Mayor Ed Lee’s remarks to a group of elementary school kids yesterday that PG&E is a “great local corporation” and a “great company” practically screamed for derision. And opponent John Avalos has obliged, issuing a press release saying he’s “astonished” at Lee’s remarks and challenging the mayor to explain what’s great about the troubled (and, let’s face it, highly unpopular) utility. Context: The mayor’s comments were in response to PG&E’s $250,000 contribution to a school literacy program. But still, the rhetoric may have been a bit much, two days after the National Transportation Safety Board said PG&E was to blame for the San Bruno disaster.
[+] Update: Bay City News Service adds Dennis Herrera to the mix of those criticizing Lee, saying the comments showed "insensitivity to victims' families" among other things. Lee campaign spokesman Tony Winnicker, meanwhile, calls the criticism a "blatantly political cheap shot" based on comments "cynically taken out of context."
