McGoldrick vows continued effort
for Saturday auto ban in Golden Gate Park

Prefers not going to the ballot

By Aldrich M. Tan and Pat Murphy

May 16, 2006

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick yesterday offered to work with Mayor Newsom in crafting new legislation to ban Saturday automobile use in portions of Golden Gate Park.

Following Newsom's veto of similar McGoldrick legislation Monday, the Richmond District supervisor said the issue should not go to the ballot for voter consideration.

"We should not go back to the ballot box," McGoldrick told the Sentinel.

"The parties need to talk with one another. I'd rather not go to the ballot. It'll be very ugly if it goes to the ballot.

"All you would do is confuse people. You're stuck with something because you can't foresee anything. The purpose of having to go through the legislative body is to make sure that you get it right before it even becomes law.

"But if it goes to the ballot, then we're going to have to spend millions of dollars to correct any of the problems and it if the situations change."

McGoldrick made the comments following Newsom's veto message which asked for collaboration on the measure.

"I am willing to introduce a new piece of legislation," McGoldrick stated.

"It is my hope to work with the mayor to introduce something about Saturday access to parts of Golden Gate Park.

"I am willing to consider whatever the people of San Francisco wish me to, even something the proponents and the opponents put together," he added.

McGoldrick spoke with the mayor following the veto, he said.

"I went to the mayor at 1:00 p.m. I told him that I understood that he was ceding to certain pressures in the office but he should be looking forward to a continuing and vigorous debate on this issue.

"I think political fear tipped the scales in the mayor's decision. I think he is politically measuring which part he is alienating and which part he still has in his corner and I think the decision is primarily political.

"I think some folks panicked and felt that there would be negative impacts. I think the mayor should use his powers to help bring people to the table. I certainly look forward at going this again.

"The book is not yet closed.

"Let's find a legislative solution to work together with the mayor," McGoldrick concluded.

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