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GERRY BRAUN

Gerry Braun has left the U-T to work for
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.
Read the story here.


Have you associated with, well, anyone?

“Joe McCarthy Lives!”

So claims Scott Barnett, who was born five years after the wildly accusatory Commie hunter left this Earth.

More Gerry Braun Columns

N.Y. paper writes of Aguirre as a 'garden': Michael Aguirre has been called many things since he became city attorney, quite a few of them memorable, some not printable.

Billboards on wheels new signs of the times: The best way to get rich these days, I'm convinced, is to come up with an idea that increases efficiency.

Gentlemen, play nice at any and all debates: By agreement of the candidates, these Ground Rules for Future City Attorney Debates shall be read aloud by a neutral party at the start of each joint appearance by Michael Aguirre and Jan Goldsmith.

Gathering of crows is murder (to) most fowl: Of all the names we give animal groups, the most authentic are the ones that describe a distinguishing trait or behavior.

Longtime map seller gets routed to the exit: Not that long ago, a well-provisioned life required a few good maps. More than just a crumb-covered zoo map and a dog-eared Thomas Guide. More than those accordion-style road maps that turn into an IQ test when you fold them.

Suit over; bully gets booted out of her life: “Gerry Congratulations!” the e-mail began. “You accomplished what you wanted.”

United full of excuses, but family gets relief: Someone at United Airlines has a heart after all. But don't go looking for it at the corporate offices.

Waterfront proposal is taken to next level: San Diego's leaders are often accused of thinking small. That's never been Richard Chase's problem.

Bad airline stories are nothing like this: As I watch the Olympics this week, my thoughts keep turning to Anita Cabral of Spring Valley, though she is not an Olympian, or even an athlete.

Booze ban at beaches offers up two images: It's a paradox that's been applied to a glass of water, to a keg of beer, and now to San Diego's beaches.

Outsource initiative has morbid first outing: Robert Richeson does a job most people wouldn't care to watch. Yesterday, for instance, he drove into University City, grabbed a pitchfork and plastic bag from his truck, and carried away a dead possum. Then he was off to Ocean Beach, in search of skunk.

Motorcycle risks may outweigh the reward: As gas prices soar, so does the allure of the motorcycle. And why not?

Starbucks' exit from complex a step back: These are sad times, I'm sure, at each of the 600 Starbucks stores that will be closed in the coming year.

Taking note of parade and suit by firefighters: Mark Tonai arrived for work on Saturday ready to have a good time. And why not? How tough can it be to drive a fire engine in a parade?

Trickling drinking fountains are all wet: Maybe it's because I'm three-fifths water myself, but lately I've been thinking a lot about the wet stuff.

Mayoral sidekick a dogged defender: Every day for the past 32 months, Fred Sainz has woken up with this singular thought: “What can I do today to make Mayor Jerry Sanders look good?”

Perhaps an explanation for unused golf tickets: Once again, controversy surrounds the San Diego City Council and its cavalier attitude toward the free tickets it receives to taxpayer-subsidized sports events.

Fair gets a dressing down for icon's outfit: An old editor of mine telephoned last month with one last assignment. “Go check out the statue,” Gary Mortenson told me. “See if they haven't dressed it up again.”

Take down campaign signs, you scofflaws: I'm worried about Garry Haehnle, who was just elected to the Superior Court bench. My fear is that, come January, once Haehnle is sworn in, he'll be assigned a big case – say, a murder trial – and won't be able to seat a jury.

Fisherman goes up the food chain for answer: Growing up in Ukraine, back when it was a part of the Soviet Union, Valeriy Vernik learned to dread his encounters with obstinate bureaucracies.

18 holes (miniature ones) with the mayor: A tourist from Arizona stopped me as I left the golf course last week, wanting to know who I'd been playing against.

Aguirre's chances of winning? Let's count: Nobody wants to be a party pooper, but hear me out, folks: It's way too early to be dancing on the grave of City Attorney Michael Aguirre.

The lows and highs of latest election: I watched the ads, I read the mail, I stayed awake through the debates (most of them anyway) and, undeterred, I voted.

Election's conclusion deserves big sign-off: “What do we do now?” The terrific election movie “The Candidate” closes on that question from Robert Redford, playing a novice politician who's just won a U.S. Senate race. He and his campaign manager are in a hotel room, with a pack of journalists waiting outside.

About Gerry Braun

Gerry Braun's column appears Wednesdays and Sundays. Call (619) 542-4563; e-mail to gerry.braun@uniontrib.com; or mail to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

Diane Bell

Leaders are grateful for plenty: This past year has been a tumultuous one of highs – electing our first black president – and lows – a roller-coaster stock market and an avalanche of foreclosures.

San Diego Weblogs

:: Newsblog ::
Bensoussan declares Chula Vista victory: Democrat Pamela Bensoussan declared victory today in her race for the Chula Vista City Council in what was one of the closest council races the city has ever had. A...

:: Out There ::
USS Ronald Reagan returns: Jim Grant provided these photos of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego Bay as it returned home to Coronado Tuesday....


:: America's Finest Blog ::
By Chris Reed
LAO report still covered up: The green version of "The Spike": In 1981, a compelling novel called "The Spike" came out. Written by veteran journo Arnaud de Borchgrave and Robert Moss, it was a poltical thriller that took its title...


North County

Water settlement knots finally untangling: Standing alongside the Escondido Canal on the edge of Hellhole Canyon a few weeks ago, Bo Mazzetti, vice chairman of the Rincon Indian band, could see the outlines of his reservation miles away.

Temecula/Riverside

Driver of disabled car killed by big rig while crossing highway: A motorist whose pickup truck became disabled as he drove the wrong way on the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway early Monday was fatally struck by a big rig as he tried to walk across lanes, authorities said.

Traffic


Just Fix It

Streetlights back on in neighborhood; markings restored on road: Today we catch up on outcomes of recent calls to Just Fix It from Rancho Bernardo and Rancho San Diego.

Continuing Stories


Contact Us

(619) 293-1211
or (800) BIG-NEWS
metro@uniontrib.com

(619) 293-1010
breaking@uniontrib.com

Street address:
350 Camino de la Reina
San Diego, CA 92108

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 120191
San Diego, CA 92112-0191


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