Richmond Democrats Hammer Out Issues

By Jonathan Farrell

Municipal election candidates and ballot measures are spinning around and around in the conversations of many people these days - Election Day, Nov. 6, must be near.

The members of the Richmond District Democratic Club met Sept. 27 in the community room of the Richmond Police Station to review and then vote for their official endorsements. With the room filled to capacity, club members met with some of the 12 candidates for mayor, two candidates for county sheriff and a representative for the only district attorney candidate running - incumbent D.A. Kamala Harris.

Wilma Pang, Lonnie Holmes, John Rinaldi and Quintin Mecke were the only candidates for mayor of the officially qualified 12 that showed up in person to speak. Current Mayor Gavin Newsom sent Democratic County Central Committee member Tom Hsieh to speak on his behalf.

All four mayor-candidates present expressed the need for change in the mayor's office. They are not pleased with Newsom's administration. At the end of the day, Richmond District Democratic Club members tied in their endorsements of two candidates for mayor: Newsom and Mecke.

Mecke is currently the program director for the Safety Network Partnership, a citywide public safety program promoting community-driven responses to crime and violence. His slogan is: "We can do better."

District Attorney Harris did not attend, but sent a representative from her office to speak on her behalf. Members voted to endorse her. Both candidates for San Francisco County sheriff, incumbent Michael Hennessey and challenger David Wong, were present. Wong has 16 years experience as a deputy sheriff. He said he wants to bring leadership back to the department. But the members of the Democratic Club were unphased, and voted to support Hennessey, who has served in the position for the past 25 years.

Much of the three-hour meeting was spent reviewing and debating the 11 measures on the ballot. The first six, A through F, concern charter amendments, while propositions G through I concern city ordinances. Propositions J and K are "declarations" of city policy.

Proposition A asks the voters if the city charter should be amended to expand the Municipal Transit Agency's (Muni) control over its operations. This would include providing additional funding and requiring the development of a Climate Action Plan, which would be an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2012.

If passed, Muni's share of the City's parking tax revenues would increase from 40 to 80 percent. Richmond District Democratic Club members voted to endorse Prop.

A despite a plea from the SF Taxi Drivers Union, which noted that within Prop. A is a set of fine-print stipulations that, if passed, would give Muni power over the city's taxi ordinances. They urged that Prop. A be defeated in order to be revised.

Once a proposition is passed, it must be placed on the ballot again to be amended or dismissed.

Opponents of Prop. A noted that the current laws governing the taxi industry were approved by city voters in 1978, with the passage of Prop. K. The proposition helped uphold the rights of drivers and taxicab business in San Francisco. If Prop. A wins, Muni might abuse its power and potentially use taxicabs as a "cash cow" to help fund its budget.

Drivers also fear taxicab companies could gain an upper hand over drivers, both those who "lease" their cabs by the day and those who own their own medallions, which allow them the right to give rides in the City.

Proposition B would amend the city Charter to limit the "hold-over service" time a commission or board member may serve after their term of service has expired.

Supporters say Prop. B would allow a grace period of no more than 60 days. Upon a commission or board member's departure, the 60-day limit would ensure that boards and commissions be updated with new members in a timely manner. During the grace period, the mayor or SF Board of Supervisors would be expected to replace or reappoint the missing member.

Arguments against Prop. B say if positions are not filled promptly, certain city processes may be delayed.

Proposition C would amend the city charter to require the mayor or the Board of Supervisors to submit ballot measures for public hearings before they are placed on the ballot.

Democratic Club Members endorsed Prop. C because the public should have greater awareness of ballot measures and have the chance for input.

Proposition D asks voters if the charter should be amended to renew the Library Preservation Fund. The renewal plan was amended to allow authorities to take on debt obligation, with revenue bonds, without a vote of the people.

Members endorsed Prop. D because the original Library Preservation Fund has allowed the SF Library and its district branches, such as the Richmond and Park Presidio branches, to expand its hours, services and collections material.

Opponents of Prop. D fear tax revenues could be diverted to repay debts incurred by the Library Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Proposition E asks voters to require the mayor to appear at least once a month at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Supporters feel that requiring the mayor to attend at least one meeting a month would increase communications between the mayor and the supervisors.

Those opposed fear that forcing the mayor to appear would merely create a forum for criticism and would not promote constructive dialog.

Proposition F asks voters if they want to allow the Board of Supervisors to adjust the contract for retirement benefits for SF Police Department employees that worked at the SF International Airport before the two departments joined forces.

Those in favor of Prop. F say it would assure equal pension benefits and equity for all active SF police officers.

Those opposed say the measure is unfair because one group of officers, those who voluntarily joined a different pension plan at the time of the department's merger, would have the benefit of hindsight and be allowed to join the city's retirement system, which has had a better yield than the one the officers' originally chose.

Proposition G sees to establish a "matching fund" for the horse stables in Golden Gate Park. The fund, if voted for, would contribute $1 of city funds for every $3 in private donations. The matching fund would pay for the repair, renovation and future maintenance of the Golden Gate Park stables.

Those in favor of Prop. G say the horse stables are an historic amenity that can provide important after-school, weekend and summer activities for all San Franciscans.

Those opposed feel the horse stables are not a priority and that city funds might be better used for more critical programs.

Proposition H is an ordinance that would amend the SF Planning Code to allow more parking spaces in new residential and commercial developments. If passed, the City would be divided into four geographic quadrants to allow for the oversight of new parking spaces, trees and pedestrian and bicycle use areas.

Those who support Prop. H say the measure would help SF respond to more cars in the City and the increasing need for parking.

Opponents say Prop. H would only reverse the city's commitment to transit-friendly policies and would increase traffic and congestion.

Proposition I asks if the City should establish a Small Business Department, with an assistance center. With more than 100,000 small businesses in SF, supporters of Prop. I see the need for establishing a city department to aid the increasing number of small businesses.

Those opposed to Prop. I say it would create an unnecessary new city agency.

Proposition J would have the City adopt a policy supporting the creation of a public-private partnership to establish a citywide wireless Internet network.

Club members voted not to endorse Prop. J because no conclusive studies have been done on the effects of increased radioactive and microwave levels on health. Also, in light of recent increases in identity theft, Wi-Fi systems are vulnerable to hackers, posing a threat to privacy and data security.

Proposition K would adopt a policy restricting advertising on street furniture and city buildings. This would include bus shelters, kiosks, benches and newspaper stands.

Supporters of Prop. K say the measure would continue the struggle against visual blight and the commercialization of public space.

Those against Prop. K say advertising helps increase needed revenue to support the City without raising taxes.

For more information about the Nov. 6 elections visit the Web site at www.sfgov.org/site/elections_index.asp.

The Richmond District Democratic Club meets once a month at the SFPD Richmond Station on Sixth Avenue. New members and visitors are welcome. For more information, (415) 668-0997.