Comments so far on this story:

1. La Playa Heritage wrote on April 30, 2008 10:35 AM:
"The Mayoral candidates are meeting at the University of San Diego (USD) for a Mayoral Debate today, April 30, 2008, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Joan Kroc Institute for Peach and Justice Theatre. Room KIPJ-Theatre Kro IPJ 153. Mr. Francis has provided leadership, hope for change, and stood up for the Historic Community, neighborhood groups, plus he has the financial conservative background to turn this City around and Sweep Out the Corruption. We need a "Strong Mayor" who will follow the law, not a "Wimpy" Mayor. link"

2. Larry wrote on April 30, 2008 11:18 AM:
"Be careful with that "wimpy" talk. You'll make him cry."

3. Fed Up but Hopeful wrote on April 30, 2008 11:31 AM:
"Gideon Rappaport outlines what another vote for Mayor Jerry "I am not an oaf" Sanders will get us -- more of same from the likes of John Moores, Steve Peace, Malin Burnham, Alan Bersin and a raft of other conflict-of-interest specialists who get promoted to power by the Union-Tribune. The best argument for Steve Francis is that he is a breath of fresh air. Francis and his R.N. wife founded and developed a successful business providing nurses to hospitals. Francis clearly wants to serve our community as Mayor and is independently financing his campaign. Francis recognizes public despair about city finances and incompetent or sold-out politicians. He foreswears taking lobbyist money or giving lobbyists special access. He refuses to take a City salary and, as a private person, he gets no City pension. Steve Francis for Mayor is irresistable, for now."

4. Billy Bob Henry wrote on April 30, 2008 3:13 PM:
"Mayor "Wimpy"!!! I love it. Don't worry, Colonel KFC Sanders is going to be back at the chicken ranch after the election-he is history. Sanders will not be re elected, even in his dreams!"

5. Wide Awake wrote on April 30, 2008 4:06 PM:
"Well said."

6. Ann wrote on April 30, 2008 7:39 PM:
"So other than his money, what does Steve Francis have going for him? Why should I vote for him for mayor?"

7. Dream on, my friends wrote on April 30, 2008 9:05 PM:
"Dream on. I wonder what windmill all you knuckleheads will tilt at once the election is over and Jerry continues the excellent job he is doing. Oh, sure, you'll rail against any and all government, all the while asking what more it can do for you. But what specific cause will you have to embrace? It should be interesting."

8. Sparky wrote on April 30, 2008 9:29 PM:
"Being one who has been an open critic of Sanders; his policies; the continued retention of Sainz; his treatment of the City's employees and his handling of the political pension gaffe; I find it interesting so many are jumping behind Steve "Howdy Doody" Francis. Being a San Diego native, born and raised; city employee for 29 years and someone who loves this city; PLEASE, someone help me understand the thought process of electing someone who could not find his way to 49th and Imperial, let alone tell us how many school districts are within the City of San Diego. I have known Sanders for 29 years and while I like him as a man; I find it hard to support his politics; BUT, I would vote for him without thought given my choice of voting for him or Howdy Doody."

9. WOW! wrote on May 1, 2008 6:00 AM:
"This has to be one fo the best letters to the editor of all time. I'll bet you sent it to the UT and they wouldn't print it. Damn thing the truth is."

10. Edgar wrote on May 1, 2008 9:50 AM:
"Gideon's Trumpet: "Steve Francis cannot be bought." So? The same thing could have been said about Ross Perot, yet all he proved was that having a talent for making money and intelligence are two entirely separate things."

11. Billy Bob Henry wrote on May 1, 2008 12:45 PM:
"6. Ann wrote on April 30, 2008 7:39 PM: "So other than his money, what does Steve Francis have going for him? Why should I vote for him for mayor?"............. because the alternative is Colonel KFC Sanders-is that enough reason why for you Ann??????"

12. Bidwell's B*&tch wrote on May 1, 2008 2:03 PM:
"If you really want someone who can't be bought, vote for Bidwell. He won't do anything, but he can't be bought and he's not well-connected, so you won't have to worry about him helping out his powerful friends! You might have to worry about his bong smoke setting off city hall fire alarms, but thankfully you won't have to worry that he's cavorting with the smart and successful Business Elite! Francis is so keen to have the ego boost of winning this office that he will say or do absolutely anything to get it. It's pathetic, and voters see straight through him. Just because he got lucky in seeing a coming nurse shortage and made a bundle does NOT mean he can run a city. Sanders is no prize, either. Once again, S.D. faces a paucity of political talent."

13. Ralph of San Diego wrote on May 1, 2008 5:31 PM:
"Is anyone surprised that John Moores is cozy with yet another Politician/Political Appointment, such as Steve Peace? Moores was cozy with Councilperson Vallerie Stallings when he was promoting the new ballpark, and don't forget former City Manager McGory. McGory left the City and eventually worked for Moores. Corruption at its best! Don't forget that Peaces' wife sat on a State Commission for over $100,000 a year, and when questioned about her qualifications, said that they needed a "Soccer Mom's" perspective on the Commission. I wonder to what commission Sanders is going to appoint Steve's wife, you never know when you'll need a "Soccer Mom's" perspective."

14. Raph of San Diego wrote on May 1, 2008 7:23 PM:
"Sparky #8 Post: Would you consider "Dilly Dally?" He would be an improvement on both!"

15. Sparky wrote on May 1, 2008 8:13 PM:
"When there is a "None of the Above" on the ballot I will be happy. "Howdy Doody" is soooo phony and will say ANYTHING to get elected and will spend as much money as he has to for the job. His ego is soooo big it is scary. Sanders is on the attack and it is not him. I wish, just once, politicians would stick to issues, solutions and ideas for making this community better. What will YOU do to make life better in San Diego? "Dilly-Dally" "Goofy" "Daffy" "Sleepy" and of the above... none of the above. We are in serious trouble. Read "Howdy Doody's" 54 page "Sunshine" plan for a great laugh and joke. HELP"

16. Occum's razor wrote on May 1, 2008 8:40 PM:
"Does it ever occur to anyone that the politicos who push through a particular developer's or businessperson's agenda is doing so because they think it is the right thing, and not just because they developer gave them campaign money? Sometimes an idea pans out, sometimes it doesn't, but we're at risk of not trying anymore because it always gets someone's integrity impugned to stick their neck out and do any public-private partnerships. What if no one had "cozied up" to Moores and we ran scared from the ballpark? What if we had left the $200 million in infrastructure for Liberty Station to the city? If we listened to Ian Trowbridge, Bruce Henderson, JarvisRoss, et al., would we be better off? Liberty Station and the ballpark and surrounding development have become tremendous assets for our city -- including putting more taxes in the coffers. Get over it, people!"

17. Fed Up wrote on May 2, 2008 11:39 AM:
"Somebody please, tell me what the name "Occum's razor" means? Is it like "Sword of Damocles" or "Hobson's Choice" or "Pandora's Box?" Or does it mean "Panglossian optimism" -- daffy positive-thinking about this city's past, present and future based on a refusal to face facts. "Public-private partnerships" mentioned -- Petco Park and Liberty Station --tend to benefit private developers more than the tax-paying public that allegedly enjoys these "tremendous assets" over any possible alternative. Public-private deals almost always subvert our elected representatives' allegiance from the people whom they are supposed to serve to the business interests that fund their future political campaigns. (Sometimes the process gets pols indicted; sometimes they skate.) But profits that don't go to developers by-pass the general fund "tax coffers" to go into more "redevelopment." To "get over it," we must elect a reformist and independent Mayor and Council."

18. Edgar wrote on May 2, 2008 5:56 PM:
"It's Okham's razor. Oversimplified, it mean's keep it simple, but it is more complicated than that alone."

19. Sparky wrote on May 2, 2008 8:10 PM:
"Fed Up you asked? Occum's Razor; "One should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything." I agree with post #16. Had elected officials not made decisions on growth, building and the such where would all you people be living? My guess; WHERE YOU ALL CAME FROM; New York, Arizona; Illinois, Florida; Massachusetts et al. Get a grip people; Until you all pay attention and get involved instead of complaining, whining and crying nothing will change. When was the last time any one of you attended a Planning Board Meeting and listened to what is going on(other than when you went with your own agenda that was nothing more than NIMBY) and offered constructive suggestions or alternatives to growth? Howdy Doody will be better? Please!!! I can't believe you all buy his poppycock!! HELP!"

20. Fed Up wrote on May 4, 2008 3:01 PM:
"Occum,Sparky and Edgar -- What is your source on Okham's Razor? It's not in either of two dictionaries I own in either spelling. Plus, who was Okham? And, have you always known this expression or did you have to look it up? Thanks."

21. Fred_Williams wrote on May 5, 2008 7:52 AM:
"Occum, you are one-hundred-percent wrong. Neither the ballpork nor NTC have benefited the city. On the contrary, they have stuffed Moores and McMillan's pockets with OUR money. The redevelopment of downtown would have been FAR better without the ballpark, a walled-off sports-fortress where ticket and beer prices have soared while the team owner has laughed his way to the bank. Moores committed bribery and subverted political prostitutes like McGrory. There are some who still believe entertainment equals investment. The city's bankrupt, Occum. Moores belongs in jail. Watch out airport!"

22. Sparky wrote on May 5, 2008 8:08 AM:
"Google it Fed Up. Just type the phrase in the search box and read the info provided... has been around longer than you or I."

23. JimG wrote on May 6, 2008 9:02 PM:
"Occum's Razor, Of course we would have been better off if honest deals had been done for Liberty Station and the Ballpark. The fact that the projects are aesthetically sharp does not change the fact that dishonesty was the word of the day when those projects were proposed/presented to the public/passed. This kind of behavior is ALWAYS wrong."

24. Caitlin wrote on May 9, 2008 9:14 AM:
"Francis cannot be bought? Maybe Francis and his ilk have their own reasons for attempting to buy an election. How would being mayor benefit Francis in his business dealings is the question. Campaign contribution limits were put in place for a reason. Allowing rich people to buy public offices is a scary proposition."

25. Willy B wrote on May 10, 2008 2:38 PM:
"Occum, you need to strop your razor, it's a bit dull. If you think the ballpark is a big asset to the city, what about the 11.5 mil annually coming out of the city general fund to make the bond payments? The seats are uncomfortable and some of them have views so bad the left fielder can't be seen. Steve Francis says CCDC should make the ballpark bond payments because the park benefits mostly them. After Sanders' machine said that idea was ridiculous, Sanders came up with his own plan; he would "ask" CCDC to pay 5 mil annually. I like Francis' plan a bit better. Don't get me started on the team...."

26. Caitlin wrote on May 12, 2008 4:15 PM:
"Edgar, actually it is Ockham's Razor, named for William of Ockham. What a great moniker for this site. It is complicated in meaning but, Sparky did a pretty good job. We have far too many government agencies and community organizations all trying to accomplish the same goals. Survival instincts cause each of them to tweak their definition of cause and solution in some form or fashion and to protect their turf without any consideration of the common good. Capitalism in private enterprise greatly reduces these issues, the platform of the Libertarian Party."