Comments so far on this story:

1. Sparky wrote on February 11, 2008 10:49 PM:
"Interesting slant Ian. I find it interesting you paint Mr Gloria as a "career politician". If my research is correct, this will be Mr Gloria's FIRST election to public office. Hardly a "career politician" as you say. The fact Mr Gloria has the support of "special interest" groups as you call them; tells me he is a person people seem to think they can talk to. I hardly think donating $270 to a candidate for City Council buys any significant power. What it says to me is intelligent people see a young man with potential who can help fix some of the problems at City Hall. I have known Mr Hartly for over 25 years. He had his chance at change and doing right... where was he then? We have City Wide issues not just District 3 issues."

2. Politics, not facts... wrote on February 12, 2008 8:55 AM:
"Agreeing with Sparky, it would help to explain this claim. Right now, you present nothing to back it up. Unrelated, could you provide equal analysis of the other candidates' fundraising sources? This seems to be an attack on one candidate without the same intensity given to the opponents. If you wish to persuade readers (at least those that pay attention) it would be helpful to present both sides of an argument. Otherwise, your opinion becomes suspect because you draw no conclusions based on facts, only innuendo."

3. Christopher Hall wrote on February 12, 2008 9:14 AM:
"Bravo, Ian! You're right on the mark. Gloria is a career politician, he staffed at the federal level and now wants a crack at the local level. I suppose that's fine, but what he's been weaned on is the process of politicking not community representation -- BIG difference. My read is that he aspires to and knows more about smooth palms than hard working hands for the people. I doubt that he could look squarely in the face of any of his donors and say 'Thank you, but this donation will not buy my devotion to your interests.' Indeed, the donors assume they will get on his Rolodex (ahem, i phone) and his short list of special interests whom he now owes consideration."

4. Al Davis wrote on February 12, 2008 9:54 AM:
"Come on Ian. You cant be an agent of change when you raise money from different circles? This is not what you need to watch...you need to watch what his positions are and if the they coincide with the money he gets. I have heard politicians say that they would take money from the devil if he gave it. Now if he starts siding with the devil then you have issues but there is absolutely nothing I have seen that would lead me to believe that Todd would be anything but a stellar elected official. He is someone that can not only advocate change but can help convince others---that is what makes an effective leader. I dont see that in any of the other candidates. $30k comes from interest groups/insiders? So $87k comes from community people? Trust me...if Whitburn and Hartley could get there hands on that money they wouldtakeit."

5. Frances O'Neill Zimmerman wrote on February 12, 2008 9:55 AM:
"I am wholeheartedly supporting the candidacy of Stephen Whitburn for City Council from District 3. He has what this beleaguered city needs so desperately right now: He is measured, intelligent, honest, experienced in his community and blessedly without encumbering baggage. He will work well with other progressives on Council to resolve our fiscal and moral civic mess. Ian Trowbridge lays out the truth about Todd Gloria, every insider's darling for City Council from District 3. He's giving you the facts. Do we learn nothing from the past? "A person 'people' seem to think they can talk to?" Like Scott Peters and developers? Like Jerry Sanders and Aaron Feldman? Like a pension board stacked with profiteers? As for Gloria being 29 years old and a staff aide, I'd say we need fewer ambitious whippersnappers who can't tell right from wrong and get themselves disgraced, a la Inzunza/Zucchet."

6. Larry wrote on February 12, 2008 10:39 AM:
"I also don't get the suggestion that Gloria is a "career politician", or that candidates shouldn't be allowed to accept money from anybody other than some grumpy old man who's angry at the world. Everybody has their own special interest, including a "community activist" like Trowbridge. Why should you be thought of in any better light than anybody else. Ian, you need a less stressful hobby or maybe some more fiber in your diet. Do you like model trains?"

7. Go Todd Go! wrote on February 12, 2008 11:26 AM:
"By my count, Trowbridge objects to 38 of Gloria's donors. According to the release Ian points to, Gloria had 656 individual donors. If 95% of the donors are okay, why is Ian obsessed with the remaining 5%? Let's move on."

8. josil wrote on February 12, 2008 12:04 PM:
"While contributors of $270 are individuals, if they are all employees of a single developer or group of developers, it's not as if they are a random sample of SD voters. I'm not claiming this is the case, but it is a common political practice for an economic interest to obtain influence by spreading the dollars around. As just one instance, recall the Clinton/Chinese connection of last year."

9. www.robert-lee.org wrote on February 12, 2008 3:35 PM:
"Aw shucks, FO'NZ, I thought I had your endorsement?! You too, Ian! lol! Remember folks, there's more than just the establishment, Dem troika. I, Robert E. Lee, am an "unencumbered", outsider candidate for CHANGE, which voters are really looking for this year at all levels, from City up to Federal. If you're looking for more of the "status quo", more of "business as usual" and more rewarding of special interests with your taxpayer dollars, by all means, one of the Dem triplets would work great for you. If not, you have an alternative: Robert E. Lee..."

10. Dale Peterson wrote on February 12, 2008 3:59 PM:
"To get elected you have to collect the green. It is a natural law of electibility. It isn't an absolute, but it is pretty close. So, I don't get as worked up about the contributions, as I do about something else. I am really tired of council people/candidates who were on previous council members staffs. Atkins, Gloria, Madaffer, and Young are all folks who worked on the staffs of prvious council members. What good did that experience get the public (with some slight apologies to Mr. Young, who seems to be growing some civic backbone, lately)? How many times has Toni Atkins voted with the cement mixer crowd, over the objections of the neighborhood people? Gloria is the groomed successor of the Kehoe/Atkins parade. These council succession parades haven't served the public well. Time to give Mr. Whitburn a try."

11. Go Todd Go wrote on February 12, 2008 4:52 PM:
"Todd hasn't ever worked for any San Diego City Councilmember. He has worked for Susan Davis for 8 years, starting as an intern in her State Assembly office and working his way up to District Director of her Congressional office. That tenure is probably longer than Whitburn has even lived in San Diego."

12. Dale Peterson wrote on February 12, 2008 5:58 PM:
"Dear Go Todd Go: I apologize to you, other Gloria supporters, and to Mr. Gloria himself. You are right. My bad."

13. Courtney wrote on February 12, 2008 6:46 PM:
"As a supporter and contributor to the Todd Gloria campaign, I am deeply offended by your accusations. I am hardly what you would call an “insider.” Todd’s youth and charisma have inspired me to play a role in community affairs and learn about the issues facing my neighborhood. I believe in him and feel that he will bring his experience and energy to make a lasting change at City Hall. I think it’s much more important to examine where a person is coming from and what they stand for, as opposed to where contributions are coming from. Take a look at where Todd stands on the issues, or better yet, speak to him in person, before making slanderous comments about his campaign."

14. Ian Trowbridge wrote on February 12, 2008 7:28 PM:
"Courtney: Congratulations in becoming involved in your community and if Todd inspired you that's great. We disagree on the issue of what Todd stands for and whether campaign contributions influence him. You are over the top describing anything I wrote as slanderous but at least we have a discussion going. Work as hard as you can for Todd and democracy will be well-served."

15. Ian Trowbridge wrote on February 12, 2008 7:28 PM:
"Courtney: Congratulations in becoming involved in your community and if Todd inspired you that's great. We disagree on the issue of what Todd stands for and whether campaign contributions influence him. You are over the top describing anything I wrote as slanderous but at least we have a discussion going. Work as hard as you can for Todd and democracy will be well-served."

16. Pepe Cervantes wrote on February 12, 2008 8:47 PM:
"I find it disappointing that Ian would forget that Todd represents the community. I work as a social worker and I find myself in D3 often and I can tell you that the district is full of minorities. I think the best person to represent the district is Todd Gloria, not the others that all belong to a group of ambitious men that do not have the same understanding of the community that Todd has. And over the years I always believed that the city was taken over by career politicians and ambitious people and now my mindset has been completely changed because to see Ian attacking Todd, a person I met in my high school days when he was a no one just interested in serving his community, is just sad and then now hearing everyone say that he must be a whippersnapper since he gets all the"

17. Pepe Cervantes wrote on February 12, 2008 8:47 PM:
"I find it disappointing that Ian would forget that Todd represents the community. I work as a social worker and I find myself in D3 often and I can tell you that the district is full of minorities. I think the best person to represent the district is Todd Gloria, not the others that all belong to a group of ambitious men that do not have the same understanding of the community that Todd has. And over the years I always believed that the city was taken over by career politicians and ambitious people and now my mindset has been completely changed because to see Ian attacking Todd, a person I met in my high school days when he was a no one just interested in serving his community, is just sad and then now hearing everyone say that he must be a whippersnapper since he gets all the"

18. Pepe Cervantes wrote on February 12, 2008 8:47 PM:
"I find it disappointing that Ian would forget that Todd represents the community. I work as a social worker and I find myself in D3 often and I can tell you that the district is full of minorities. I think the best person to represent the district is Todd Gloria, not the others that all belong to a group of ambitious men that do not have the same understanding of the community that Todd has. And over the years I always believed that the city was taken over by career politicians and ambitious people and now my mindset has been completely changed because to see Ian attacking Todd, a person I met in my high school days when he was a no one just interested in serving his community, is just sad and then now hearing everyone say that he must be a whippersnapper since he gets all the"

19. Sparky wrote on February 12, 2008 9:30 PM:
"Courtney you are 100% correct. I could not agree more. Ian's diatribe is a joke. As I said in the first post of this string, "Interesting Slant". "Go Todd Go" is also 100% correct. Todd's work for Susan Davis should help prepare him for what it takes to get things done and to help with the changes we all so desire at City Hall. I have talked to Mr Gloria several times and have found him to be thoughtful, articulate, caring and understanding of the huge task he is facing. Mr Gloria is hardly a San Diego City "Insider" and I would encourage EVERYONE to seek your own answers to where Mr Gloria stands on issues and what he believes. Ian, you owe Mr Gloria an apology."

20. Wiggy wrote on February 13, 2008 2:06 AM:
"Wouldn't it be really cool if District 3 starts a new political wave that sweeps across the nation, such as: Vote only for candidates who refuse all donations! No special interst money whatsoever. It would put the 3rd District in the forefront of the movement to rid politics of special interest money. The best candidates for the 3rd district are Paul Broadway and John Hartley. Let's vote for these independant hardworkers, and let the rich kids go play in some other district. It isn't fair that we can't fund a temporary homeless shelter for elderly women and homeless vet's, but the "top two" candidates can raise and spend a quarter of amillion dollars without blimking an eye."

21. Fed Up wrote on February 13, 2008 10:13 AM:
"That Todd Gloria is a long-time Susan Davis office worker ought to be warning enough for any voter. She is the most tepid "Democrat" to hold office since, well, there are't many real Democrats in San Diego County but they all have sold their souls to get elected. (Congressman Bob Filner excepted, to his great credit.) We need better representation on City Council than ambitious staff aides. We need better representation on City Council than retreads. Let's give Stephen Whitburn a chance based on his clean fundraising record, his intelligence and his commitment to District 3."

22. Paul Broadway wrote on February 13, 2008 7:39 PM:
"I find it interesting that Mr. Trowbridge left out several of the candidates that are running in this race. Mr. Trowbridge never interviewed me. I will state for the record that I will not accept any monetary donations from anyone. I will also state for the record that I will not serve more than one term. I think that serving my community is a duty, not an occupation. Speaking of serving, I have been serving my country and community for over 18 years. I am currently the Chair of the Golden Hill Recreation Center and a member of the City Parks II committee. I have served my country as a U.S. Navy Sailor. I have also served as a federal Correctional Officer and Safety Manager of a federal prison. I guess none of that matters when someone has an axe to grind."

23. Look Who Is Talking wrote on February 14, 2008 9:03 AM:
"Ian - you are the picture of hypocracy! You are the same guy that claims the sky is falling and everyone is corrupt. You will turn on Steven within the first year and lump him into your axis of evil. Why in the world does the VOSD even let you have a column....BARF!! They could get the same "insight" from the shirtless homeless dude that hang out by the Trolley tracks."

24. D3 resident wrote on February 15, 2008 1:30 PM:
"Look Who ...your misspelling (hypocracy) frames the issue perfectly: "Hypocracy" is the type of Democracy represented by Gloria and his infill-Enterprise Zone supporters and advocates. Gloria is supported by all of the developer/realtor/La Use groups in San Diego. D3 is ripe for exploitation, and those groups need a continuation of the Atkins-type giveaway representation. Gloria is their boy. He says he would've voted, like Atkins, for the Kensington Terrace project, without the EIR that locals want. He knew about the project for 7 years, he says, but few of the impacted residents knew about it until the deal was sealed. Why? Why wasn't he insisting that the entire community be alerted all of those years? Gloria is being promoted as the candidate of choice by the GGH Community Development Corporation (their exec director is the daughter of Kensington realtor Downing). It's obvious who owns Gloria's loyalties."

25. D3 resident wrote on February 15, 2008 1:30 PM:
"Look Who ...your misspelling (hypocracy) frames the issue perfectly: "Hypocracy" is the type of Democracy represented by Gloria and his infill-Enterprise Zone supporters and advocates. Gloria is supported by all of the developer/realtor/La Use groups in San Diego. D3 is ripe for exploitation, and those groups need a continuation of the Atkins-type giveaway representation. Gloria is their boy. He says he would've voted, like Atkins, for the Kensington Terrace project, without the EIR that locals want. He knew about the project for 7 years, he says, but few of the impacted residents knew about it until the deal was sealed. Why? Why wasn't he insisting that the entire community be alerted all of those years? Gloria is being promoted as the candidate of choice by the GGH Community Development Corporation (their exec director is the daughter of Kensington realtor Downing). It's obvious who owns Gloria's loyalties."

26. Goodhabits wrote on February 21, 2008 11:11 PM:
"I watched Todd Gloria month after month sit at Ken-Tal Planning Group meetings as Susan Davis' rep. He and April Chesebro openly showed their contempt for the residents of Kensington by giggling and rolling their eyes whenever anyone in the community spoke out against or raised concerns about the Kensington Terrace project. After witnessing 270 residents at a community meeting in November up in arms, 200 at the Planning Commission hearing, and knowing over 900 signed a petition against it ahead of the City Council hearing, if he can still say that he'd vote for the project then he definitely is representing the money he is taking, not the constituents of District 3, at least not those in Kensington."

27. Goodhabits wrote on February 21, 2008 11:11 PM:
"I watched Todd Gloria month after month sit at Ken-Tal Planning Group meetings as Susan Davis' rep. He and April Chesebro openly showed their contempt for the residents of Kensington by giggling and rolling their eyes whenever anyone in the community spoke out against or raised concerns about the Kensington Terrace project. After witnessing 270 residents at a community meeting in November up in arms, 200 at the Planning Commission hearing, and knowing over 900 signed a petition against it ahead of the City Council hearing, if he can still say that he'd vote for the project then he definitely is representing the money he is taking, not the constituents of District 3, at least not those in Kensington."

28. David R. Voth wrote on March 4, 2008 2:30 PM:
"Paul Broadway will file his official nominating papers for the June 3 election today, March 4. By not accepting donations or soliciting endorsements from anyone, Paul promises to be an independent voice on the City Council and not beholden to any interests other than ALL the people of District 3. I have sent our official press release to all the local TV stations, and our Web site has been updated recently. Thanks for your interest in Paul's candidacy! Please see link"

29. GloriasLoyalties wrote on March 17, 2008 7:57 PM:
"All the info is in the facts. The Building Industry president Sherm Harmer along w/ multiple other developers are supporting Gloria. They adamantly oppose community groups, public parks, andANY historic preservation. To suggest that he wont "owe" them anything if he is elected is naive. If that is not enough, look at his list of endorsements. I know AT LEAST the 2 Coronado council members endorsing him strongly opposed prop J, a citizens prop that sought to stop the out of control demo of historic homes to build condos. And there is sooo much more than this. This guy would be a nightmare."

30. Wide Awake wrote on March 24, 2008 2:50 PM:
"After 'interviewing' with the 'immature & idealistic, unsophisticated & NAIVE YOUNG members in Poly-tics for the past 15 yrs....Add to the 'supporters' of Gloria: 1. Apartment Association, 2. SD Assoc. of REALTORS, 3-BIA & 4-Hotel & Motel Assn., even BEFORE All 'candidates' papers' were ABLE to be 'drawn.' You don't think there was a reason for certain candidates to be 'rolling their eyes?' Follow the Money, folks, Redevelopment SIPHONS local property taxes (even with 'bigger' ones) FROM the Communities 'services,maintenanc & facilities' and Gives Real Property Assets TO the re-developers. For 12-40 years NONE (oh they might do a 'local park rehab' for the local community-or even 'arrange to cover the police & fire -existing-but there is NO ADDED 'personnel Coverage!') of the local taxes go to the 'General Fund' to 'support new density of Population'. In essence, the few 'outside redevelopment-Pay! End of story."

31. Christine wrote on April 22, 2008 4:38 PM:
"here here! Add to that list Defense contractors--look at the reader article "The Dollar Flows". Is this guy really thinking we believe he is a democrat. Whitburn is a good guy. He is being endorsed by the dem party, the Sierra Club and most importly Donna Frey. I say we give Whitburn a chance."