KPBS Midday Edition

Did Murphy's Law Derail Dick Murphy?

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published October 5, 2011 at 8:29 AM PDT

This story was published more than 13 years ago.

Dick Murphy was accused of being one of the worst mayors in the country.

He says the mismanagement of previous administrations combined with scandals and a wildfire sidelined his vision for San Diego.

KPBS Host Joanne Faryon interviews former San Diego Dick Murphy on Wednesday's show.

The old saying known as Murphy's law states "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."

Former San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy has now adopted Murphy's law as one of the key explanations of his one term and three months in office. Murphy led the city from December 2000 to April 2005.

During that time, the economic calamity of the city's underfunded pension obligations came to light, the largest wildfire in California history, tore through the county, members of the San Diego City Council were indicted by federal authorities in Strippergate, and Mayor Murphy was dubbed one of the three worst mayors in the country by Time Magazine.

It's no wonder Murphy has taken some time out of the public spotlight. But now he's back, with a book explaining some of the debacles of the past and outlining his vision for San Diego's future.

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The book is called "San Diego's Judge Mayor."

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn