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Union-Tribune obituary Allard Roen omits mob connections
It's not just Jennifer and Toni who are hitched...seems we're all married to the mob here in San Diego, and getting a divorce looks dicey. Don Bauder, who has been measured for cement boots more than once, and Matt Potter, who once had a dead fish with his name on it delivered to the Reader office, are two of the most courageous journalists in San Diego. They're too often alone in their willingness to lift up the paving stones and see what scuttles around in the dirt underneath. For this public service, they have been belittled, locked out, distrusted, and cursed by the establishment. If we stand any chance of cleaning up this town, it will be because the Reader, Voice of San Diego, and City Beat had the fortitude to stand up to the entrenched few who think they own this town. That the UT would once again distort the truth to protect their blood-brothers is no surprise at all. As to getting a "get out of jail free" card, those are reserved only for officials at SEDC and CCDC, as well as members of the City Council who put their fingers in the cookie jar.— September 11, 2008 10:47 a.m.
301 Returns
Update: Jennifer "Nancy Graham is my Friend" LeSar and Toni "Heckuva Job CCDC" Atkins are now officially married. Whether either will recuse themselves from future votes at CCDC and the Council is doubtful. I wish the newlyweds all the best.— September 11, 2008 10:29 a.m.
Whitburn Stands up for San Diego
Hi Kookoodiego, Gloria's a very personable fellow. He's probably great fun to drink with in a go-go bar. I just don't want him on the City Council. I simply question his judgment. He's gotten in bed with the developers and insiders who have so sullied San Diego's reputation. He's not volunteering his time in "public" service. He's receiving 100% taxpayer supported salary -- even while he's out campaigning full time. Meanwhile, I repeat my question...where's the affordable housing? The Housing Commission is now in the cross hairs, following revelations at CCDC and SEDC. Where has all that money gone? It certainly doesn't seem to have created any affordable housing that I can see. In public forums, Gloria claims to have done more than anyone to secure affordable housing. Fair enough...tell us where and how much it cost. We need an independent audit of the Housing Commission...something Gloria opposes. Similarly, we are owed an explanation of why all these developers are bundling contributions to Gloria's campaign. What do they expect in return? Don't pull out the old line about there being no quid pro quo. We've heard that a lot over the years and it never turns out to be true. We cannot just trust his declaration that he'll work for the public good at face value. We've already seen his character flaws. The Labor Council's price for an endorsement was the betrayal of Donna Frye. Whitburn bravely refused. Gloria eagerly promised to support dim-bulb Ben Hueso as the next Council President. Gloria got the endorsement. Kookoodiego, I don't intend to "trash talk", but to lay out the facts as I see them and explain my reasons for not trusting any candidate who is tight with the special interests. If you have evidence to the contrary, please present it. Just claiming that I'm somehow smearing is insufficient. Do you deny that Gloria takes money from Manchester's anti-gay cronies? Do you deny that Gloria takes the vast majority of his campaign contributions from developers? Why are defense contractors giving money to Gloria? Do they want something from Susan Davis, Gloria's over-generous boss who keeps paying his salary even when he's evidently not doing anything related to his taxpayer supported job? Do you deny that the Housing Commission Gloria is so proud of has done very little to address affordable housing in San Diego? If not, then you must agree that these facts are relevant to the voters in District 3. Not smears, but plain facts to be assessed when comparing candidates. Again, if you have a real name, I'd appreciate your using it. This is important stuff, and hiding behind a pseudonym is a bit weak, don't you think? Thank you for your comments. See you on the campaign trail. Best, Fred— September 11, 2008 9:07 a.m.
Whitburn Stands up for San Diego
Hi SouthParkBob! Got a real name, by chance? I didn't see Gloria out there on Sunday announcing his opposition to 301 University...but I have seen his campaign contributors list. It's filled with developers and their friends. And how 'bout that Housing Commission he sits on? After the CCDC and SEDC frauds, it looks like they're the next to go under the auditor microscope. Should be interesting to see where all that money for affordable housing has gone, because I sure don't see any affordable housing in these parts. Todd Gloria has some fast talking ahead to explain away his official role in that fiasco...and why does Todd take money from Doug Manchester's people? Is he also campaigning for Proposition H8, or will he take cash from any john that comes along? You can see why I'm supporting Stephen Whitburn over your buddy Todd. The Reader in no way whatsoever tells me what to write. So if you have complaints, they're with me, not the publisher. Best wishes, and thank you for commenting. Fred— September 10, 2008 6:22 p.m.
301 Returns
You must have misquoted Atkins...she probably said, "I'm little concerned....", since she's a lame duck who's already looking for a new roost. Perhaps Atkins' girlfriend Jennifer "I trust Nancy Graham" LeSar has already lined up a lucrative position for her with the developers. Thank goodness for people like Stephen Whitburn are stepping forward to protect our neighborhoods from erecting ugly skyscrapers where they clearly don't belong. How the developer could come back with an even bigger and badder plan is beyond comprehension. Until Hillcrest and our other central communities have an honest representative like Whitburn on the City Council, we should expect more of the same. Delay, deny, deceive...— September 10, 2008 5:09 p.m.
Union-Tribune obituary Allard Roen omits mob connections
Don, please do tell us that story about the drug money that finances San Diego real estate. For some reason, I bet CCDC is involved somehow...— September 10, 2008 5:02 p.m.
Brookes Avenue Speedway
Fumber, when I was kissing you last night you didn't say that...— September 10, 2008 4:47 p.m.
No cigar
Enro...oops, I mean Sempra just keeps on corrupting America. Even Alaska isn't free of their greedy grasp. And...surprise, surprise, yet ANOTHER Sempra executive is so filled with bigotry that he feels compelled to give big bucks to Proposition H8. With right-wing evangelicals from Enr...oops, I mean Sempra meddling in political causes, no wonder they always have such good access to local, state, and national politicians who will do their bidding while the rest of us watch in disbelief. If anyone has missed it, I highly recommend the documentary "The Smartest Guys in the Room", which details how Sempr...oops, I mean Enron, ripped off California and not only profited but caused rolling blackouts in our state. Matt, I wonder just how many former Enron staff are now employed at Sempra... Best, Fred— September 10, 2008 4:37 p.m.
Extremism in the defense of politics
Where do you have your coffee? I wanna get in on this conversation, A2Z. Fred— September 8, 2008 12:16 p.m.
Brookes Avenue Speedway
It continues to amaze me that Toni Atkins is so out of touch with her constituents. This is something that she should have taken care of BEFORE construction started. Instead, the neighbors have to complain, and then are dismissed as "gadflies" and ignored until someone gets killed. I wish the residents luck. Until we've got better representation on the city council, this kind of thing will continue.— September 8, 2008 12:14 p.m.