District 7 Election for Supervisor Draws Challengers
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Mayor Snookered Voters? Quentin Kopp: Cactus & Succulents Show Affordable Housing tricks? Where’s Angela Mixed in with everything that’s bad about 50 Shades of Blue is the theme, plants that Alioto’s Tobacco Settlement? .................. 4 the City, Quentin finds some hope .......... 3 thrive in a drought are on sale! ............ 12 What’s So Bad About Paying Your Favoritism, Nepotism, Cronyism Green Head Share Mr. Lucas? Our watchdogs keep the heat on the Human Steve Lawrence looks at the spiffy new SF- John Farrell takes Lucas to task ............ 4 Services Agency ............................................. 7 PUC Headquarters ..................................... 5 Volume 29 • Number 5 Celebrating Our 29th Year www.westsideobserver.com June 2016 Make City College Free District 7 Election for Supervisor Draws Challengers While the final date for candidates for supervisor to file nomination papers is June 14th, these candi- By George Wooding dates for District 7 have responded to our inquiries. istrict 6 Supervisor Jane Kim is a fierce advocate for saving City College of San Joel Engardio in 2012, it said: “Norman Yee is a low-key politician Francisco (CCSF). Prior to her election San Francisco is changing whose campaign platform is a roster of tame ideas D that show none of the boldness or specificity offered to the Board of Supervisors, Kim served as mem- fast. In District 7, we face ber, and then president, of the San Francisco Board unprecedented challenges. by Joel Engardio.” of Education. Kim is an expert at rehabilitating schools that have But what do we get from The choice is clear in 2016. problems. City Hall? Complacency. The Chronicle also said “Joel Engardio is rich with ideas” and “would be a worthy successor to Kim has developed a “Free placing on the November ballot We need a new supervi- Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, City Hall’s astute fiscal For Students CCSF Proposal” to a measure entitled the “Man- sor – a bold, responsive and h aw k .” help fix the damage caused by sion Tax” that will increase the independent leader. I’m a homeowner near Lowell High School. CCSF’s own bad management of transfer tax in San Francisco by If we want our kids and I’ve lived in San Francisco 18 years of my adult life. the college, the worse manage- one-quarter of one percent for grandkids to stay in San I work for a tech company that makes health care ment of the Accrediting Com- all property sales, commercial or Francisco, we need a forward-looking vision. I want more accessible and affordable. And I have a Mas- mission for Community and residential, valued at $5 million to revitalize our commercial districts, stop the west- ters in Public Administration from the Harvard Junior Colleges (ACCJC) in Cal- and over, and creating an entirely side crime wave and be an advocate for homeown- Kennedy School of Government. ifornia, and the State of Califor- new bracket of 3% for property ers and middle-income families. Learn more at www.engardio.com and read nia. The ACCJC placed CCSF on sales valued at $25 million and Norman Yee, our current supervisor, voted my award-winning Examiner column. Your #1 vote “Show Cause,” the most severe over. This is projected to gener- against more police officers as crime spiked. He for Joel Engardio will let me put those words into sanction that can be imposed on ate approximately $29 million supported a proposed transfer tax on properties – a action at City Hall. an institution short of revoking annually in new General Fund tax that would have hurt families. On most issues, it its accreditation. dollars. isn’t clear where he stands. 415-577-6251 | [email protected] In 2014, decisions made by Kim’s “Robin Hood When the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed me the ACCJC led to a takeover of approach” of taking funds from John Farrell • Mayor’s Budget Analyst CCSF and the wealthy I am running for District 7 • Senior Analyst for Harvey Rose, Budget Analyst imposition of and giving Supervisor because I have for Board of Supervisors a special State For years, CCSF them to CCSF lived on the reve- the qualifications, experi- • Park Director, Recreation and Parks of California students will ence, and dedication to • Specialized in streamlining and identifying new trustee with nue financials generated work. It is make a difference. D7 is revenue sources. Track record of generating mil- dictatorial by 80,000 to 90,000 stu- contingent at a crossroads as our City lions to the City. powers over upon new dents … because of the population is projected to • 5th Generation San Franciscan. Grew up and all of CCSF’s General Fund increase to 1 million. I will raised family in D7. My family has been in public 11 college college’s excellent repu- dollars being be a leader that stands up service for nearly a century. My grandfather was sites through- tation for teaching, stu- generated at for our neighborhood val- a Muni driver. My father is the retired Control- out the City. dent services, job skills, a level suffi- ues to ensure they are being addressed, values such ler appointed by Joe Alioto. My uncle was a SFPD The appoint- cient to cover as safety, affordability, preserving the character of Sergeant. ment of the adult education, and/or the estimated our neighborhoods, and planning for future gen- • Neighborhood activist lone State of transfer opportunities to $12.9 million erations. Our current supervisor voted against an • Small business owner/Real Estate Broker. Help California cost of fund- increase in police staffing as crime goes up. Further, families with affordable housing, in foreclosure, trustee turned the UC’s, CSU’s, and other ing CCSF colleges and universities. City Hall must be made accountable. I know the and displaced tenants. out to be a students, with workings of City Hall and that business as usual has • Education: St. Ignatius ‘77 | USF ‘81 B.S. disaster for sources such got to change. Finance | GGU ‘86 MBA admissions and faculty. as the City’s transfer tax being City Experience: • Endorsements: Judge Quentin Kopp (ret.), For- For years, CCSF lived on the priority sources of funding.v • Financial Director for Treasure Island Develop- mer D7 Supervisor Tony Hall revenue financials generated by Kim’s plan would eliminate ment Authority 80,000 to 90,000 students, many enrollment fees for all San Fran- Contact info: (415)218-6337 | johnfarrell4supervsor@ • Assistant Assessor, Budget and Special Projects gmail.com | www.johnfarrell4supervisor.com of whom were immigrants and/ cisco residents and workers who • Senior Management Assistant for Port or came to CCSF because of the work at least half-time in San college’s excellent reputation Francisco. Additionally, her plan Mike Lee resulted in increased crime and congestion. District for teaching, student services, would help students whose fees I’m a native son of San 7 residents experience car break-ins and burglaries; job skills, adult education, and/ are already covered by financial Francisco, a product of our traffic on our streets grows more crowded and dan- or transfer opportunities to the aid. These students will be eli- public school system, and a gerous, affecting adversely the quality of our lives. UC’s, CSU’s, and other colleges gible for up to $1,000 in grants Park Merced resident. As Supervisor, I will ensure we have adequate and universities. for educational expenses such as My education at Roos- police protection in our district and that growth Most of CCSF’s 11 sites are textbooks, transportation, and evelt Junior High and Lowell doesn’t occur at the expense of neighbors in San in poor condition, and face seri- childcare. prepared me for degrees at Francisco’s historic Westside, while enforcing fis- ous maintenance and building CCSF enrollment currently U.C. Berkeley and Harvard. cal discipline on our City’s already swollen budget. problems. There is little money, if also includes a $17 Health Fee I served two years in the I will be as close as a phone call or email away from any, for repair and maintenance. ($34 per year) and an optional San Francisco Mayor’s Bud- everyone in our district. You’ll find a real person, A majority of the properties are Student Activities Fee ($5/ get Office, 10 years as an officer in the U.S. Army not a voicemail, in my office. owned by City College, and were semester, $10/year). These fees Reserve, and 10 years as a U.S. diplomat in South I will serve you with honesty, integrity, and needed and supported by the could be covered in this pro- Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Pakistan. compassion. I ask voters to grant me the oppor- 80,000 to 90,000 students. With a posal as eligible uses for the up I believe in San Francisco, and believe I can tunity to represent District 7 at City Hall and drop of 60,000 to 70,000 students to $1,000 in educational support serve our neighbors with strength and empathy at enhance the great history of San Francisco for the over the last decade, 11 sites may funds for low-income students City Hall. benefit of our neighborhoods, country, and future no longer be needed. whose enrollment fees are cov- San Francisco seems at a crossroads. The generations. Worse yet, some CCSF sites ered by alternative federal and/or stresses from success as a world-class city have could be sold to developers. state financial aid. Thank you. 415-866-6470 | [email protected] The fear of lost accreditation Kim’s proposal will have Ben Matranga keep our City livable for generations to by the State had a huge impact a major impact on increasing I am Ben Matranga, a West Por- come.