Petrelis Files

B.A.R. Political Gossip Writer's Donations

Former aide to Supervisor Chris Daly and current Bay Area Reporter political gossip columnist Bill Barnes has been spilling buckets of positive ink lately for Treasurer Jose Cisneros and his race to keep his office.

Just this week, Barnes wrote that, as a member of the Democratic County Central Committee, he voted to endorse Cisneros.

But what he hasn't written about is his $100 donation to Cisneros in May.

I think reporters, editors and columnists should all participate in civic life, and that includes making donations to politicians, even ones they write about.

However, what I don't support is failure to continually disclose such contributions, especially in print, so readers know of the journalist's biases.

That lack of disclosure seems part of the BAR's ethical guidelines.

When founding publisher Bob Ross was alive and ex-police commissioner Wayne Friday served as the political editor and gossip writer, both hid their donations from readers.

One only knew about their political contributions by checking campaign disclosure web sites.

In order to help persuade the BAR to show some ethical backbone and transparency, I've searched the city and state campaign finance disclosure sites to learn how much, when and to whom Barnes has made donations, which follow.

The BAR has a journalistic responsibility to print this information, just so readers know who Barnes supports with money.
^^^

Bill Barnes' local donations:

Cisneros For Treasurer
$100
05/31/2005

Bustos For Supervisor
$100
10/05/2004

Committee To Elect Michael O'connor
$100
08/15/2004

Bill Barnes For District 5
$250
06/30/2004

Susan Leal For Mayor
$250
02/26/2003

Radulovich For Supervisor
$200
09/30/2002

Matt Gonzalez For Supervisor District 5
$100
10/05/2000

Committee To Re-Elect Terence Hallinan District Attorney
$75
12/13/1999


Bill Barnes' state donations:

BARNES, BILL FOR DISTRICT 5, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117
SAN FRANCISCO DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE, ID#742051
$565.78
4/28/2005

BARNES III WILLIAM, NONE, NOT EMPLOYED, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117-3216
ALICE B. TOKLAS LESBIAN/GAY DEMOCRATIC CLUB PAC, ID#842018
$100.00
10/7/2004

BARNES WILLIAM H. III, CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117
DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF CALIFORNIA, ID#741666
$130.00
3/25/2003

BARNES WILLIAM III, CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, LEGISLATIVE AIDE, BOARD OF SUP, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117-3216
SAN FRANCISCO DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE, ID#742051
$100.00
5/24/2002

BARNES III WILLIAM MR., SUPERVISOR CHRIS DALY, LEGISLATIVE AIDE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117-3216
BRITT FOR ASSEMBLY, HARRY, ID#1236000
State Assembly 13
$100.00
1/13/2002