By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO– I hope Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer and his fellow City Council member, David Alvarez, will sit down soon to a nice private lunch, enjoy a few tales about their respective campaigns, and restore the cordiality that previously had marked their relationship. I’d like to see them have a joint press conference in the very near future saying that the campaign is over and that they plan to work together in behalf of all San Diegans.
True, there was a lot of rhetoric during the campaign. Alvarez and his backers accused Faulconer of being in the pocket of big business; Faulconer or his backers accused Alvarez of being a tool of labor. However, none of this campaign noise descended to the level of personal attack. So I think both men can get on with the business of the city government.
When we endorsed Faulconer for mayor, we also commented that we hope at a later date, we can support Alvarez for another office. We noted that Faulconer had more experience in city governance, and felt he was, and is, therefore better qualified to take the reins of a city that had been rocked by the sexual harassment scandal that resulted in former Mayor Bob Filner’s resignation from office. At the same time, we saw much to be commended in David Alvarez, and believe he will go on to other accomplishments.
I want to add the voice of this publication to the many others congratulating City Councilman Todd Gloria for the very positive role he played as the Interim Mayor of San Diego. He remained positive throughout, and although he ultimately supported his fellow Democrat, David Alvarez, against the Republican Kevin Faulconer, he did so without any rancor. I think the entire city owes him a debt of gratitude for his steady hand. All of us can look forward to supporting him too for some future office.
Perhaps, after the official whom he succeeded on the City Council, Toni Atkins, completes her tenure as the next Speaker of the State Assembly — and mazal tov to her on that accomplishment — Gloria will decide to run for that Assembly seat. Or perhaps he will look to the Board of Supervisors or to Congress depending upon where there might be an opening. Wherever Gloria decides to go, he will bring with him a solid record of accomplishment for which many voters, Republicans, Democrats and my fellow Non-Partisans, will be grateful
With officeholders like Faulconer, Gloria, and Alvarez in city government, and Atkins in state government, as well as many other incumbents, we have many reasons to feel proud of our city and its representatives.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com