By Luke Thomas

August 6, 2008

In the hotly contested race for the open District 9 Supervisor seat, School Board President Mark Sanchez announced Tuesday he has garnered the coveted endorsement of the Sierra Club.

“Proven leadership skills combined with sound policy goals championing the environment make Mark Sanchez the clear choice for District 9,” Sierra Club Political Chair John Rizzo said.

Sanchez adds Sierra Club to a growing list of organizations giving him their exclusive endorsements including The United Educators of San Francisco and the San Francisco Green Party.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club, which has long been at the forefront of the progressive movement for sustainability,” Sanchez said. “In my years of public service, I have always stressed the urgency of addressing issues of sustainability and global warming.”

(more…)

By Chris Daly

August 3, 2008

With the August 8^th filing deadline rapidly approaching, it’s fish or cut bait time in the hotly contested races for Supervisor.

The last week of July brought us two early indicators of campaign strength– signatures in lieu of filing fees and six-month fundraising totals. Even the strongest grassroots campaigns need to raise tens of thousands of dollars to print literature, pay office and phone bills, and send mail. Our new system of public financing, however, greatly levels this playing field, making $87,500 in public monies available to candidates raising $52,500 in contributions from San Francisco residents. (Additional public dollars are available if the voluntary spending limit is broken.)

Signatures in lieu of filing fee are far more valuable to campaigns than the $.50 waived by elections for each valid signature. They represent voters more likely to support the candidate and typically get rolled into campaigns’ “get out the vote” program. They also are a good show of on-the-ground campaign strength.

While the ability to collect signatures doesn’t necessarily equal success, the inability to put together a successful signature drive is a distress signal of a flagging campaign. Signatures and fundraising taken together help frame the races, and, with the exception of District 5, it looks like we have a bunch of interesting head-to-head contests.

(more…)

July 31, 2008

San Francisco –San Francisco Animal Care & Control is asking the public for help to find the person – or persons – responsible for stabbing to death a seven-month-old puppy in foster care with Grateful Dogs Rescue.

The puppy – named Pogo – was being exercised by his foster parent at Ocean Beach in San Francisco at Sunset on July 22. He disappeared behind a sand dune and wasn’t seen again until his body was discovered dumped in an unincorporated area of the Bayview on the morning of July 29. Pogo had been brutally stabbed to death.

Pogo was a friendly, trusting pit bull puppy who had been taken from Animal Care & Control – SF’s open-door animal shelter – by Grateful Dogs Rescue. He had a genetic defect that required the amputation of one hind leg. The surgery to remove the leg was partially donated by San Francisco Veterinary Specialists - Pogo had fully recovered and was expected to lead a long and normal life. Grateful Dogs Rescue is one of the most active animal rescue groups working with Animal Care & Control. Their volunteers have taken and re-homed hundreds of needy dogs from the shelter.

Pogo was a brindle pit bull puppy with a white blaze, white around his nose and a white chest. He weighed approximately 40 pounds, was missing his right rear leg and was wearing a red collar when last seen.

Anyone with information about Pogo’s death – or info on Pogo being taken from Ocean Beach - should call Animal Care & Control at (415) 554-9400. A $2000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator has been established by Grateful Dogs Rescue and The Friends of SF Animal Care & Control. To contribute to the reward fund, please contact Animal Care & Control at (415) 554-9412.

Animal Care & Control is always grateful for the public’s help in identifying cases of animal cruelty. Residents of San Francisco can call (415) 554-9400 to report potential animal cruelty or neglect.

If we’re addicted to oil, our twelve-step program should begin with admitting that we have a problem. As the price of oil creeps higher, finding new energy sources is more important than ever. But the search for alternatives, combined with environmental disruptions, is putting new pressures on other essentials like food.

There are some things that are going well in the world. Right now, the economy is not one of them.

Animation & Design by Chris Weller
Directed by Max Joseph
Music: “Genesis” by Justice

Board President Aaron Peskin speaks in support of the San Francisco Clean Energy Act, July 22, 2008.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal

Assemblymember Mark Leno speaks in support of the San Francisco Clean Energy Act, July 22, 2008.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano speaks in support of the Clean Energy Act, July 22, 2008.

Video by Bob Brigham for Fog City Journal

Supervisor Bevan Dufty speaks at a press conference for the Clean Energy Act SF on July 22, 2008.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval speaks at a press conference for the Clean Energy Act SF on July 22, 2008.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

Video by Bob Brigham for FogCityJournal.com.

July 22, 2008

Mayor Gavin Newsom today confirmed his opposition to a November ballot measure that would, if approved by voters, advance San Francisco to a 100 percent clean renewable energy portfolio by 2040.

“I don’t support the public power initiative,” Newsom responded to Fog City Journal inquiry.

Defying expectations that he understands the severity of global climate change, Newsom said he has spoken “to real people on the streets” to arrive at his position. “I haven’t met one person who says ‘my gosh, boy, you really need to take over the power system in San Francisco’.”

Newsom, who maintains close ties with PG&E and is exploring a run for Governor said, “this is the wrong time” for “a public power initiative to take over PG&E” despite climate change warnings echoed by former Vice President Al Gore and PG&E’s fossil-fuel-heavy energy portfolio.

“I think it’s rather cynical way of branding it, ‘The Clean Energy Act’,” Newsom said.

Citing a recent speech by Gore, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who authored the ballot measure, warned Friday PG&E would spend “millions” to defeat any perceived threat to its monopoly.

“Al Gore just delivered a helluva speech two days ago,” Mirkarimi said, “which everyone is talking about, that this country is able to convert to renewables – a hundred percent renewable in the next ten years.”

“As long as PG&E’S there, that’ll never happen,” Mirkarimi added. “At this rate, PG&E will only abide by the bare minimums, the federal minimums, as stipulated by the Bush administration, and that is 20 percent renewable by 2017, and that is just god-awful.”

The legislation has the support of environmental and social justice organizations including the Sierra Club, San Francisco Tomorrow, ACORN, the San Francisco Green Party, the League of Young Voters, Green Action for Health and Environmental Justice, State Assemblymember Mark Leno, Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi, Aaron Peskin, Tom Ammiano, Gerardo Sandoval, Bevan Dufty, Sophie Maxwell, Chris Daly, former San Francisco Public Utilities Executive Director Susan Leal, San Francisco School Board President Mark Sanchez and other civic leaders.

By Elaine Santore

July 22, 1008

Dressed to Kill.  As many as 350 upwardly mobile San Franciscans attended the 3rd Annual Dress For Success Gala fundraiser held Friday at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco.

One of the fastest-growing affiliates in the country, DFS San Francisco raises funds to “promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life,” according to DFS’ mission statement.

Honorary Co-Chair Amber Marie Bently and her husband, Chris Bently, offered the use of the Bently Reserve for the gala event that included live and silent auctions, free booze and food, and a performance by jazz singer Paula West.

West opened the event and designer Nick Verreos from Bravo’s Project Runway Season 2 entertained the crowd with auctioneer Emily Newhouse.

DFS client Delicia Cunningham, who shared her story about how the philanthropic organization helped her turn her life around and find employment after a period of chemical dependency, drew the evening’s most enthusiastic applause.

“Dress For Success also put me in a support group called the Professional Womens Group,” Cunningham said.  “Let me tell you, we do the group in the Kimpton Hotel in the corporate room. Everything was so fancy and so nice, I felt so worthy and so deserving, that now I’m looking for bigger and better things. And I owe it all to the people at Dress For Success.”

Dress For Success client Delicia Cunningham.

The event featured free tastings by various local chefs, including Elizabeth Faulker of Orson and Citizen Cake, Jamie Jauren and Pastry Chef Irene Contreras of Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, and Robert Helstrom of Kuleto’s Italian Restaurant.

Nick Verreos, Amber Marie Bently, and Chris Bently.

Atmosphere at the Bently Reserve.

(more…)

By Luke Thomas

July 22, 2008

This has got be the funniest news item of the week.  Starchild and District Attorney Kamala Harris made an appearance on CNN this morning to discuss a November ballot initiative that would make it more difficult to investigate and punish prostitution crimes in San Francisco.

During the interview Starchild said Harris, who opposes the measure, “wanted to be an honorary sex worker.”

“She said it in a room full of people,” Starchild added.

(more…)

July 22, 2008

WHAT: Environmental and social justice organizations, including the Sierra Club, San Francisco Tomorrow, ACORN, Green Action for Health and Environmental Justice, and the San Francisco Green Party, will join with State Assemblymember Mark Leno, Former PUC General Manager Susal Leal, Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi, Aaron Peskin, Tom Ammiano, Gerardo Sandoval and other civic leaders, to celebrate the Board of Supervisors placing the San Francisco Clean Energy Act on the November 2008 ballot.

The Clean Energy Act will enable San Francisco to take community control of its own energy future and adopt clean electricity mandates for the City, of 51% by 2017, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2040; setting groundbreaking new clean energy standards for the nation, and the planet.

WHO: Assemblymember Mark Leno, Supervisors Mirkarimi, Peskin, Ammiano, Dufty, and Sandoval, Former PUC General Manager Susan Leal, President of the San Francisco Board of Education Mark Sanchez and representatives of environmental groups

WHERE: San Francisco City Hall – Polk Street Steps

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 11 am

By Chris Daly

July 21, 2008

I’ve written on several occasions about the importance of the local Democratic Party and the heavy hitting going on behind the scenes for its top leadership post. Well, it all gets decided this Wednesday night, and you are invited!

The next leader of San Francisco’s Democratic Party will not only set the course for our local Party over the next two years, they will have significant influence over the Democratic Party program this Fall, when 7 Supervisor seats get filled.

Since the progressive sweep of the Board of Supervisors in 2000, there’s been no bigger make or break election for progressives in San Francisco. And with Obama momentum pushing San Franciscans to the polls to vote for the Democrat, there’s no bigger endorsement this Fall than the Democratic Party. The Chair will drive fundraising and control the Party’s committee structure, including the all-important committee that produces and distributes the Official Democratic Party Slate Card. This card will feature Barack Obama along with candidates for Supervisor endorsed by the Party. It may be the single most important piece of literature this election cycle.

In other words, this is important.

Aaron Peskin is the candidate for CHANGE and will lead the Democratic Party with a progressive vision. At the Board of Supervisors Peskin has taken on tough fights promoting progressive taxation and reforming government. He’s successfully reformed MUNI, curbed Ellis Act evictions, and defended the bay from infill.  While his voting record is not flawless, Peskin has been an effective caretaker of progressive politics both inside and outside of City Hall.

Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin

(more…)

By Luke Thomas

July 20, 2008

Gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom today stated his opposition to the San Francisco Clean Energy Act defying all expectations that he will run for Governor consisting of a renewable energy platform.

“Oh, it’s horrible,” Newsom told BeyondChron’s Paul Hogarth at the Netroots Nation confab held in Austin, Texas, referring to a November ballot initiative that seeks to advance San Francisco to a 100 percent renewable clean energy portfolio by 2040.

While not elaborating on why he will not support the Clean Energy Act, former Newsom campaign manager Eric Jaye, who maintains close ties with Newsom, is said to be working for PG&E on its campaign to oppose any perceived threat to its monopoly.

Referring to a recent PG&E citywide campaign mailer distributed to registered voters, former Newsom campaign strategist Bob Brigham said of Jaye: He “is already blanketing the city with lies about the idea of San Francisco kicking the [PG&E] habit.”

PG&E consultant Eric Jaye

By Patrick Monette-Shaw, special to Fog City Journal

July 20, 2008

The growth in management fat in San Francisco city government goes unabated, driven by Mayor Gavin Newsom and rubber-stamped by the Board of Supervisors.

Even while the Board of Supervisors are attempting to mitigate draconian cuts in Newsom’s proposed slash-and-burn, and crash-and-burn budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, both the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors have neglected to seriously reduce the amount of City employees earning three-figure salaries, most of it management fat.

Fully $127,493,252, or 12.3 percent, of the $1.038 billion spent on salaries (excluding fringe benefits) for San Francisco employees earning more than $100,000 are dedicated to just 918 employees with the word “manager,” “director,” or “department head” in their job titles, yet very few of them have been targeted for elimination by either Supervisor Aaron Peskin or Mayor Newsom. There are hundreds of other managers in the City who do not have the word “manager” in their job titles, driving the cost of management of the City’s interests even higher.

While we’re drowning in management salaries, surely there must be some low-hanging fruit for the picking.

(more…)