Supervisor Fiona Ma: Recap of Community Press Conferences

Since February 18, I have been holding weekly press conferences with various news media to inform them about important issues and give them information about city departments.

Below is a brief summary of some of press conferences I've held to date. If anyone is interested in receiving more information, call me at 554-7460.

March 4: School Placements for the Fall - This was the first of many press conferences I held regarding the SF Unified School District's (SFUSD) procedures and policies regarding student assignments for school year 2003-2004.

We've talked about the Enrollment Guide and Diversity Index, deadlines for applications, timelines, waiting list assignments and the appeals process. Questions about student placements and schools should be directed to the SFUSD at (415) 241-6000. For more information, visit www.sfusd.edu.

March 11: School Safety Issues - Following an unfortunate incident at Buena Vista Elementary School, the SF Metropolitan Transportation Agency was able to provide funding to the SF Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) to improve pedestrian safety issues around schools, more specifically, to create more yellow zebra-crossing stripings and install more neon-colored school crossing signs.

I have been following up with DPT regarding the requests I received to date. Please send me any additional requests.

March 18: Lead Poisoning - Any child can be at risk and be harmed by lead poisoning, which can enter the body when children touch and then swallow lead dust, soil and paint chips as they play or crawl.

Even at low levels, lead can harm the nervous system and the brain, the ability to learn and concentrate. Symptoms include stomach aches, poor appetite, hyperactivity, anemia or headaches.

The only way to detect lead poisoning is by taking a blood test. The Child Health and Disability Prevention Program can refer low- to moderate-income families to free care if the family qualifies. Call (415) 575-5712 for more information.

March 25: Ten Recent Law Changes Effecting San Francisco Landlords - One local real estate attorney discussed recent changes to the San Francisco Rent Control Ordinance and the San Francisco Civil Code including 30-day notices, notice of entry, waiver of tenant's rights, eviction proceedings, owner move-ins and interest on security deposits.

April 8: SF Animal Care and Control - SF Animal Care and Control runs the City's animal shelter, located at 1200 15th St. (at Harrison Street).

You can call them about stray animals in the neighborhood and sightings of nocturnal animals during the day. Please visit them if you're looking to adopt a pet and/or get your pet "microchipped."

For more information or to volunteer, call 554-6364.

April 29: Summer Schools - In light of the budget cutbacks the City is facing, I held two hearings on youth summer programs where representatives from various city departments, the San Francisco Unified School District and non-profit program providers presented testimony regarding programs, concerns about this upcoming summer and recommendations on possible solutions.

From these meetings, the SF Recreation and Park Department will be offering 40 latchkey sites (up from 29) and it will open up space for an additional 500 children per week for its various day camps. The SFUSD will also be looking to open more school sites for summer programs.

May 13: Psychic Readers - One victim testified about being extorted $15,000 by a dishonest psychic.

In order to protect future victims from fraud, I have joined Supervisor Aaron Peskin in his pending legislation to regulate psychic/fortune tellers. I would be interested in hearing about fraud stories in order to better craft our legislation.

Fiona Ma is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 4.