Editor:
As a resident of the Sunset District, I’m staunchly opposed to the recall of our District Supervisor Joel Engardio, who is one of the rare elected officials who directly and positively impacts community life. The recall threatens to undo all the great work he has done for our neighborhoods, and I am proud to stand with Joel.
While I supported Proposition K, I recognize that many of my neighbors did not share my view. But disagreement on a single policy is not grounds for a recall. Recalls should be reserved for serious misconduct or fundamental failure to perform official duties.
The school board and district attorney recalls met that bar for me. Unlike the attempted recall of Engardio, their recalls went beyond simple policy disagreements. They were fundamentally about these elected officials’ ability to get the job done. They were asleep at the wheel. Joel Engardio could not be more different.
His bona fides speak for themselves.
He organized the first-ever night markets in the Sunset that I attended with my family. He started the Sunset Community Band, giving many residents the chance to dust off their instruments for the first time since high school, and many more the joy of hearing them play. When I raised concern about a dangerous intersection near my house, his staff responded immediately, demonstrating a commitment to constituent service.
And his work is not finished. Not by a long shot.
I was born in San Francisco in 1985, when a double-decker freeway ran through what is now the Embarcadero. I remember watching the light fixtures swaying on my ceiling as a 4 year old during the 1989 earthquake that brought that freeway to the ground. I’m so grateful to those who fought for the area to be rebuilt as a pedestrian-friendly waterfront recreation area. It was a contentious battle, but now no one can imagine the City without it.
Now that I’m raising my own kids in this city, I think a lot about how to make things better for them. I want my kids to feel safe, connected, and inspired by city life. I’ve considered leaving San Francisco many times because I often don’t feel this way myself. But at this point, I’m committed to working alongside city leaders like Joel who are trying in good faith to improve our community for everyone.
Recalls should not become a tool for resolving political disagreements. They are a serious measure that should be used sparingly and only for legitimate, profound breaches of public trust. Joel has demonstrated integrity, responsiveness and a genuine commitment to our district. I support him 100% and urge my fellow residents to reject this misguided recall attempt.
Lindsay Meisel
Categories: letter to the editor
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
Joel Engardio breached the public trust by putting up for the city wide vote the closure of a major traffic artery that his own constituents heavily depended upon. He snuck it on to the ballot at the very last minute so that opposition could not be organized. The entire west side of SF who actually know what the Great Highway is like (the adjacent the pathway for walkers, the bicyclists on the shoulders, the much more heavy use of the beach itself) and what the impact of the GH’s closure has been as traffic diverted to their homes and the prolonged commuting times for people who can’t even get to the alternative routes (Sunset and 19th) when GGPark itself is closed for various events. The west side voted no decisively (70% no in the Richmond, 60-64% in the Sunset)- they didn’t want the GH closed permanently for a “park”. It was supported only by the east side residents who have little experience or knowledge of what the GH means in terms of north south transit for the western part of SF. It’s clear in retrospect that discussions about the closure of the GH were well underway behind closed doors with the announcement of the nearly $1 million dollar grant from the conservancy, the lock step approval by the coastal commission, SF Park and Rec’s immediate announcement of the “art” they plan to install, etc etc. Joel Engardio made himself the public face of permanent closure of the Great Highway and refused to listen to his own constituents about what was really valued. He touted arguments using “facts” that are highly dubious such as the attendance numbers on the “park” vs cars on a highway. He said the closure of the extension made the GH unusable as a commuting route which is totally false. You think a night market somehow is an accomplishment that overshadows the great damage closure of the Great Highway will inflict on the western side of SF? I see now that a traffic light has been installed on Hwy 35 at the intersection where the GH extension joins. Is this one of the two “traffic lights that will mitigate traffic caused by the GH closure”? No one is going to need to use that intersection once the extension and the GH is closed. It’s a total waste of money and most certainly is NOT going to address the prolonged commuting times that will occur once the GH is permanently closed. Joel deserves to be recalled and I am more than happy to donate money and time to the effort. He has the big money behind him but local anger at the permanent closure has the passion and people willing to work for it.
Right now it’s disgusting to see that someone has distributed dozens of posters along the GH saying “this highway kills” after the unfortunate death of a person with dementia who was wandering on the highway in the dark. Even that person’s family members have been decrying the use of their family members death as a way to advance people’s own political agenda. But that’s the way some people roll. Always first in line in front the cameras to demand that cars be banned from any road where there’s been an accident, no matter what the cause, what the circumstances, the rarity (the GH has been an exceptionally safe road for decades). Even though Vision Zero statistics have shown no change in traffic fatalities despite all the measures supported by the SF Bicycle Coalition, Kid Safe, etc – closing streets to cars, slow streets, narrowing of streets to build bike lanes, traffic slowing with speed bumps and barricades the SFMTA continues to proceed with strategies and tactics that are not effective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disagree.
The closure of the Great Highway is a decision that negatively impacts the residents of the Richmond and the Sunset on a DAILY basis. Every time we’re sitting in traffic on 19th Avenue we’re reminded of Engardio’s total failure to represent us as constituents. That’s why residents are so livid at this decision.
And speaking of earthquakes, how are residents of the Sunset and the Richmond supposed to evacuate the City in the case of a natural disaster? Are we all supposed to head down 19th? There are only a couple ways out of the City and two are bridges.
We’re furious, we’re united, and we’re recalling Joel Engardio.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this, Lindsay. I totally agree that a recall is not the answer to a disagreement, especially on one issue. Joel is up for re-election in 2026; a costly and divisive recall in 2025 doesn’t help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s NOT one issue though. He’s an insanely divisive pseudo-moderate lying deliberately to his constituents on a whole host of issues. First and foremost, but not exclusively the “environmental” BS he packaged into Prop K propaganda, all of which is entirely cherry picked nonsense. No, paving the beach is not environmentally concerned with species survival or effectively removing pollution in any actual way. It’s a deliberate and shameless lie, one of several he’s pushed while he found it politically expedient. It’s London Breed in bald cap, there is zero substance to it, just like “vision zero” has massively failed to deliver despite MILLIONS WASTED. He also supported SEVERAL recalls himself personally while politically expedient, in defense of charlatan Breed’s power consolidation campaigns against oversight and good governance. He’s poster child for all that is wrong with SF politics, from pandering to minority downtown “city family” interests over his constituents’ safety and well-being, to steering MORE vehicle traffic into residential streets without a whit of thought about how that will actually impact residents.
It’s certainly NOT a single disagreement. He’s a liar and a corruption backer across the board.
LikeLike
look into the natural gas lines leading into SF. Also the jet fuel line that runs along the 101 freeway. In a major quake freeways, overpasses, bridges will most likely be compromised. The only evacuation route would be south. By closing the Great Highway and the extension to skyline Joel Engardio has put not only the Sunset district residents at risk but all San Francisco residents at risk of not being able to evacuate the city. Look at the recent PGE gas line maps if you would like to confirm. Remember the 1906 quake was over 7.0. Our gas lines are rated only for a 7.0???? Fire destroyed the city not the quake.
Recall Engardio!
James Patterson
LikeLike
This makes no sense and is completely disconnected from what anyone with any actual knowledge of emergency management in SF has said. I’m sorry to say it, but fundamentally there is just no world in which there’s a major earthquake and we all get in our cars and drive out of the city. That wasn’t possible in 1989 and it will be even less possible in a larger quake. Roads will be too damaged/blocked to drive on for at least days. It’s not like a wildfire evacuation in a rural area. The extension is already falling into the ocean now and chunks of pavement are washed away by a good rain storm, and you think it’s going to survive a 7.0 quake? Even if that worked out, you’d make it about a mile south and run smack into the San Andreas Fault.
This is why we’re all advised to have at least 72 hours worth of food/water/supplies to be able to be self-sufficient after an earthquake, because we’re not going to be able to drive away from an earthquake. If all else fails and you have to flee a fire, head to the beach. If you want the Great Highway to be open to drive on, sure just say that because it makes plenty of sense, but don’t make up weird emergency scenarios that aren’t at all relevant to the city’s emergency plan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The San Francisco Department of Public Works Emergency Route Maps has the Great Highway listed as a “Primary” emergency route.
So not quite an irrelevant “weird emergency scenario”.
LikeLike
Do you mean the map that says “this map does not display emergency evacuation routes” on it in large letters? The city was very clear about the map you’re talking about: “This map displays roads the city may prioritize for debris removal following a major earthquake. This map is almost 20 years old and no longer relevant. It does not display emergency evacuation routes and should not be interpreted as such.“
LikeLiked by 1 person
Engardio LIED. Multiple times. There is no coming back from this.
He betrayed his constituents and deserves to be recalled 100%.
He can run for office downtown or more likely Sacramento, where accountability from locals isn’t an issue he has to worry his pretty little 501c4-monied head about. No more Breed simping carpetbagging transplant liars.
LikeLike
The fact that Engardio was so sneaky about putting this measure on the ballot, KNOWING he could get it passed because there is more density (= more voters) in other parts of SF where they are not impacted by the closure is downright deceptive. I understand & support D4 residents desire for recall (Im in D7). However, a part of me feels like the time & effort could be better spent on finding the right candidate because if he’s recalled, then what? But I disagree that the effort is misguided.
LikeLike
There’s no reason to not do both. Recall now AND recruit a better candidate for 2026 if needed. Not to mention lobbying Lurie now for the appropriate replacement for Engardio should the recall pass since Lurie will be naming the replacement.
LikeLike
Engardio and his Prop K ‘Crew’ Violated the Brown Act with their last minute measure filing, purposely, and they know that! Look up the Brown Act then look at the date and time Measure K was filed, and the truth will reveal itself! Stop seeing what you want to see 👀
LikeLike
Unfortunately, Joel has not listened to nor helped far more constituents in their daily lives than those who have dusted off their high school musical instruments and those who like stores open at night now and then. There are serious problems for the majority of residents in his district regarding Prop K, and I neither trust nor support Joel Engardio who is, in effect, Scott Wiener’s “Mini Me.”
Arnie Hayes
LikeLike
THE REASONS FOR THE RECALL IN THE SUNSET
First, this recall is not because the supervisor in the Sunset voted yes on Prop K. It is not because the supervisor in the Sunset backed Prop K. It is not because the at large population in San Francisco voted 55% in favor of Prop K. These are red herrings that supervisor along with the powers that be, including but not limited to: City Hall, special interest groups, elites of the highest social status and power, along with their newspapers and media outlets. The red herrings are used to cloud the relevant issue(s) regarding the recall.
How can we be certain that this is truth? Because if just the three actions above occurred, there would be no recall. The reasons for the recall are threefold. One, the supervisor of the Sunset when running for office stated time and time again that he was for a compromise on the Great Highway. Secondly, a near supermajority of the voters in the Sunset rejected Prop K. And, thirdly, the supervisor of the Sunset put on the ballot Prop K after listening to a very, very, small number of Sunset residents and ignoring the super majority of his constituents.
Does this conduct give rise to a breach of duty? In a legal sense I would venture to say no. Does this conduct give rise to the act of breaking a trust or confidence? I would say unequivocally yes. The result of this breach of trust? The recall of the supervisor in the Sunset. It is, my friends, that simple! This recall is about residents and neighborhoods standing up for themselves! I do not ask any San Franciscan not living on the Westside to support the recall but to at least understand the true reasons for it. I would hope that other neighborhoods, who God forbid a betrayal of this magnitude should ever happen to, would have guts to stand up for themselves. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Marty Murphy, SF Politics Hub
sfpoliticshub.com
LikeLike
Joel has been a good supervisor for the district and a great supervisor for The City. This recall is being started by a few vindictive failed politicians who know that this recall won’t have any impact on the Great Highway but might be good for their political careers.
If you don’t like someone’s policies, find a candidate who represents you better or run yourself. These questions are better settled at the ballot box, not via this undemocratic process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joel is a Breed/Wiener clone – a liar in search of positive PR, nothing more.
He has done NOTHING REAL for the Sunset or SF.
LikeLike
Really, politicians are trying to recall him now? And the fact the went against the super majority of his constituents makes no difference at all now? Because all I see in all of these article comments are angry people that live in Sunset, not some random politicians from another district.
LikeLike
I think a recall would be disastrous for the Sunset. Right now, we have a supervisor who we elected and he knows he has to spend the next two years working his butt off desperately trying to convince Sunset voters to re-elect him. If he’s recalled, he gets replaced by some random politico we don’t get to choose who will be completely beholden to the mayor. Engardio already came out against the 22-story tower on Sloat. If he’s recalled, whoever the mayor appoints will support it as a gift for the mayor’s real estate developer buddies.
Lurie ran on jumpstarting development and promised to put homeless shelters in every neighborhood. The last thing the Sunset needs is an appointed supervisor who is completely beholden to Lurie and won’t be able to say no to any of this. Better to let Engardio finish his term and ask tough questions of all the candidates next election.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’re pro-election why would you fear another one? Try again.
Engardio was pro-recall when he ran for office, period. For lesser reasons!
LikeLike
“senior copywriter for Underground Advertising in San Francisco.”
DISCLOSURES REQUIRED.
LikeLike
Genuinely confused why this would be relevant. In one of my first jobs after college, in 2008-2009, I was a copywriter at a small ad agency whose client base were nonprofits (Sierra Club, Earthjustice, etc.). Not sure what the issue is here?
LikeLike
I’m “genuinely confused” why being part of an undisclosed advertising agency while pushing a dishonest and embattled recall candidate’s talking points on a neighborhood newspaper op-ed would NOT list their professional affiliations up front, prior to carrying water for said dishonest and embattled carpetbagging politician loathed by the constituency he ignored in favor of developer interests. Underground Advertising indeed. Follow the money. This is no mere op-ed.
LikeLike
Ummm … for one year, over 15 years ago, I was a copywriter at an ad agency that is in no way associated with Joel Engardio. And I actually did share a byline about my current occupation, but I guess the Beacon chose not to include it.
LikeLike
This is NOT a SINGLE ISSUE, because you obviously have no idea of what the implications of this are!!! The Domino Effect this will create will be felt by everyone that lives near The Great Highway and beyond, needs that highway commute route to travel south out of this city that is in tremendous debt, and will create Gridlock and Landlock, not to mention the Tsunami Exit at Lincoln/La Playa/ 48th Ave, with recent Earthquakes, and a Tsunami warning that will not stop! A misgoverned ship of fools…Did I mention that there are already 2 huge parks adjacent to this phantom park, and I can see the squatters, homeless, and dregs already camping, leaving debris on the dunes…YES I CAN. Do you live in this area, will you need to evacuate from this area??
LikeLike