Wow! Who's going to run the City now?

Posted by MCS | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 8:12 pm

So did Sainz stick around long enough to collect a pension from our city?

Posted by Norman | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 9:01 pm

Fred did occasional harm to Mayor Sanders, but much good, most of it behind the scenes. It is true that too often he was the story, which is not ideal for a communications person. But he was a strong personality in an administration of strong people - it's hard to keep that subdued, I suppose. Personally, I will miss having him around, for the good times and the bad. Best, Algernon

Posted by Algernon Sidney | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 9:15 pm

Apparently, the Gill Foundation doesn't place a premium on truth telling. Perhaps Sanders can re-hire Mike McSweeney as Sainz' replacement for more spin, with a stupid grin. Some of the best of Fred: The mayor did not drop the F Bomb on opposing candidate Francis--when numerous people heard it and Sanders admitted the use of the colorful language. Or, the orchestration of choreographed applause, during multiple speeches, right in front of the media and camera stations. And, the entire Sunroad saga--Fred at his best/worst. Fred Sainz, the Ryan Leaf of San Diego politics. Addition by subtraction.

Posted by Happy 4th | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 9:18 pm

Fred Sainz certainly wasn't ever one for truthiness.....so good riddance Fred and don't let the door hit you in the ass! The City of San Diego deserves better.

Posted by Point Loma Resident | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 10:35 pm

Wow. Sanders grew some. Second term is off to a smart start - that's leadership!

Posted by Tom S. | reply to this comment
July 2, 2008 10:44 pm

Don't let the door hit you in the rear on the way out Fred. It's amazing how little professionalism he showed at times for the position he was in and the salary he drew. Hopefully his replacement won't be as big an embarassment. And hopefully still the mayor will hold the new guy accountable for his actions.

Posted by Bye Bye | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 12:36 am

Like many of San Diego voters, I too am delighted, no, I'm thrilled that Fred Sainz is leaving. (Hopefully Kris Michelle will be next!) I wonder if Fred bought in to the five-year pension "plan" that we taxpayers have to pay for? I also have to wonder what Bob Kittle is going to do now that his "source" in the Mayor's office is out the door? Good riddance Fred! You will not be missed!!

Posted by Weese007 | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 7:19 am

Mr._Sainz was the gatekeeper to the Mayor's office. Under the Strong_Mayor form of government, Mayor_Sanders does not have to show up at City_Council meetings, and there is no way to get Mayor_Sanders' attention or hold his office accountable to the public. link Page 29 of the AG report clearing Sunroad states, Fred_Sainz, one of the Mayor's principal political advisors, told us that in the Mayor's office there is never any discussion whether a person with an issue before the City is or could be a contributor and that the Mayor customarily meets with people from all walks of life and individuals on both sides of an issue of concern to the City. This spin or lie can be by uncovered by reading Mayor Sanders' calendar entries which show no meetings at City Hall with regular citizens. If Mayor_Sanders would just listen, problems could_be averted. Maybe_now the public will_get access_to Mayor_Sanders.

Posted by La Playa Heritage | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 7:28 am

He may not be everybody's flavor but nobody can/will deny that Fred Sainz was the smartest and most competent guy at City Hall. When news of his leaving broke, parades and fireworks probably broke out at Mike Aguirre and the various unions' offices. They just lost their most worthy adversary. I have always thought that the reason people didn't like Fred is because he was so darn effective. After all, he got JS re-elected with 54% of the vote against four other opponents, one of whom spent millions. He also took a lot of bullets for his boss. Oh and btw -- as best I can tell from reading here -- Fred told the mayor NOT to proceed with Sunroad.

Posted by Truth be told | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 7:29 am

It's.about.time.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 7:30 am

jerry knows damn well it was fred who set mike up and the dreed lock mayor to be. its about time for san diego to be free of this resident stooge. trust me he won't be missed.

Posted by sammie | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 7:32 am

About time! I just hope that this will also bring the departure of Kris Michel, the last remaining Susan Golding staffer left in Sanders' office. The administration of Golding was such a disaster, including starting the pension problem, yet no one complains that Sanders has recreated that administration. Open your eyes, Jerry! These political monsters are nothing but trouble. Bye bye bye Freddie!!!

Posted by WideWake | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:13 am

Truth be told, you must be kidding. Sainz is an effective political operative but has no clue how to run a municipal government. His spin and political scheming continue to bamboozle the taxpayer into believing that he and Sanders are doing what's best for San Diego. It's really about what's best for Fred and Jerry. Sainz couldn't give a hoot about the average joe-taxpayer or the demonized city employee, they are simply tools of his schemes to bring in the republican domination of this town - now we're selling it off, piece by piece, to the highest bidder. One day taxpayers will feel the pain of these scams much more so than the pension debacle.

Posted by oh really?! | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:20 am

Well, I will admit that I wish Fred Sainz had the heart and conscience to be on the side of the community and the people who needed his guidance the most instead of working the establishment side -- that is why I have been so harsh in my comments about him.//From what I knew, Fred was the kind of guy you would have liked to have on your team, but since he played for the bad guys, he's been a bad guy. And you can see all the crap he got into playing in their mud pit.//Now Fred is going to do what he should have been doing all along, which is helping the community instead of trying to find ways to screw it -- lucky for those in Denver. I honestly believe he is a good person who has been so thoroughly misguided these past years.

Posted by Christopher Hall | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:23 am

HuRRAY!!!! Fred was oh so typical of what's wrong with this town. And as far and the JS's re-election, there was no great feat in that. In a city of 1.2 million people, Sanders rec'd less that 92,000 votes. Pathetic. It's more of people not caring rather than the Sanders/Sainz Axis being something to be in awe of. What a burg.

Posted by Don | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:34 am

Fred was as sharp as a tack sometimes. Most of the time he was more like a dull nail being banged in with a 10 lb hammer. He brought to the job the swagger from his days with the RNC. San Diego deserves and can find better I hope. It is a great opportunity for the Mayor to start his new term with a communications person who knows and cares about the people of San Diego more than himself or herself.

Posted by Born and Raised in PL | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:39 am

To "Truth be told", Fred very well may be/have been the smartest guy at City Hall. I've worked with him and he certainly deserves consideration for that title. Your definition of the other adjectives you use, "competent" and "worthy", certainly must be different than mine. I wouldn't expect to find "duplicitious, underhanded, misguided and dishonest" in the definition of "competent and worthy." And since Fred is part of Sanders' top management team, I would say he shares the responsibility for the miserable track record of this administration to date. The bureaucracy is in a state of disarray with inadequate and constantly changing day to day management. To point to implementing recommendations from a ridiculously expensive investigative report as the major accomplishments of this administration is a sad legacy.

Posted by Get A Clue | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 8:46 am

I read all of these negative comments about Sainz and I just have to wonder...why are so many people so bitter? Probably because he was good is what I conclude. I don't care for Fred's brand of spin but there's no doubt that he was effective at what he did. He was in fact one of the very best that I've seen. And let's be real: no organization can be lead by a nice guy, a la Jerry Sanders. Typically, the have enforcers that do the dirtywork. That was Sainz. Be happy he's gone but be fair to him as well. He's good.

Posted by C'mon Now | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 10:16 am

Sainz good? Right. That's why he got caught lying multiple times. A good PR guy doesn't have to lie in order to spin something his way. Sainz was a Golding hack, dishonest and clumsy, and the city is better off without him.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 10:28 am

Sainz was good at politics, incompetent at management. With our vaunted "strong mayor" form of muni government, we've blurred the lines between the two. Craven Sanders turned the City orgnization over to the politicos, and management of a mega-million dollar muni corporation has suffered. But with policcal spin most are convinced that there have been imrprovements.

Posted by tseuG | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 11:17 am

In my limited interactions I found Fred Sainz to be a professional and a gentleman. I wish him well. From my observations, the biggest problem for San Diego in recent decades has been the anger, bitterness and cynicism of too many citizens.

Posted by Bill Keller | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 11:51 am

Bill Keller...yeah I am angry, bitter and cynical because a bunch a corrupt politicians, working in concert with the local newspaper and greedy developers, stole billions of dollars from the citizens of San Diego by means handing out lucrative pensions and city land & permits. While Fred Sainz wasn't responsible for those backroom deals, he was an enabler for those greedy city employees, developers and sports team owners. San Diego should no longer tolerate the corruption made evident in Fred Sainz's private (now public) communications with Bob Kittle of the Union-Tribune. Com'n folks speak truth to power rather than being just another Republican lemming.

Posted by Point Loma Resident | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 2:17 pm

Dear PLR: Beautifully stated. People should be upset. Al Capone was nice to some people. Capone even gave to charities. Never changed the facts that Capone was a criminal. Sainz was consistently untruthful with the public and to the press. He has earned all the derision.

Posted by Happy 4th | reply to this comment
July 3, 2008 3:12 pm

22. Bill Keller wrote on July 3, 2008 11:51 AM: "In my limited interactions I found Fred Sainz to be a professional and a gentleman. I wish him well. From my observations, the biggest problem for San Diego in recent decades has been the anger, bitterness and cynicism of too many citizens."......YEAH BILL, PEOPLE TEND TO GET PISSED OFF WHEN THE MAYOR'S SPOKESPERSON LIES STRAIGHT UP TO THEM. That might make people angry, bitter and cynical, don't you think???

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
July 7, 2008 11:50 am

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