Comments on: City Council must avoid cronyism

By: Patrick O'Connor

Patrick O'Connor — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:06:26 +0000

Maggies choice should be honored. Others can run in 2012

By: kathleen2

kathleen2 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:57:45 +0000

I think that Coastal Thinker and Cameron Jay Jones missed the point of the article and I believe that they don’t understand the definition of cronyism.
cro·ny·ism/ˈkrōnēˌizəm/
Noun: The appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority without proper regard to their qualifications.
The appointment of Alice Jacobson to the environmental committee by the council majority of Stocks, Bond and Gaspar is a classic example of cronyism. The only qualification Alice Jacobson had for the position was her association with the council majority whereas the other applicants were well qualified for the appointment.
Supporting qualified candidates is not cronyism.

By: OCB

OCB — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:08:03 +0000

Great Column. If Stocks, Bond and Gaspar appoint their buddy Muir it’s cronyism, they have the majority vote. It’s like when Gaspar, Stocks and Bond made sure their buddy Phil COtton spiked his pension with an extra paycheck he wasn’t owed and told us there were 54 weeks in the year.

Barth can’t appoint anyone by herself. Barth is in the minority and can do nothing alone. Appointing Kranz or Shaffer would require 2 of the 3 majority, and that might end the appearance of cronyism. Both Kranz and Shaffer opposed Phil Cotton getting an extra paycheck to spike his pension. Kranz and Shaffer are not on SANDAG with Stocks and neither works for the city or is paid by the city, Muir is. There will be political fall out from seniors and others if Stocks, Bond and Gaspar appoint the one guy who’s their buddy over more qualifed applicants willing to serve 1 term only.

By: Coastal Thinker

Coastal Thinker — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:40:16 +0000

This is precious:
"Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer. Each has connections to council member Teresa Barth. Appointing either could end claims of cronyism."
So the fact that both of these folks gave money to and campaigned for Barth, AND received the support, not disclosed in this article, of one Andrew Audet, would end claims of cronyism?????
THIS COLUMN IS A P.O.S. political piece. Shame on this rag for publishing it.

By: No Muir

No Muir — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:52:03 +0000

It makes me sick to think that Mark Muir could be given this post as a favor, when he can’t even keep his own staff safe. This is one of the clearest conflicts of interests in the entire episode, and if he is appointed, the campaign against him, Stocks and Bond starts next Thursday!

By: Cameron Jay Jones

Cameron Jay Jones — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:17:43 +0000

"Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer. Each has connections to council member Teresa Barth. Appointing either could end claims of cronyism."
Once again, circular logic; appointing either of them would create a reverse cronyism.
In reality, Houlihan endorsed Shaffer because she never really liked Kranz and Shaffer is just interested in assuming power in any way she can, period.