Issues
EMPLOYMENT
Our district used to have a thriving small business community that provided jobs for local residents. My experience in the world of biofuel recycling and waste-by-rail has taught me the value of turning "trash into treasure, waste into work and junk into jobs".
Jobs and Small Business
One of the most important issues in District 10 is jobs. I am a firm believer in mandating local hiring because the practice of "good faith" hiring is frankly not working. My goal is to help implement experience-based, first hire training programs that bring good, green jobs to District 10 residents, regardless of skill level. As Supervisor, I’ll also work to protect District 10 workers from victimization by out-of-town interests who exploit loopholes in the local and small business law and take jobs away from local residents.HOUSING
Affordable Housing
District 10 is the largest of San Francisco's 11 Districts. It has more families, more children, and more demands for affordable housing. With the push for new development, mixed use, and open space, I will work to secure real community benefits, a bigger percentage of affordable housing, and reduced condo fees that hard working folks cannot afford to pay, from developers.HEALTH
Medical Services
Our residents are continually frustrated with the lack of medical services in District 10. There is a mandate that the populations with the most needs be served. Other than going to SF General or St. Luke's, our residents must go clear across town for services. Fortunately, UCSF is building a state-of-the-art cancer and trauma facility in Mission Bay that will also serve women and children. As Supervisor, I'll continue to fight to add adequate medical services in our community.Bayview Hunters Point Shipyard
The Environmental Protection Agency named the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard a Superfund site in 1989 and placed it on the National Priority List for cleanup. The Pollution Information site still lists it among the worst Superfund sites in the nation. The EPA divided the shipyard into six parcels and has identified 1.5 million tons of toxic waste in Parcel E2 alone.High cancer rates, asthma, and the removal of serpentine dust are just a few of the health issues. Monitoring, transparency and accountability are critical to the clean up process. The use of qualified local truckers, rail and brownsfield workforce should all be used in an effort to make the shipyard as clean as it deserves to be. A clean shipyard paves the way for real development.
The Navy's current plan is to remove as little as possible and cap the rest. This is simply unacceptable. Several years ago, 84% of the voters of San Francisco voted overwhelmingly in support of Proposition P, which demanded the shipyard be cleaned up to residential standards. Before any more of these parcels are transferred to the City, they must be cleaned up to that standard. As Supervisor, I will make this issue one of my biggest priorities.
Lennar
For years, the Lennar Corporation has been called a bad actor in District 10, accused of playing shell games, breaking promises, dust issues, etc., and have the fines to prove it. They must be held accountable. For now, we must make the best of a seemingly bad marriage by holding their feet to the fire. As Supervisor, I will not tolerate any further health violations or stand for any transfers until they have satisfied the concerns of the community.Potrero Power Plant
The Potrero Power Plant needs to go. Period. I watch it belching from my home each and everyday. The Transbay Cable is only part of the solution to closing the power plant. As District 10 Supervisor, I will do everything I possibly can to hasten its demise, seek reliable, alternative energy sources like solar, and put an end to the nightmare at Warm Water Cove once and for all. Recently, the city received news from CalISO that they intend to shut down the plant by the end of 2010. Nevertheless, PG&E is putting a measure on ballot seeking to require 2/3 majority to pass public power. This measure would effective kill public power and must not go unchecked.Darling International
As Vice Chair of the SF Biodiesel Access Taskforce, I am all too familiar with the Darling International Plant. The biofuel community advised them early on to work with the local community, to go through all the necessary processes, and not to try to do an end-a-round by using the now revoked, Categorical Exemption. Although I am supportive of their plans for adding a biodiesel facility, I will not support any short-circuiting of environmental or community processes.Services for Children, Seniors, HIV patients, homeless and drug abuse
District 10’s at-risk individuals, including seniors, the homeless, and folks with HIV and substance abuse issues, must be protected. My summer volunteer work with homeless children and families in D.C., and my father-in-law's efforts with Project Open Hand and the SF Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, have taught me about the need to make sure these folks continue to receive the help and care they need. As Supervisor, I will work to safeguard services to those in need, including the children, in District 10.Open Space
As the juggernaut of development bears down on our District, care must be taken to insure that industry is retained and that mixed-use development and open space are fairly balanced. District 10 is San Francisco's final frontier for bay front property, parks, and open space. Greening our streets and being good stewards of our land is very important to me. As Supervisor, I will be a strong voice for retaining park space and protecting the backlands and wildlife.Industry, Waste, Rail and the Port of San Francisco
Sadly, District 10 has been the dumping ground for the City's waste for over 100 years. We will soon be facing a crisis if we don't address the issues around waste now. The aging digesters at the Southeast Waste Treatment Plant are near capacity and must be replaced.I am excited about possibilities for turning waste into energy, creating new opportunities for jobs at the Port of San Francisco, and transporting goods by rail, which can greatly reduce greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions. We must plan wisely for High Speed Rail and how it will affect our community. As your Supervisor, I will push for these opportunities by promoting goods movement, clean tech business, and jobs opportunities resulting from the upcoming "Silver Tsunami" of baby boomer retirement.