Newsom keeps low profile after return to city
By: Mike Aldax
November 6, 2009
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| Mayor Gavin Newsom was back in City Hall on Friday after a week out of the public spotlight. (AP) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom kept a low profile in City Hall on Friday, his first day back after a trip to Hawaii.
Newsom has not appeared publicly since his withdrawal from the California governor’s race on Oct. 30. On Tuesday, he unexpectedly jetted off to a Big Island resort to join his family, including his wife and 7-week-old daughter.
The mayor's chief of staff, Steve Kawa, on Friday attempted to quash the many rumors that had circulated after the abrupt departure, saying his boss was “under the weather,” wanted some time off and is now well and focused on running The City.
After a Friday of meetings with the mayor at City Hall, Kawa called Newsom a “workhorse” who he believes is determined to fulfill his mayoral duties until his term ends in January 2012.
“That’s Steve Kawa saying that, not the mayor’s office or the mayor himself,” Kawa said. “He loves being mayor of The City.”
Newsom planned on staying in Hawaii through the weekend, but returned to City Hall on Friday after learning 300 hotel workers had launched a three-day strike at a downtown hotel Wednesday, Kawa said.
His return did not mean he was prepared to talk publicly. Newsom ignored reporters when he arrived at City Hall this morning at around 9:30 a.m. Television crews camped out in front of his office and at various locations around City Hall throughout the day for a chance to speak to the mayor. None had any luck through late afternoon.
Newsom has been meeting with Kawa and others regarding the labor dispute, employment and other city matters, Kawa said. The mayor is scheduled to meet with hotel workers, who have gone on strike at one hotel, and hotel management Monday.
Kawa said he’s been in contact with the mayor since Oct. 30. He said the mayor informed him he was “sick” last weekend and wanted some time off. Kawa would not discuss details of Newsom’s ailments, only saying he felt better. Newsom told Kawa he planned on joining his family in Hawaii days before he booked a flight, Kawa said.
Newsom’s absence, however, raised questions about his political future, heightened discussion about his character flaws and had many wondering how he was coping with his failed run for state office.
At least three members of the Board of Supervisors expressed harsh criticism for how Newsom has handled the week since he dropped out of the governor's race.
Due to his leaving, the Mayor’s Office canceled a number of events Newsom had been scheduled to attend, including a speech to a Moscone Center crowd of 2,000 at the Silver SPUR Awards Luncheon Monday, another at the 6,000-crowd Urban Land Institute conference Wednesday, and a news conference at Mission Police Station with Police Chief George Gascon.
There was also criticism he did not follow proper protocol when he appointed Supervisor Carmen Chu as acting mayor before he left the state.
Several members of the Board of Supervisors said Newsom should have been more forthcoming about taking time off.
“I think some of his staff might feel that they could have had a heads up about that,” said Supervisor John Avalos. “I think people expect that of the mayor.”
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi said “we can only hope it doesn’t happen again.”
“It surprised many people…I think people wanted to give the mayor somewhat of the benefit of the doubt considering the hard week he had,” Mirkarimi said.
But “maybe that was stretched to far,” Mirkarimi added.
“He should be more forthcoming as to when he is and is not in San Francisco,” he said.
