June 2011

Candidates for Sheriff President’s Message authored includes: Meet with CADC On Memorial Day Weekend, along with • Reentry for Ex-Offenders: setting off for a vacation with the family, Formation of the Safe By: Sam Kwong or fi ring up the bar-b-que, it was time to Communities Reentry Council commemorate the men and women who died to help reintegrate the formerly With sheriff Mike Hennessey serving our country. In the Bay Area views incarcerated -- recognizing the deciding to retire after more on the military can be an anomaly. A young reentry process as a critical than 30 years of service, CADC person’s decision to serve in the military may opportunity to break the cycle would like to commend him for be looked upon as a bad choice. Not so! We of crime and violence and his dedication to , should appreciate the freedom we all enjoy— reduce ’s worst-in-the- and wish him all the best in his what we hope other oppressed countries may nation recidivism rate. retirement. With the Sheriff’s seat one day achieve. This would not have been Sam Kwong, 2011 being uncontested by an incumbent, possible without the sacrifi ces given by the President • Police Foot Patrols: Required the San Francisco Police two of the candidates for Sheriff young men and women fi ghting for our freedom. Therefore CADC has Department to institutionalize appeared before the CADC general continued to ensure that a JROTC program is available in our public community policing practices membership meeting in May schools, and to offer our young people a range of career choices.This such as foot patrols. and gave our members a glimpse September will be the 10th Anniversary of the 9-11 attack on the of their vision for the Sheriff ’s homeland of the US. It is hard to believe that the on-going “War on Department. Ross also observed that Sheriff Terror” will also be approaching its tenth year. Unfortunately, the loss Hennessey did an excellent job of life and the number of physically or emotionally disabled veterans Captain Paul Miyamoto, a 15- making the Department more year veteran of the department (continued on page 2) diverse. One of his goals is to build better relationships between presented fi rst, and observed that with children and resides in the though “Jail is always a negative law enforcement and the various city. He will be gearing up his communities. When asked about subject,” that they are there to web presence soon, and will keep perform public safety service. He the possibility of a merger of the the Club informed about his Sheriff and Police Departments, believes that the Department needs campaign. to do more with less, and having his response was that this is not as simple as one might think. Ross lives served at all the divisions within the Supervisor in this District and is married with a Department, he believes he has a was next to speak, and began by 2-year old son. clear understanding of the workings talking about his background in within the Sheriff’s offi ce. Paul (continued on pg.2) Ross Mirkarimi and Paul law enforcement. Many may not commented that Sheriff Hennessey be aware, but he was a graduate Silver Dragons did a great job, especially at making Miyamoto give their pitches for Sheriff (photo Ron Lee) of the Police Academy and also the Department more diverse. served in the reserve for the Navy • Shirley Chang Paul also sees that because the savings if these Departments were and received honorable discharge. • Angie Cheung Department has not had enough merged, the Charter would have Afterwards, he worked at the new hires, there will be a need for • Eddie Chin to be changed, and the likelihood San Francisco District Attorney’s new offi cers due to attrition. Paul • Ed Fang of this is questionable. Another Offi ce for nine years before he said the County will have to deal • James Fang issue has to do with the average was elected to serve on the Board with more prisoners as the State is • Bayard Fong pay. The salary of a deputy sheriff of Supervisors. Ross serves on looking to have all Counties take is about $20K less than that of a the public Safety Committee and • Richard Ow up the problem of inmate over- police offi cer. Their initial training is an advocate of foot patrols. • Amy Qu crowding. at the academy, however, are the He has supported community • Peter Reitz policing, and requested the Police Our members asked Paul the same. So the merging of these two • Sandy Su Departments would create a pay Department to keep him notifi ed pros and cons of merging of the of any homicide in the City 24/7. Sheriff and Police Departments differential that could be diffi cult Golden Dragons to resolve. Ross is proud to have Sheriff and Paul responded that the two Hennessey’s endorsement, and has Departments are currently managed • Stanley Chan Paul concluded his presentation by worked well with the Department separately. Furthermore, the stating a bit about his background. as a City Supervisor. • Gail Dekreon Sheriff is elected by the voters, His father is Japanese and his • Ben Tom

while the Police Chief is appointed CADC SUPER SUPPORTERS mother is Chinese. He is married Some of the legislation he • Alan S. Wong by the Mayor. Although he sees Page 2 THE FIERY DRAGON June 2011

President’s Message Sheriff Candidates Meet CADC (continued from pg.1) CADC Board of (continued from pg.1) Directors, Offi cers, are barely mentioned in the news About the Sheriff ’s Department anymore. Finding work in the Committee Members Under Section 6.105 of the San Francisco Administration Code, the only current economy is already hard description of the role of the Sheriff for the City and County of San indeed for anyone, but the veteran Francisco is very brief. It states that the Sheriff shall: Terms Expiring End of 2011 servicemen and women will Stanley Chan have an even more diffi cult time 1. Keep the County jail; Wilson Chu adjusting in this anemic economic Tech Committee climate. Therefore CADC will 2. Receive all prisoners committed to jail by competent authorities; continue to work with veteran Florence Kong organizations such as Cathy Post 3. Execute the orders and legal processes issued by courts of the State Sam Kwong to see that veterans’ rights are of California; President protected, and that they are given Hazel Lee opportunities to re-enter the 4. Upon court order detail necessary bailiffs; and work-force and given the respect Henry Louie they deserve. 5. Execute the orders and legal processes issued by the Board of Timothy Louie Supervisors or by any legally authorized department or commission. Secretary Although warfare has seemingly Bonnie Low become more distant, with more 6. The Sheriff shall appoint, and at his or her pleasure may remove, Helen Lum actions undertaken by using an attorney, one under-sheriff, one assistant sheriff and one Dan Tan technology remotely, injury and confi dential secretary. death on the ground still cannot be avoided as the soldiers are Of course this summary barely covers all the duties the Sheriff Terms Expiring End of 2012 faced with insurgents and suicide departments actually does. The Department it is often overshadowed Richard Casuga bombers. Relying on technology by the larger and more high profi le Police Department. However, the Tech Committee seems to make warfare easier, but Sheriff ’s Department has a $155 million annual budget with 952 full- Gary Chew this can lead to hasty decisions by time employees. The Sheriff and the under-sheriff oversee several our Commander in Chief to send divisions including investigation, custody, the operation of the jails and Bayard Fong our troops to engage in confl icts the security of the Courts. They also serve as fi rst responders during Suzie Lee in other parts of the world for emergencies. 56% of the Department’s budget is allocated for custody Treasurer, Activity/Membership “humanitarian reasons” or to and detention of persons arrested or jailed under court order. While Committee allow for “democracy.” For the incarcerated, inmates are provided services and programs administered Calvin Louie welfare of our future veterans and through jail facilities such as education, drug treatment, and anti-violence our country, we must make sure programs. Vice President that entering into a fi ght is worthy, Richard Ow and not merely a drain on our Managing the gradual increase of the jailed population will be the most Conrad Seeto valuable resources, both in human important role of the sheriff. The average daily cost of housing an Dennis Van and fi nancial capital. inmate in the San Francisco County Jail is $130.00. The jail capacity in Alicia Wang San Francisco is 2,432. But when the population reaches 2,200, the CADC AND THE 2011 Sheriff has to identify alternative solutions to incarceration in order to Lawrence Wong DISTRICT ATTORNEY avoid jail-overcrowding. Samson Wong Newsletter Committee RACE S.F. standards) Attorney General and Alberto Torrico who keynoted By Samson Wong and Lt. Governor the 2009 CADC Lunar New Year Terms Expiring End of 2013 Gavin Newsom will receive the dinner. She came from an offi ce Michael Chan speculative spotlight for governor where her predecessor Terence Ex-offi cio/Newsletter Committee in 2014, if Jerry Brown doesn’t Hallinan declared himself in 1999 Columnist Samson Wong’s columns have appeared Eddie Chin run. Who would have thought? San as the “most progressive DA in Vice President/Issue Committee Chair in more than 400,000 households weekly through Francisco “values” are in vogue America”. That platform meant Ron Lee the Examiner, Independent and AsianWeek statewide, from Harris’ “being alternatives to traditional prosecution Parliamentarian/Activity/ newspapers. The CADC board member and smart on crime” to Newsom’s and decriminalizing offenses like former CADC president can be reached at leadership on same-sex marriages. prostitution …. Membership Committee [email protected]. Views expressed do not Margaret Lee refl ect CADC policy nor were they reviewed by MOST PROGRESSIVE IN KAMALA’S STANDS: Harris, who Amy Qu CADC. AMERICA: Harris, a long shot to is California’s fi rst African, Indian BQ Seeto be State Attorney General, faced and APA Attorney General, herself Victor Seeto Until recently, you could make down a 2010 Democratic primary survived criticism from U.S. Senator Derrick Seeto the case that there was no way fi eld with three unprecedented Dianne Feinstein and police Sandy Su California would elect anyone from Asian Pacifi c American (APA) offi cers over her principled capital Ben Tom San Francisco to statewide offi ce. candidates including herself and Auditor Now, liberal (by California, not then Assembly members Ted Lieu (continued on pg.3) Page 3 THE FIERY DRAGON May 2011

Feinstein Resolution California. These immigrants were Beach District 3 Supervisor Aaron later Municipal and Superior Court Expresses Regret brought to Angel Island Station Peskin. Certifying Chow as a new Judge Julie Tang worked for where they were separated from man, one Asian American politician DA Arlo Smith. David Onek’s for Discriminatory family members, subjected to recognized him with a certifi cate for candidacy has attracted former Laws Against Chinese embarrassing medical examinations community service. Years earlier, school board member and retired and grueling interrogations, and Chow was a media shy criminal DA child support investigator Immigrants detained for months or sometimes fi gure whose lieutenants unfolded Eddie Chin to an Asian American Despite hardships, Chinese Americans years. Chinese newspapers to shield him coalition of Supervisors Eric Mar and Carmen Chu, former police ‘continue to make invaluable “Despite these hardships, Chinese from prying news cameras… chief Heather Fong, school and contributions to our country’ immigrants persevered, and they POLICY ISSUES FOR DA: college members Sandra Fewer, Washington—Senator Dianne continue to make invaluable San Francisco’s political climate Steve Ngo, Hydra Mendoza and Feinstein (D-Calif.) today contributions to the development will dictate the electability of fi ve Norman Yee. Chin’s early support introduced a Senate resolution and success of our country,” DA candidates who have taken could provide some early insights in expressing Congressional regret Feinstein added. papers out, including appointed former Police Commissioner Onek, for the passage of discriminatory incumbent and former police founder of the Berkeley Center laws against Chinese immigrants CADC and the District chief George Gascon, the only for Criminal Justice. in the 19th Century. Senator Scott Attorney Race woman candidate thru Alameda Brown (R-Mass.) cosponsored the (continued from pg.2) prosecutor Sharmin Bock, attorney WANT JUSTICE, DO THE resolution with Senator Feinstein. punishment stance, especially when Maurcie Chenier, and former TIME: Back in April 2010, I was In introducing the resolution, she declined pursuing the death police commissioner David Onek. a prospective juror for a hate crime Senator Feinstein said, “The penalty immediately after the 2004 (Mayor Ed Lee’s criminal justice case – in Superior Court Judge enactment of Chinese exclusionary slaying of Offi cerIssac Espinoza. advisor Paul Henderson, who took Garrett Wong’s Hall of Justice laws is a shameful part of our papers out, has withdrawn)...Besides courtroom. There was a mass history that must not be forgotten. S.F. ELECTORATE: Voters electability CADC will have to defi ne exodus of the excused – a sizeable I hope this resolution will serve to more often have elected a criminal the priority issues in the DA’s offi ce. number of monolingual immigrant enlighten those who may not be defense attorney such as Hallinan in Club members like HRC analyst Chinese that Monday afternoon aware of this regrettable chapter 1995 and 1999 while opting against Bayard Fong and 2010 District 10 – followed by hardship cases like in our history, and bring closure to perceived traditional prosecutor (Visitacion Valley/Silver Terrace, a “jooksin” or ABC like myself. the families whose loved ones lived in Bill Fazio. Voters opted for a Bayview) supervisor candidate Judge Wong chastised hardships through this diffi cult time.” defense attorney in Willie Brown Marlene Tran recently raised like myself (I’d been on standby for mayor in 1995 and 1999 after concerns about the investigation of for an overseas business trip) about The Chinese Exclusion Laws former police chief Frank Jordan the February slaying of teen Victor jury service – yes, it’s universally involved legislation Congress narrowly won a 1991 fl uke as Zheng and community support for inconvenient. Learning from Judge passed between 1870 and 1904 incumbent Art Agnos alienated his his family. One step is determining Wong, it’s a necessary sacrifi ce and that explicitly discriminated against liberal-progressive base that elected a teachable moment: for when persons of Chinese descent based whether Zheng is isolated or a him in a 1987 landslide. Prosecutors we cry justice for a hate crime, on race. In 1882, Congress passed pattern the current or next DA like Andrew Clark (despite being then do the time – as in jury duty the Chinese Exclusion Act, which should look at. CADC members like Gov. Jerry Brown’s relation) Wilson Chu even when we are given a longer imposed a 10-year moratorium might urge the DA to for supervisor have a harder sentence as a juror than some on Chinese immigration and reexamine S.F. hate crimes against time winning election compared criminal defendants... naturalization of Chinese settlers. Chinese Americans brought up at to defense attorneys like Matt last year’s Chinatown HRC hearing The law was later expanded several EXCUSE ME?: In nearly all my Gonzalez or Geraldo Sandoval or the prosecution of the infamous times to apply to all persons jury duty call ups in more than 15 who became county supervisor... June 6, 2003 hate crime beatings at of Chinese descent, each time years, I’ve been excused more often 19th and Taraval in the midst of a imposing increasingly severe because I knew a judge or attorneys BURTON & CHOW: Voters have heavily APA community…Business restrictions on immigration and on either side – including being a a forgiving attitude, for example, trade associations like Alex Chiu’s naturalization. campaign treasurer for Judge Julie towards drug rehabilitated John Asian Business Association Tang. With Judge Wong, I admitted In Congressional Record remarks, Burton becoming State Senator. should ask about APA hiring as professionally as a news editor or Senator Feinstein described the Reformed and out of Chinese prosecutors, investigators and columnist and personally knowing experiences of Chinese immigrants gangs, Raymond Chow, dabbled managers and contracting to APA hate crimes prosecutor Victor who came to America by way of in political life by appearing at a fi rms for equipment or professional Hwang of then DA Kamala Angel Island in California. In 2007 press conference with late services such as CPAs in forensic Harris’ offi ce and ex-head ofAPI 1910, the U.S. government opened veterans advocate Bok Pon, long accounting... the Angel Island Immigration time Chinatown night market Legal Outreach or the former Station as a way to isolate Chinese supporter Pius Lee and others CLUB’S INVOLVEMENT: The Nihonmachi Legal Outreach. immigrants from the City of inside the former Golden Dragon club over the years had notable Judge Wong asked if I could be San Francisco and the remainder restaurant to instigate a recall leaders involved in the DA’s offi ce. impartial – I hesitatingly admitted of the Bay Area in Northern against then Chinatown and North In the 1980s, College Board and ‘yes’…and then I was dismissed. CADC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Fiery Dragon JOB OPPORTUNITY Instructions: Please print using this form and return/mail to The Fiery Dragon is the offi cial Webmaster for CADC CADC, 706 Sacramento Street #134, San Francisco, CA 94108 newsletter of the Chinese American The ideal candidate will have knowl- Democratic Club of San Francisco, Name:______California. Letters to the editor and edge and familiarity with the Chinese other correspondence can be sent to language. The ability to read and write Address:______the address below. More information Chinese is a plus. It is the intent of about the club can be found at CADC to expand the website with City:______www.cadcsf.org. bilingual information. State/Zip:______CADC Offi cers, Executive Interested individuals should send a Committee aresume by email to Samuel Kwong, Tel (Day):______President of CADC at: samkwong- and Board of Directors [email protected]. 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Fees paid late in the year are valid for and Newsletter Editor. within 2 months. the subsequent year according to CADC bylaws. • Initially the website will be infor Next CADC Meeting mational, but we want it to be AREA OF INTEREST (PLEASE CHECK ONE OR MORE: When: June 9, 2011 6pm able to accept membersip pay _____Issues _____Membership _____Education Issues Where: Chinese for Affi rmative Ac- ments through Paypal, and keep tion Meeting Room track of the calendar of events. _____Activities _____Newsletter Guest Speaker: Jean Gong, Project Compensation will be negotiated _____Other (please indicate)______Manager, Offi ce of Small Business, during a personal interview.