Supervisor Ed Jew: I Have No Intention of Resigning

Just the Facts
I want to take this opportunity generously provided by the Sunset Beacon to clear the air, and to talk directly to the voters of District 4 who elected me to the office of Supervisor - an honor I take very seriously.

I have no intention of resigning my office.

I was born, raised, and educated in San Francisco. In addition to our flower shop that's been in my family for 80 years, my wife and I have worked very hard in our lives and have owned, and do own, a number of properties, including a house on 32nd Avenue that we recently sold.

We now live on 28th Avenue in a house owned by my father.

My daughter has attended Catholic school in Chinatown for the past three years.

My wife owns a house in Burlingame that serves as a gathering place for her side of our family on weekends and holidays, but we don't live there. And yes, we do have utility services on 28th Avenue - all of them.

I cannot speak to the motivations of the city employees and elected officials who have contributed to the rumors and insinuations about my residency in recent days, other than to say that I have stood up against every one of them in my six months in office at one time or another, and they have not been happy about it.

Finally, I believe in our country's system of laws and know that the truth will come out about all of the matters you've read about in the papers recently. I sincerely thank all of you who have taken the time to send notes and make calls of support - your kindness is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.

District 4 Open House
Thanks to Cafe Bakery at 1365 Noriega St. for hosting our May 17 open house.

My office is busy following up on the suggestions of almost three dozen taxpayers who took time out of their busy days to share their concerns with me.

Our next open house will be hosted by Noriega Teriyaki House, 1755 Noriega St., on Thursday, June 21, from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Proposed Water Rate Increases
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission recently approved a water rate increase that will unfairly penalize families in single-family houses, nearly doubling the unit charge for water for average family usage.

Opponents have dubbed the proposal "the family tax," and I agree with them.

The SF Board of Supervisors does not set utility rates, but we have the ability to reject them by resolution. I have co-sponsored with Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier such a resolution - it will be heard in committee on June 4, and may come before the full board as early as June 5.

It is very important that your friends and family in other districts make calls to their supervisors to urge rejection of the family tax on water.

If you have any questions about the proposed rate increase, please contact my office for more information: 554-7460.

Pine Lake Meadow Parking
As you all know, Pine Lake Meadow was replanted at great expense this past year. Imagine everyone's surprise when we learned that the city was going to return the newly planted meadow to use as a parking lot for Stern Grove concerts!

I immediately wrote a letter opposing doing so, cautioning that another parks bond measure would be a very hard sell to taxpayers if $2 million in replanting costs could be so easily squandered.

District 7's Supervisor Sean Elsbernd called for a hearing on the subject, and it is very hopeful that an alternative parking area will be identified before the start of the summer concerts this month.

Public Transit
My office received many, many complaints about the N-Judah line after the T-Third Street line began service.

At a meeting with Mayor Gavin Newsom and Irwin Lum, president of the Transport Workers Union Local 250-A, I was pleased to learn that the N-Judah line will soon be reverting back to its original route and schedule - a big win for our district.

Sava Pool
Thanks to the work of many tireless community advocates, in an effort that pre-dates even Supervisor Fiona Ma's term, I believe that the money has finally been found to complete the funding of the Sava Pool renovation.

The $4 million that was lacking to proceed will be provided as a line item on a list of approved capital projects for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Both the mayor and Board President Aaron Peskin support our funding request for Sava Pool.

Graffiti
A graffiti vandal who has recently plagued our district has been arrested.

In the middle of the night on May 13, Taraval Station officers Finau, Lee, Derro and Meyers apprehended a young man who admitted to a half-dozen acts of vandalism in the district, and may be responsible for more.

The Outer Sunset Merchants and I are very grateful to Taraval Station for putting an end to these ugly and very costly antics, at least from this particular individual.

Rev. Calvin Wong, pastor of Chinese Grace Church, has been nominated by my office to the Graffiti Advisory Board.

Ed Jew is a San Francisco Supervisor representing District 4.