Ultimately, Joel Engardio’s speech is completely opposite of the recall’s true results because it falsely presents a narrative of his success, of progress, and of democratic triumph, while the recall actually signifies his voter rejection of his leadership and policies.
On Sept. 16, District 4 voters in the Sunset District decided they wanted to change who represents them at City Hall. With about a year left in his term, Supervisor Joel Engardio was recalled in a citizens’ revolt primarily over his support of the closure of the Upper Great Highway to vehicle traffic and the creation of the new Sunset Dunes park on the site.
The residents of Sunset wanted nothing more than to be respected and to be heard. It’s a damn shame it took a recall election for that to even begin to happen.
Before becoming the first person to oust a previously elected city supervisor in the generation since district elections were introduced in San Francisco, Engardio unsuccessfully ran for the board three times.
Through Sept. 16, residents of supervisorial District 4 will continue voting on Proposition A – the recall of Supervisor Joel Engardio. Nearly 11,000 signatures were submitted on the official recall petition, a clear sign of deep dissatisfaction with Engardio.
Supervisor Engardio is trying to distract Sunset residents with talk about the Great Highway and Sunset Dunes. But this recall isn’t about roads or parks, it’s about accountability. He continues to divert attention from the real reason he’s being recalled, Supervisor Engardio has failed to represent our Sunset District.
San Francisco YIMBYs love to ask a bad-faith question: “Why are you so against a homeowner wanting to build a multiplex on their property?”
It assumes homeowners want multiplexes when most clearly do not and tries to paint neighbors defending their community as selfish.
Joel Engardio repeatedly claims that he shouldn’t be recalled over a single issue – the deceitful way he secretly placed the Prop K closure of the Upper Great Highway on the Nov. 2024 ballot against the wishes of his constituents. The recall is about HIM, and his lack the character and integrity.
There were no town halls, no real dialogue, only expedited changes pushed through without input.
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.
In less than one month, a nearly year-long effort to oust District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio will occur on one condition: People get out and vote yes on Proposition A.
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.
The recall isn’t about reopening a road. It’s about holding a supervisor accountable for lying to get elected, silencing his own district, and undermining democracy.
We need to send a message to these radical idealogues: You can’t deny our voice with your political machinations. Removing Mr. Engardio is the opening salvo in a war with these groups who won’t compromise.
What Engardio really wants is to save is his political career, not his “job.” If he cared about the role of supervisor, he would take his duties seriously.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 