Comments so far on this story:

1. Kathi Ward wrote on May 15, 2008 11:17 AM:
"Unfortunately, Steve Francis' mailer shows just how out of touch he is with the City of San Diego. The Mayor would have no jurisdiction over any of those bullets. As usual, it's just a bunch of hot air! Beware voters!"

2. CMR wrote on May 15, 2008 11:31 AM:
"The Mayor sits on SANDAG which determines, in large part, MTS policy through both power of the purse and setting regional transit goals and policies. MTS's board implements those. SO...if SANDAG mandates that the only money that will flow to the transit agencies will be for capital that is greener - more LNG buses. (To be politically precise, what SANDAG would likely do is provide an incentive for discretionary funding to the agency that adopted such a policy, thereby encouraging both MTS and NCTD to "go green" so as to avoid losing out) Similarly, SANDAG can put green taxi policies into the Regional Transportation plan."

3. MayorCandidateObserver wrote on May 15, 2008 12:28 PM:
"And Sanders has 'better ideas?' One individual with a 'new unit' built in San Diego, or a family of two or three, certainly 'uses' more than "40 liters/day," more like 40 Gallons per day, minimum-after lawns, laundry, showers/baths, kitchen & cooking needs, toilet & sink uses! Give us all a break, Ms. Ward & tell the truth, as 'retired executive on the negotiating team' for the city/union, you're more interested in 'keeping the status quo' and your 'Housing Developer-controlled government retirement subsidy' than how much 'water' any trees use. It's ok for you that San Diegans run out of water, as well as 'redevelopment' brings in more 'permit fees,' to pay your pension while the General Fund gets 'funded' by the few property owners of SD NOT in redevelopment zones! 'Alternatives' for revenue exist, we just have NO Leadership with Sanders, puppet of the developers!"

4. Larry wrote on May 15, 2008 1:29 PM:
""The biggest bit of foolishness is the bullet to fight global warming. Unless you plan to change the solar output of the sun, you are just fooling yourself." ---- Nice to see there are those who still think the world is flat."

5. SimplyCommonSense wrote on May 15, 2008 4:44 PM:
"Is there anything on Francis's wish list that will NOT cost us a bunch of money ? But I really love the last one ... sounds like he wants to get us into buying Carbon Offset Credits ... Talk about tossing money out the window ! Hey Steve ... how about showing us your personal water bills and lets see just how "green" you are ?"

6. Steve McMillan wrote on May 15, 2008 9:21 PM:
"Steve "Howdy Doody" Francis is a wolf in sheep's clothes... He says whatever he believes the audience wants to hear... He has flip flopped on more issues over the past 18 months than International House of Pancakes has flipped flap jacks. When the "REAL" Steve Francis stands up and starts to share his "REAL" views and ideas for San Diego; will it be too late to say "Hell No"?? Wake up San Diego: "Howdy Doody" was a cartoon and many of us laughed growing up while watching him. San Diego cannot afford a cartoon caricature to run this City. Mayor Sanders is trying and who of you is actively helping? He has not had full support of the City Council, City Attorney nor the Unions. Is it his fault or the fault of all of us for not standing up and supporting him?"

7. Charlie Pratt wrote on May 16, 2008 6:09 AM:
"Here's a specific example Mr. Dodd, quite close to your own neighborhood. Steve Francis emphatically opposes a cut-and-fill road and bridge through the heart of Rose Canyon in University City. Mayor Sanders supported this wasteful project in deference to developer interests, particularly the Evans family. How's that for specifics where it comes to protecting our parks and open spaces? After a careful study of the specifics, the Sierra Club endorsed Steve Francis. Protecting parks and open spaces is not pie-in-the-sky-when- and Mayor Sanders has failed to do so. San Diego's canyons deserve more protection than the Sanders' administration has been willing to offer them."

8. La Playa Heritage wrote on May 16, 2008 7:36 AM:
"Another example is Mayor Sanders push to_make all projects ministerial so_a clerk will be_in charge of neighborhood changing projects so the public will be taken out of the decision making process, thereby helping developers build whatever they want without regards to the impact on the existing neighbors, and not subject to CEQA, unlike any other City in the State. Mayoral Candidate Steve Francis will examine other cities' procedures, such as Coronado, Del Mar, Solana Beach, etc. to see how other coastal cities project their existing resident's Quality of Life. Mayor Sanders is also trying to get rid of 90 percent of Coastal Development Permit link again to let developers bypass Community Plans and Community Planning Groups. Mayoral Candidate Steve Francis will look at best business practices of other cites. Steve Francis will meet with Point Loma residents Saturday May 17, 2008 10:00_am, 371 San Fernando Street to_listen to their concerns."

9. CMR wrote on May 16, 2008 9:37 AM:
"And here is another (which seems so simple I am appaled it hasn't been done) - putting on-line major city leases so that we can EASILY find out how much Mission Bay hoteliers or those that lease park space in Balboa Park are paying. That isn't rocket science. Surely the city creates .pdf of leases so they can be easily emailed around. Francis needs at least a hat tip for proposing to put them on-line so that ordinary citizens can look at them."

10. Robert wrote on May 16, 2008 10:45 AM:
"Hmm... I'm guessing that "La Playa Heritage" is Vince Vazquez, formerly of SDI, now of the Francis campaign. Hmmmmmmm..."

11. La Playa Heritage wrote on May 16, 2008 11:26 AM:
"Hi Robert. No we are not a part of Steve Francis' campaign. link We are retired history buffs who love our City and want leadership in the Mayors' office. As neighborhood volunteers who advocates for Historic homes and the poor, we have tried to get a meeting with Mayor Sanders and his staff regarding our citizens' concerns on various issues, but have been ignored. In contrast, Steve Francis has meet with many neighborhood groups and will show up to City Council meetings to listen to public concerns. We want representation for the regular concerned taxpaying citizens who pay attention to Mayor Sanders' policies throughout the year, not just at election time."

12. Robert wrote on May 16, 2008 1:23 PM:
"Interesting website, LPH. Later on, I will spend some time checking it out. But, on the topic at hand, at least give me credit for discerning your pro-Francis bent. Even if one accepts your characterization of Mayor Sanders, I am still troubled by the conveniently "new" Steve Francis this time around. He has so dramatically changed on so many issues, I just wonder if he will show his own weaknesses, a la those you ascribe to Sanders. And this is coming from someone (me) who at one time was favorably inclined toward Francis. Sorry, but I simply think that Francis' unsteady philosophical and political compass now makes him a far less than desirable alternative."

13. Give Me Abreak wrote on May 16, 2008 6:46 PM:
"How many times have we all seen candidates who will say anything and do anything to get elected? That's all I am hearing from the "new" Steve Francis. Give Me A Break!"

14. Algernon Sidney wrote on May 17, 2008 3:21 PM:
"La Playa Heritage is essentially a lobbyist sucking up to the guy they hope will win the mayoral contest. Why? Because Sanders won't suck up to them, and Francis will, at least until he's elected. Sanders has done the heavy lifting in the recovery process, and now Francis wants to come in and take credit for it, as he knows the city is on track to good health."

15. Billy Bob Henry wrote on May 18, 2008 10:23 AM:
"I have not decided who I am voignt in as Mayor-biut it is NOT going to be Col. KFC-Do-Nothing For-3-years-Sanders. It is either Francis or Mr. Dreadlocks . And to be very honest, the kid with the dreadlocks knows how to BUDGET!, which goes a long way in my book for fixing this Cities problems."

16. Raul of San Diego wrote on May 18, 2008 11:34 AM:
"Each of the above individuals who responded to their concerns about Sanders' lack of involvement in their neighborhoods, are in fact a member of a "Special Interest Group." These individuals cry loudly when Sanders makes a decision for the "greater good" of San Diego, that may go counter to the decision they wanted. It is impossible for a city government to make everyone happy. Decisions should be made for the "greater good" of the City and not specific neighborhoods. We all want building and development of roads, housig, apartments, homes for the elderly, jails & rehab centers, etc, to occurr in neighborhoods other than ours. We're selfish and self-centered in wantin only "green space" in our neighborhoods, and the development to go elsewhere. The fact is the people living "elsewhere" want it in your neighborhood, not theirs!"

17. La Playa Heritage wrote on May 19, 2008 6:02 AM:
"Hi Algernon Sidney. We are not lobbyist. We are just retired citizens who want access to the Mayor's office. Before 2005 and the "Strong Mayor" form of government, the Mayor sat on the dias during City Council meetings. Now Mayor Sanders is missing in action from public meetings. Steve Francis promises to show up at City Council meeting and have staff on hand to take action items from_the City Council and citizens. link Steve Francis plans on having open offices hours as Mayor so citizens can talk with him directly. We do_not want anyone to suck_up. However, we do expect our leaders to show up and listen to_the public's concerns. Currently, the only people to_get access to_the Mayor is his campaign contributors like Sunroad, the Building Industry Association, lawyers, paid lobbyist,_etc. The public and the City Council does_not have access_to Mayor Sanders. As_Einstein said, "90 pecent of_life is_just showing_up.""

18. Robert wrote on May 19, 2008 7:18 AM:
"La Playa: You avoid answering the observations that Francis so twists with the wind, he gives the rest of us vertigo! He does not seem to be able to stick to a firm set of convictions, and will do or say whatever it takes to try to fool people into listening to him. We cannot trust any more opportunists like Francis. People like him are what got this city into trouble. Enough!"

19. La Playa Heritage wrote on May 19, 2008 10:59 AM:
"Hi Robert. Most people do_not understand the depth of disfunction of_the City_of San_Diego government until they study the issue for more than six weeks. When we starting being involved in City Issues we also did not know the extent. Six weeks was the amount of time Mayoral candidate Steve Francis had before first Mayoral election in 2005. Since 2005 to the present, Mr. Francis has been able to study_and analyze our City government and_the disfunction and_waste on_a daily basis first hand. Like everyone who pays attention to_the details, he must have_been shocked by_the behavior of City Government. Mr._Francis has now_put his "Vision for San Diego" in writing and on-line. link Since he studied the issue and came up with written stances on contentious matter, he has not changed his stances. Mr._Francis stood up_for the Mills_Act and Historic Designation, 30_foot_Coastal Height Limit, Kensington_Terrace, Rose_Canyon Bridge,_etc. Mr._Francis show is_a Leader and_a Visionary."