Edgy Interview: TJ Zane

TJ Zane is one of those guys who has accomplished a lot in a relatively short amount of time. Working backwards, he’s currently serving his second term on the Poway Unified School District Board. As you’ll read, it’s a position that TJ is passionate about and he’s been very active while on the Board. Before that, he served as the president of the highly influential Lincoln Club, getting the Club involved in many winning efforts during his tenure. One of those was the 2012 pension reform campaign — which TJ branded as the fight for comprehensive pension reform (CPR for San Diego, get it?). It was while he was Lincoln Club president that TJ earned a reputation for developing and employing innovative campaign tactics like maximizing the effectiveness of slate mailers. He also launched a Club project to deeply understand the electoral motivations of independent voters and the factors that are vote determinative for them. Prior to that TJ led the campaign to retain Mt. Soledad as a war memorial overlooking La Jolla. He’s done a lot more stuff, so check out this interview.

 

Who would you want to have play you in your biopic?

My mom used to call me her “Little Robert Redford” when I was a kid, but I’d be hard-pressed to choose between Steve Carell, Will Farrell or Brad Pitt… if forced, however, obviously I’d have to choose Brad Pitt because he’s the only one who looks even remotely like me.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

 

An astronaut. I was crushed by the Challenger disaster. By the time I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be a United States Senator. But now I’m a Republican living in California, so there’s that.

 

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

Taking liberties with this question and naming someone who was perhaps one of the most influential Founding Fathers in the shaping of America as we know it but who never was President: Benjamin Franklin. A truly fascinating historical polymath, Franklin was an inventor, author, entrepreneur, scientist, political theorist, humorist, printer, postmaster, statesman, Freemason, civic activist, diplomat, and founder of “America’s First University” (the University of Pennsylvania… to which I’m a bit devoted.) There are just too many topics to list about which I’d enjoy chatting with Ben, but who wouldn’t want to have a beer with the first guy to make the Dad bod such a coveted status symbol?

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?

The Current Tax Payment Act of 1943 that re-introduced the requirement to withhold income tax in the United States. I believe if all wage earners had to literally write a check to the government monthly, quarterly, or annually for their “fair share” of taxes, there’d be another Boston Tea Party and government spending would quickly be reined in.

 

Which accomplishment as an elected official are you proudest of?

I think I’m proudest of my leadership in the areas of student wellness and campus safety – a platform on which I first campaigned in 2014 – and the efforts to make many positive improvements throughout Poway Unified School District. The Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, that happened on February 18, 2018, really was a turning point that quickly galvanized the district and the community around the importance of prioritizing student safety. As board president at the time, I requested the superintendent organize a community forum to listen to parents’ concerns and for the district to share what it was already doing, and planning to do, to ensure our children’s safety; worked with Poway Mayor Steve Vaus to launch 844-PUSD-TIP (844-787-3847) for students, parents, teachers and community members to report potential threats to PUSD schools; worked with County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar to secure grant money for the installation of new security cameras throughout the district; and worked with fellow board members to allocate millions of dollars over the next few years to make necessary infrastructure improvements, hire more counselors, and implement new programs. There is still so much more I’d like to accomplish in this area, and I continue to attend as many seminars and conferences regarding campus safety and threat assessment as possible.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

Classic rock was, and still is, my favorite. One of my favorite groups is Pink Floyd (including the solo work of Roger Waters and David Gilmour), however I really enjoy just about every genre – excepting heavy metal and rap. I love the blues, too. And I’m a sucker for 1940s jazz and big band music by the likes of Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and Artie Shaw.

 

Tell us about your artistic talent(s).

I quit piano after two lessons as a kid. Does whistling count?

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?

I believe the first concert I ever attended – at least for a few songs – was in high school, and it was the Black Crowes at the iconic Toad’s Place (New Haven, CT). I was nervous… because I used a fake ID to get in. The first concert I remember attending for its entirety was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Into the Great Wide Open” tour in Philadelphia, PA. I’ve been to more U2 concerts than any other group and I’m really bummed I still haven’t gotten to see Paul McCartney and probably never will.

 

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?

Häagen-Dazs coffee-flavored ice cream. I don’t think there is limit to how much of that stuff I could put down. And I seriously resent the downsizing of their single-serve cartons from 16oz to 14oz.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it?

Probably close to 90% or more of the people in the town in which I grew up were 1st and 2 nd generation Italian, so a clear favorite cuisine of mine from just about anywhere is Italian. It’s my ultimate comfort food, capped off with a quality cannoli and/or some spumoni. And I don’t care who I offend, but the best apizza in America is in New Haven, it’s birthplace… this is not up for debate, capisci?! Also, I’m blessed to have married a Latina-Filipina who is a FANTASTIC cook and knows how to cook – and loves to cook – just about everything; we rarely eat out.

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?

Craft beer (IPA), Tabasco sauce, spring water.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

“Loyalty above all else.” “Be guided by your ideology, not blinded by it.” “Do your best.” “Never give up.” “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” All from my Dad, but I know he stole the last one from the late Rev. Robert Schuller.

 

Most people say they got a lucky break at some point. Tell us about yours.

I’d say I’ve had a few, but two stand out. I had just moved to Washington, DC, after graduating college and needed to find my first real job, so I walked to dozens of lobbying/government affairs firms in and around K Street to give them a copy of my resume. Yeah, seriously old school stuff right there, I know. Meanwhile, I had taken an internship at a public relations firm in Alexandria, VA. A couple months later, when I returned home to my studio apartment, the red light was blinking on my answering machine. (again, old school.) It was a message from someone in the Legal Department of the Republican National Committee asking me to come in to interview for a position in their office. I went, interview went well… but later I received a call and was told that the person who then held the job for which I was interviewing had decided to stay on. “However,” I was told… there was a job opening “down the hall” and because I interviewed so well, they were referring me for a position in the Chairman’s office.

Soon after, I was hired as an Assistant to the Chairman… to the Honorable Haley Barbour, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. It wasn’t until after a few months of being on the job that the RNC’s General Counsel, David Norcross, walked by my desk and told me he was responsible for referring me for the job in the Legal Department (that led to my job in the Chairman’s office, and ultimately my career in politics). “But how?” I wondered. Seems I dropped one of my resumes off at his downtown lobbying office months earlier, he saw it, felt I’d be a better fit at the RNC and forwarded my resume along. That, and, he shared, he too went to Penn and “Penn blood is thicker than water.” Lucky break #2 was one really hot August day in 1997 in El Centro, CA, when I met the most beautiful dark-haired, brown-eyed girl I’d ever set eyes upon.

 

Who shaped your thinking most on politics?

My Dad. He served in the Air Force and later was an industrial electrician at Sargent Manufacturing Company in New Haven. A member of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he had more than a few good stories about the ribbing he’d get for being a Republican. A ‘blue collar’ man, my dad went to work most mornings before my sister, brother and I even woke. My thinking about politics was formed most acutely by him, the 1979 Oil Crisis, and the few years that followed. Many homes in New England, like ours, were heated by an oil-burning furnace located in the basement. When the ’79 oil crisis hit, oil prices went through the roof and my family and many other families were hard-pressed to afford the oil needed to heat the house in the cold of winter. So my dad maxed out a credit card, bought and installed a wood-burning stove/fireplace in the basement, and most every winter day after work would bring home (free) wooden pallets from behind the company warehouse to cut up and burn in the fireplace. I knew he’d gotten home when I’d hear the chainsaw start. That was my queue to put on my jacket and go get wood to carry and stack downstairs next to the fireplace; that’d be the wood used to heat the house overnight.

After carrying and stacking wood, we’d have dinner as a family around the kitchen table, and after dinner we’d retreat to the living room to watch ABC World News with Peter Jennings. (I think ABC was the least left leaning of the major networks for years.) For years I’d listen to my dad complain about Jimmy Carter and Congress (and later praise Ronald Reagan). It was my first exposure to politics, and it was not lost on me how decisions made in “faraway” places like Washington have real, tangible impacts on families across the nation. My Dad also would quote Barry Goldwater’s Conscience of a Conservative somewhat regularly. I was hooked.

 

Name a living person you admire. Why do you admire them?

Three people immediately come to mind, and I admire each of them for their trustworthiness, mentorship, sincerity, kindness, unwavering loyalty, generosity, honesty, humor and friendship: Tom Sudberry, Bob Watkins, and Dan Hom.

 

What would you change about yourself?

I would stop procrastinating so much. And I may. Eventually.

 

 

 

Edgy Interview: Cynthia Bryant

Cynthia Bryant, Executive Director of the California Republican Party, is all about the Golden State.  As you’ll see in this installment of the Edgy Interview, she’s been involved in California politics, at all levels, basically forever. But Cynthia’s love for the state clearly ventures well beyond the bounds of politics, stretching into the arts, food, sports and even a certain property she has her eye on. Glad we ask questions on a wide variety of topics. 

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

A Democrat.  Seriously I told people that when I was 4 or 5.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

Pop Rock then and now, although I mix in a lot of other styles. I like to keep Spotify on its toes.

 

Who shaped your thinking most on politics?

My father, very pragmatic.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

“If you don’t get out of politics by your 3rd cycle, you never will.” -Sal Russo

 

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

President Theodore Roosevelt, preferably in Yosemite. We would discuss his impressions of California and hopes for its future, based on his visit here.

 

You’ve worked with Governor Schwarzenegger. Which accomplishment are you proudest of?

Negotiating the workers’ compensation reform of 2004. It was Governor Schwarzenegger’s biggest campaign promise and it was a successful reform. It has been reformed again since then. Apparently, the workers’ comp system needs reform every 7 to 10 years after the lawyers figure out the loopholes and costs are driven up.

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?

Assembly Bill 5, which essentially eliminates the independent contractor law. It is another union effort to rid California of any flexible work ideas.

 

Who would you want to have play you in your biopic?

If a drama, Jennifer Jason Leigh.  If a comedy, Amy Poehler.

 

Who is your favorite artist – any medium – and why?

Ansel Adams because his photographs capture California in all her glory.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it? 

California cuisine. Mulvaney’s Sacramento.

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?

Horseradish, taco sauce and spinach.

 

What is your favorite moment from sports?

Tie: In person it was the 2006 Kentucky Derby, Barbaro wins.  On TV it was The Catch, Montana-Clark, 49ers-Dallas, 1982

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

Be kind to your colleagues; politics is for the campaign, not for the office and don’t gossip.

 

What item would you like to buy if it went up for auction and you had the money to afford it?

Hearst Castle. For the view.

 

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

Consulting, part time.

 

 

 

 

Edgy Interview: Frank Nienstedt

This month we get to hear from a living legend in CERC circles. Very much alive and kicking at the age of 89, Frank Nienstedt – CERC’s longest-serving employee and John’s dad — dutifully sat for The Edgy Interview. Born in and raised in Riverside, Illinois, during the Great Depression, he remembers the iceman coming around, burning coal in the furnace, hearing the news about Pearl Harbor and the dropping of the A-bomb. Frank has witnessed lots of changes. He gets into his faith, his deep love of classical music (and broccoli!) and more in this interview, but somehow neglected to touch on his biggest highlight: serving as John’s Best Man. We hope you enjoy turning back the clock.

 

If you could go back in time, which person from history would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

There are many, many, but if I must pick just one, I’d select President Harry Truman (of all people) to chat with. Yes, the haberdasher from Missouri. I’d specifically want to know about his decision to use the atomic bomb on Japan. Truman obviously had to agonize over it, and I would be interested in how he handled that decision.

 

Which American from history do you identify with most and why?

I would select Abraham Lincoln, and not because both of us are tall and lanky… only the 16th President is. He was a moderately conservative Republican, and he was from Illinois (Ed: actually, born in Kentucky). While freeing the slaves was not Lincoln’s primary objective in life, it was something he did that I would have heartily agreed with.

 

Which person from world history do you identify with most and why?

I would probably select Martin Luther.  As a life-long Lutheran, I can see and understand where he was coming from in his desire to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a church that had lost its way.

 

Which presidential election was your first, who did you vote for and why?

I turned 21 in December 1951. In my first primary election, I cast my ballot for Senator Robert Taft of Ohio; a good and solid conservative Republican. In my first November election (in 1952) I voted for the Republican Dwight Eisenhower. While Eisenhower was not my first choice, I grew to like him over the years. It was his negotiation of a cease-fire in Korea in June 1953 that saved me from having to go to fight in Korea after I finished basic training in the army.

 

What period of history had the greatest art?

My area of interest in art is music, and there I can say that the greatest period was from the late 18th century to the late 19th century on the European continent.

 

Who is your favorite artist — any medium – and why?

Of all the great composers of that era, the greatest, of course, was Ludwig van Beethoven.  His music was not only “classical” (a pleasure to listen to) but “romantic” (something to get emotional over).

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

Being an “odd ball,” my favorite genre back when I was a kid was “classical.” I guess my first exposure to it was listening to the Lone Ranger on the radio with its final bars of Rossini’s William Tell Overture as its theme music.  Then my folks bought me the recording of Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, and from then on I was hooked. I still attend the symphony whenever I can, so I guess you could say I’ve never really grown up.

 

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?

I guess my specialty would be broccoli. Because few people in the world would want to compete eating that, I’d win every time!  [Ed. Tom “Broccoli” Landers holds the world’s broccoli eating record, swallowing 450 grams of raw broccoli in 92 seconds. I’m betting you couldn’t eat a pound of broccoli in a day, let alone a minute and a half. You might want to shift to wheat germ.]

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?

I would need fat-free milk, broccoli, and blueberries.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it? 

My favorite cuisine, now that Lita is gone, is Libbie Nienstedt’s salad and salmon dinners.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

“Always give it your best effort.” I received that advice from my dad, not only by his word, but even more importantly, by his example.

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

The same.

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I wanted to be a missionary to present the gospel to others around the world.  Unfortunately, I had grown up to be a very introverted person, and, during my teen years, my pastor knew — better than I, apparently — that my personality is not suited to missionary work.  He gently steered me in a different direction.

 

What prompted you to write a history of the world?

Shot down as a missionary, that’s when I thought I should try to do a better job of presenting the gospel to the world by writing rather than by speaking. Out of that, and with my interest in history, I began writing a history of the world from a Christian viewpoint. Oddly, my life’s work from then on was divided between that and “earning a living” as an accountant.

 

What are some of the biggest societal changes you’ve observed during your lifetime?

There have been many such changes and they were huge. They can be grouped together in one fundamental concept of what I would call “the democratization of the world.” Some changes have been for the betterment of mankind, especially in the realm of civil rights. Integrating the US Army and Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier were two great shocks to the status quo. The rights for racial minorities and women – who were basically domestic servants when I was a boy — have made huge strides. Some changes might be considered “pushing the envelope” a bit too far. For example, I don’t think the world is ready for legal marijuana.

 

 

Edgy Interview: Byron Wear

There’s a longer story here — and I’ll relate it some day — about Byron’s first run for City Council and Competitive Edge’s role in it. For now I’ll leave it at “it was CERC’s very first project, we were hired by the other side (the Kay Davis campaign) and we learned very valuable lessons.” Despite his defeat in that race at the hands of another friend-of-CERC Ron Roberts, Byron eventually persevered to become San Diego’s 2nd District City Councilman. He served two terms which included two years as Deputy Mayor. Byron remains active in community affairs and he’s pushing to revitalize San Diego’s Midway District.

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a brain surgeon when I was in Junior High.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

I grew up with rock ‘n roll, The Stones, The Eagles and Beach Boys. Today I enjoy all types of music and theatre.

 

Most people say they got a lucky break at some point. Tell us about yours.

My lucky break was scoring #1 in the San Diego Civil Service test at age 23 and becoming a Lifeguard Lieutenant. That led to my role as the first Executive Director of the U.S. Lifesaving Association and traveling the beaches of our nation for four years.

 

Who should play you in your biopic?

Jeff Bridges would do a great job playing me. We are obviously identical twins.

 

How did you first get involved in politics?

I started my political career in San Diego after personally shaking the hand of Barry Goldwater in 1964 at Westgate Park where Fashion Valley sits today.  Growing up as the son of a Naval Officer from Nebraska meant my parents voted absentee by mail and I saw both parents mark their ballots.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

That would be the late PR guru Dave Nuffer, who I had known since age 12. He always maintained a good sense of humor and was a valued friend. Dave was always up for adventure. When I was 12 and visiting Ensenada with the Nuffers, he gave me confidence to eat my first street taco. Having run with bulls in Spain, Dave led me to make courageous decisions in public policy. And he was blunt and honest when I had fallen short of my potential or run aground.

 

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

President Ronald Reagan and I would talk about his seven years of stories as a lifeguard on the Rock River in Dixon, Illinois, where he rescued 77 lives.

 

Which American from history do you identify with most and why?

As an Eagle Scout, I identify with Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy and I would talk about his vision for Yellowstone and our national parks. I would ask him how he snuck away from a formal Black-tie dinner at Yellowstone to go camping with his new friend John Muir and what type of cobbler was cooked in the Dutch oven.

 

Which legislative achievements are you proudest of?

Leading the effort for Downtown’s Petco Park and the billion dollar-plus redevelopment efforts that came with it. Those included the Convention Center, restoration of the historic Balboa Theatre and taking early land-use steps for the arrival of the USS Midway and North Embarcadero esplanade. A close second was overseeing the master plan of Liberty Station (Formerly Naval Training Center) and surviving a recall effort that failed due to an insufficient number of signatures.

You’re still working on local issues that matter. Tell us about those issues and what drives you?

 

I continue my efforts to support the construction of joint-use swimming pools at Liberty Station and at Pacific Beach Middle School/Beach and Bay YMCA. I jump off the OB Pier with the Junior Lifeguards to support the Prevent Drowning Foundation by teaching more kids to swim. I also stay active in land-use policy and I’m working to fight racism and hate through Continuing the Conversation (CTC).

 

What is your favorite moment from sports?

The US Olympic victory in hockey over the Soviet Union in 1980 [ed. referred to as the “Miracle on Ice.”] was the start of a series of events that led to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall and Soviet Union.

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?

Oikos Greek Triple Zero Yogurt (15 grams of protein and low sugar), Zero Water (multiple favors), and sugar-free popsicles.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it?

Mexican, especially my wife Bridget’s recipe for tamales, enchiladas, beans and rice.

 

Tell us about your artistic talent(s).

I’m a frustrated architect. Every time a City of San Diego capital project idea came forward, I sketched out plans for the Pt. Loma Library, the NTC Waterfront Park and Aquatic Complex, and the Fiesta Island Youth Campground containing over 200 native Torrey Pines and Coastal Oaks. I always signed my sketches and gave them city staff.

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

Develop a life plan and go for it. Concentrate on your God-given strengths and perfect them. Recover from the trials and tribulations. Be loving to family and friends. Learn from your mistakes and get back up on your feet. Be forgiving, keeping moving and be happy until you are called home. In the meantime, grow a garden!

 

Name the living person you admire most and what makes them admirable?

My wife of 32 years, Bridget Cantu. She is passionate about what she believes in and takes action to change the world.

 

What item would you like to buy if it went up for auction and you had the money to afford it?

My dad survived the sinking of two aircraft carriers in WWII. If I was at an auction, I would buy back a fully restored 1959 red TR3A that my father started working on in the 70s. I would buy a personal license… CDR WEAR.

 

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

I will be continuing my volunteer efforts to build aquatic facilities, more YMCAs, and a state-of-the-art San Diego Junior Lifeguard and Aquatic Safety Center in Mission Bay.

 

 

Edgy Interview: Tony Manolatos

A San Diego Union-Tribune reporter in a previous life, I met Tony Manolatos while he served as Communications Director for then-Councilman Kevin Faulconer. So Tony is one of those savvy San Diego City Hall veterans with a background in journalism. Probably more important to his success in campaigns and elections, Tony has a knack for putting together and managing crack teams of professionals who work in synch to move the needle for his clients. It’s not easy balancing client demands with diverse talents, but that’s what he does at his brand-new firm Manolatos Public Affairs.

 

Who should play you in your biopic?
Ralph Macchio. I’m kidding but he is top of mind because of a series I just watched on Netflix. If you watched Karate Kid when you were younger check out Cobra Kai on Netflix. It’s cheesy, over the top, and most of the acting is pretty awful, but it’s also a lot fun catching up with these guys 30 years later…and finding yourself rooting for Johnny. 

 

How did you first get involved in politics?
I was an investigative reporter at the Union-Tribune. I spent the final four years of my 12-year journalism career there. The buyouts had started, and you could see where things were headed. My wife Elizabeth, who had also worked at the newspaper and was then at the county’s communications office, emailed to tell me I should apply for a job with then-Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, who was looking for a communications director. “Ugh,” I remember thinking, “I don’t want to do that.” But I knew I didn’t want to watch the newspaper business continue to unravel, and even during the best of times I knew I didn’t want to be the 55-year-old reporter with greasy hair and stains on his tie who scoffed at the young guys getting all the best assignments. I applied for that job at City Hall and left the newspaper business the old-fashioned way – I put in my two weeks notice. Life at City Hall along with my time as a reporter set me up for what I do today. Take away either of those experiences, and I could not do my job well.

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?
The beach booze ban. Duh. 

 

Briefly review the last good political book you read or movie you saw.
I watched On the Basis of Sex a few months ago on Hulu because I wanted to learn more about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s early days, the foundational success she achieved, and the intense struggles she faced, and, boy, is that a fantastic movie. It’s especially relevant now with her passing.

 

Do you think America’s best days are behind her or ahead of her and why?
We have never reckoned with our original sins of slavery and the genocide of the indigenous people; we elected a reality TV star president; our country feels more divided than ever; and we have lost more than 200,000 people in the U.S. to a global pandemic that isn’t showing any signs of relenting. I think better days are ahead of us. They have to be. 

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?
Bob Seger with my parents followed by Neil Diamond, also with my mom. Loved every minute of those concerts, and I remember seeing Jazz Singer with my mom and thinking that was a fantastic movie. My folks introduced me to Motown – The Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder. We had a stereo system with a turntable and massive wooden speakers in our living room when I was a kid and I had the same set up through college.

 

Who is your favorite artist – any medium – and why?
Songwriters have always inspired me…Brian Wilson, Eminem, Eddie Vedder, Paul McCartney. These guys are lyrical geniuses. Listen to God Only Knows and Good Vibrations and tell me they’re not two of the best songs ever recorded. Eminem is a fascinating guy and I had a chance to dig into who he was and what life was like for him when I briefly covered him and his work when I was a reporter at the Detroit News. I expensed a bunch of his CDs while writing a profile of him and I remember thinking that was just the coolest thing. So many Beatles lyrics stand out for me including Elanor Rigby, Paperback Writer, Revolution, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam do not get enough credit for their beautiful songs, including Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town and Wishlist. I read once that Eddie was working at gas station in Pacific Beach, wrote some lyrics after surfing one day (still had sand on his feet, the story goes), recorded them onto a cassette and mailed it to Seattle to the guys who would soon become his bandmates. I’m a sucker for good San Diego and Detroit stories, which is one of the reasons why I devour anything Cameron Crowe puts out. I’ve literally driven down Sixth Avenue looking for the apartment building he lived in with his mom.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?
My dad always told me: “Work hard and the rest will take care of itself.” My dad was a self-made guy. A successful small business owner who worked really hard, and my mom also worked really hard raising us and then later finishing school and working as a nurse. Hard work was just sort of a thing for me growing up in suburban Detroit. There’s more to success than hard work – you also have to be smart, lucky, and well-networked – but hard work certainly is a big factor. If you beat me, it’s not going to be because you out-hustled me. 

 

You recently started a new business. What’s the impetus and what’s the unique selling proposition?
My communications work varies from client to client but the jobs I enjoy the most are public affairs campaigns (building a brand or elevating a brand to achieve certain goals) and ballot campaigns (winning a vote on Election Day). More and more I have been building highly skilled teams of public affairs professionals – lobbyists, media relations pros, digital gurus, etc. Saying goodbye to my friends at Manolatos Nelson Murphy and starting Manolatos Public Affairs gives me more flexibility to work with the top talent in and around San Diego. One of the things I do well, I think, is build coalitions or third-party supporters to help my clients achieve their goals. For me, coalition building starts with building a solid internal team. Just within the last year I’ve had a chance to work with some of the best public affairs pros in the business, including Juan Hernandez and Anthony Astolfi at IVC Media, Tanya Castaneda, Jesus Cardenas, Rachel Laing, James Lawson, Lani Lutar, John Hoy, and you, Mr. Nienstedt. I mean, I can put together a rock star team in four hours and we can help a client quickly move the needle.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it?
Pasta. When we could eat there, I loved Bencotto and Monello in Little Italy. We’ve ordered take-out a couple times from Siamo Napoli in North Park and the food there is fantastic. Our favorite neighborhood spot is Antica Trattoria. The owner looks like Tony Soprano, he’s from Sicily, and he’s always at the restaurant. The food there is amazing. Fresh, filling, comfort food.

We do love all the wonderful Asian food options in San Diego and our favorite is OB Noodle House. I met the family years ago when all they owned was a tiny donut shop in Ocean Beach called OB Donuts.

Final food point: you can’t get good Greek food in San Diego and that’s a shame.

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?
La Croix, fruits and veggies, and Sriracha.

 

What is your favorite moment from sports?
I grew up watching the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and the Michigan Wolverines so you won’t be surprised to learn that my favorite sports moments involve these teams. I watched the Pistons beat Bird, Magic and Jordan. Those were awesome rivalries and my most memorable moments as a fan who cared deeply about a team and the players on that team. Pound-for-pound, Isaiah Thomas was the best point guard to ever play the game and he’s underappreciated outside of Detroit. I was at the ALCS game in Detroit in 1984 when the Tigers won to advance to play the Padres in the World Series. What a scene that was. I had never seen anything like that before, where the game and the revelry spilled out into the streets. A man sat on our hood cheering as my dad slowly pulled our car out of the parking lot. “Bless you Boys” is how we the city collectively referred to the Tigers back then. I am, unfortunately, a Lions fan, but that does mean I was able to watch Barry Sanders play the game. He was special.

I have so many good Michigan football memories. The Wolverines have been the salve for me and many others Lions fans over the years. Bo Schembechler was a God in our house when I was a kid. Watching a game at the Big House in Ann Arbor, especially rivalries, is awesome. I remember once when I was a kid, we lost to Michigan State and the Michigan student section started chanting: “That’s alright. That’s okay. You’re gonna work for us someday.” I have to say though that Elizabeth, who grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, took me to a game at Camp Randall in Madison and it was wild. Such a scene and so much fun in the stands. I mean, picture 80,000 fans in red bouncing to Jump Around.

 

You’re a poker player. How did you learn the game and what was your biggest pot?
I learned to play poker sitting on my dad’s lap. When my dad was a kid his uncle owned a Poker Room (an illegal poker room behind a coffee shop) in Greektown in downtown Detroit, so everyone in his family played poker. I remember watching them play after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, everyone huddled around a big smoky circular table in the basement, laughing and sharing stories. I found the same thing with a bunch of high school buddies. One time in Vegas like eight of us ended up at the same poker table in one of the casinos and someone said, “You know, we could have done this at home and saved ourselves a lot of money.” I recently found the same thing again with a group of dads. We play online on Saturday nights. Derek Danziger, President of Katz & Associates, set it up when COVID-19 hit as a way to keep local public affairs and PR dads connected. You play with us sometimes, Mr. Nienstedt. It’s great because it’s a mix of some of us in the public affairs bubble and dads who joined the game because they’re neighbors with so and so.

The competition and the camaraderie are what I enjoy most about poker, along with winning, of course. You have to have good cards to win and some nights the cards don’t come your way, but you also need to know how to play those cards, and you need to know how to read what cards everyone else is holding. That’s the hardest part. You can’t fall in love with your hand. As soon as do, you are going to forget that the guy raising you might have a higher boat than the one you’re holding. It’s not easy to win so those who do win consistently are like skilled tradesmen. They’re pros. If I play in a tournament and I don’t make the final table I’m disappointed. When I was younger and didn’t have any real expenses, I played in a lot of cash games – not unlike those basement games I grew up watching. I mostly play Texas Hold’em tournaments now. I think the biggest Hold’em tournament I’ve won was for $3k.

 

Say one of your kids wanted to go into politics. Would you encourage or discourage that?
I think one of our boys could be mayor one day. I really do and I’ve actually had that thought. Is that weird? He’s a natural leader and he’s one of those kids who people are drawn to. He’s funny and smart and a gifted athlete. When he throws a baseball to me it pops in my glove and sometimes I think, “Damn, who taught him to throw like that?” He’s only seven, but you already can tell that life comes easy to him, and on top of that he works really hard. He’s a determined little boy.

I would tell him to surround himself with smart people, people he trusts. I would tell him to trust his instincts. I would tell him to never lose his way. Too often, politicians do just that. They and their inner-circle can become arrogant and insulated. They forget who they are, why they were elected, and that they work for the people and not their donors or re-election team. I would tell him to be honest, take risks, do big things, listen, and lead.

 

What would you change about yourself?
Listen more. Talk less. The smartest people in the room are usually the best listeners. Spend less time working, especially when my kids are home. There’s nothing more important than family but that email or text or phone call often feels super important. More often than not, it can wait and it will be there for me when my kids are asleep.

 

Edgy Interview: Craig Benedetto

Craig Benedetto has been a fixture in San Diego’s civic landscape for decades. He and his firm, California Strategies, take on a diverse range of projects and work hard. Craig’s deep background in land-use issues stems from a rich set of experiences forged at the Building Industry Association, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and his work with local, state and federal elected officials. He’s one of the good guys in politics who gets personally involved in local causes.

Example: Craig was recognized by BOMA San Diego for his efforts on behalf of commercial real estate during COVID. He’s also a dedicated family man who can be found on the links on any given Sunday with his young son. Or maybe Craig and his lovely wife Melanie will be travelling off to Italy or Africa or Central America. Craig is one of those people who wrings the most out of life and then uses his experiences to broaden his horizons.

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 12, I used to read the newspaper and then grill my parent’s friends when they came over on the day’s events. I always had an interest in politics and got my mom in a bit of trouble with a family friend, when I put up a yard sign for someone running against that friend. I guess, I’ve always liked to stir the pot [ed. Craig’s friends regard this as an understatement].

 

Tell us your Stryper story.
I attended Christian High School and it was at the time of “backward masking” and accusations of certain music types being satanic. Stryper was a popular metal band, and also a Christian band that enjoyed quite a following but was considered by some at our school — including the administrators — as merchants of evil. I wanted to see for myself and, with a promoter friend, went to see them perform at the California Theater (one of the last shows played in that house). I wanted to write up a story for the school newspaper and show who they were and show they were not Satanists. The show was amazing, and the crowd was on fire. Between songs they’d talk about their journey and their faith and throw small Bibles out to the crowd. After the show, I got to interview the two brothers who founded the band. In my opinion, they were the true spirit of Christian faith and ministry, going to the masses the way Jesus did. The resulting story and editorial became a bit of a donnybrook with the administration who took great exception to my conclusions about the band. It wasn’t long after that I was “removed” from the newspaper staff. I don’t regret the experience at all and appreciate that a few years later the administration recanted their jihad against bands like Stryper.

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?
Night Ranger at Magic Mountain. It was with my brothers and the son of one of my mom and dad’s close friends. He was older and someone I looked up to at the time. He loved that band and was so excited to see them play live. I am still reminded of him whenever I hear Sister Christian. Sadly, he died in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years after that.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?
Ska, new wave…and sometimes the dark wave…that said, I listened to a lot of things, from ska, to reggae, to new wave, to rock.  Just loved music and still love it. I listen to a little more classic rock now, and find a mutual love with my son for AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. But, I still go back and listen to 80’s music with a wistful ear.

 

Who would you want to have play you in your biopic?
It’s a tie between Michael J. Fox (loved “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future”) and Matthew Broderick (because “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was a bit of an anthem for me).

 

What item would you like to buy if it went up for auction and you had the money to afford it?
The DeLorean from Back to the Future

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it?
Italian…. In Italy, Florence preferably.  Although, it’s called food there!

 

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?
Totino’s Pizza Rolls… cuz, it’s pizza in a fried roll… what’s not to like? I could eat boxes and boxes of them.

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?
Hot sauce (Cholula), good charcuterie and cheese.

 

How did you first get involved in your line of work and what keeps you there?
It started in college when I met Ralph Inzunza who helped link me up with a political consulting firm run by Larry Remer and Tom Shepard. I got to work with them and Scott Barnett and eventually got placed to run a campaign for County Supervisor. Fast forward through a victory, policy work, another campaign, another victory and I’ve stayed with politics ever since… and much to the chagrin of my Dad, who thought it wasn’t a reputable profession. I stick with it to prove to him that it is a profession worth having and a value to our society. He admitted, begrudgingly, that I proved him wrong. Proving people wrong and helping make my piece of the world a little better is still something that sticks with me and drives me today.

 

You’ve worked with a lot of candidates and on a lot of causes. Which one are you proudest of?
It’s probably the first one I worked on when I started my own business, the entitlement of San Diego’s 4S Ranch.  I started my own company, and the owners of 4S were my first client.  We spent a year working to get it unanimously approved by the County of San Diego, despite the objections of the adjacent community and their city council representative.  It was my first taste of victory and also my first taste of NIMBYs.  I like the former but not the latter!

 

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?
Thomas Jefferson.  He’s not as popular as he once was given the resurgence of the play Hamilton in current affairs, but still important. I digress, but the play is amazing. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a national treasure, bringing history to life and relevant. Unfortunately, he blew up our third president in the process. For me, chatting with Jefferson would be to understand the how and why of the foundation of our country from his POV. And that includes the feud with Hamilton, his time in France and the international intrigue of the American Revolution.

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?
There are two, actually, and they are tied. Term limits and district-only elections. I think they both have created a bit of a myopic political culture that allows our elected officials to sometimes lose sight of the big picture.

 

Briefly review the last good political book you read.
“Killing Crazy Horse” by Bill O’Reilly. It’s similar to his other books and covers the history of the war on indigenous Americans.  It’s a brutal description of the demise of the native population, the numerous battles between them and the growing expansion of settlers to the west. As the saying goes, history is written by the victors, which doesn’t make it accurate and shouldn’t be a reason to not look back and re-evaluate. The history of Europeans settling this continent and their treatment of indigenous peoples is really quite disturbing, and this book brings a piece of that history back to life.

 

Who is your favorite artist — any medium – and why?
J.D. Salinger, author of “The Catcher in the Rye.” I love books and I love good “old school,” coming-of-age fiction. I have a few anathematic symbols in my life, from The Who’s “Quadrophenia” album to Holden Caulfield in “The Catcher.”  Perhaps it’s just a bit of my rebel soul and my desire to live my life my way. I was captivated by the book as a teen, and still am as an adult.  So much so that we named our son Holden after the lead character.

 

We see a lot of FB posts of you and your son Holden. Any proudest moments you want to share?
Firsts are always amazing, but what I’ve enjoyed most is being able to coach him. We’ve won a couple of seasons for soccer and flag football. It was so incredible to not only see him succeed with his team, but be a part of it… and then have him tell me he’d prefer me to coach him.  Warms my heart.

 

What is your favorite sports moment?
Watching Italy win the World Cup in 2006. I watched every match in Little Italy from the Waterfront Bar & Grill, including the final, despite having helped sponsor the “Jumbotron” on India Street.  Although I am not a big fan of winning a match like that on penalties, it was a victory to savor. And following the match, it was amazing walking around Little Italy’s India Street in euphoria with the thousands of Italia fans.

 

Which reality TV show would you most like to compete on and why?
The Amazing Race. I’m hyper competitive [ed. Craig’s friends regard this as an understatement]. You play as partners, it has a lot of moving parts (physical and mental) and I love to travel, and, in this case, internationally!

 

Most people say they got a lucky break at some point. Tell us about yours.
1995 following the election. It was either head back to Washington, DC or stay in San Diego. Ultimately, for a variety of reasons, I opted to stay, but where to go next was the big question. I was fortunate that a few years before, the Construction Industry Federation had fallen apart due to the housing recession at the time. The Building Industry Association was looking to create an in-house government affairs program and needed someone.  It was a shift in focus from doing policy for a government official to starting a lobbying program that I hadn’t anticipated at the time. And I’ve never looked back.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?
“Don’t let them see you get mad, and when you do, take it out on your steering wheel and not in front of them.”  It was a message my dad told me when he saw me get mad and frustrated. Like most of us, he didn’t always practice what he preached, but it’s a good message about keeping your cool even in the most difficult of situations.

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out in the lobbying world?
Get as many experiences as you can. You must understand how it works and what drives public officials from a variety of perspectives. If you haven’t worked on a campaign, worked for a public official as an aide and worked on behalf of a third-party external stakeholder (in my case it was for the Building Industry Association and the Chamber of Commerce), you won’t succeed as quickly as you could. Lastly, if it’s only about the money, then you’ll never have the passion and commitment to be the best lobbyist you can be.

 

Where do you see the lobbying profession headed? What innovations are coming?
Motivating public officials to hear your point of view and support your cause is a challenge in normal times. With the advent of mobile technology and social media, it becomes ever more challenging to use data and facts to drive decisions. The work has become even more about public opinion, which was always underlying decision making, but is now being driven in smaller bytes, technologically speaking.  Capturing public opinion and delivering cogent, data-driven input via technology will become an even more important commodity in the public affairs, community relations space. Tight messaging driven by solid community relations likely done more by on-line platforms, whether by websites, social media or Zoom will be a permanent feature of advocacy.

 

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
Same as I am today. I love what I do since it allows me to make a living being involved in civic affairs.

 

What would you change about yourself?
My quick temper and snap judgement… and maybe a little better language from time to time. As a Dad, I should do more to be a good role model.

 

Edgy Interview: Brian Jones

California State Senator Brian Jones is one of the “good guys” in elective office. Despite being an elected official since 2002, Brian is down-to-earth, approachable and engaging. In his recent race for Congress, people I know described him as “the candidate you’d most like to have over to dinner.” It’s easy to see why from this Edgy Interview, but now I know he’s also the guy to ride mountain bikes with.  

 

As a kid, who did you want to be when you grew up?
A cardiac doctor, then a dermatologist, then, after I couldn’t pass chemistry or physics in college, a business owner.

 

 Who should play you in your biopic?
Ron Howard, Jason Bateman, or Kirk Cameron.  Ron Howard, because as a kid I sometimes looked like Opie. Jason Bateman, because he kind of looks like me and I am sometimes melancholy like he is.  Kirk Cameron, because we share some of the same values, we grew up in the same era, and he kind of looks like me too.

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?
Night Ranger (it really was, I’m not plagiarizing Craig Benedetto… lol) on a date at the Colorado State Fairgrounds with a girl who was a year older than me in high school. She was leaving for college and pretty much dumped me that night. I say pretty much because she never said anything, just ignored me that night and left without saying goodbye. Funny thing is I ended up working for her dad (he was a dental tech, I helped make crowns) my senior year, so she still had to put up with me.

 

Who is your favorite artist — any medium – and why?
Johnny Cash. My dad introduced to me and he reminds of my dad; they look and sound similar and have similar childhood struggles. Johnny is from Arkansas and my dad is from Oklahoma. Johnny Cash was very talented and diverse [ed. As demonstrated by this, the greatest video of a cover song]. His life struggle and continuous successes and failures are an encouragement for all of us to never give up and not let our failures define us. All part of his strong Christian testimony.

 

Name the living person you most admire and what makes them admirable?
I’m answering this in the sense of whom I would most like to meet and hang out with. Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond. I admire those guys and really would like to meet them and be on their show (Top Gear on BBC or The Grand Tour on Prime). They seem very personable, have built an incredible TV and auto brand, and look like they are always having a good time.

I am not often starstruck, but I ran into James May last year when I was in Japan. I saw him coming from about 100 yards away and I wanted to say “hi” and introduce myself and some of the senators I was traveling with. He literally walked right passed me. The problem was I couldn’t get his name out fast enough because I kept tripping over Jeremy’s and Richard’s names until he was about 100 yards passed me. Then I blurted out across the crowd “Mr. May!!!” It was pathetic; he looked around with a face of “what was that?” jeered at me… and kept going. I don’t blame him.

 

What do you do for fun?
I’m an avid mountain biker and adventure (dual-sport) motorcycle rider. I have a great group of guys (both in politics and not) I ride mountain bikes with. San Diego is great area for mountain biking. We have trails on the coast, urban areas, up in the mountains and deserts. Someday I think San Diego will be destination area for mountain biking.

I also have a BMW dual-sport motorcycle that I ride around town, but also on long adventure trips on-road and off. Instead of flying to Sacramento in December for the swearing-in, a couple of buddies and I took three days to ride to Sacramento. We turned an 8-hour, 500-mile drive into a 3-day 1000-mile adventure through the high desert, Sierra Mountains and gold rush territory. We took 2 days coming back along the coast. California is a very beautiful and diverse state for exploring. It’s amazing the natural wonders in our state.

 

 If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?
Teddy Roosevelt. How did he accomplish so much so young, and how was he able to take so much time for his “safaris?” Teddy would take several months at a time to explore the Western territories. Also, what inspired him to expand the Navy and start the National Parks?  He was a pivotal President. Teddy also held the record for the most handshakes in one day at 8,510 on Jan 1, 1907 at the White House. I highly recommend reading (or audio) his three-part biography by Edmund Morris, which reads like an adventure novel.

 

How did you first get involved in politics and what keeps you there?
Helping my church in Santee get a Conditional Use Permit in 1999. Volunteering for Randy Voepel in 2000 in his run for mayor. Getting elected to City Council in 2002. What keeps me is there is still a lot of good work to do for good people.

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?
Jerry Brown’s (version 1) law allowing government workers to unionize and form PACs (the #1 threat to an accountable government). PAGA, the Private Attorneys General Act (one of the top threats to California small business). 2010’s Proposition 14, the top two primary (a leading cause of uncompetitive elections). That’s a good start… there are at least two thousand more.

 

Which are your proudest legislative achievements?
My “Made in the USA” labeling reform. California had the most restrictive requirements for labeling products manufactured in California as “Made in the USA.”  It took several attempts while I was in the Assembly and I was finally able to partner with a Democrat Senator to get it through both Houses and signed by Governor Brown.

Also, the best thing about being a state legislator is helping constituents navigate the morass of state agencies. We have helped thousands of residents get the help they need from the state when an agency has been giving them the run around. This is extremely important right now regarding the EDD and unemployment benefits. I have a great staff that gets this done. This is my proudest accomplishment every day!

 

Tell us a great story from the campaign trail.
When I ran for Congress in 2008, my oldest son was in 8th grade and worked vary hard on the campaign. He would come into the campaign office after school and make campaign calls, walked precincts on the weekends, went to a lot of events with me and he actually managed some of the volunteers. He was 110% committed and was sure I was going to win. On the night of the primary, we obviously lost. I had gone downtown for a bit to make the rounds and when I returned to the campaign office, he was the first one to meet me at the door. He had these huge ‘ol tears in his eyes, with a look like “what happened Dad?” It was devastating as a father to see your son’s heart broken. All I could do is give him a big hug and assure him everything would be OK. He really worked his butt off in that race, my other kids and my wife did too.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?
Randy Voepel said “little mistakes we eat, big mistakes eat us. Don’t make big mistakes!”

 

Most people say they got a lucky break at some point. Tell us about yours.
Losing the congressional race in 2008 lead to my victory for the Assembly in 2010. Basically, working my ass off (and many others working theirs off too) in 2008 and failing, lead to success in 2010. I don’t think anyone gets a big break unless they have worked hard and failed previously.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it?
I don’t have a favorite, I like all food. I probably eat Mexican more than any other and my favorites are both in Santee: Hilberto’s and Marietta’s. I also like Italian. I had an intern from Afghanistan two years ago and her mom made us a bunch of Afghan food and it was incredible. [ed. Good Afghan food is the best!]

 

What three things are must-haves in your fridge at all times?
Straus organic non-homogenized whole milk with the “cream top” in a glass bottle (it’s Oreos’ favorite milk!), apples, Coca-Cola.

 

What is your favorite moment from sports?
My oldest son played center and long snapper in high school football (at 6’3” and 185 pounds… he didn’t have weight, but he did have leverage). His school (Christian High) was playing their rival which was favored for the championship.  With 35 seconds to go they needed a field goal to win. My son was a junior and the kicker was a sophomore, but neither had ever been in a clutch situation like this. The kicker’s parents were sitting in front of us and we were all excited and nervous for the boys. The snap was perfect and the kick was perfect; the underdog won! Because this was a CIF championship game, the boys got championship rings. It was a great shared experience.

 

Which reality TV show would you most like to compete on and why?
The Amazing Race with one of my kids [ed. This is the best family show on TV]. I have two boys and girl and I can’t decide which kid to take I on the round-the-world competition. Each have different strengths that complement my deficiencies (and vice versa) to make us a winning team. I love the sense of adventure of traveling around the world. My kids are great to travel with.

 

What item would you like to buy if it went up for auction and you had the money to afford it?
A restored and operating World War II B-24 bomber. My grandfather was a flight engineer on B-24’s was shot down in the South Pacific and was a POW for 18 months. They were built here in San Diego, so we should have one on display.  I would donate it to the San Diego Air & Space Museum with an endowment to operate it.

 

Edgy Interview: Jim Madaffer

Jim Madaffer has long been an infrastructure geek. He’s been a member of the powerful California Transportation Commission, appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown. He’s currently a member of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors and its immediate past chair, a former San Diego City Councilmember (from 2000-2008), a former Planning Group Chair, past Chair of the city’s Community Planners Committee, a former city council Chief of Staff and a serial entrepreneur who founded a manufacturing business in the early 1980s. To say Jim’s a busy guy who has his hands and mind wrapped around big important initiatives is an understatement. He’s an early-adopting forward-thinking force of nature, with a raft of ideas and the energy to pursue them. Jim also has a playful side, as you’ll appreciate in this installment of The Edgy Interview.

 

Most people say they got a lucky break at some point. Tell us about yours.
Having the greatest parents ever.

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?

Beatles concert at Balboa stadium. My parents took me; I was 5 years old.

 

Do you think America’s best days are behind her or ahead of her and why?

Ahead.  We are at a turning point in American politics today – as though we have two Americas.  We must return to greater civility and remember the best of politics is for all sides to compromise.  There is rarely any one right or perfect answer to the problems we face.

 

Which American from history do you identify with most and why?

Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell.  As a ham radio operator (K6JVM), I’m always tinkering with technology or a gadget of some sort.

 

If you could repeal one law, which would it be and why?

Any law that is out of date.

 

Tell us about your proudest legislative achievement on the City Council.

Building a library system that today includes the main library and a growing network of new and modernized neighborhood branch libraries.

 

Tell us about your proudest achievement as a public affairs professional.

Helping cities become smart and connected communities generally. Perhaps singularly was winning the Polo Fields lease for our client Surf Cup Sports.

 

Tell us about your artistic talent(s).

Stick figures.

 

Who are your favorite artists — any medium?

• Acting: Anthony Hopkins
• Music: Blake Shelton
• Painting: Omar Chacon
• Photography: Ansel Adams  

 

Who should play you in your biopic?

Robert Downey Jr.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what do you listen to now?

Rock as a teenager. Today I listen to everything, with a tilt toward country.

 

Which reality TV show would you most like to compete on and why?

Chopped – love to cook, love to chop.

 

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?

Starbursts.

 

If you could travel back to a place you’ve been, where would you go and why is that a special place?

Italy – the people, the food, my Italian heritage.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it? 

Italian.  Italy.

 

How did you first get involved in local politics?

Tierrasanta Community Council, Community Planners Committee, and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

Upon getting elected, my mentor and predecessor Judy McCarty told me that while I now represent a large constituency of voters, my true constituency is four other votes on the City Council.

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

Find a mentor.

 

You’ve mentored some people.  Anyone you are particularly proud of?

Aimee Faucett, Jaymie Bradford, Elyse Lowe.

 

What makes bulldogs special?

The most loving, snoring squish-faces you’ll ever meet.

 

Tell us about your upcoming development project.

We purchased a 25-acre, 1,400 apple tree you-pick farm and orchard in Julian – hoping to make it a place for locals to enjoy good food, beverages, and a dark sky night.

 

Take us through Jim Madaffer’s “perfect day” in San Diego.

Breakfast with my bride, bike ride, Costco, and a perfect sunset

 

What would you change about yourself?

Be less of a procrastinator.

 

Edgy Interview: Sara Katz

Sara Katz has been a force in San Diego public affairs for as long as I can remember. In fact, little known trivia, the Katz & Associates offices were in the same building as the Competitive Edge facility when we were located in Mission Valley! Sara has many claims to fame, but the one I like best is rebranding the recycled water program. Back in the early 2000s, the program had been tagged as “toilet-to-tap.” The ick factor was a real problem until Sara came up with “Pure Water Program.” A few years later we scientifically tested that new labelling on behalf of the Public Utilities District, and, while residents had mixed feelings about drinking recycled water, the image of the Pure Water Program was stellar. I think you’ll agree from Sara’s thoughtful answers, she brings her A game to everything she does.

 

How did you first get involved in your line of work and what keeps you there?

It started off with a political science college internship that I secured in the San Diego Mayor’s office, and then I worked several local, state, and federal campaigns throughout California, Nevada, and Texas. From there, I was recruited to work on back-to-back statewide ballot propositions in California. When I decided to hang out my own shingle (that is a whole other story), I was drawn to issues that had a nexus to policy, but also to the environment – water, wastewater, transportation, energy etc.  And here I am, some 30+ years later, still doing this.  And why? Our mission statement at Katz & Associates is simple:  Helping People Communicate About Things that Matter, and these policy issues probably matter more today than they did when I started the company. I have met fabulous people along the way, which has made the journey even more personally and professionally satisfying. I’m also proud of the small contributions I made in the communities where we have worked, often for many years, on important issues such as potable reuse (you know – “Toilet to Tap” ????), transportation improvements, overcoming NIMBY opposition to site important infrastructure… lots of examples I could share.

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

Soft rock: The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Rolling Stones, Loggins & Messina, Fleetwood Mac, Sade, Prince, Phil Collins, Elton John — a very long list. Throughout my youth there was often music playing in our home – I can see my parents dancing in the living room to the music of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett that was playing on their Curtis Mathis stereo.  So, when I started playing “my music,” I can hear my dad complaining that they just don’t make music like they used to. I love concerts, festivals, and dancing, so music plays an important role in my life!

Today I still listen to all the above, but I quite like several of today’s artists including Chainsmokers, Kygo, Dua Lipa, Gryffin, Harry Styles, Shawn Mendez and Lady Gaga, as well as some of the EDM music that my son blasts from his garage mancave.

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?

The first “real” concert I attended — and that I remember made a BIG impression on me — was an all day, outdoor, no assigned seats, August 31, 1975 at Balboa Stadium (now a part of City College). It was about eight to ten hours in length and featured Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, and Loggins & Messina. [ed. Tickets were $7.50] I was way too young for any distilled spirits, etc., but there was no need… the vibe and energy, the dancing and singing to the music of legends that were bigger than life for me at that time was all that was needed for this youngster.

 

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

President Ronald Reagan. I attended the University of New Hampshire in 1980 on an exchange program with San Diego State University. I was encouraged by former Mayor Pete Wilson to get involved in the New Hampshire presidential Primary – a unique opportunity, he said – so I did. I ended up organizing Youth for Reagan on campus and quickly networked throughout the state, a great place to be during the fall of a high profile, presidential campaign. I was at the event in Portsmouth, NH, when then-candidate Reagan grabbed the microphone and said (paraphrasing): “I paid for this microphone.” Many may remember this was a defining moment in that presidential election.  So, in some ways this was the first real “mic drop”.

Our conversation? I would listen intently, drink in his thoughts, visions, applaud his patriotism and love of America. President Reagan owned the reality that he (and others) were voted into office to represent all Americans – and the litmus test of “red or blue” did not dictate the conversation. I would ask him what it takes for politics to work. Compromise, collaboration, and mutual respect? President Reagan and House Speaker Tip O’Neil, while often on opposite ends of the political spectrum, frequently set a great example on how to compromise and get things done, an example that I certainly wish our current leaders would try to emulate. As an econ major, I would ask about his focus on supply-side economics, known then as Reaganomics, and how he wrestled the inflation rate of over 12% down to 4% while in office.

In 1984 I was lucky enough to serve as a California delegate for President Reagan and Vice-President George Bush at the Republican Convention in Dallas, Texas. Barely out of college, this was such an honor for me. So, no doubt in my mind, I’d like to chat with President Ronald Reagan.

 

Are America’s best days ahead of her or behind her?

This is a tough one, John. I have often said that I was born 20 to 25 years too late. I am a big fan of the Greatest Generation, which both my parents were on the tail-end of. My father graduated from high school at age 16.5 years, joined the military at age 17 and embarked on a 21-year military career (1940-1961). He was active in two wars, with 4,000 jet hours logged. My lens on America as a child was viewed through a stay-at-home mother, and a retired Air Force Major father who went to college (SDSU) and law school (USD) at night while working full-time every day for eight years. Hard work, sacrifice, respect, core values (regardless of your color or religion), and a “no-free lunch” mentality.  Kick the can and hide-and-go seek were afternoon playdates. It wasn’t perfect or easy, but compared to what I see today, is sure feels more honest, less complicated, and certainly more real.

But as I look to the future, I am inspired by the advancements we are making in so many fields – telemedicine, technology, clean energy, etc. I applaud the social progress that has been made concerning equality — for women, same sex marriage, religious freedoms, and working to ensure a greater parity for people of color — the list is long. We moved to San Diego in the early 1960’s and Jews were not allowed — or perhaps I should say the real estate community would not sell homes — in some communities (i.e., La Jolla) to people of the Jewish faith. As history notes, only people of Caucasian European ancestry were allowed.  So yes, progress is not easy, but it is being made. However, I am not sure if I can say with confidence that our best days are ahead of us.

America has been through several dark periods, and I feel we are in one again. In the past 10 or so years, the lack of civility between people here in our country is appalling. The dominance of social media and the control it has on our youth is of great concern. The days of TV and print media that largely told (versus editorialized) the story and highlighted the facts are all but gone. Government’s dominance in our lives feels all pervasive. Our pendulums simply, IMHO, swing too far one way or the other. We have more in common than we have in conflict, but it is the conflict that is highlighted to the point of saturation these days. I guess my response today would be… flip a coin, or it’s a tie.

 

Who would you want to have play you in your biopic?

I worked my way through high school and college as a food and cocktail waitress at several places in San Diego County, starting when I was 16 at Pernicano’s Pizza in El Cajon, and ending up at 21 working at Time Conspiracy, an upscale fine dining and dancing restaurant in UTC. Time Conspiracy was a themed restaurant where sectioned off areas had different motifs such as Roaring 20’s, Medieval, Old European, etc. The waitstaff also wore costumes and yours truly was Wonder Woman. Over the years I have been told many times I look like Linda Carter (I wish). But if I had to choose, I would have Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman 2.0, play me in my biopic. She is bad ass. A positive feminist, a mother of two, a lawyer, a former IDF soldier, and was crowned Miss Israel – and all of this was before the age of 35. She has also faced head-on anti-Semitism, which is clearly on the rise. We need more badass icons like Gal Gadot. So when the time comes for my biopic, please reach out to Gal to see if she has the time to take this on!

 

What is your favorite sports moment?

Setting aside my son’s club soccer days or my daughter’s high school lacrosse games – my favorite sports moment was on October 28th, 2018. It was game five of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium. I was George Mitrovich’s “guest and chauffer,” and we were guests of the Red Sox Nation. For those who knew George, I am sure you are smiling as you envision George walking around Dodger Stadium like he owned the joint, showing off a previous Red Sox World Series ring to anyone what would stop to look, etc. While our politics rarely aligned, it didn’t matter, and I was honored to be a founding member of FOG (Friends of George – along with Dan McAllister, Jan Percival, and Jeff Marston). The sunset that night was stunning, our seats were great and yes, we also were invited to spend the last few innings in the Red Sox private suite. So, that evening and the Red Sox victory must be my favorite sports moment. If you were a Boston fan, the energy was simply contagious. The consummate baseball fan, this was the last World Series George would ever watch or attend.  RIP Mitrovich from the Authority!

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

Earlier this year I participated on a panel of women business owners hosted by Dr. Kaye Switzer at SDSU for her Capstone Campaign Class in the Communications Department. We were asked a handful of questions to help some soon-to-be college graduates get a jumpstart in the “real world.”  One question was along these same lines:  What advice can you give a college senior as they are preparing to enter the workforce (in your field)? In no order of priority, here are some of my top suggestions:

• Invest in your job search by securing a couple of internships.  That is a great way for both parties to “test drive” one another, so to speak. Don’t simply tell us you want to be in communications because “you like people.”
• Spell check and QAQC any written submission. Too many people over the years have sent cover letters or even resumes that included serious errors: Public has an “l” in it. We are not in the business of pubic relations.
• Show an interest: Volunteer, raise your hand, ask questions, show an interest in what you are doing or being asked to do. Find a way to standout. Initiative pays off.
• Look everyone in the eye. Effective communications and personal engagement require a connection that can’t be made solely with 280 characters in a Tweet. Get rid of the “you know,” “like,” “ummmms,” etc.  As a representative of your employer/company, you are their brand, and you need to look and act the part.
• Be willing to pay your dues. You should not get a promotion or a bonus just for showing up on time and/or having occupied the chair for a year. Good work, a positive attitude, and a little extra effort can and will go a long way.  
• Read the damn newspaper. Can’t tell you the number of people we interview that have college degrees in communications, public relations, or even journalism that do not follow the news everyday – heck, even once a week. Yet they think they would be good in media relations… WTH?

We see a lot of FB posts of you and your kids. Any proudest moments you want to share?

Two of my recent proudest moments are both associated with my kids. My daughter Alena was accepted to a coveted program at University of Southern California (USC) in the field of Occupational Therapy. Even with an impressive GPA, great aptitude scores, and a well-rounded CV, the competition was fierce. USC was her first choice for this specific program — an accelerated six-year doctoral program that only accepts 10 students each year. And to top it off, she was the recipient of the only merit scholarship awarded by the college for her undergraduate degree. #ProudMom

The second of these recent proudest moments was in June of 2020 when my son graduated from the University of Oregon. U of O was his top choice for college, and it proved overall to be a good fit. While we never imagined his graduation ceremony would be held virtually in our family room, compliments of COVID-19, it turned out to be wonderful and even extra special: surrounded by close friends who were there in person to celebrate this accomplishment.

 

What would you change about yourself?

I have said for years that I have a college degree in worrying… certainly nothing to brag about. And sometimes I think I went on to receive my master’s degree, even with honors, in worrying. Big stuff, little stuff, things I have no control over, yet still I find reason to worry… In fact, as I respond to this interview, I worry if this is what you were looking for in terms of responses ????

 

Edgy Interview: Chris Cate

When we began working with Chris Cate and his consultants Jason Roe and Duane Dichiara on his 2014 race for City Council, I asked for biographical information, how he grew up and things like that. Buried was a snippet about Chris starting an auto glass repair business while in college; no one knew much about it and he didn’t make a big deal about it. I made sure we got that into the focus groups. Sure enough, our participants thought Chris paying his way through USD by running his own business was a huge positive for him. It told them that Chris was a guy who was willing to work hard, to persevere and who believed in himself. Those who know him still see that today, along with a Councilmember who’s willing to wade through budget briefing books and keep a sharp eye out for the taxpayer.

 

Tell us about the point in your life when you realized that your calling was politics?

I didn’t grow up in a political family. We didn’t talk politics or campaigns and such. I didn’t even declare my major until a year into my time in college. But after 9/11, I started getting more interested and asking questions, and just jumped into it. In my last semester at University of San Diego I interned for a DC lobbying firm. I was just starting to get more interested in politics and this was during the time of the Duke Cunningham and Bernie Madoff scandals. I went to DC pretty green, but really eager to learn. Not only did I fall in love with the history of that town, I fell in love with the work that I was doing. I was really focused on the policy and looking at various problems and trying to find solutions through the legislative process. I knew immediately I wanted to be in the world of politics, but I just wanted to figure out a way to do it in San Diego. Part of my time I also figured out that national politics wasn’t for me, but I wanted to focus on local government and the services that have the most impact on residents.

 

You’re the San Diego City Council’s only Republican. Do you have advice for the GOP moving forward?

This is honestly somewhat of a loaded question, and I have a lot to say on the topic. I think the two pieces of advice I’d give are to determine a path to better understand the communities within the districts you want to be competitive in and to be more open to finding the appropriate messenger and messages to communicate what you stand for.

For the first suggestion, the residents of each neighborhood give those communities very specific identities. It could be the cultural identity of that community, it could be the parks and other community characteristics, or the businesses in their neighborhood they patronize. No matter that “thing,” they are proud of it. I think if Republicans want to be competitive, they must be very understanding of that fact, ingratiate themselves to those things and show they are invested in these communities.

My second point is an extension of the first: messages and the messenger matter to these communities. The same old talking points that are general in nature aren’t going to cut it to communicate the values and policy ideas of our candidates and elected officials. At a local level especially, the communication needs to be tailored and delivered by trusted sources that have a relationship with said community.

All of this is not to say this isn’t being done, but I think it needs to be part of our DNA and constantly remind folks about it if we want to win. We must be on the ground — involved at the community level — if we want to be competitive. Unfortunately, in the City of San Diego, that currently isn’t the case, but that’s not to say the days of being competitive once again aren’t going to be right around the corner.

If you could go back in time, which former President would you like to chat with and what’s the topic?

Great question… I think I would want to go back to chat with John Adams. Mainly because I want to know what his thought process was with going so far as to support the Sedition Act. Having a conversation with a revolutionary intimately involved in the founding of this country and the creation of the most brilliant legislative documents produced. Not to mention his serving as both President and Vice President, his relationship with Thomas Jefferson… a beer with this guy would be amazing [ed. Also amazing, sharing a beer with John’s second cousin Sam.]

 

Briefly review the last good political book you read or movie you saw.

I recently re-read Larry Tye’s book “Bobby Kennedy.” It’s a fascinating look at Robert Kennedy, including the start of his political career all the way through to his presidential run, and there is a particular focus on his time with his family. The family stories are the ones I took away most from the book because that has really defined my last few years on the council since I got married and we had our children. I did not know that Robert Kennedy worked for Joseph McCarthy. I appreciate these looks at important figures that don’t just focus on their career, but their personal lives as well.

 

First concert you attended and how did it make you feel?

It wasn’t the first concert I ever went to, but it was the best, and that was the Up in Smoke Tour in 2000. I was able to go with my best friend as our high school graduation gift, so we went down to Coors Amphitheater as it was called then and had a fantastic time. It was amazing to see Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eminem, Warren G, Nate Dogg, and Ice Cube all on the same stage. That is a concert I will never forget!

 

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

I grew up listening to a lot of hip-hop and R&B. I was obsessed with Tupac. He’s by far the best that ever lived, and my friends and I had his CDs on constant loop. But whenever I was in the car with my mom that meant listening to a lot of Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, Chicago [ed. This is a must-see for Terry Kath’s solo], and Jimmy Buffett. So, my taste in music is wide. But right now I’m listening to the early albums of Linkin Park. I got sucked into a YouTube hole of watching some of their old concerts and now I’m listening to their stuff.

 

Who would you want to have play you in your biopic?

I would want Bruno Mars to play me. He’s amazingly talented, a good-looking guy, and Filipino! I mean, can’t you see the resemblance?

 

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?

When I think of competitive eating I think “easy to hold in your hand and eat,” so with that, I’m going to go with Lumpia.

 

Favorite cuisine and where do you get it? 

Piggybacking off my choice for a competitive eating contest, I’ll stick with Lumpia and plug what I believe is the best place to get it. Fredcel is in City Heights on the corner of University Ave and 38th Street. It’s a small shop, but you can smell the lumpia from the street. I don’t know what it is about their oil or whatever they do when they’re frying the lumpia, but it’s incredibly delicious. If you go down there or make an order over the phone, bring cash because they’re cash only.

 

Which reality TV show would you most like to compete on and why?

This is the one question I was so looking forward to answering! I would want to compete on “The Circle.” If you’re not familiar, the purpose of the show is to be the most popular amongst the group and earn the most votes from them. But it’s all remote and you don’t get to see the other participants. ADDITIONALLY, you don’t even have to play yourself! You can be a catfish and pretend to be someone else, so whatever you need to do to win and create alliances goes. At the end of the show, you get to finally see everyone in person and see if they’re actually who they said they were. This became our guilty pleasure show at the start of the pandemic and we really got into it. You can find “The Circle” on Netflix!

 

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

I’m going to assume you mean starting out and running for office. With that, my first piece of advice is to get off social media. Twitter is not real life. The social media advocacy you often see or hear about is quite different than the things that matter to everyday San Diegans. If you’re a candidate running for local office, be prepared to constantly be on the phone raising money and knocking on doors. A lot of first-time candidates think running for office is about giving these grandiose speeches that conclude with attendees chanting your name. In reality, running for office is a mental grind. It’s not for everyone, but it’s incredibly rewarding if you’re fortunate to be elected. The only other thing I would say is: make sure your spouse and family are supportive. You will be spending A LOT of time away from home, and in my opinion, they should have veto power over your decision. If I was in this same family position eight years ago, I most certainly wouldn’t have run for office.

 

We see a lot of SM posts of you and your kids. Any proudest moments you want to share?

With three kids three and under, it seems like we have proud moments all the time! Whether it’s one of them learning to crawl, or walk, or eat solids, or learn to write their name, it’s all an adventure! When they learn to say “I love you momma” or “I love you daddy,” your heart just melts. Suffice it to say that I love being a dad and at this point, just trying to soak in all these moments. It all goes by so fast. The next thing you know they’re going to be asking for the keys to the car!

 

Take us through Chris Cate’s “perfect day” in San Diego.

Hmm… well it’s not all that extravagant, to be quite honest. I think it would start out with my kids all waking up in great moods (no crying or fussing!) and my wife Maria and me dropping them off at daycare. I’d then go grab some coffee with Maria on our way back home. I’d then head over to Torrey Pines and play a round on Torrey North with some friends and shoot a decent round. I’d then head back home and go with Maria to pick up our kids, who will still be in great moods. I then cook some steak and lobster tails for dinner with a nice bottle of wine and enjoy the evening with the kids (still in good moods) and watching MadiRose cook s’mores with Maria. For me, that would be a perfect day!

 

What would you change about yourself?

In the illustrious words of Skee-Lo, “I wish I was a little bit taller.”

 

You’re termed out. What’s next for Chris Cate?

My first step is to find a job! I have 3 kids to feed! I’m honestly looking forward to whatever the next chapter has in store for me. I still plan to be involved at a policy level on matters that impact San Diegans, but from the outside and not as an elected official. I’m not going anywhere, and you’ll still see me weighing in on issues. I like to remind people that just because I’m not running for something right now doesn’t mean that it won’t happen at some point in the future. I think that I still have a lot to give but after 2022, I’m going to enjoy spending more time with Maria and our kids.