District 1 Supervisor Candidate: Lillian Sing

I am Judge Lillian Sing and I am running for the Board of Supervisors in District 1.

My professional experiences make me the best qualified candidate in this campaign. At the heart of all my work for the community is my ability to really listen to people's concerns.

I have been a Superior Court judge for 22 years, president of the SF Community College board, co-chair of the SF Civil Service Commission, commissioner on the SF Human Rights Commission, social worker for Big Brothers of San Francisco, civil rights activist and an immigration lawyer.

As a judge, I started the first Drug Court - now a model for the nation. I helped start the Children's Waiting Room at the Hall of Justice so children do not suffer the trauma of watching their parents be prosecuted in criminal court.

I now work as a mediator with Advanced Dispute Resolution Services, reconciling divergent views through negotiation and fair adjudication.

I know the needs of the Richmond District and I understand how to use public policy to improve conditions. I have been involved in the district for more than 30 years. I started my first law office here and founded a pre-school at Arguello Boulevard and Lake Street. My children attended Alamo Elementary School and Presidio Middle School. I still have business interests in the Richmond.

I am bringing my experience as a bridge builder and reformer to the race for supervisor in District 1. Because our current Board of Supervisors has focused on advancing their ideologies, rather than practical solutions, they are failing to make significant progress on the issues that are most important to voters. By contrast, my experience as a professional mediator and judge will enable me to help move the board beyond ideological conflicts so they can concentrate on finding practical solutions.

As supervisor, I will work for top-quality neighborhood schools. The Board of Supervisors plays a critical role in school issues by allocating funds for after-school programs, teacher resources, youth job fairs and facility improvements. I will ensure the board does this, and will also work for the following goals:

• partner with the school district to engage parents in strengthening neighborhood schools;

• support affordable housing options for teachers; 

• ask businesses to grant time off for employees to volunteer in classrooms;

• encourage businesses to provide grants to public school teachers for classroom projects. 

I am a strong advocate for seniors. My comprehensive health and safety plan includes expanding in-home care and preventative health care programs for seniors; creating a centralized intake program to ensure services are reaching all our seniors; targeting crimes against seniors; and designating street crossing zones by senior centers with visible crosswalk signage.

I will work collaboratively to address the homeless crisis. When voters approved Care Not Cash and Prop. M, we told City Hall that we demand solutions to a problem that has festered for too long. By addressing this public safety concern, we can transition those who need care into appropriate treatment and make lasting changes.

As your supervisor, I would work for solutions, like neighborhood schools, which create better opportunities for our children, the Care Not Cash program and the mayor's 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness.

I will also help improve the quality of life in the Richmond by working hard to expand the tax base and create jobs by attracting more businesses to the City, help develop a better parking and transit plan, increase public safety through stronger law enforcement, protect the character of our neighborhoods and extend public library hours. I understand the needs of our city and will address them in a way that best serves the people of District 1. Please vote for me.