Friends and foes reflect on “Da Mayor,” who is as relevant as ever
In a city with a well-established reputation for spawning political greats, Willie Brown still stands apart.
To those who have worked for him — or, at times, against him — Brown remains a powerful force in San Francisco more than 70 years after he first stepped foot in The City as a young man born and raised in Texas. Brown became so effective at wielding power and influence in the California legislature that he became the face of a successful effort to establish term limits for legislators. Many, including Brown himself, have opined that his career in Sacramento would have lasted much longer if not for term limits.
In 1995, Brown launched a successful bid for mayor of San Francisco, ousting incumbent Frank Jordan and going on to serve eight years before, once again, hitting a term limit. As he did in the state legislature, Brown quickly garnered a reputation for his hands-on approach in City Hall. “He didn’t rely on his department heads or his mid-managers about the state of The City or the state of the state,” Matier said. “He went out there and took a look himself.”
Ex // Top Stories Decades-old SF homelessness program now a mayoral battleground Safai is staking mayoral campaign on helping homeless residents relocate “Like countless others, Mayor Brown gave me a chance to do what I wanted to do: work in public service,” Rosenfield said. “His legacy is not just what he got done in his historic career; it’s how he challenged a generation of us to do better for the places we call home.”“Personally for me, he’s represented the possibilities of what you can do as Mayor when you work hard and when you build relationships and deliver on your commitments,” Breed said.
“Having someone like Willie Brown to watch and look up to most certainly helped shape my decision in terms of wanting to serve in elected office and as a public official,” said Walton.“If, for some reason, you make a mistake, you have an opportunity to correct it,” Walton said, adding that “the worst thing in leadership is being indecisive.”
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
At 90, California political icon Willie Brown still dominates every room he entersAs Willie Brown turns 90, the California political icon reflects on his career, the state of politics, and the figures he crossed paths with.
Read more »
Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, turning 90, kicks off week of birthday merrymakingWell-wishers packed Chief Sullivan's pub in San Francisco Friday night for a special celebration in honor of former mayor Willie Brown.
Read more »
Opinion: California political icon Willie Brown still dominates the roomAs he turns 90, the political giant reflects on politics, his career and his induction into the California Hall of Fame.
Read more »
San Francisco City Hall hosts 90th birthday celebration for 'Da Mayor,' Willie BrownOn Wednesday, San Francisco City Hall hosted a special celebration as hundreds of former employees gathered to mark the 90th birthday of their one-time boss, legendary former SF mayor Willie Brown.
Read more »
Willie Brown weighs in on state of SF politicsFormer Mayor Willie Brown spoke with The Examiner about the current race for mayor
Read more »
Cleveland's Rachel Brown Receives a Little Help from Her Musical Friends on New AlbumLocal singer-songwriter Rachel Brown has regularly drawn from the vast pool of musical talent in Northeast Ohio for her previous albums.
Read more »