Liz and Lee Heidhues 6.15.2021
Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s apology was trumped by the political catcalls between Board President Shamann Walton who represents the City’s rapidly gentrifying Hunters Point neighborhood and Mayor London Breed, born and raised in the Western Addition.
This is more than a dispute between two San Francisco neighborhoods involving the Mayor and the President of the Board of Supervisors. Pictured above in happier times.
It is the two most powerful politicians in San Francisco getting down to business and getting down. There is always tension between the legislative and executive bodies in this town. It is now more pronounced as the Board of Supervisors has a “progressive” majority while the Mayor is considered moderate by San Francisco standards.
One area of dispute between the branches of government is the attempted Recall of “progressive” District Attorney Chesa Boudin. At least seven of the 11 members of the Board have come out against the Recall effort. The Mayor’s office has been publicly silent while it is a fact that two women spearheading one of the Recall efforts are allies of the Mayor.
One of my favorite songs encapsulates San Francisco’s latest political cat fight. “The Thrill is Gone” by the late blues great B.B. King
Excerpted from San Francisco Chronicle 6.15.2021
Supervisor Aaron Peskin issued an emotional apology for his past behavior and expressed remorse for his conduct at Tuesday’s Board meeting, days after he announced plans to enter alcohol treatment.
Peskin’s behavior, which included aggressively berating a department head during last week’s Board meeting, exacerbated existing tensions between the board and the Mayor. During Tuesday’s meeting, Board President Shamann Walton and Mayor London Breed accused each other and their respective staffs of bullying, and called for more respect.
Walton said the board would support Peskin in his recovery.
Earlier on Tuesday, the mayor criticized the board for what she called mistreatment of her staff. She also said Walton “should manage this board appropriately and not be someone who’s also inflicting harm on city staff and other people who are coming forward to testify with the board.”
Walton responded during Tuesday’s meeting that several staff members and some of her department heads are the “true bullies.”
“This is the pot calling the kettle black,” Walton said. “Our Board meetings have never been more efficient and respectful, including when the mayor was president of the board.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Supervisor-Peskin-s-apology-for-behavior-16249530.php
Lee's Perspective 