The Quotable John Lynch

We surely haven’t heard the last from John Lynch, the brash and ever-quotable CEO of the newspaper formerly known as the San Diego Union-Tribune.

But Lynch, who took the reins when hotel magnate Doug Manchester bought the paper in 2011, is no longer in charge.

U-T San Diego’s top brass is in the middle of a shake-up. Another executive is taking over day-to-day operations, at least temporarily. Lynch will focus on mergers and acquisitions.

As Lynch takes on a new role, it’s an ideal time to remember his most memorable comments over the last couple of years. Here’s a quick look at the oratorical oeuvre of this former radio executive.

The Latest Jibes

• “Owned by the Unions… The last guy so owned (Filner) is going to be headed to prison for this latest gambit! Bob, get ready for Big Bubba! Talk about harassment!” — On his own Facebook page in January in a post touting a U-T editorial cartoon about mayoral candidate David Alvarez

• “President Reagan personifies the values that made America great in his 1981 Christmas address. Listen and then ask yourself if the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania could ever even be associated with Christmas, Jesus, and Christian and Judeo values!” —Lynch in a Dec. 26 post on his Facebook page

• “In addition to repealing the linkage fees, we must introduce an initiative that will lower California state taxes 1%a year for the next 8.5 years . Ultimately, state taxes would be lowered to just under 5%. There would be a California gold rush and revenues will overflow. Additionally, by opening up fracking and securing royalties , the state will have more than it could possibly spend. We must re-take our state!,,,,” — Lynch on his Facebook page last November (The linkage fee refers to a city fee on builders to pay for affordable housing.)

Shock Jock: Lynch Unplugged

• “I’ve got to be a little selfish; this is a gift that keeps giving.” — Speaking to a neighborhood group last July about why the newspaper hadn’t called for the embattled Mayor Bob Filner to resign, as reported by the San Diego Reader

• “I’m highly optimistic we’re going to get something done. … Hopefully, we’re gathering the right people. We’re trying to keep it down low…” — In a private meeting in 2012 regarding the newspaper’s push for a waterfront stadium, as recorded by a reporter in attendance, as reported by Patch

Station Identification: What the U-T Is

• “We’d like to be a cheerleader for all that’s good about San Diego … We want to have an incredibly strong sports page that supports the Chargers, the Padres, USD, SDSU, that advocates for a new stadium and calls out those who don’t as obstructionists.” — To VOSD reporter Rob Davis in a 2011 story.

• “We think our country is on the edge of real, real danger, and you have to stand up, and that was a huge part of why we bought this … We’re trying to do what we can to change the direction of this country.” — To the Associated Press, in a 2012 story regarding the purchase of the U-T

Arm-Twisting

• “If it weren’t for the digital sign pending approval, I would instruct our folks to run a piece on how this is so reflective of this city being anti-business. We are fighting to keep this business vital and if it were ever to go away, there would be 700 San Diego jobs that go with it.” — A 2012 email to Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s office, uncovered by the San Diego Reader, complaining that the paper received a city citation threatening a $1,000 fine for an illegal banner on its Mission Valley building

• “Do you intend to vote for the extension at the Dole lease? There should be a provision that the PORT of successor(if PORT is disbanded) should be able to move Dole to National City. Otherwise this will become a major issue in the campaigns and the UT will be forced to lead a campaign to disband the PORT.” — A 2012 email from Lynch to then-port commissioner Scott Peters (now a congressman) over a dispute over the extension of a lease by the Dole food company

• “Get a life.” — The entire three-word email from Lynch to me in 2012 when I asked about the newspaper’s failure to get proper permits from the city when it converted part of the U-T’s Mission Valley building into a museum showcase for owner Manchester’s vintage cars