By Luke Thomas
February 25, 2009
Why would a supervisor whose district is directly impacted by an important transportation project not want to serve on the commission with jurisdiction over that project?
That’s the question Supervisor Chris Daly raised yesterday during a meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors when District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier formerly requested withdrawal of her name for consideration of appointment to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District (GGBD), a body that will oversee the Doyle Drive Replacement Project.
“It wasn’t until the Rules Committee meeting last week on a separate item that the Rules Committee, or at least it’s chair, was made aware that Supervisor Alioto-Pier was not interested in serving on this item,” Daly said.
Daly alleged Alito-Pier’s intent to withdraw her name from GGBD appointment consideration is to, instead, “occupy” the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).
“All of a sudden, it’s incredibly messy,” Daly said.
Supervisor Chris Daly
Asked what he believes is behind Alioto-Pier’s motivation to serve on the BCDC, a state body that oversees coastal planning and development permits, Daly told Fog City Journal: “That’s where she can shake down developers for campaign contributions.”
Alioto-Pier strongly rejected Daly’s assertion. “That’s the most outrageous, outlandish statement ever,” Alioto Pier told FCJ. “It’s totally unfounded.”
“He’s trying to get me on a committee I don’t want to be on,” she said. “It’s one of the most childish, uncollegial and unprofessional things I’ve seen.”
Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier
Rumors have long swirled Alioto-Pier will throw her hat into the 2011 mayor’s race.
Asked if she is considering a run for mayor, Alioto-Pier said, “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made my mind up yet.”
The Board approved the appointments of Supervisors Sean Elsbernd, Carmen Chu, and Bevan Dufty to the GGBD. Alioto-Pier’s consideration for appointment was severed and sent back to committee on a 9-1 vote with Daly dissenting.
More Info
Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
Doyle Drive Replacement Project
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a 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, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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The Hunger Site
February 26, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Appointing Gavin’s lacky Carmen Chu on anything is the same as rubber stamping his every whim. At least Daly has a mind and opinions of his own.
February 26, 2009 at 12:54 am
Power corrupts my fiends (sic) and it doesn’t matter if you’re an Angelina Jolie lookalike (well sort of, after binging at 7-11 for 8 months) or working for the man. And I mean Gav, AKA the undertaker – beware the eyes of March, they ain’t wearing ray-bans.
AJ
February 25, 2009 at 6:36 pm
“You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.”
— Timon to Captain Alcibiades,
“The Life of Timon of Athens,” (William Shakespeare)
February 25, 2009 at 2:10 pm
This is the Supervisor I love. He isn’t afraid to call his rivals on their shit.