“Far more important to me is, that I should be loyal to what I regard as the law of my political belief, which is this: A belief that a country is best governed, which is least governed.” On June 19, 1972, one George Hoadley so declared at the Ohio Constitutional Convention, the third Constitutional Convention in Ohio’s history as a state.
That’s when dozens of us came together to form Richmond DRAGON (Defending Richmond and Galvanizing Our Neighborhood) League, a collective of neighbors within the Richmond District who wish to make positive changes in the neighborhood and tackle local issues based on open communication with fellow neighbors.
Stirring up discontent about crime is nothing more than a cynical attempt at grabbing voter attention. GrowSF and groups like them are spending millions to influence city elections and they haven’t been shy about their intentions.
we need a new approach to public safety that balances law enforcement and accountability with rehabilitation and meaningful intervention.
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.
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.
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.”
As every new year begins, I pause to center my priorities and plan for how to put those ideals into action.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 