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Michael F. Denny
March 31, 2003


Another mention in the Chronicle.
Full article here
"Besides Ammiano and Leal, Newsom also faces former Supervisor Angela Alioto,  ex-Police Chief Tony Ribera, Libertarian Michael Denny and contractor Jim Reid (who slapped a Newsom sticker on his shirt Saturday and entered the auditorium through the VIP entrance)."

It's the corruption, stupid
Indictments change political landscape for mayoral and D.A. races
Full article here
By Savannah Blackwell
 

Dear Savannah,

Your March 5^th article, “It’s the Corruption Stupid”, stated that Tom Ammiano was the only mayoral candidate who believed the Mayor’s control over the police should be shared. I am also running for Mayor. And I also want to distribute the Mayor’s power to the supervisors including control over the police.  In this race, it seems both the left and right are calling for a “strong mayor”. I am the only candidate supporting a managerial rather than imperial role for the Mayor’s office. District elections gave more control to the people, where it belongs. The Mayor’s office needs to be more respectful of the people and rule of law. And the police department needs to be more responsive to our community. I’m going to tell you a little story.

Last Friday, I was on my motorcycle on the corner of Second and Mission. All auto and pedestrian traffic was stopped in both directions. I asked the police officer what was going on. He barked at me “police escort”. I asked who it was for. He looked at me with a look that said “Shut the F*%k up” and ignored me. So I waited for about 5-10 minutes and nothing happened while everyone was waiting around wondering what was happening. Then one motorcycle officer came through with sirens scanning the crowd for threats to the “parade”. He was followed by15-20 motorcycle officers and a squad car with lights and sirens blazing. Behind him was a small group of cars, most young twenty-somethings in BMWs wearing cool shades and a couple of larger limos with rich looking “swells” who were enjoying that they could drive at high speeds through the city without concern for traffic and the people. It was very clear that this police department and Mayor are in it for themselves and the “swells” they serve. We can’t provide bathrooms so San Franciscans can pee, but we can rudely delay our citizens while showing off our power to the rich and famous?

The poor can never beat the rich in City Hall. So the best thing to do is to dramatically reduce the power of the Mayor’s office and the police. We should be considering a more “citizen volunteer” approach to our Police and Fire Departments, including their privatization. And we should give the Police and Fire stations to the officers who currently work out of them and let them compete with each other to provide service to the community, their customers. With that, Police and Fire Departments not perceived as serving citizen needs would soon be out of business. The Vice department should simply be cut. Vices are not crimes anyway. And these silly and arrogant police escorts, should not be performed unless their entire cost is born by the visitor including the lost time of thousands of our citizens. If the true cost was charged, someone would have to feel pretty threatened to get a police escort. And who wants someone like that around here anyway. But of course, it’s never been about “protection”. It’s about an arrogant display of City Hall and Police power at the expense of the citizens and tax payers. In short, it’s business as usual.

Thanks to Tom Ammiano for his position on the police. Please let him and your readers know that he has allies.

Thank you for your excellent article.

DENNY CALLS FOR SANDERS TO STEP ASIDE

March 3, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco, March 3, 2003 - Libertarian candidate for mayor Michael Denny today called for San Francisco Police Chief Earl Sanders to voluntarily step aside, pending resolution of his indictment for conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Libertarians believe that all accused criminals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But Denny also says that the police department must be above the slightest appearance of impropriety. Having indicted suspects running law enforcement when civilian suspects are detained behind bars will severely strain the relationship between the community and the police, at the very least.

Accordingly, Denny called for Sanders and other indicted Police Department command staff to voluntarily step aside until the issue is resolved, for the good of the community, the City, and the Department.

"The police and City Hall have too much power," said Denny, "and they have too much to do." Denny called for decriminalization of victimless crimes, including drug use and consensual sexual acts, and the decommissioning of the Vice Squad.

Denny believes that real crimes - including murder, assault, rape, and theft - should be vigorously prosecuted, and that a more focused police force would be much more efficient - and more popular with the community. "The current adversarial attitude of the police is intolerable," he said.

About Michael Denny:

Michael Denny is a husband, a father of four children, a small business owner, and a Libertarian candidate for mayor of San Francisco. His campaign Web site is michaeldennyformayor.com. Libertarians believe in personal freedom, in both social and economic spheres, and in minimal government to protect those freedoms.

 

The Ten 0'Clock News
report from the Candidates Forum

2/23/2003
"Round 1 of S.F. mayoral contest
Candidates come out swinging -- but Newsom's a no-show"
Full article here

2/20/2003  
“Other candidates are Newsom, former Supervisor Angela Alioto, City Treasurer Susan Leal, ex-police Chief Tony Ribera, contractor Jim Reid and Libertarian Michael Denny. The election is in November.”
Full article here
 

Candidate Denny Invited to First Mayoral
Candidate Forum Friday Feb. 21 7-9PM
Goodwill’s Atrium
1500 Mission(11^th Street)

Candidate Denny featured in Junior Achievement video