Friends in Need Plugged In With SDG&E-;-Indeed

The city of San Diego’s political reform measures outlawed corporate contributions to candidates.

The logic was simple: Corporations have money; corporations have issues before the City Council; corporations should not be allowed to use the former to advance the latter.

But corporations and other businesses also have employees, who have careers and checkbooks and are free to contribute. The result is that big-money interests are still treated nicely at City Hall, thank you.

Which brings us to a fund-raising breakfast Thursday at the U. S. Grant Hotel for Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer, organized and attended by executives of San Diego Gas & Electric Co. SDG&E; President Tom Page was front and center.

With Wolfsheimer in concurrence, the City Council has voted to spend $2 million on lawyers and energy experts to frustrate the planned merger of SDG&E; and Southern California Edison. So, why would Page and his underlings help Wolfsheimer?

Because, when it comes to wooing politicians at all levels, there are no more ardent suitors than SDG&E; and Edison. If a pol hears a knock on the door, it’s often a utility lobbyist with flowers and candy.

If Sacramento passes a bill adverse to the utilities, expect snowballs in Borrego Springs.

The SDG&E; execs came through for Wolfsheimer at a point in her reelection campaign when she can use some friends.

Although her pollster denies it, a rumor persists that Wolfsheimer’s scratchy temperament has eroded her support in the Sept. 19 primary. She trails one of her opponents in raising money.

Karen Hutchens, SDG&E;’s regional governmental affairs director, stresses that the breakfast was not arranged by SDG&E;, just by people “who happen to be employed by SDG&E.;”

She says that the merger was not discussed, although municipalization (which gives SDG&E; the willies) was. She finds the breakfast no more objectionable than fund-raisers held for other candidates by building-industry types with projects pending.

“You’re insinuating we’re trying to buy votes,” Hutchens said, “and I resent that.”

Wolfsheimer prefers not to comment. Her campaign manager, Karen Goyette, says she hasn’t tallied how many checks were collected from the 20-odd breakfasters, half of them employed at SDG&E.;

She calls the event a “friend-raiser,” not a fund-raiser. Ah, campaignspeak.

At a “friend-raiser,” people write their checks after they eat. At a fund-raiser, people write their checks before they eat.

Goyette sees no problem in taking donations from SDG&E; management employees who would like nothing better than to see the council tone down its opposition to the merger. If the merger dies, golden parachutes and other merger goodies turn to dross.

“Abbe’s vote,” Goyette said, “has never been bought.”

All That’s Sacred . . .

From a press release announcing a Sept. 9 fund-raising dinner by the Franciscan friars of Mission San Luis Rey outside Oceanside:

“The evening begins with a personally escorted walk through the Mission Museum and Art Collection followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Sacred Garden.”

Now that’s my idea of a Sacred Garden.

Tune In to the Latest

Take bank robbers. San Diego has had the the Traveling Man (he liked traveler’s checks), the Teller’s School Bandit (his demand note said he went to one), the Balding White Male and the “Give Me Thousands!” Bandit.

Enter now the Headset Bandit.

Sometimes she wears a Walkman-like headset. Sometimes she presents a single-space, page-long note. She’s suspected of jobs in University Heights, East San Diego and downtown.

The FBI figures she may hit again soon. Be careful if you spot someone in the withdrawal line listening to the Beastie Boys and trying to rub red stuff off her hands.

A teller this week slipped her something extra. As she was fleeing, her money bag went boom and smeared both her and the loot with indelible ink.