San Antonio Mayor election 2009 thread (Alice, Bowie: schools, taxes, housing)

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

Compared to the others, yes, but notice I didn't put her in the #1 spot. If only someone from C-D would run...

But why? She was a lobbyist and a PR person. Totally unqualified beyond belief and only ran because the person she wanted to she run didn't.

P.S.

Was that directed to me?

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

Compared to the others, yes, but notice I didn't put her in the #1 spot. If only someone from C-D would run...

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

Here are my faves for mayor:

1.
2. Deberry-Mejia
3.
4.
5.
6. Castro
7.
8.
...
25. Cibrian

From what I read, I'm not a fan of either since none seem to be above douchebaggery. Anyone else want to write in Ron Paul?

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by lemonfresh

But why? She was a lobbyist and a PR person. Totally unqualified beyond belief and only ran because the person she wanted to she run didn't.

Because I like neither Cibrian nor Castro. I vehemently dislike Cibrian because I think she's way too full of herself, talks out of both sides of her mouth, and takes credit for lots of things that she had little or no real involvement in. She is the epitome of a sterotypical politician.

As for Castro, I just have never liked his politics, although if you try to get me to point to something specific, I'll admit I can't. It's just the impression I have left after his previous time in office.

Sometimes it's good to get someone from outside the system. Being mayor, especially in a city that has a city manager, is more about having someone who is intelligent, articulate, and level-headed and can be a unifying leader rather than someone to actually run the city. Don't forget that Phil Hardberger had no city government experience before becoming mayor, and I think most people would say he's been one of the best mayors in modern history.

P.S.

Was that directed to me?

Sure! I'd vote for you!

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

Sometimes it's good to get someone from outside the system. Being mayor, especially in a city that has a city manager, is more about having someone who is intelligent, articulate, and level-headed and can be a unifying leader rather than someone to actually run the city. Don't forget that Phil Hardberger had no city government experience before becoming mayor, and I think most people would say he's been one of the best mayors in modern history.

I agree but he was able to combate no experience wih his progressive thinking. The same thinking that took me from thinking: "This old man is seriously running for Mayor" in their first debate to "I'm voting for him" within no time.

Seriously, that was almost verbatim what I said when Hardberger did his first debate with Castro and Schubert.

Deberry doesn't even remotely strike me as the type of progressive, long term planning person Hardberger is.

She seems to me to be more of the figure head/puppet for local businesses and corporations. Basically, the Schubert of '09.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by lemonfresh

But why? She was a lobbyist and a PR person. Totally unqualified beyond belief

I disagree that lobbyists are unqualified. I've never met Trish Deberry-Mejia, but I've talked to some city lobbyists. Lobbyists know how to get things done in this city better than some of the people on the council do. I don't particularly like all of the methods they use to get things done, but I can't dispute that those methods get results.

On another note, this story where Diane Cibrian is compared to Rod Blagojevich is worth a read.

Cibrian Verbally Attacked During Meeting - Politics News Story - KSAT San Antonio (http://www.ksat.com/politics/18755641/detail.html#- - broken link)

[Pontifikate]

Trish Deberry (no mejia) is an insult to the city. Her pandering to the Hispanic population by adding Mejia is an insult and a disgrace Moderator cut: see comment.

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by Bowie

I disagree that lobbyists are unqualified. I've never met Trish Deberry-Mejia, but I've talked to some city lobbyists. Lobbyists know how to get things done in this city better than some of the people on the council do.

It's not about knowing how to get things done, it's about the vision you have and what you plan to put out there.

I don't think if Deberry were elected Mayor in 2005 we'd have the Main Plaza, Haven for Hope, Voelcker Park, 550 Million Dollar Bond election, Mission Verde, potential Hemisfair Park redevelopment and finally and most importantly... Sherly Sculley.

I do think we'd have an MLS team in the Alamodome rent free.

[TexHwyMan]

Like I said, IMHO, she's the lesser of the evils. I would like to see someone better than any of them, but alas no one that fits that bill has appeared thus far.

So lemonfresh, which of the three do you like best and why?

[Bo]

Originally Posted by lemonfresh

It's not about knowing how to get things done, it's about the vision you have and what you plan to put out there.

I don't know that Trish's vision is any less than that of her opponents. Even if I were to concede that point, there's a lesson from history. Previously, we had Ed Garza who demonstrated what it was like to have a mayor who could do neither of those things. I'm willing to settle for a mayor who can get things done.

I don't think if Deberry were elected Mayor in 2005 we'd have the Main Plaza, Haven for Hope, Voelcker Park, 550 Million Dollar Bond election, Mission Verde, potential Hemisfair Park redevelopment and finally and most importantly... Sherly Sculley.

Frankly, I think the next 2-4 years will be a rough ride for the city budget. If I'm right, that means it won't be a golden era with one new city project after another coming online. I want a mayor who is willing to cut staff and postpone projects if there isn't enough money to keep them around. Trish is the only one of the three I trust to make those hard choices. Julian's too beholden to the unions and Diane won't do anything that makes her unpopular.

I do think we'd have an MLS team in the Alamodome rent free.

You might be right if Ed Garza hadn't been term-limited out.