It was Thomas Jefferson who declared in an Aug. 4, 1801, letter: “Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.” Oh, how we need in Washington, D.C. those “reformers of error.” Instead, we have a government of men and women (I mean you, Attorney General Pam Bondi) which creates fear among most of the governed.
In 2022, before “draft dodger” President Donald Trump, there were about 3.1 million federal employees and about 30,000 City and County of San Francisco employees in a then-municipality of approximately 874,000 residents. San Francisco’s population has now declined to about 827,000 and the number of its local government employees is approximately 30,000. Yet, some City Hall denizens spew propaganda that we need more housing. The mighty mayor, fresh from our recall of Supervisor Joel Engardio, demands “upzoning” of the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods plus the Marina and North Beach, meaning high-rise apartment and condominium buildings will be vacant in large part like Park Merced and its more than 500 empty units. Stonestown Galleria still hasn’t even broke ground on the 350 units for which it secured building permits three years ago.
Wiener is the architect of numerous state laws that would remove the powers of local planning commissions from cities across California that don’t bow to his demands to build more housing, regardless of the consequences. He is the single most destructive politician in generations – and one who was elected three times to the State Senate, largely with support from westside residents.
There seems to be an almost numbing to the seemingly new ways with which our constitutional liberties are being breached. The tools by which these are enacted at the federal level are happening across all three branches, not just the executive, like many wish to believe.
Can we attribute the recall of SF Supervisor Joel Engardio as an example of gargling, then being excreted by District 4 voters? He must now live without the $175,370 per year salary, membership in the retirement system of the City and County, one-month paid vacation and four aides to keep taxpayers away. That’s what it costs us for the 11 beauties on City Hall’s second floor.
There is a lot at stake for the west side during October – The SF Board of Supervisors will review a plan to rezone almost every lot on the west side and SF Mayor Daniel Lurie will choose a replacement for recalled District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio.
Cities grow, evolve, and change. While we should do our best to document, honor and preserve timeless physical elements, we should use that tool sparingly and carefully.
Bay Area teens are stuck in a cycle of academic comparison, sleepless
nights, and deteriorating mental health. Short-form content’s curated lifestyles and ideals
of success feed an unhealthy, addictive loop that intensifies existing academic pressures.
We look forward to working with Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Board to assure that new zoning will be equitable and effective. We urge a careful reconsideration of the “Family Zoning Plan.”
San Francisco’s parks have always been free and open because our public dollars make them that way. They are not commodities for rent.
The scary situation was on the last day of the three-day concert held at the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park in early August. Some 60,000 music fans were packed onto a field designed for polo ponies and mallet-wielding contestants to hear Dead & Company, an offshoot of the Grateful Dead.
As summer fades, I’m reminded that the ideal summer resort is where the fish bite and mosquitos don’t!
As a former supervisor for the district and an elected member of the San Francisco Democratic Party County Central Committee, I believe the Party made the right choice on Aug. 27th in voting to take a No Endorsement position.
As longtime residents of District 4, I and my neighbors feel compelled to speak out in defense of our current Supervisor, Joel Engardio, whose contributions to our community have been significant, responsible and visionary.
The lived experience of D-4 residents is peppered with impacts. Where we go, how we get there and what we do have become a complicated process of considering safety, transportation constraints, time and family well-being. We have reached a point where enough is enough.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 