Ben Hueso Happened

Disclosure: I work for the Courage Campaign which has worked on the Blackwater issue, but these opinions are my own.

Earlier this week, I asked What the Hell happened in San Diego in the June 3 election. I explored a particularly underwhelming electoral performance and noted that there was a massive failure of leadership from the city's elected Democrats (active and retired). Councilmember Donna Frye supported GOP mayoral challenger Steve Francis and Council President Scott Peters ran against the Democratic incumbent City Attorney Mike Aguirre. Incidentally, both Francis and Peters failed to make it to the November runoff.

Then yesterday it happened again. Councilmember Ben Hueso, who in May was rallying to Block Blackwater in his council district, announced his endorsement of Republican city attorney candidate Jan Goldsmith. This is particularly notable because Goldsmith's opponent is incumbent Mike Aguirre. Aguirre has been a champion for the city in the fight to force Blackwater's permits into public hearing at a time when a number of other city leaders have...attended a rally and then thrown up their hands.

If Jan Goldsmith as City Attorney would go to bat over Blackwater or any other number of issues that might be uncomfortable for the Mayor or inconvenient for the City Council, I would be absolutely flabbergasted. The campaign, like every other challenge to Aguirre this year, has been centered around a promise to sit down and shut up. The last thing this city needs is another elected official who doesn't have the necessary combination of power and motivation to force important issues.

As the UT newsblog notes, Hueso and Aguirre have never exactly been close. And Aguirre has taken a lot of flack throughout his term as City Attorney for his rabid pursuit of Mayor Jerry Sanders for all manner of scandal- real or imagined. But as Councilmember Hueso well knows because he's at the meetings, the City Council hasn't exactly put on a clinic when it comes to keeping mayoral power checked by the legislative branch. Fighting the good fight has consistently taken a back seat over the past two and a half years to misguided "pragmatism" that largely allowed Mayor Sanders to get anything he wanted.

So what we're left with is Ben Hueso surveying this scene- Mayor Sanders re-elected to a second term with what CW will term a convincing mandate (it's not, the turnout was too low to carry a mandate) and a City Council that will likely go from a narrow Democratic advantage to an even split, further neutering a body that had given itself over to the inevitability of the Strong Mayor government- and deciding that the best thing for the city is that the single dissonant voice of any weight in the city government should be replaced by, as the UT put it,

Hueso said the city attorney's political persuasion is less important to him than getting "the best legal advice."

If the Democratic Party in San Diego is ever going to be able to capitalize on the tremendous infrastructure building being done at the precinct and street-corner level, leading Democrats need to stop undercutting both their party and basic points of fundamental governance at every opportunity.

What happened in San Diego? Ben Hueso and destructive politics like this happened.

Cross posted at Calitics

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.

Monday - Quick Hits

New and improved Steve Francis cites his passion for his success. UT

City selects oak trees to replace eucalyptus trees as part of Balboa Park's reforestation plan. UT

In its typical fashion, UT carries water for pro-city charter position up in Carlsbad. UT

City of Oceanside to hear presentation from developer regarding the largest deployments in the city's history. NCTimes

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

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

Eff It

The Jerry Sanders F-bomb saga made it all the way to the Sacramento Bee and I'm not convinced it's done spreading. So it's probably worth noting that Jerry Sanders has a pretty good point: so far this race ain't about the issues. The blame doesn't lie anywhere in particular, since for every fluff media story you can find a substantive one that everyone ignored and you can probably find a fluffy press release from the Mayor's office. For every substance-less maneuver by Steve Francis, you can find a substantive issue that Mayor Sanders would presumably rather not discuss (crumbling infrastructure, reductions in city services, catastrophic fire, Sunroad, Sunrise, City Charter, etc.).

If Sanders is frustrated by a perceived political superficiality in San Diego, I'm happy to welcome him to the party. But I'd also note that he's waking up in a bed he helped make. The Sanders years have done little to assuage the sense of distrust held validly by many in this city. His development plans have disrupted the development of neighborhoods, his backroom dealings and cronyism have fanned the flames of cynicism, and his transparent attempts to consolidate power undermine his credibility as a noble or honest broker.

He may be frustrated by the recent superficiality, petty behavior and lack of engagement around town, but if he's going to start throwing around the blame, he should remember to check the mirror too.

Monday - Quick Hits

County planning on leasing three planes for firefighting. UT

Mayoral candidate Steve Francis is spending very generously on television ads. UT

All candidates for City Attorney agree on the role and functions for the office. UT

Thousands showed up to Balboa Park yesterday to celebrate Earth Day. UT

Day laborers are finding a harder time getting hired. NCTimes

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

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

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

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Housing crisis continues, tax-delinquent properties up for auction by the county on Friday. UT

Fun times in the mayoral race, Steve Francis to begin airing television commercial starting today. UT VOSD

The soap opera that doesn't want to end. Aguirre believes politics played a role in the State Bar Association probe. UT

Makeover plan for the downtown Civic Center heads to public hearings. UT

Caltrans to meet today to review the possibility of an Otay East border crossing. UT

Floyd Morrow Pulls Nomination Papers for Mayor

I just received confirmation that former city councilman and former San Diego County Democratic Party chair, Floyd Morrow has pulled nomination papers to run for mayor. So now Morrow (D) and Steve Francis (R) look to challenge Mayor Sanders (R). At the very least, it is good to see that Sanders will not have the luxury of just waltzing his way through the process. We can hope for some strong debates between all sides.

Steve Francis Shows up at Democratic Party Election Nite Event

I hear that mayoral candidate Steve Francis made a late appearance at the official San Diego County Democratic Party Election Nite Event. It was held at the Eagles Lodge in Hillcrest. From what I have been told about half the crowd had already gone home by the time Mr. Francis showed up, but that didn't prevent him from going around and working the room for votes. At one point he got into quite the discussion over virtues of outsourcing with a member of the Democratic Central Committee who happens to work for SEIU.

Memo to Steve Francis: The Annual County Democratic Party dinner is scheduled for Saturday night April 12th. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having you purchase a table or two for the dinner. I hear there is going to be a good speaker this year.

Wednesday - Quick Hits

It is official, Steve Francis announces his candidacy for mayor. UT VOSD

One-year long Alcohol Ban goes begins on city beaches. UT

Demolition of UCSD Chancellor's House has had another setup back. UT

Another high-ranking Tijuana police official and his family have been killed. UT

Continuing signs of housing crisis, foreclosures in county increase 328% from year before. NC Times

Council has settled Mt. Soledad Cross suit, will pay legal fees of activist that brought suit. VOSD

Tuesday - Quick Hits

City Council unanimously approved mini-dorm ordinance. UT

Better luck next time, attempt to lift Alcohol Beach Ban fall short on valid signatures. UT

Opponents of Fanita Ranch development in Santee miss critical ballot deadline, now take their effort to court. UT

After months of speculation, Steve Francis is going to formally enter the mayor's race today. UT

City Council decided to split charter changes across two elections. UT

Two environmental groups to take California Coastal Commission to court over decision on Carlsbad desal project. UT

Supporters of Prop 92 rallied at Palomar College yesterday. NC Times

Monday - Quick Hits

Steve Francis to make it official, that he is running for mayor tomorrow. VOSD

Still no news on new Superintendent of San Diego Unified, Board will meet again on Thursday. VOSD

National City agrees to increase the pay to consulting firm that is working on new land-use plan for city. UT

D.A. Bonnie Dumanis joins other D.A.s from around country in amicus brief on behalf of D.C. handgun ban. UT

"America's Sheriff" Mike Corona is retiring to focus on his corruption case. UT

Race for San Diego is heating up!

For those interested the California Republican Party (CRP) they have issued a press release of a New Finance Director, Molly Parnell. It seems the former Finance Chair, Steven C. Francis, is no longer around, except on their website. As they said in Usual Suspects, "And like that, he's gone." The CRP update comes a day before Charles Gallagher made the call into Voice of San Diego that "if" Steve runs for mayor, then he will be his campaign manager.

I don't think Kris Mitchell and Fred Sainz feel these are good signs for their hope of a smooth re-election bid, because they probably don't see Jim Bell and Rocky Neptun as real heavy weight challengers.

San Diego City Council Grows Balls

So, it finally happened. The San Diego City Council actually overrode a mayoral veto yesterday. With a 5 to 3 super-majority, Councilmembers Atkins, Frye, Hueso, Madaffer and Peters showed Mayor Jerry Sanders that public policy is more important that public relations. The controversial "toilet to tap" study that the City Council approved earlier this month was vetoed by Sanders, partially because of the "yuck" factor. Well, wake up Sanders - you are already drinking treated sewage that is put into the Colorado River upstream. Cost may be an initial factor, but Sanders should realize the potential costs for our economy as we face another drought. Kudos to the City Council, for showing true leadership in this time of crisis. And where was Mayor Sanders? According to his spokesman Fred Sainz "at the movies". (This was written in the union tribune, and I refuse to link to that rag).

Without a viable Democrat in the race, Mayor Francis is sounding better and better to this progressive everyday.

Warning Shot Fired at Steve Francis

Over at the UT's "Finest Blog" resident Bob Kittle lapdog, Chris Reed fired off what clearly is a warning shot at Steve Francis regarding his potential challenge to Jerry Sanders for mayor. In a post on Friday afternoon Reed writes:

Just when it looks like San Diego is on track to rid itself next year of its out-of-control city attorney, Francis is apparently gearing up to run a heavily funded campaign that will depict Mayor Jerry Sanders as the city's biggest problem while ignoring Aguirre.

In so doing, Francis would directly challenge the emerging narrative that holds Aguirre accountable for all he has done to hurt the city. Such a campaign would also undermine the emerging awareness of reformers that while City Hall is still sleazy, Aguirre's antics (kind word) actually hurt the cause of reform.[Link]

This is Reed at his best, carrying the water for the UT (i.e. Republican Party establishment) in stating the standard talking point on Mike Aguirre. He also echos the recent concern I have heard from the anti-Aguirre camp when he further states:

If Francis pulls his punches on Aguirre and allows for the emergence of a de facto unified Francis-Aguirre front against the mayor, watch out. Mike can revive his old tropes by saying, "Look! Steve Francis agrees with me!"

If you asked me today whom I would vote for mayor next year, I would say I don't know. But if Francis runs a campaign that helps rehabilitate Aguirre, I wouldn't vote
for him in a million years.

Every single campaign forum, Francis should be pressed to offer a clear and coherent analysis of Aguirre's job performance. If he doesn't admit that Aguirre has been a big reason why Sanders has never really hit his stride, that should be held against him.[Link]

Without a prominent Democratic to run for mayor next year (and no, I don't consider Donna Fyre that person), the warning to Francis is quite clear. Steve, we don't mind if you want to spend several million dollars of your own money in another quixotic run for mayor, but don't you get in our way as we try to wrestle back the City Attorney from Mike Aguirre.

I always thought Chris Reed was supposed to be the big "independent" thinker on the UT editorial board. I guess not, since it appears that he needs to stay in favor with Bob Kittle.

Dots now connected to the People’s Ordinance

Back in August I posted how I thought it was interesting Craig Benedetto wrote in the Voice of San Diego Cafe about the People's Ordinance. I called it a test ballon.

Well, the balloon has flown and now it is time for the real deal. Mayor Jerry Sander's is now looking to move at outsourcing its waste collection. Down the road, when the cost goes up from increase charges of the outside company, like at the City of Imperial Beach, then the residents of San Diego should expect to start paying for their trash hauling.

Well, I guess if Steve Frances does challenge Mayor Sanders re-election, then the Mayor will need more money to compete and we are not talking managed competition here. So, he is moving to outsource and start the fundraising or I mean to say start the outsource bidding process.