking on a new form of governing with strong mayor. And how can you trust Steve Francis? He'll say anything to get elected.

Well that might be true about Steve Francis, but I'm willing to give him a shot at running the city after what I have seen Sanders do for the last three years. I know if Steve Francis is elected mayor, I might not agree with some of the policies he will put forward. But I believe that he will be more willing to work with the council in trying to solve some of the city's problems and for that reason I gave him my vote yesterday.

70 Hours and Counting: Where’s Jerry Sanders?

Even though blue-collar city workers from AFSCME Local 127 agreed to resume bargaining the moment Jerry Sanders’ poverty pension proposal was shot down late Monday night, Jerry Sanders has yet to sit down to the bargaining table 70 hours later.

Lorena Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, called on Mayor Jerry Sanders to return to the negotiating table.

“We believe Jerry Sanders’ announcement to meet and confer by ballot box is another stunt by his political operation to scapegoat city employees in order to deflect attention from his inability to find solutions to our city’s challenges.

“Late Monday, when he made the political calculation that he didn’t have support for his pension experiment, Jerry Sanders – aided and abetted by Mike Aguirre – delivered a last-minute substitute that had never been formally offered before in order to save face.

“This offer was presented about 9 p.m. at night and away from public view. Had it been adopted, an average blue-collar city worker who had worked for 30 years would retire with an $18,500 annual pension with no social security benefits and no SPSP. On its face, the Jerry Sanders’ plan would have left hard-working employees to retire into poverty. Regardless of the proposal’s merits, the unethical tactics of Jerry Sanders and Mike Aguirre run contrary to the rules that they agreed to back when negotiations started months ago.

“The attempt by Jerry Sanders and Mike Aguirre to make a late-night switcheroo was aimed to unfairly shove down our workers’ throats a proposal that had never been discussed prior and was never and still has not been put into the public record of the City.

“Now, Jerry Sanders is trying to force his campaign timeline onto the hard-working blue-collar employees of this city, but it’s clear he’s the one on the clock. Over 70 hours have passed since the City Council shot down this half-cooked pension proposal, and he has yet to come back to the table.

“Instead, Jerry Sanders wants to put a pension proposal in front of voters, but AFSCME Local 127 has said they’re ready to bargain now. I’m calling on Jerry Sanders to end these shameless campaign tactics, for him and Mike Aguirre to stick to the rules he agreed to, and return to the table so the city can move forward.

“Clearly, San Diegans are tired of the bickering at City Hall. San Diego’s working families deserve a Mayor who is committed to moving things forward in cooperation with our City’s employees. Jerry Sanders is failing with every passing hour.

“The public has had enough of the excuses, half-truths and rhetoric of Jerry Sanders and Mike Aguirre. Now is as good of a time as ever for them to start working toward solutions instead of their next excuse.”

Wednesday - Quick Hits

It is all about leadership on the school board. Article illustrates that schools don't necessarily have to cut layoff teachers in response to budget cuts. UT


Campaign for re-election twisting in the wind, as Mayor Sanders decides to place city workers pension reform on November ballot. UT


Why don't the Padres pay for it? Council approves money to build a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Drive from parking garage to Petco Park. UT


Carlsbad city council took a position to oppose new power plant to be located west of I-5. UT NCTimes

City of Vista drops neighborhoods from its massive expansion of its redevelopment zone. NCTimes

Tuesday - Quick Hits

At a PUC hearing in Borrego Springs last night hundreds showed up to protest the Sunrise Powerlink. UT

Council and mayor cannot agree on labor contract, so it is headed to the voters. UT

Court ruling is forcing County Medical Services to cover a larger share of the uninsure. UT

MTS and bus driver union reach an agreement on a five-year contract. UT

County board to consider the merger of two East County fire districts. UT

Tuesday - Quicks Hits

Mayor Sanders trying desperately to cover his rear in Blackwater fiasco. UT


Steve Francis nets Sierra Club and union endorsement. UT


Humanitarian group claims Enrique Morales is wrongly taking credit for their work. UT


Supervisor Bill Horn and environmentalists seek Federal help in purchasing Rancho Guejito. NCTimes

Federal agency rolls over and says proposed toll road won't cause any wildlife extinctions. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Class act they are running over there at city hall. City finally releases e-mail from mayor's office containing swears in it. UT

Airport Board approves master plan from Lindbergh Field that includes the building of a 5-story parking garage. UT

Mayoral candidate in Oceanside has an inaccurate list of supporters on his website. UT

Panel endorse county plan to lease three firefighting plans. NCTimes

Tell Jerry Sanders: Block Blackwater

Full disclosure: I work for the Courage Campaign and cross posted at Calitics

Mayor Jerry Sanders got what he asked for when he was elected in 2005. Not just the office, but unprecedented "strong mayor" control over the city's operation. He's had two and a half years, and as he runs for reelection, we have to ask whether he's lived up to the responsibility.

At a recent debate, Mayor Sanders let his frustration get the best of him over the substance, or perceived lack thereof, in the current campaign. Well if he wants to talk about issues, Blackwater is a good one. Steve Francis, a leading contender for mayor, has accused Jerry Sanders of "presiding over the largest pay-to-play system the city has ever seen." If Mayor Sanders wants to get substantive and prove that the good of the community is is his top priority, it's time he get involved in the absurd permit process that has- thus far- allowed Blackwater to waltz into the city and start unpacking within spitting distance of the border.

Earlier today, Courage Campaign partnered with Jess Durfee, the Chair of the San Diego Democratic Party, to introduce a petition calling on Mayor Sanders to launch a full investigation into the questionable process that's brought Blackwater to the City of San Diego. He asked for this responsibility- he still wants this responsibilty. It's time to deliver.

You can read the email that Jess Durfee sent to Courage Campaign's San Diego members today at the Courage Campaign blog cross post

Thursday - Quick Hits

Yeah right! State agency finds no wrong doing in lottery at Liberty Station. UT

Rincon tribe scores big win against governor regarding gaming deal. UT

City council votes to make Redevelopment Division into its own agency. UT

No f-bombs this time, as Mayor Sanders and Steve Francis shake hands following candidate forum. UT

Must be a Republican appointed judge, as he rules in favor of Manchester regarding the Navy Broadway complex. UT

City of Oceanside to decide this month on an operator for its municipal airport. UT

Mayoral race in Oceanside starting to take shape. NCTimes

Thursday - Quick Hits

Total defeat to District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, as Chula Vista Coucil member Steve Castaneda is acquitted on 6 of 10 perjury charges, with the other 4 declared a mistrial. UT

Mayor Sanders appointment of former State Senator Steve Peace to the Airport Regional Policy Committee cause SANDAG chairwomen Mary Sessom to walk out in protest. UT

La Mesa police officers didn't violate department rules in the Art Madrid case back in February according to a consultant. UT

City Attorney Mike Aguirre will not sign off on city's $103 million bond sale. UT

City of Escondido, decides to pay developer additional $2 million for a Marriott hotel in downtown Escondido. UT

Friday - Quick Hits

Ex-aide to Mayor Sanders sues city over wrongful termination. UT

The nanny state has reached the ballpark now. Padres are selling overpriced 3.2 beer at Petco Park. UT

Stating the obvious, Baja Governor claims that water and energy projects will be the key to Baja's future development. UT

Sales tax legislation for San Diego County moves it way State Senate. UT

Fare increases and service cutbacks in the future for North County residents who use NCTD. UT

Crowd of 250 hear Cindy Sheehan speak at CSUSM last night. NCTimes

Thursday - Quick Hits

Profile in courage, Mayor Sanders vetoes pay increase for council and himself. UT

More profiles in courage, Peters and Hueso change their minds on 24% pay increase for council. UT

Ever heard of Norton Utilities? County Superior court computers hit with a virus. UT

More signs of the housing crisis, home building permits off 63% from last year. NCTimes

San Diego near the top for nation in broadband access. UT

Sign of the times, "Wings over Gillespie" cancelled due to high cost of fuel. UT

City of Oceanside in talks with Natural History Museum on the possibility of a North County satellite location. UT

Tuesday - Quick Hits

It can only happen in San Diego. As the city is deciding to cut budget, council votes itself a 24% pay increase. UT

Steve Francis rightly criticizes mayor Sanders proposed budget. UT

Enough already! Mount Soledad cross begins another round of court battles. UT

UCSD admits 40% of those who applied to the university. UT

Student at Vista High School diagnosed with TB. UT

New group steps forward to file suit against proposed Wal-Mart expansion in Vista. NCTimes

Monday - Quick Hits

Trade Unions set to appeal court decision on City of Vista's charter case. NCTimes

Mayor Sanders has decided that parks and libraries are to have their budgets trimmed, while he increases city spending 13%. UT

I'm shocked! Possible conflict of interest among city advisory board members. UT

City council to consider pay raise for mayor and themselves again. UT

San Diego City College to receive the Recycler-of-the year award from city council. UT

Democrats gathered statewide to select their delegates to the Democratic Convention in Denver late this summer. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Tri-city Hospital workers agree to unionize. NCTimes

I wonder if Carl DeMaio with be attending? Sanders praised as he give opening remarks at national Log Cabin Republicans meeting here in San Diego. UT

Will council vote to cut off legal fees for ex-city officials? UT

Coastal Commission gave approval for redevelopment of Imperial Beach hotel. UT

State commission approves spending $400 million on transit project in the Otay/ San Ysidro border crossing region. UT

Toll road agency mislead Feds regarding Army Corps of Engineers support of project. UT

Thursday - Quick Hits

Must be an election year, mayor Sanders moves to close controversial pension program. UT

Police officers agree to a 6% pay raise. UT

Chula Vista councilman Steve Castaneda to testify in his trial. UT

Mayor Sanders steals an idea from Steve Francis, and wants the CCDC to help pay for the bonds that built Petco Park. UT

Carlsbad Desal plant gets a conditional go-ahead from San Diego County Water Resources Board. UT

Ports seeks to fight developer sponsored ballot proposal aimed at turning 10th Ave. Terminal into a stadium. VOSD

Wednesday - Quick Hits

City Attorney Aguirre skips last night's debate, doubtful for tonight's debate. UT

Mayor Sanders seeks council approval of $574 million in capital upgrades to the city. UT

Chula Vista councilman Steve Castaneda perjury trial begins today. UT

Sen. Ducheny's attempt to gut the California Coastal Commission fails in State Senate. UT

Councilman Scott Peters seeks to table parking meters proposal for La Jolla. UT

PUC heard testimony yesterday regarding the fire danger that Sunrise Powerlink poses. UT

Housing crisis continues as March was the worst month yet for home sales in county. NCTimes

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Street Scene set to return to the downtown streets that give it its birth back in 1983. UT

Not a good sign, Agurrie falls short on fundraising. Has only raised $7400 between Jan 1 and Mar 17. UT

Council approves mini-dorm ordinance. UT

Scripps Research Institute plans first new medical school in U.S. in 40 years. UT

City council committee pushes forward with recommendation to hire 17 more auditors. UT

Marti Emerald raises more money than April Boling in D7, Steve Whitburn barely out raises Todd Gloria in D3. UT

Steve Francis is outspending Jerry Sanders 4 to 1 in mayoral race. UT

President of Vista Unified School Board to run for Oceanside city council. UT

Monday - Quick Hits

Sanders names two to stadium advisory board. UT


Mexican officials belive they have arrested a top member of the Arellano drug cartel. UT


Seven local students honored as some of the state's top scholars by the governor. UT


After first week, Sprinter rail service getting positive reviews. UT

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Another gun battle in Tijuana, this time between the army and members of a kidnapping ring. UT

Sanders begins radio ad push for re-election. UT

Peters presently is an "inactive" member of State Bar. VOSD

Questions being raised on how Red Cross spent donation money during wildfires. UT

Council votes to put measure on ballot, that would allow the mayor to continue selecting the city auditor. UT VOSD

National City may join plan to zone waterfront between residents and industry. UT

Carlsbad set to vote on pay raise for city workers. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Documents reveal that city council granted Mike Aguirre permission to litigate over pension benefits. UT

Brian Maienschein officially kicks off his campaign for city attorney. UT

Art Madrid saga continues as La Mesa city council probe into the incident. UT

What about Floyd Morrow? Steve Francis wants to have 8 debates with Mayor Sanders. UT

Tri-city decides against placing another bond measure on June ballot. UT NCTimes