Newsom Vehemently Denies Cocaine Allegation

SAN FRANCISCO, Jun. 20. 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- Once again the government of the city of San Francisco has managed to make itself the center of attention, if not of smooth operation. It involves some cuts in Mayor Gavin Newsom's over-burdened budget and a supervisor who disagrees with those cuts and the words he chose to make his argument.

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly says he was pointing out the contradiction of a mayor with a substance abuse problem proposing cuts to programs that help the poor overcome their addictions. His comments to a packed chamber last night have set off a new controversy.

Supervisor Chris Daly: "Where does Gavin Christopher Newsom get his substance abuse services and how much do they cost the City and County of San Francisco?"

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly is never one to pull any punches. He has sent shockwaves through City Hall. It happened last night as the Board of Supervisors held a hearing to discuss the mayor's proposed budget cuts to substance abuse programs.

Supervisor Chris Daly: "While the mayor of San Francisco artfully dodges every question about allegations in his own cocaine use."

Earlier this year, Mayor Gavin Newsom acknowledged he has an alcohol problem and is getting treatment.

Today, he angrily denied ever using cocaine.

Mayor Gavin Newsom: "Absolutely not. It's offensive and it's about as low as it gets. It's about as sleazy as it gets."

Newsom says every member of the board should condemn Daly's comments.

Board President Aaron Peskin tells ABC7 that Daly's behavior is not acceptable.

Aaron Peskin, Board of Supervisors President: "We are all here to get a job done, and that job is about public policy. That job is about making sure that the city moves forward. It is not about personality, it's about policy. So when things devolve to a level of personality, it's inappropriate."

But Supervisor Tom Ammiano says he thought it was one of Daly's better speeches.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano: "I think that Chris added his own drama to it, but I think he had a point. How he made his point I think could be debated."

Daly is known as the bad boy of City Hall. Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier made an unsuccessful attempt to censure him two years ago after he cursed a member of the public during a hearing.

Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier: "You don't see any other member of the board speaking like that or acting like that. There has to be some decorum."

No one is talking about censure today and Daly says he won't apologize for his remarks, and in part raised the drug issue to get the media to focus attention on the proposed budget cuts.

Supervisor Chris Daly: "I wish that this type of media would cover four hours of compelling testimony from the people of San Francisco who are concerned about budget cuts."

Mayor Newsom, too, expressed irritation over the coverage of this controversy, and challenged Supervisor Daly to, in his words, "come out of the shadows," and talk to him face to face about the priorities facing the city.

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