Analysts assess city

At a conference hosted by SF State on Wednesday evening, political analysts debated the future of San Francisco, likening it to either a shining example of urban America or a stumbling alcoholic who has hit rock bottom.

The conference, moderated by SF State professor Rich DeLeon, featured former supervisor Nancy Walker, KRON political analyst Rollin Post, SF State Urban Institute's Hadley Roff (also chief of staff for mayors Feinstein and Jordan) and Jim Wunderman, chief of staff for Mayor Frank Jordan.

While many of the panelists said San Francisco was "the jewel of urban America," they also agreed that it was a city with many problems, although they differed on the extent of those problems.

Wunderman said the city was experiencing a period of relative tranquillity, and that most other American cities paled in comparison to San Francisco.

"I think there is a general level of contentment in the city. Most of the problems the city does have is the result of too many interest groups," Wunderman said.

Walker agreed, saying that "polarization politics are tearing apart the city. You have a situation where too many groups are vying for power, and it leads to stalemates in city government," he said.

She also said that activists have reached a point in the city where "it's no longer good enough just to be an environmentalist, you have to be pro-tree, or pro-flower, or pro-owl."

Walker said the city "is like an alcoholic that has to reach bottom before it can begin its climb back to the top."

Roff said it would be better for the city if interest groups acted together in the wake of "apocalyptic changes coming in the next several years."

He added that the city can expect its federal funding to be slashed by $600 million over the next seven years. "If the hyper-polarization continues, with business, labor and all the other interest groups yapping at each other, the city will be in big trouble," Roff said.

Wunderman said the city's political situation is resulting in disinterest in the current mayor's race.

"For one," he said, "candidates are scared because they're afraid to offend anyone. Part of the benefit of living in the city is its diversity. But as a politician, you have to appeal to such a broad spectrum of people. Whether its business groups or black groups or gays and lesbians or the senior citizens, you have to appeal to everyone."

Wunderman noted that Willie Brown's suggestion of turning Treasure Island into a gambling casino was one of the most compelling things to come from any of the candidates so far in the campaign.

"It was an original thought, but then the rest of the candidates jumped down his throat about crime, corruption and everything else. So he back-pedaled. It might prove to be the most interesting moment of the campaign," Wunderman said.

"Another reason I think a lot of people are uninterested in the mayor's race is that there are far too many debates, sponsored by far too many people. I'm sure that in due time we'll be invited to a debate hosted by the manic-depressant society."

"In fact," Wunderman added, "if there are too many more debates, I may join the manic-depressant group myself."

[ Golden Gater Online October 19, 1995 ]

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