Overheard in Fog City

By Luke Thomas

February 23, 2007

Leno makes it officially official - Drum roll please!

… after all these weeks of spirited speculation, Assemblymember Mark Leno has officially declared his bid to unseat District 3 Senator Carole Migden.

Leno made his challenge officially official Thursday with an invitation to his kickoff campaign at Yerba Buena Gardens, Esplanade, Friday March 2nd at noon.

Leno told Fog City he's been communicating with elected and community leaders in Marin and Sonoma Counties who are welcoming Leno's entry into the race.

"There is great interest in there being a choice of candidates," Leno reported.

Leno also said a statement from the pollster that conducted an "encouraging" December poll will be issued by the pollster after March 2.

Mayoral candidates champing at the bit - update

Word has it City Attorney Dennis Herrera has been lunching with Jack Davis. Perhaps they have been discussing the weather? You know, the rain that has been falling on the Gavster.

Gonzalez remains mum…

Daly doesn't want to get divorced…

Mirkarimi's comfortable on the sidelines, for now...

Peskin's a no comment kind of guy...

Lonnie Holmes, Lonnie who? A San Francisco probabtion analyst, once overlooked by Newsom for the position of Juvenile Probation Chief, a position currently occupied by Bob Sifferman, is rumored to be mulling a mayoral challenge.

The convenience of confidentiality and the abuse of a good program

We may never know who participated in donating paid sick time to Ruby Rippey-Tourk, or when the time was donated. The T.J Anthony inspired Catastrophic Illness Program ordinance states, "The names of employees donating hours pursuant to this provision are to remain confidential."

The ordinace also defines catastrophic illness as "a life threatening illness or injury as determined by the Department of Public Health."

We do know T.J. Anthony succombed to the ravages of HIV/AIDS, a catastrophic illness by anyone's definition.

Rippey-Tourk, on the other hand, sought treatment for a drug and alcohol problem and then went on a life-threatning all expenses paid getaway to Morocco to soak up the environs of her hotel room.

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