voiceofsandiego.org: Slop... Keep Me out of It

I heard from City Councilwoman Donna Frye on Friday. Signaling a widening chasm between her and labor leaders in town, she said she was upset by a recent mailer sent out by the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, which she said implies that she endorses Scott Peters' bid for city attorney.

I got a fax copy of the mailer but it didn't come through very well. It's touted as a four-page pat on the bum and thank you to the Democratic members of the City Council. But Peters, the council's president, is featured big on the front page and the Labor Council obviously is using it to pump up his campaign.

Frye isn't flattered.

"It gives the false impression that I am endorsing Scott Peters for city attorney and that's absolutely false and extremely offensive," Frye said. "I'm getting phone calls from people asking about it and I don't appreciate it."

Frye said she doesn't plan to endorse any candidate in the city attorney or mayor's race.

Evan McLaughlin, the Labor Council's political director and a former colleague of ours here at voiceofsandiego.org, said he doesn't see how it gives the impression Frye backs Peters.

"The piece is centered on the update of the city's General Plan and the purpose was to point out that the City Council does positive things for the city and we don't think that message gets out. It was meant to congratulate them on dealing with the environment and dealing with jobs," he said.

You might remember the debate the city had about language that would be included in the finalized growth plan for the city. The City Council faced down the mayor and forced language in the document with which unions and left-leaning activists were happy.

"It's a policy wonk issue and it didn't get as much attention as it should have," McLaughlin said.

Hence the mailer.

But Frye wasn't happy. Nobody called to let her know she'd be part of the campaign mailer.

"It just shows me that Scott Peters can't stand on his own legitimately," Frye said.

Update 9:11 a.m.: Here's the mailer for your review and Lorena Gonzalez, the secretary treasurer of the Labor Council, already responded with a letter here.

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Donna Frye may possibly be the only person on earth that complains about being thanked.

Posted by Not a Frye Fan | reply to this comment
May 4, 2008 8:27 pm

Lorena, Lorena, Lorena . . . we expected more.

Posted by jorgeelgato | reply to this comment
May 4, 2008 9:51 pm

1) City staff prepared the General Plan, not the City Council. 2) The piece has Scott's image or name mentioned 9 times. Others are mentioned 3 times. 3) His name is highlighted and stands out from the other Democrats on the front with bolding, and on the back in bold and yellow. 4) Lorena thanks "the leadership of Scott Peters". Way to promote your boy, Evan.

Posted by Tom S. | reply to this comment
May 4, 2008 9:53 pm

The mailer shows all the Democrats on the City Council, and implies that both Donna Frye and Tony Young have endorsed Scott Peters. We were shocked that Ms. Frye and Mr. Young seemed to be on Scott Peters' re-election team. Especially since Scott Peters' tried to get rid of the 30 foot Coastal Height Limit; let deviations from Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL) regulations for Coastal Bluffs, Steep Slopes, and Wetlands, be used as incentives for Density Bonus; tried to get paid parking in La Jolla for his buddies; opposed the placement of a rope barrier for the seals at Children's Beach during the puppy season, etc. Thank you Donna for clearing up the false information on the flyer.

Posted by La Playa Heritage | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 1:57 am

Anyone who has watched a city council meeting knows that Scott Peters detests Donna Frye and blocks every attempt she makes to do the right thing. He has thwarted her work on honest and open government for years now. For "Million Gallon Man" Peters to now appear on the same page as Frye is outright dishonest. Yet another piece of political prostitution masquerading as information. You should give your former colleague Evan McLaughlin a slap upside the head for telling such blatant lies.

Posted by Fred_Williams | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 5:26 am

What is so outrageous about this piece? To Donna Frye's chagrin, there are 4 other Democrats on the City Council besides her. Oops, I forgot, it's always about Donna.

Posted by Randall | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 5:56 am

I think there is a thing called "political ethics"...or just plain bad manners. It was not ethical to use Donna Frye's name in Scott Peter's mailer, without getting the OK first.. It would be like saying you had an endorsement from someone without having ever asked for it. Bad manners. Casts a bad light on Peters.

Posted by jenart | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 6:18 am

Thank you Donna for not allowing The Scott Peters fan club use your name. Those Peters people have been pretty unethical in getting club endorsements! Shameful!

Posted by Yellow Dog | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 6:39 am

I got that mailer and was disgusted. Peters is running by proxy (obnoxious robocalls from Alpert/Kehoe, ...pix of Frye on the SDICLC mailer), because he is a detested Democrat in name only. The Dems in San Diego are routinely a sorry, bought and paid for lot (even Frye, when the issue and neighborhood aren't powerful enough to capture the spotlight). Alpert, Kehoe, Gonzalez...not getting my votes, ever again. Anyone who has ever been involved in a hearing before the Council has suffered the disrespect dished out by the weasely, developer toady, lobbyist toady Peters. And I've never heard Young or Frye intercede and condemn Peters for treating citizens the way he does. There was a time when Frye was a citizen (remember when she showed up with teabags, protesting unfair taxation on her business?); she's forgotten what being powerless feels like. Maybe now she remembers.

Posted by Peters' Leverage Factor | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:30 am

We expected more from Reliable Lefty McLaughlin

Posted by =( | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:32 am

It's "just a policy wonk issue and shouldn't have gotton as much attention?" Are you serious? You sent this to all voters just before absentee ballots hit with Scott Peters highlighted all over it? STOP LYING, LABOR, VOTERS AREN'T STUPID! I'm reminded of other stealth groups sending out "call Officeholder (read: candidate) for doing the right thing recently" or "call Officeholder (read: candidate) to tell him to stop hurting San Diego children" pieces during election mail periods past. With labor having increasing PR problems in recent years, you would think they would be even more vigilant to hold themselves to the highest levels of integrity. Apparently, they continue dirty tricks, skirt election rules (yes.. this "complies" with election code because its exempt by virtue of not mentioning a candidacy or election), and leave the public with a bad taste about Labor tactics.

Posted by Fact Checker | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:34 am

Scott, I take issue with this post. Did Donna put out a press release (if so, where?) or just call you over the weekend to wank? If it is the latter, then this post is very flanneryesque. If donna is upset she should make a real statement, i dunno, somthing quotable? Otherwise, you just look like her mouthpiece.

Posted by Basic Civics | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:39 am

I note the quote, but... still.

Posted by Basic Civics | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:41 am

Great Donna would rather spend her time fighting her allies about a mailer that promotes the good things our city council has done than deal with real problems at city hall. Is it me or does it seem wierd that Donna would waste her time attacking the Labor Council when they were her largest supporter when she ran for Mayor and City Council? When did Donna decide to turn her back on her friends?

Posted by Jon B | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 7:58 am

Basic Civics: Donna did call. She did make a statement -- a long one that I quoted part of. I got a response from labor. Not sure what the issue is.

Posted by Scott Lewis | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 8:35 am

I think it's wierd that you can't spell weird. It's you.

Posted by Fact Checker | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 8:40 am

Donna transformation into an arrogant politician has really been something to watch over the years. Donna, did you need some attention? Have you not been getting enough lately? Power even corrupts Donna Frye....I know you think you are above it all but its time to look in the mirror. I cant imagine that 2000 Donna would like what she has become in 2008.

Posted by Al | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 8:41 am

Thank you, Labor Council, for that expensive full-color mailer with a disembodied Scott Peters floating in the sky over the harbor like Zelig's mother. This wouldn't be a subliminal endorsement of Scott Peters for City Attorney, would it? Your "communication" insults readers' intelligence. Peters is detested by his constituents for siding with developer/campaign contributors on community issues; has spent lots of taxpayer money on lawyers to defend himself from possible SEC lawsuits; has been called "negligent" by the SEC for his mishandling of city financial reporting; and wastes more water at his La Jolla estate than all the rest of the City Council combined. It is true that Peters takes Friday afternoons off to play golf, but he has not been accused of beating his spouse or kicking his dog. Again, thanks but no thanks. I'm voting for Mike Aguirre for City Attorney.

Posted by Fed Up | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 8:48 am

I think Peters is dividing the democrats, which just goes to show you that he is a Republican operative! He was deemed less divisive than Bersin, but indeed Peters ran for the ultimate wedge issue, the City Attorney's race -- because he is the only figure divisive enough to split the Democratic vote. Goldsmith is run as the foil to Peters, and amongst the local establishment, either will do just fine over the incumbent. // Donna Frye has seen Scott Peters up close for several years now, and she's probably got a keen perspective on how this city attorney's race is set up, and whatever the situation, it appears she wants nothing to do with any of it. // I don't get what Basic Civics was complaining about, the news was broke.

Posted by Christopher Hall | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 9:19 am

That Labor backs Peters for any elected office, after his performance on the City Council, that earned San Diego the nickname Enron by the Sea, shows how unconcerned they are about having a good city government.

Posted by Steve K | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 9:26 am

DF seems to have lost her manners. Why doesn't she concentrate on fixing things that need to be fixed in her district and stay out of stupid skunk contests ? Her staff needs help on answering emails promptly and solving problems brought to them by concerned constituents. As it is said, "She who is without fault, please cast the first stone." DF that is not you !!!

Posted by Black Sabbath | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 10:28 am

Peters takes credit for a lot of things that are really staff work. He refuses to accept responsiblity for his actions as part of the pension issue. He says he is a victum of bad advice, BULL. He knew exactly what he was and is doing. A vote for him sets the city back.

Posted by Rick | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 12:27 pm

Fact Checker I guess your as petty as Donna. Sorry, for the typo.

Posted by Jon B | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 1:02 pm

Actually, Jon B, it's "you're" not "your." You're on a roll.

Posted by Grammar Joe | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 2:49 pm

What gets me more than anything is the gall of the Labor Council to call this mailer anything other than what it is -- an election piece for Scott. Go ahead and endorse your candidate, but when you mail, don't use others names and faces as an implicit endorsement. And most importantly, don't try to act like you didn't know what you were doing. Pretty pathetic.

Posted by 2 cent Jack | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 3:02 pm

The mailer never mentions city attorney..Now go correct someone's typos..

Posted by Jon B | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 4:00 pm

get over yourself, for gosh sake. Your not endorsing Peters, and making such an effort to make that clear, tells me he must be okay.

Posted by Donna, | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 4:14 pm

Sounda a little unethical to me...the Labor Council, I can't believe it! Such a trustworthy bunch.

Posted by Scott M | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 8:37 am

"It just shows me that Scott Peters can't stand on his own legitimately," Frye said...BOOM!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
May 7, 2008 8:19 pm

Keep Me out of It

Published: Monday, May 5, 2008 9:12 AM PDT

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Scott Lewis on Politics

The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.

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