That's a lot of news to manage, and speculation has been rampant about just how Newsom's floundering administration will cope without its mouthpiece. But Ballard's departure leaves another crucial question: Who will fill the snark hole he leaves behind?

The spokesman of three years loved coming up with witty, pun-filled quotes for the press. He seemed to especially love getting the words "Chris Daly" or "Aaron Peskin" into quotes as many times as possible. Here's a rundown of some of the most memorable quotes he gave The Chronicle.

On supervisors wanting Newsom to hold a monthly "question time" with them (March 12, 2008): "Question time is and always has been a silly, student-council-style stunt. Next, Chris Daly will be calling for a longer morning recess, free ice cream in the cafeteria and the abolition of homework."

On supervisors' spending habits (April 17, 2008): "We're facing a huge deficit, and Aaron Peskin is throwing around money like Eliot Spitzer in a brothel."

On legislation that would make San Francisco the first city in the country to sell medical marijuana (April 13, 2009): "The mayor will have to hash this out with public health officials. It's the mayor's job to weed out bad legislation. And to be blunt, this sounds pretty bad."

On whether the Fairmont Hotel should be required to keep the Tonga Room as it undergoes major renovations (March 8, 2009): "I wish that Herb Caen still wrote for The Chronicle, Jerry Garcia still played at the Fillmore and Carol Doda still danced at the Condor. But we can't pass a law to freeze time."

On a systemwide BlackBerry network failure (Feb. 13, 2008): "At least my thumbs got some rest."

This week's news

Monday: A Board of Supervisors committee will discuss Muni safety at 11 a.m.

Tuesday: The supervisors will discuss saving city employees from being laid off, transferred and taking pay cuts.

Tracking the deficit

$400 million The city's anticipated shortfall for the next fiscal year on Monday.

$500 million The updated figure the Board of Supervisors' budget committee was given Wednesday.

$522 million The number released Thursday.

This article appeared on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle