Daly honors Public Comment Man, Walter Paulson

By Luke Thomas

October 26, 2010

Termed out District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly did the unthinkable today during the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting. The oft-unabashed, activist legislator known for his f-bombs and wily rhetoric, sang a duet – an adaption of Piano Man no less – with the man he was honoring during commendations, public comment maestro, Walter Paulson.

And in tune (for the most part).

Paulson, who is known affectionately as the “American Idol of public comment,” is a regular fixture at City Hall public meetings, generously entertaining attendees and waking the half-asleep with his crooning and political adaptions of popular songs. He’s also an avid collector and proud owner of a Mayor Gavin Newsom bobble-head doll.

Walter Paulson with a Gavin Newsom bobble-head doll, circa February, 2008.

“Today I am going to honor one of my favorite characters and that’s Walter Paulson,” Daly said. “Walter is a native San Franciscan. He’s a tenant just down the street at the Civic Center Residence, and he’s actually been honored by this Board before for his efforts as a forty-two time special Olympian. Of course, we know Walter better for his work here with the Bay Guardian’s winner for Best of City Hall Crooner, and this may be the only fitting way for me to honor him today.”

True to form, the lyrics Daly adapted for Public Comment Man contained a few light-hearted jabs at several of his colleagues on the Board including Supervisors Sean Elsbernd, Bevan Dufty, Eric Mar and Board President David Chiu:

Public Comment Man
(Lyrics by Chris Daly)

CHRIS:
It’s two o’clock on a Tuesday
The regular crowd shuffles in
Campos and Avalos are standing next to me
Hoping their legislation will win.

They say, “Chris, can you talk to Mirkarimi
We’re not really sure we’ve got the votes
But this ordinance is sweet and you know it’s complete
We’ve got downtown by their throats.”

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

Chorus (CHRIS):
Sing us a song you’re public comment man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you got us all feeling all right!

WALTER:
Now Deputy Doug is a friend of mine
He saves a spot on line for me
And he’s quick with a joke; Axis fills the room up with smoke
But on a bigger stage we both should be.

He says, “Walter, you’re a local celebrity.”
As a smile fills up his face
“Well we’re both City Hall superstars
We’ve got the run of this place.”

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

CHRIS:
Now Sean is a real estate apologist
Who’s now with kid and a wife
And he’s talkin’ with Bevan, who’s campaign ain’t revvin’
And probably won’t be for life.

And David Chiu is testing the politics
As the agenda slowly winds on
Eric Mar is posting to Facebook
Multi-tasking is better than none.

Chorus (CHRIS and WALTER):
Sing us a song you’re public comment man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you got us all feeling all right!

WALTER:
It’s a pretty good crowd for a Tuesday
And the Clerk, she gives me a smile
‘Cause she knows that it’s me they’ve been waiting to see
To forget about the meeting for awhile.

And Abdullah sounds like a thunderclap
And the Jesus guy smells of pure fear
As they fill up the place, Supervisors stare into space
And say, “Walter, thank goodness you’re here!”

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

Chorus (CHRIS and WALTER):
Sing us a song you’re public comment man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you got us all feeling all right!

Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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