Mayor spells out budget priorities

by Asiana Ponciano

San Francisco's budget deficit and environmentally conscious city planning were the major topics SF Mayor Gavin Newsom discussed with seven neighborhood newspaper publishers and reporters June 10.

In his quarterly meeting with the local press, Newsom began with giving an update on this year's budget, expressing his concern for the SF Department of Pubic Health and the $8 million to $9 million in cuts facing the department.

"I grant there's pain associated with that (budget cuts)," Newsom said.

The cuts could mean consolidating up to nine departments, but Newsom did not disclose which departments were being considered.

Despite pending job cuts in the public health department, the mayor said he would hire 41 new employees for the SF Department of Building Inspection to process a backlog of permit applications.

Newsom also wants to make drug and alcohol treatment centers more effective by increasing in-patient care, especially for indigent methadone users, saying, "If you're homeless and living in the elements, outpatient (drug treatment) might not work for you."

"Make no illusion that everything is going to be perfect," said Newsom, who later commended the SF Board of Supervisors for its prior cooperation in decreasing the monetary blows past budget deficits have had on San Franciscans.

Newsom acknowledged supervisors Tom Ammiano and Bevan Dufty for their efforts in HIV/AIDS program advocacy and Supervisor Jake McGoldrick was praised for his "maturity" for working with Newsom, despite the fact that the mayor was not a supporter in McGoldrick's last election campaign.

In response to the latest dog mauling, which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy after his two pit bulls attacked him at his Sunset District home, Newsom allocated a task force to look into possible requirements for dog owners. The task force considered muzzling, spaying and neutering dogs, training and licensing options in its report.

In June, the City hosted United Nations World Environment Day, which gathered mayors from around the world to discuss eco-conscious urban planning. Newsom says his goal is to create "smart growth."

The idea involves creating a denser city by building more housing, which in San Francisco means more high-rises. Increased population density promotes decreased fossil fuel emissions since there is less need to use vehicles for transportation.

Newsom also told the publishers from the SF Neighborhood Newspaper Association he wants to improve neighborhood landscapes. He wants to plant 5,000 new trees this year and is considering "green building standards," which will require new buildings to use solar power and recycled building materials.