By Luke Thomas
November 5, 2009
Alioto-Pier, Elsbernd defend feline digital amputation
An ordinance banning feline declawing (onychetomy) passed 9-2 on its first reading during the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. You’d think such an ordinance that seeks to protect cats from unnecessary mutilation would have passed 11-0, but no, Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean Elsbernd dissented.
Feline digital amputation is akin to humans having their fingers cut off at the last joint of each finger. Yummy!
Alioto-Pier, who told FCJ she has befriended a feral cat at her weekend retreat in St. Helena, explained her vote saying, “I’d rather see vets make these choices,” adding that government should not be involved in legislating animal mutilation bans.
Elsbernd similarly concurred in an email response saying, “If I owned a cat, I, personally would never consider this procedure. However, I believe that is a decision best left to individual cat owners and their vets.”
Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd
Newsom hurting
Mayor Gavin Newsom, who bowed out of the race for governor Friday, has not been seen or heard from since. Several insiders opine Newsom is in a world of hurt over a campaign that failed to gain traction. A friendly conversation with Newsom spokesperson Nathan Ballard yesterday revealed Newsom is “re-evaluating” his political options after “throwing in the towel,” that Newsom would return to City Hall “soon,” presumably after he returns from what must be a much needed respite in Hawaii.
No word yet on whether Newsom will opt to run for Lt. Governor, a race he could win and keep himself politically relevant.
Of course the biggest loser in Newsom’s failed bid for governor is Board President David Chiu who could have been made mayor tempore had Newsom won the governorship.
Board President David Chiu
Daly “tricky” and “great”
While discussing legislation that would modify extended-hours premises permitting, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell called Supervisor Chris Daly “tricky” followed by “great.”
Daly had asked for a separate up or down vote on an amendment that would cap extended hours permits. While explaining to Maxwell how best to transact the amendment vote, a flustered Maxwell sought advice from Deputy City Attorney Cheryl Adams to explain what the Board would be voting for.
“What I’d like to do then is to have the City Attorney explain that to us one more time,” Maxwell said. “Supervisor Daly, sometimes you get a little tricky on us and so I’m going to have the City Attorney…”
Tricky? Daly?
Daly interjected defensively: “I’ve been here 9 years.”
“No, you’re great,” Maxwell said, correcting herself, recognizing she needed to explain what she meant to say, paying tribute to Daly’s tenure as the most productive legislator and capable orator on the Board.
“You really are, Supervisor Daly,” concurred Adams, herself valued as one of the most respected civil servants at City Hall.
Put that in your pipe, Daly haters.
Supervisor Chris Daly
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, has published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521.
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