On Dec. 18, 2023, SF Supervisor Connie Chan sent an email notifying constituents that SF Mayor London Breed is preparing legislation to up-zone building height limitations in the Richmond District by early 2024.
Commentary: Richard Corriea
Commentary: Brian Quan
After ending last year reflecting on gratitude and thankfulness, looking forward I see a potential sea change ahead. Not only because it’s going to be an election year, but honestly things would just get a little boring if they always stayed the same. So let us examine what lies ahead in 2024.
Commentary: Quentin Kopp
Thomas Jefferson supposedly declared: “Democracy is cumbersome, slow and inefficient, but in due time, the voice of the people will be heard, and their latent wishes will prevail.”
Commentary: Jen Nossokoff
As every new year begins, I pause to center my priorities and plan for how to put those ideals into action.
Commentary: Julie Pitta
San Francisco voters are disgruntled. Their unease is being manipulated by a moneyed elite with a self-interested agenda. Members of the school board were blamed for the struggles of an education system long starved of resources. A district attorney was held responsible for an uptick in crime that was a consequence of a worsening gap between rich and poor.
Commentary: Brian Quan
I am thematically out of order to end the year after trying to make a Christmas metaphor last month. But, since I’m writing this column before Thanksgiving, I want to reflect on things I am thankful for this past year, including being able to highlight our wonderful little neighborhood.
Commentary: Quentin L. Kopp
The unreliability of American and San Francisco media today is not new to our country. Neither is the people’s right to discard biased, unsound judges.
Commentary: Jen Nossokoff
As you gather together with family and friends in celebration over the winter holidays, you may find that with the excitement and joy comes a backdrop of political polarization. This might look like being on outright opposite ends of the political spectrum, somewhere in between, or it can also look like apathy or indifference.
Commentary: Julie Pitta
In news that came as no surprise to anyone, last month Marjan Philhour announced her third run for District 1 supervisor. Knocking out an incumbent – even in a district gerrymandered to improve her prospects – won’t be easy. That said, Philhour will benefit greatly from the largesse of the wealthiest political players in San Francisco, most notably the City’s tech elite.
Commentary: Brian Quan
Heading into the holiday season after dwelling on ghosts has me thinking about Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” While winter weather is seemingly far away from San Francisco lately, the tale of Ebenezer being visited by three ghosts leading to his transformation and reformation feels ever closer in relation to what our City is facing.
Commentary: Quentin L. Kopp
As we prepare to pay our federal and state income taxes pursuant to two extensions granted this year by the always-benevolent Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board, I’m reminded of quips meriting reiteration, such as: “Sorry people feel the government owes them a living! The rest of us would gladly settle for a small tax refund.”
From the Editor: Life Can Change in an Instant
My apologies to those who have tried to contact me over the last several weeks. I had a medical emergency that prevented me from carrying out my duties as editor.
Commentary: Jen Nossokoff
One of the first questions that I was asked after I filed to run for district supervisor was: “Are you a progressive or a moderate?”
Commentary: Julie Pitta
Billionaires blame Progressives’ policies when nothing could be further from the truth. The City’s ills are the direct result of decades of so-called moderate mayors who prioritized big business over struggling San Franciscans.
Commentary: Tamara McClintock Greenberg, PsyD
San Francisco is grappling with homelessness and a drug crisis. Perceived misunderstandings of harm reduction approaches, inefficient housing strategies, and uncritical acceptance of status quo policies by city-funded nonprofits are exacerbating the problems. The public pushes for stronger responses such as implementing more shelters and treatments, and police reinforcement. Innovative treatment programs like ‘Seeking Safety,’ stressing varying support measures, could be more effective. Policymakers must prioritize both the vulnerable population and community safety.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 