Saturday, March 8, 2008
Francis hits the Mail
Steve Francis has taken his pitch to the mailboxes, it seems. A friend of mine told me this evening that she received an 8 page mailer from Steve Francis - proclaiming him to be the "independent for mayor." (She is a Democrat, PAV) The mail piece was described as a typical introduction piece, just like his commercials, with pictures of him and wife, him as a boy scout, etc. Nothing about his right of center politics, just feel good stuff. Anyone know who is doing his mail?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friday - Quick Hits
I'm shocked! Another anti-Aguirre piece in the UT today. UT
The 9th circuit strikes again. Revives defamation suit against Supervisor Dianne Jacobs. UT
From the irony department, the UT decries the partisanship in city council races. UT
More on Art Madrid. Now La Mesa councilmember want county D.A. to investigate Madrid incident. UT
Residents in Kensington a going to court to stop the development of Kensington Terrace. UT
The Sprinter rail service hasn't even started yet, and NCTD to be fined for water pollution violations. UT NCTimes
The 9th circuit strikes again. Revives defamation suit against Supervisor Dianne Jacobs. UT
From the irony department, the UT decries the partisanship in city council races. UT
More on Art Madrid. Now La Mesa councilmember want county D.A. to investigate Madrid incident. UT
Residents in Kensington a going to court to stop the development of Kensington Terrace. UT
The Sprinter rail service hasn't even started yet, and NCTD to be fined for water pollution violations. UT NCTimes
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Hypocrite Sal Rosselli Exposed!
A letter was sent by Tyrone Freeman the President of SEIU-ULTCWU to Sal Rosselli the President of SEIU-UHW-West.
In the letter Tyrone tells Sal that he just learned that Sal has been having secret back-door meetings and deals with a group of nursing home employers over economic issues covering bargaining unit workers where the two SEIU unions have joint representation to a master collective bargaining agreement. He goes on to say it is a violation of the responsibility and fiduciary duties of a union leader and in violation of the fundamental principles of trade union democracy.
The secret deal was signed by Sal's union on 1/21/08 with the employers of Covenant Care, Kindred, Country Villa, Sun and Salva. None of SEIU-ULTCWU members or even their staff were apart of the agreement or conversations, which means member contracts were being negotiated without the members or their knowledge. The reason for this posting is the hypocrisy of Sal, who has tried to call out SEIU International's President Andy Stern for doing exactly what Sal is now caught doing himself, making deals with employers without member involvement. In addition, Tyrone states Sal has been doing this without Sal's own members, the rank and file workers, but a group of hand picked workers bound to the secrecy of a pledge.
The secret agreement uncovered states that both sides (Sal's union and the employers) will be "off-the-record", except where terms of this agreement are sought to be enforced, absent the written consent of all parties. It goes on that all parties shall not disclose their conversations to the media, the NLRB, or other government agencies, a mediator, arbitrator or court of law. However, if you are under oath with a THREAT of judicial contempt, then tell the parties, before testifying.
Tomorrow in Los Angeles Sal is arranging a protest of Andy for what Sal has just been caught doing. The interesting question who now turns out, who turns out knows about this back door deal and will they still support Sal? Finally, will Sal's own members believe these uncovered documents or follow him blindly into the abyss.
In the letter Tyrone tells Sal that he just learned that Sal has been having secret back-door meetings and deals with a group of nursing home employers over economic issues covering bargaining unit workers where the two SEIU unions have joint representation to a master collective bargaining agreement. He goes on to say it is a violation of the responsibility and fiduciary duties of a union leader and in violation of the fundamental principles of trade union democracy.
The secret deal was signed by Sal's union on 1/21/08 with the employers of Covenant Care, Kindred, Country Villa, Sun and Salva. None of SEIU-ULTCWU members or even their staff were apart of the agreement or conversations, which means member contracts were being negotiated without the members or their knowledge. The reason for this posting is the hypocrisy of Sal, who has tried to call out SEIU International's President Andy Stern for doing exactly what Sal is now caught doing himself, making deals with employers without member involvement. In addition, Tyrone states Sal has been doing this without Sal's own members, the rank and file workers, but a group of hand picked workers bound to the secrecy of a pledge.
The secret agreement uncovered states that both sides (Sal's union and the employers) will be "off-the-record", except where terms of this agreement are sought to be enforced, absent the written consent of all parties. It goes on that all parties shall not disclose their conversations to the media, the NLRB, or other government agencies, a mediator, arbitrator or court of law. However, if you are under oath with a THREAT of judicial contempt, then tell the parties, before testifying.
Tomorrow in Los Angeles Sal is arranging a protest of Andy for what Sal has just been caught doing. The interesting question who now turns out, who turns out knows about this back door deal and will they still support Sal? Finally, will Sal's own members believe these uncovered documents or follow him blindly into the abyss.
Cross-posted at Calitics.
Thursday - Quick Hits
Old Police headquarters on Market St. is headed for redevelopment as a commercial center. UT
Wow! The UT has discovered that gay people live in other neighborhoods besides Hillcrest. UT
Art Madrid saga continues. Independent investigator might be hired as early as next week. UT
Still more on Art Madrid. La Mesa Police release dispatches from night of incident. UT
County's top administrator to pen a column on the life and times of being a government bureaucrat. UT
Mini-dorm ordinance is headed back to city council for approval. UT
SANDAG panel asserts that Sunrise Powerlink contradicts San Diego County's long range energy goal. NCTimes
Wow! The UT has discovered that gay people live in other neighborhoods besides Hillcrest. UT
Art Madrid saga continues. Independent investigator might be hired as early as next week. UT
Still more on Art Madrid. La Mesa Police release dispatches from night of incident. UT
County's top administrator to pen a column on the life and times of being a government bureaucrat. UT
Mini-dorm ordinance is headed back to city council for approval. UT
SANDAG panel asserts that Sunrise Powerlink contradicts San Diego County's long range energy goal. NCTimes
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Enviros split endorsement in D3
I received an interesting announcement today. The League of Conservation Voters San Diego chose to support Todd Gloria in the San Diego City Council District 3 race. Anyone who has been watching this race closely has to be a little surprised. The Sierra Club came out early to support Stephen Whitburn and John Hartley, basically saying anyone but Gloria. Then, there was a lot of talk about the number of enviros that were lining up for Whitburn, because of all the developer money that showed up on Gloria's campaign disclosures. So, how did he squeeze a sole endorsement from the League? Their board is full of real enviros, so this is really a coup for Gloria. Or, maybe a signal that people on the ground think he has it tied up?
Wednesday - Quick Hits
With real estate crisis, city is having hard time selling property to meet budget shortfall. UT
Oceanside school officials decide to place $195 million bond measure on June ballot. UT
SDGE agrees to tear down steel power towers along bay front in Chula Vista. UT
Fair and balanced UT still doing the PR work for Gaylord Entertainment. UT
UCR wants to build medical school. UT
Oceanside school officials decide to place $195 million bond measure on June ballot. UT
SDGE agrees to tear down steel power towers along bay front in Chula Vista. UT
Fair and balanced UT still doing the PR work for Gaylord Entertainment. UT
UCR wants to build medical school. UT
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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
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
Monday, March 3, 2008
San Diego Ready to Build Up, Not Out
For the first time since 1979, the City of San Diego is reviewing and updating its general plan for growth and development. The report is more than 300 pages long and not even *I* am nerd enough to read it all (ok, not yet), but it's kicking up quite a stir as it recommends a rather dramatic shift to infill, redevelopment and other building up instead of out priorities. Why the shift? Well, there's no more room. As the U-T points out, only 4% of San Diego remains open for new development. Which means it's time to start thinking like an actual city instead of neverending suburbia.
This notion has of course stirred up plenty of controversy. Some of it is legitimate, like Councilmember Donna Frye's concerns about infrastructure and services keeping up with increased density. Some of it is mostly just people just trying to cover their own butts without regard for the broader picture. I'm all for making sure that the projects are executed correctly, but criticisms along the lines of "if it's done wrong, it'll be bad" really don't help me much.
Calitics has, on many occasions, discussed the need to change the way California thinks about development. Robert in Monterey has led the way on the notion that building density and a non-car based transportation system is key to the next generation of planning. So while I'm cynical like many people around town who say "The plan has these wonderful platitudes but on every page," I'm also encouraged by just the notion of setting a goal of building forward-thinking urban density.
San Diego's take on it will apparently focus on these ten priorities:
This notion has of course stirred up plenty of controversy. Some of it is legitimate, like Councilmember Donna Frye's concerns about infrastructure and services keeping up with increased density. Some of it is mostly just people just trying to cover their own butts without regard for the broader picture. I'm all for making sure that the projects are executed correctly, but criticisms along the lines of "if it's done wrong, it'll be bad" really don't help me much.
Calitics has, on many occasions, discussed the need to change the way California thinks about development. Robert in Monterey has led the way on the notion that building density and a non-car based transportation system is key to the next generation of planning. So while I'm cynical like many people around town who say "The plan has these wonderful platitudes but on every page," I'm also encouraged by just the notion of setting a goal of building forward-thinking urban density.
San Diego's take on it will apparently focus on these ten priorities:
The proposed new blueprint for San Diego is guided by 10 principles. They are:Mayor Jerry Sanders, in a serious battle with fellow right-winger Steve Francis (hitting from the left and the right cause there's no major Dem in the race) for November's mayoral election, is dusting off his anti-labor credentials by complaining about the promotion of living wage regulation for low-wage industries like, say, tourism. Center for Policy Initiatives has coincidentally (not at all a coincidence) reminded San Diegans this week that the local economy has not exactly been churning out the big bucks (pdf). Via email:
An open-space network formed by parks, canyons, river valleys, habitats, beaches and ocean.
Diverse residential communities formed by the open-space network.
Compact and walkable mixed-use villages.
Employment centers for a strong economy.
A regional transportation network of walkways, bikeways, transit, roadways and freeways that link communities to each other and to employment centers.
High quality, affordable and well-maintained public facilities.
Historic districts and sites that respect San Diego's heritage.
Balanced communities that offer opportunities for all San Diegans.
A clean and sustainable environment.
A high aesthetic standard.
In San Diego County, two-thirds of all jobs created since 1990 are in the bottom third of wage levels -- with median pay of $24,500 a year. Research from the California Budget Project shows that even a person living alone needs $28,000 a year to meet basic living expenses in our county.
Nice. So San Diego is producing jobs that pay too little to live in San Diego, thus the living wage is a bad idea. Clearly. Living is bad. Affording to live in San Diego is bad for the local economy. Jerry Sanders is an economic mastermind.
But where this really will start hitting problems is when people have to pay for it. Not because people are unwilling to pay for good stuff, but because of the near-toxic combination of politicians who demonize government inefficiency (that they contribute to), the media that laps up the notion (because it's easier than being a legitimate watchdog), and the years of (to put it nicely) crap government in San Diego.
But as Planning Commission Chairman Barry Schultz puts it, "if we want to have this vision we have to be willing to contribute our part."
Exactly.
Cross posted from Calitics
Monday - Quick Hits
I think the word is called zoning. Groups seek to created a buffer zone between residents and waterfront. UT
Extension of Route 52 to connect with Route 67 is underway. Don't expect to drive on it until 2010. UT
Firefighters use controversial Sunroad building as part of training exercise. UT
NCTD ironing out last of the problems before the Sprinter rail service starts. UT
Questions continue to pile up regarding the desal project in Carlsbad. NCTimes
Extension of Route 52 to connect with Route 67 is underway. Don't expect to drive on it until 2010. UT
Firefighters use controversial Sunroad building as part of training exercise. UT
NCTD ironing out last of the problems before the Sprinter rail service starts. UT
Questions continue to pile up regarding the desal project in Carlsbad. NCTimes
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Everyone think they are Obama these days
It seems every where you go in Democratic circles these days every candidate is comparing themselves to Obama. Mike Aguirre made the comparison in Voice of San Diego . Auday Arabo has been drawing the comparison, as stated in a previous post. So, where are our local Hillarys?
Questions about the local GOP
1) There looks to be a number of Ron Paul supporters taking out papers for Republican Central Committee. Will it make a difference in what the San Diego Republican Party does?
2) Give the number of IE’s, donors, and others involved in elections, does the San Diego Republican Party actually matter or is it a straw man for other interests that can actually get something done?
3) Given the bang–up job that Nehring is doing in Sacramento, can we expect a similar legacy of “leadership” from the San Diego Republican Party?
2) Give the number of IE’s, donors, and others involved in elections, does the San Diego Republican Party actually matter or is it a straw man for other interests that can actually get something done?
3) Given the bang–up job that Nehring is doing in Sacramento, can we expect a similar legacy of “leadership” from the San Diego Republican Party?
Friday, February 29, 2008
New Candidate in District 5?
Well, I guess it is official. Republican Carl Demaio will face a serious challenger in d5. The County Clerk shows a George George pulled papers today. Funny name. But, he is legit. Has Jen Tierney as a consultant (think consultant to Bonnie Dumanis, Kevin Faulconer, Todd Gloria, Michael Zucchett, Firefighters) I hear he is a retired Fire Chief. Not bad for a district that just was so heavily affected by the fires. Also, I hear he is a VERY moderate. Perfect! Now, if only someone would start telling the truth about Carl Demaio. I anticipate that day will come.
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
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
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Developers are biggest donors in San Diego elections
Developers are biggest donors in San Diego elections
CPI analysis reveals campaign contributions by industry
The big money in this year's San Diego city elections is coming from the real estate and development industry.
Donors connected to real estate and development interests already have given $228,345 -- far more than any other industry -- to the campaigns for mayor, city attorney and four city council seats. That’s 21 percent of the total $1.08 million the candidates received from donors in 2007. Candidates gave another $280,105 to their own campaigns.
The industry analysis by the Center on Policy Initiatives is based on donations made through December, which candidates had to report to the city clerk on Jan. 31. The next filing of donations received since then will be on March 24.
CPI makes all the reported donations available in an online, searchable database called Follow the Money. The industry categories are assigned based on the occupation and employer information supplied by donors.
Real estate and development was the biggest spending industry in all six contests, topped only by the total for miscellaneous individuals in two races and by the aggregated sector of lawyers, lobbyists and advocacy organizations in the city attorney's race.
The largest chunk of the real estate and development money -- $90,803 -- has gone to the mayoral race, all of it to incumbent Jerry Sanders, since challenger Steve Francis is self-funding his campaign. Development-connected donors also have given $49,970 in the District 5 Council race, 94% of it to candidate Carl DeMaio.
Other sectors contributing sizable amounts, and their totals for the six campaigns, include:
· Lawyers, lobbyists and advocacy organizations: $117,923
· Finance and insurance: $76,560
· High-tech and biotech: $62,932
· Business services: $62, 575
· Tourism: $54,218
For more details, the Follow the Money database can be searched by donor name, employer and other factors. Candidates who did not file statements with at least $1,000 in contributions by Dec. 31 are not included. Loans and independent expenditures by political organizations are not included.
CPI analysis reveals campaign contributions by industry
The big money in this year's San Diego city elections is coming from the real estate and development industry.
Donors connected to real estate and development interests already have given $228,345 -- far more than any other industry -- to the campaigns for mayor, city attorney and four city council seats. That’s 21 percent of the total $1.08 million the candidates received from donors in 2007. Candidates gave another $280,105 to their own campaigns.
The industry analysis by the Center on Policy Initiatives is based on donations made through December, which candidates had to report to the city clerk on Jan. 31. The next filing of donations received since then will be on March 24.
CPI makes all the reported donations available in an online, searchable database called Follow the Money. The industry categories are assigned based on the occupation and employer information supplied by donors.
Real estate and development was the biggest spending industry in all six contests, topped only by the total for miscellaneous individuals in two races and by the aggregated sector of lawyers, lobbyists and advocacy organizations in the city attorney's race.
The largest chunk of the real estate and development money -- $90,803 -- has gone to the mayoral race, all of it to incumbent Jerry Sanders, since challenger Steve Francis is self-funding his campaign. Development-connected donors also have given $49,970 in the District 5 Council race, 94% of it to candidate Carl DeMaio.
Other sectors contributing sizable amounts, and their totals for the six campaigns, include:
· Lawyers, lobbyists and advocacy organizations: $117,923
· Finance and insurance: $76,560
· High-tech and biotech: $62,932
· Business services: $62, 575
· Tourism: $54,218
For more details, the Follow the Money database can be searched by donor name, employer and other factors. Candidates who did not file statements with at least $1,000 in contributions by Dec. 31 are not included. Loans and independent expenditures by political organizations are not included.
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).
Thursday - Quick Hits
Art you should have called yourself a taxi. More questions being asked regarding special treatment by police for a drunken mayor of La Mesa. UT
Recruiting is up and attrition is down for San Diego Police since the pay raise last year. UT
State Sen. Christine Kehoe taking the lead on making it easier for communities to raise the revenue necessary for more fire protection. NCTimes
Noticeable positive effects since alcohol ban has gone into affect in beach area. UT
Three days of marathon hearing by the PUC over Sunrise Powerlink, vast overwhelming majority opposed to it. UT
City of Santee votes to become a charter city. Will place measure on November ballot. UT
Recruiting is up and attrition is down for San Diego Police since the pay raise last year. UT
State Sen. Christine Kehoe taking the lead on making it easier for communities to raise the revenue necessary for more fire protection. NCTimes
Noticeable positive effects since alcohol ban has gone into affect in beach area. UT
Three days of marathon hearing by the PUC over Sunrise Powerlink, vast overwhelming majority opposed to it. UT
City of Santee votes to become a charter city. Will place measure on November ballot. UT
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Karen Bass to be the Next Speaker of the Assembly
The SacBee is reporting tonight that:
Assemblywoman Karen Bass has secured the votes to become the next speaker of the California Assembly, elevating an African American woman to the post for the first time in California history, several Democratic colleagues said tonight. [Link]
This is great news since in my opinion the reign of Fabian Núñez as Assembly Speaker cannot come to an end soon enough.
What is going on in the City Attorney's Race?
For the last week, I have been hearing all sorts of things happenings in the race for city attorney. Take all of it with a grain of salt, but here is what I have heard from multiple sources.
Mike Aguirre: I have been told that Pat Flannery who publishes the Blog of San Diego, has taken on a prominent role in Aguirre's re-election campaign. You got to wonder how at good and open government type like Pat will get along with Al Ducheny, who I understand is managing Aguirre's campaign.
Dan Coffey: With Scott Peters entry into the race there has been an effort by the friends of Scott, to get some of the other Democrats to drop out of the race. Lee Burdick saw the handwriting on the wall; dropped out and endorsed Peters. As of this writing, I'm told that Dan Coffey has been approached but has decided to continue in the race.
Jan Goldsmith: This is the most interesting thing I have heard. Apparently, he was caught off guard by the entry of Brian Maienschein into the race and this has created a bit of turmoil in some Republican circles. I understand that he is having a harder time raising money than he expected. I have also been told that he really doesn't want to fight itout in a contested primary and might drop out of the race before the filing period ends.
Mike Aguirre: I have been told that Pat Flannery who publishes the Blog of San Diego, has taken on a prominent role in Aguirre's re-election campaign. You got to wonder how at good and open government type like Pat will get along with Al Ducheny, who I understand is managing Aguirre's campaign.
Dan Coffey: With Scott Peters entry into the race there has been an effort by the friends of Scott, to get some of the other Democrats to drop out of the race. Lee Burdick saw the handwriting on the wall; dropped out and endorsed Peters. As of this writing, I'm told that Dan Coffey has been approached but has decided to continue in the race.
Jan Goldsmith: This is the most interesting thing I have heard. Apparently, he was caught off guard by the entry of Brian Maienschein into the race and this has created a bit of turmoil in some Republican circles. I understand that he is having a harder time raising money than he expected. I have also been told that he really doesn't want to fight itout in a contested primary and might drop out of the race before the filing period ends.
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