Long-time activist Mike Denny's campaign for mayor got off to a great start and is moving ahead full steam.
On February 21, Mike vaulted into the public spotlight at a forum sponsored by the San Francisco Call. Willie Brown's preferred candidate, Gavin Newsom, was a no-show, to the amusement of the audience, but all of the other top contenders were there, including Tom Ammiano, Susan Leal, Angela Alioto, Jim Reid, Tony Ribera, and our own Mike Denny.
Mike ably handled questions on tax-funded education, community-building, youth crime, poverty, homelessness, and transit, and got a generally positive reaction from the audience. His appearance was noted by the Chronicle before and after, consistently with the "Libertarian" label attached to his name.
Mike has made several other appearances before community and business groups; his Web site, michaeldennyformayor.com, has more information. Appearances include a meeting of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where Supervisors Tony Hall and Matt Gonzales were keynote speakers, and a face-to-face discussion with local medical marijuana activists.
The local party's semi-annual dinner will take place on Sunday, April 6, at 6 pm, at the Sheesh Mahal restaurant (Polk and Post Streets). This inexpensive Indian restaurant does not provide table service; however, for a donation of $20-$250 to the campaign, volunteers will wait on donors at their tables. With or without donations, all LPSF members, their guests, and those willing to join are welcome.
On Saturday, May 10, the campaign will host a fundraiser at the Pacific Rod & Gun Club, at Lake Merced, from 2 to 5 pm. There is a $20 admission fee, and there will also be a silent auction and a live auction. If you have anything to donate to the auction, please contact Jackie Brennan, gsmom94121@yahoo.com, (510) 614-8210.
The campaign has put out a couple of press releases so far, with many, many more in the works.
After the SFPD indictments at the end of February, Mike issued a call for Chief Sanders and the other command staff to step aside voluntarily, pending resolution of the indictments. Sanders took the advice later that day, going on paid medical leave himself, and placing the rest of the indicted staff on unpaid leave. The March 3 press release also quoted Mike on the relationship between community and the police:
"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.
This past week, in response to a San Francisco Bay Guardian article, Mike made a radical call for decentralization and privatization of the Police and Fire Departments. "We should be considering a more 'citizen volunteer' approach to our Police and Fire Departments, including their privatization. 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."
Mike is making plans to appear with a dunk tank at the Haight Street on Sunday, June 8. He will also be marching with Outright Libertarians, the LPSF, and Libertarians from around the bay area in the San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday, June 27.
The Department of Elections has released the 2003 campaign handbook. The period for acquiring ballot access signatures is May 30 to July 24. Mike hasn't decided whether to simply pay the filing fee or collect the 6,600 signatures-in-lieu, but stay tuned for volunteer opportunities.
Chris Maden is the Chair of the LPSF and a volunteer with the Denny for Mayor campaign.