Candidate for District 6 Supervisor Jim Meko (center) has won support for his campaign from Public Defender Jeff Adachi and former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez. Photos by Luke Thomas.
By Luke Thomas
October 31, 2010
With just hours before voters go to the polls to cast their ballots on Tuesday, candidate for District 6 Supervisor Jim Meko received an eleventh-hour boost to his campaign Saturday with two non-official endorsements of his candidacy from Public Defender Jeff Adachi and former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez.
Meko, who is running in a close, competitive race with School Board President Jane Kim, Human Rights Commission Executive Director Theresa Sparks and Building Inspections Commissioner Debra Walker, is the only progressive candidate in the D6 race that supports Proposition B, a controversial pension and healthcare reform measure on the November ballot that aims to rein in unsustainable pension and healthcare costs projected to exceed $1 billion by 2016.
The measure, dubbed “SF Smart Reform,” is sponsored by Adachi and supported by Gonzalez as well as former Mayor Willie Brown.
Labor groups and virtually the entire political establishment are opposed to the measure on the grounds that it is inequitable, that it unfairly doubles city employees’ dependent healthcare insurance contributions.
If it passes, Prop B is expected to face an immediate legal challenge from labor groups, FCJ can affirm. A legal challenge could tie up the measure’s implementation for several months providing an opportunity for stakeholders to negotiate an alternative, more progressive solution to the problem.
“If we don’t get behind Prop B, if we don’t do something about our $4 billion unfunded healthcare mandate, and if we don’t do something about a pension system for city employees that is headed rapidly into bankruptcy, we’re not going to be able to do anything for neighborhoods, for our small businesses, for our quality of life, for the poorest among us – we’re just going to be shoveling money into that empty hole,” Meko said to attendees at the Artists Alley Gallery. “Neighborhoods, small businesses, our quality of life – that’s what my campaign has been all about.”
Entertainment Commissioner Jim Meko
Adachi thanked Meko for his support of Prop B and called into question the motives of candidates who do not support pension and healthcare reform.
“He [Meko] is the only candidate who is supporting Proposition B in this district and, as Jim said, there is no more significant and important issue in terms of defining the future, or lack of a future for the city, than Proposition B,” Adachi said. “Any person who is running for public office who refuses to acknowledge this, can’t be trusted. They cannot be trusted to make the decisions in the best interests of the people.”
“The bottom line is, that moving forward, this city needs new leadership, and this city will have new leadership and we’re going to see a legislature and, hopefully, a mayor that is going to take the victory for Proposition B and move this debate to the next stage, because Proposition B is only one reform that needs to happen. There are many, many more.”
Jeff Adachi and Jim Meko.
Though he did not explicitly mention his support for Prop B, Gonzalez said he and Adachi attended the meet and greet event to “pay our respects” to Meko. “It’s hard running for public office and I think you’ve been someone who has been very active, not only on the political scene, but also the scene at City Hall engaging in planning – activism more than anything – but you’ve been doing it certainly as long as I have been, and we may not be particularly close in terms of being in contact all time, but I consider you to be a fellow traveler.”
“One thing I do know we have in common is that we’re motivated by the right things and I think that that is the biggest difference, and at the end of the day, what matters most. You would be an elected official that would make decisions for [no] other reason than that you truly believe that they were the best reasons, or the best decision. Congratulations on running a good campaign. You’re a good candidate. You’re a good person and it’s been a pleasure for me to be on the same political landscape with you,” Gonzalez added.
Matt Gonzalez and Jim Meko.
Attendees were treated to Vietnamese food from Tu-Lan's restaurant.
Matt Gonzalez, curator David Sloane, and SFBulldog publisher h. Brown discuss SF Giants baseball.
Editor’s Note: Luke Thomas is a resident and voter in District 6. In the interest of transparency, he has provided photography services to the campaigns of Jane Kim, Jim Meko and Debra Walker.
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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November 3, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Post election and as always, it’s a bittersweet feeling. I’m relieved that Prop B went down to defeat, but really distressed that the sit/ lie measure passed. This continues the trend of criminalizing the activities of poor people and immigrants (day laborers). I would not have expected this from a sanctuary city.
You can have your giants. I always root for the little guy~
Go midgets!!
November 3, 2010 at 7:39 am
Luke,
I guess I misread your quote. But that quote, such as it was, along with the focus on Meko, definitely gave the impression that he was a contender. Of course nothing can be further from the truth.
Anyway, whatever happens in the IRV now, it’s clear that a progressive wins the seat, and that’s good.
It’s too bad that Rafael is losing by about a thousand votes though. It’s a damn shame that so many resources were spent fighting it out between Kim and Walker, when they could have been spent in D8. Thanks Jane! Your time may be now, but what about the rest of the city?
November 3, 2010 at 1:25 am
Luke, Meko got fewer than half as many votes as I got in 2000 when I spent $1,000 of my own money.
If Meko ran competitive, than I’m the Queen of Fucking England.
In your faces, Gonzalez and Adachi!
-marc
November 2, 2010 at 5:18 pm
If it passes, Prop B is expected to face an immediate legal challenge from labor groups, FCJ can affirm. A legal challenge could tie up the measure’s implementation for several months providing an opportunity for stakeholders to negotiate an alternative, more progressive solution to the problem.
Ojala! Unfortunately, the initiative has been very devisive for everyone involved in progressive politics. We all get a little testy during these debates when it seems that there’s so much at stake. In fact, I respect Jeff Adachi for his 20+ years of service as a public defender. I even wrote to Chris Daly asking him not to cut the public defender’s budget. I have a feeling that this measure is going to pass. Hopefully , we can heal the divisions and come together to fight the corporate agenda which is siphoning money from the cities. With luck, we may end up with a more progressive, equitable solution to the fiscal crisis, which is all we’re asking for.
November 2, 2010 at 8:50 am
@Greg, you misquoted me. I wrote, “Meko, who is running in a close, competitive race…” not “running a close competitive race.”
Meko may not win, but he’s lived in the District longer than any other candidate, is independent of any special interests, and will give you a straight answer to a straight question.
You can’t say the same about Kim, Sparks or Walker.
November 2, 2010 at 4:12 am
How fucking pathetic the lot of the three of them.
Let’s not race to the bottom, the greatest generation sacrificed by winning WWII in less than 5 years, came home to pay 70% marginal tax rate, built the American boom, and their kids not only squandered that tremendous investment but have cannibalized our minds so that we think that we can get a free ride by not investing in our own future. There ain’t no free lunch, business passes their taxes onto customers and we’re going to need to step up and pay our freight.
Quit this insane tax whining!
When progressives’ minds start internalizing and acting out the conservative dogma that has been forced on us, that health care is a commodity and that the path forward is backwards, we’re truly fucked.
But Gonzalez, man, first Prop B, then Dennis, finally the Rangers over the Giants, I mean, what the fuck, he is more contrarian than I could ever imagine. It appears true that politics attracts sociopathic narcissists, makes me want to never return to the US ever again, what with India appearing to be a more progressive, forward looking country than the US has been for 40 years.
-marc
November 1, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Luke and h,
The race is competitive, but Jim Meko is not the one “running a close competitive race.”
The race is competitive between Walker, Kim, and Sparks (mainly because Kim’s entry provided Sparks with that opening, but that’s another matter). But certainly not Meko.
My prediction… I think Walker does win it, and Kim comes in second. Sparks will be third. I think the fact that she’s a transgender candidate will hurt her with the votes she most desperately needs. But I could be wrong. If this was district 5 or 9, I wouldn’t mind several strong progressives running against each other. But in D6, it might provide that opening for a moderate. I doubt it, because Sparks has proven to be an unattractive candidate and a weak campaigner. I think Kim’s entry ultimately won’t result in D6 falling to the mods because progressives got lucky this time, but I’m not comfortable.
As for the order of the rest of the candidates… does it even matter?
BTW… I’d put Kim in my top 3, and I know other activists who are holding their noses and doing that, because they have to in order to maximize our chances, but it still doesn’t change how pissed off people are at her.
Even if we hold D6, the Walker-Kim battle has drained precious resources from other districts. I’ve been spending my time roughly 50-50 between 6 and 8, when I could have spent it on 8 alone (or 8 and 10 if Dems had their acts together, but that’s another story).
In any case, if Rafael loses tomorrow by just a few hundred votes, you can thank Jane Kim!
November 1, 2010 at 10:36 pm
There is nothing progressive about cutting services for the poor and handing the bills for baby boomers’ retirement pensions and dependents’ healthcare to our kids. Kids lives matter ….. and not just those of public employees.
November 1, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Jim Meko wants to fill Chris Daly’s “big shoes” in District 6, and he admits that that’s a tough act to follow. Speaking of Daly, Meko said,“If I can come close to approaching the level of important legislation that he has gotten through the Board of Supervisor’s that affects the neediest people of District 6, I will be very proud.”
Chris Daly has come out strongly against Prop B. So is Jeff saying that we can’t trust the man who has done more to empower the marginalized residents of District 6 than any other candidate before or since? (the argument about the supes being scared to buck the unions doesn’t hold water in Daly’s case since he’s being termed out.)
As a true progressive, Daly recognizes just how flawed, inequitable and regressive the measure is. Prop B is an attack on working famililes, esp considering that 70 percent of the savings would come from increasing the cost of dependent health care for city workers. What’s fair about that?
Please join Chris Daly and (just about) the entire slate progressive candidates by voting NO on Prop B.
November 1, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Greg,
I got a call from Debra Walker (robo – her voice) 4 hours after I posted that she was gonna lose on second place votes. Seems she’s now asking for second place votes from Keys, Meko and Anna Conda supporters.
Maybe she does believe in IRV.
3,500 first place votes and half that many 2nd place votes wins this puppy.
And, I don’t bet. Occasional single dollar now and again and I bring one roll of quarters to Vegas and Reno. Just being right is enough for me.
Go Giants!
h.
November 1, 2010 at 11:04 am
@Greg, the D6 race is not close or competitive? I seriously doubt any candidate will get 50 percent + 1 of the vote in the first round. Second and third place votes will decide this race.
And as can be seen by all the infighting, canvassing, robo calls, IE and candidate-funded campaign mailers etc… this race is very competitive.
P.S. What’s your prediction? Who will win D6?
November 1, 2010 at 10:44 am
h,
I know you’re for Meko. As a progressive, I have some issues with some of the positions he’s taken, but that’s not my point.
You can be an astute observer of politics at times. I have to give you credit for calling Newsom as the next Lt. Governor. I was willing to bet it wouldn’t happen. I’m glad you didn’t take that bet.
But Meko running a “close, competitive race” as you and Luke seem to suggest?
Seriously? I think he’s running a close, competitve race for 4th place. If that.
I know what you WANT to happen, but speaking as a pundit and not a campaign spinmeister for a second, are you really willing to stake your reputation on such a prediction? Really?
November 1, 2010 at 10:03 am
Greg,
Great work on the condo nazis by the way. I think Meko’s the best candidate and a big part of that is he won’t be beholden to the likes of Gabriel Haaland or Willie Brown. Jim’s best chance is to win on 2nd place votes. The big spenders have tried to keep his name out of the mix but I live here and on the streets (even amongst Walker and Kim campaign workers) he’s way way in the lead with second place votes. All that stupid (to me) ‘bullet’ voting for a single candidate will come back to haunt, especially Walker, tomorrow.
Meko for D-6!
Go Giants!
h.
October 31, 2010 at 8:15 pm
“Meko, who is running in a close, competitive race”
That’s really funny, Luke.
October 31, 2010 at 5:53 pm
The fact is that this proposition was almost entirely funded by billionaire Michael Moritz who lives in the tony Pacific Heights neighborhood. So this was no grassroots, community-based initiative. And Moritz is not a man who cares about working people or poor folks. In fact, he has donated $5000 to the sit/lie campaign.
Now, these new billionaires would love nothing more than to divert your attention away from their role in taking down our economic system. And they know that the most effective way to go about this is by setting up public workers as scapegoats to divert your attention.
But let’s get real. The reason that so many of these pension plans are unfunded is because the government has colluded with corporations to take the workers’ hard-earned money and use it as collateral to borrow billions of dollars which they gambled away on speculative bets in financial transactions that went bust.
Incidentally, this theft of workers’ pension money is going on in both the public and private sector, and has been for some time. So, the days of a secure retirement are effectively over because we’ve all been royally screwed while venture capitalists like Moritz rake in huge profits and bonuses.
But if these new robber barons can successfully divert your attention, using a divide and conquer strategy, you will never know you’ve been had until it’s too late. European workers have figured this out, and they’re taking it to the streets. Apparently, we Americans are a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.
This would be a good time to wake up! The corporate elites have declared war on workers in this country. These fat cats have scored record profits and bonuses as the middle-class has been effectively wiped out in this country. So, Jeff Adachi urges you to distrust any progressive who is opposed to this measures. On the contrary, it is those who would front for/ collude with this corporate agenda are the ones who deserve our scorn.
October 31, 2010 at 3:12 pm
The City’s unfunded health care liability is not $4 billion, it’s now closer to $5 billion. The City Controller knows this but is withholding releasing the figure until after the election in its usual corrupt fashion. The Controller’s office has vastly underestimated the costs of every employee benefit increase put on the ballot and has directly benefitted from its negligence.
Adachi is right to call out all the hacks running for office who would rather get in labor’s good graces than save our City from massive cuts to vital services.
Who gives a damn if Labor takes Prop B to court, this was always expected. There will be no negotiating. Employee pension contributions can be increased as long as it can be demonstrated that the purpose is the sustainability of the system. This will be a slam dunk with the recent Northwestern study showing the pension system running out of funds in 2032.
Yes on B.