CHRIS DALY SAVES THE DAY WITH PEOPLE POWER

Michela Alioto-Pier mean censure to tame Chris Daly backfired. The people came out in droves from all the Districts and with one voice did not agree with any official reprimand of their beloved Supervisor. The Board of the Clerk Gloria L. Young when asked if any Supervisor had been censured in the past - told the people gathered that she has access to records going up to 1974 and her research revealed that no Supervisor had been censured. I attended the meeting and spoke and it is my firm belief that any serious infringement, lack of decorum, debacle among the Supervisors should be handled - within. It is wrong to bring such a matter before the public and it is wrong to censure a Supervisor without due process. Supervisor Bevan Dufty was not there to vote on the censure. Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean Elesbernd chose to censure Chris Daly. Matt Gonzalez, Tom Ammiano, Chris Daly, Fiona Ma, Sophie Maxwell, Jake McGoldrick, Aaron Peskin, and Gerardo Sandoval all voted against the censure. 6 votes were needed and Chris Daly got 8. This was a great victory for Chris Daly and People Power. His wife and new born baby child witnessed the proceedings. Chris is a decent human being and very sensitive. In his passion to fight for those needing help most he crossed the line - but never ever that any intent to harm anyone. It was all because of one word that is used commonly these days. John Burton uses it and so do so many we know - some very powerful leaders. In the context Chris Daly used it - he meant to say back off. This censure episode at the Board of Supervisor - November 23, 2004 will be remembered as a day in infamy. Most of us are happy that the people won and that Chris Daly will continue doing the good stuff he does. This episode took a toll on the health of Chris and I hope that no one else has to go through such a trauma. Especially those who work so hard for the constituents such as Chris Daly. Michela Alioto-Pier can lick her wounds and should feel sorry that she upset many people - the folks that she represents in District 2 do not have to deal with hundreds of evictions, the Ellis Act, poverty, and a host of very serious issues. I hope she learns her lesson and will learn to work with the Supervisors. Censure is a bad word any way you pronounce it.

Chris Daly and his wife.


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