Joel Engardio, San Francisco’s District 4 Supervisor since 2023, has had a relatively short tenure in City Hall and yet has already committed a serious violation: Ignoring the will of his constituents.
This “shallow and simple minded” voter would like to point out to a recent letter writer that Joel Engardio must have been similarly “shallow and simple minded” when he loudly, publicly and actively promoted the recall of the city attorney and board of education members when he disagreed with their positions. Suddenly a recall of HIM is “wasteful”? How convenient.
The rise in recall efforts in California, particularly against Supervisor Joel Engardio, reflects a troubling trend where voters pursue recalls based on single issues. This approach wastes taxpayer money and undermines democratic processes by ignoring broad electoral decisions.
Following the passing of Proposition K, a controversial ballot measure which now will turn the Upper Great Highway into a full-time city park, a group of westside residents are beginning their attempt to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, who advocated for the measure to be on the ballot.
The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 12 to grant permit approval for the City of San Francisco to convert the Upper Great Highway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard to a full-time park that will prioritize pedestrian and bicycle access, enhance public safety and restore vital coastal dunes.
What we saw in the fight over Prop. K was a clash between affluent, self-interested, ideological activists and everyday San Franciscans – working families, small business owners, seniors and people with disabilities – whose lives will be negatively impacted by the longer commutes, more traffic headaches, quiet streets becoming cut-through zones and decreased access to business corridors.
Despite being shot down by approximately 60% of Sunset District and 70% of Richmond District voters, the measure passed citywide by 54.7%, with support coming mostly from the City’s eastside residents.
Now, the City is quickly working to fully activate the space as a “car-free promenade” by early next year. On Nov. 21, the City was awarded a $1 million grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy to fund art projects, water fountains, trash bins, event programming and dune restoration.
So, Proposition K won. I didn’t vote for it, nor did most westside residents apparently, but it passed. The ballot measure promised to replace the stretch of the Upper Great Highway from Fulton Street to Lincoln Way with a park. But it didn’t say what kind of park. So, let’s think about this!
The California State Coastal Conservancy Board today approved a $1 million grant to address sea level rise along the Great Highway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard – funding the City of San Francisco will use to support its broader plan to transform the oceanside stretch into a permanent park.
All of this is to say that the proponents of Prop. K (and similar measures) are putting the cart before the horse. If they want people to get out of their cars and onto public transit, the way to do that is not to inconvenience drivers by closing roads and hoping they get the hint.
I hope, in the future, when all concerned make decisions such as JFK Drive and the Upper Great Highway, more consideration is given to the majority of people who are busy with their lives on Mondays through Fridays and who can only “recreate” on the weekends.
If, in the near future, we can tear out the old road on the Upper Great Highway and replace it with a tunnel for cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, motorcycles, etc., then a new path could be built on top of the tunnel and dirt and grass put there for people to enjoy safely on top.
Photos from the 2024 “Great Hauntway” Halloween event on the Upper Great Highway on Oct. 27.
The Great Highway Park pilot has been a transformative experience for our community and Ocean Beach Park will make it better. For years, the Upper Great Highway cut our neighborhood off from the beach, acting as both a mental and physical barrier that discourages daily enjoyment of the coast.
Prop. K doesn’t serve San Francisco’s needs; it disregards essential access and creates unnecessary obstacles for residents, commuters and families. By voting “no” on Prop. K, we’re preserving vital access for drivers, maintaining trust in community-based decisions and keeping the Great Highway open for the benefit of all.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 