Opinion: Jeff Simons Responds to Comments

I want to respond to a few comments on Riptide and in the Tribune going forward in this election.

First of all, I have never been offered nor have I accepted any money from Peebles Corp. for my support of Measure L or for this campaign, nor do I stand to receive any money. During my endorsement interview with the Sierra Club, I was adamant that I would not accept any donations from Peebles Corp., and this can be confirmed by Ken King, Jack Dobson, and Bill Collins. My campaign has been funded solely by Pacifica citizens and businesses, and my family's personal funds. All I have ever received from Peebles Corp. was a floral arrangement for the funeral service for my wife's mother, who passed away on July 7 of this year. We also received condolences from the office of Senator Leland Yee, and my family appreciates BOTH gestures.

Contrary to what Nick Leone contends, I have never publicly supported or endorsed ANY candidate for City Council. I HAVE publicly supported the right of any candidate to run for office. I do have a cordial relationship with most of the candidates for City Council and I would like to maintain that air of civility throughout the election.

Finally, I do appreciate the service that John Maybury provides to the community with Pacifica Riptide. I feel that public discourse is an essential element of a healthy society and healthy democracy, and I fully encourage the participation of everyone on this Web site, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with their opinions.

JEFFREY W. SIMONS

Comments

[Bill Collins]

I don't think Jeff Simons meant to suggest he was endorsed by Sierra Club when he mentioned his "Sierra Club endorsement interview."
Two candidates (Cal and Tod) didn't come to the interview at all.

Who endorses Jeff? - The San Mateo Times, whose editor told me that two candidates didn't come to the interview so they got little mention in the accompanying article, which started by mentioning that two incumbents were termed out.

So who reads The S.M. Times, an east bay paper with a bit of San Mateo coverage? The editor told me I was the only one to call him re the error a day after the edition published with the page one error.

(I don't pay for the paper - I canceled my subscription but suppose they want to keep their subscriber list up)

[Bruce Hallman]

It is also notable that the San Mateo Labor Council does not endorse Jeffrey Simons. Rather they endorse his opponents, Hinton and Nihart.

http://www.sanmateolaborcouncil.org/Endorsements.11.08.doc

[Bruce Hallman]

I can see the endorsement of my neighbors with their Simons yard signs who also put up McCain/Palin signs.

Who has endorsed Simons candidacy? I am not holding my breath waiting for Jeffrey Simons to answer questions. (This reminds me of Sarah Palin refusing press interviews.)

It is interesting this year with two open seats. The conservative wing splits among three candidates, and the progressive wing splits among two candidates.

I am guessing that Nihart has a better than expected chance of knocking off Hinton due to the three way split of the conservative vote.

[Bruce Hallman]

We know that the Sierra Club, the Democratic Committee and the association of realtors have refused to endorse Jeffrey Simons (also Hinton and Schlesinger).

Glaringly absent from Jeffrey Simons' website is any indication of any endorsements. Mr. Simons, would you please disclose who has endorsed your candidacy?

[Jeffrey Simons]

Mister Loeb,

I am not a Realtor as I have stated before. My wife and I refused to pay our dues this year as we do not feel SAMCAR supports the local real estate community. My wife was actually told to join San Francisco Realtors by a member of SAMCAR!

[Peter Loeb]

Pete DeJarnatt and Mary Ann Nihart were also endorsed by the San Mateo County Association of Realtors. Jeffrey Simons, a Realtor, was not endorsed by SAMCAR.

DeJarnatt and Nihart were also endorsed by the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee.

[Summer Rhodes]

Pete DeJarnatt and Mary Ann Nihart were unanimously endorsed this time around by the Sierra Club.

Other Sierra Club endorsements here:
http://www.sierraclub.org/politics/endorsements/index.asp

The Propositions (No on Propositions 7 and 10)
Read why here:
http://www.sierraclubcalifornia.org/

[Bruce Hallman]

Jeffrey wrote "During my endorsement interview with the Sierra Club...". This mislead me to understand the Mr. Simons is endorsed by the Sierra Club, but when I checked I see that not to be true.

The Sierra Club does NOT endorse Jeffrey Simons, rather they endorse two of his opponents, Pete Dejarnatt and Mary Ann Nihart.

http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/Election_Insight_2008.pdf

[Summer Rhodes]

The Labor Council interviews included a statement by Jeff Simons that Mr. Peebles has helped him out when times were hard, and is a friend of his, and of his family's. This per another candidate. Seems normal that he would get flowers from Mr. Peebles at such an important time.

[Dan Underhill]

That was very well said, Jeff. You almost sound like a different guy from the Jeffrey Simons we've been listening to at council meetings all this time. I still gather that your perspective represents Don Peebles better than the rest of Pacifica's population. I spoze that is why I jump to such assumptions.

Sorry about your wife's mother.

Also, Yes, Anybody ought to get to run for public office and Yes, Hooray for John Maybury's pacificariptide.com. It is truly an outstanding community service to us all.

[Bruce Hallman]

Jeffrey Simons claims: "I feel that public discourse is an essential element of a healthy society".

I have been told that the shadowy email discussion group "Pacifica Hell" was created by and is moderated by Mr. Simons. Is this an example of Mr. Simons style of healthy public discourse?