Welcome to Westside Observer
Where Can Homeless Shelters Be Placed in San Francisco?
"Few citizens know this, but all of San Francisco’s Residential Housing with two attached units (RH-2) can be converted into a homeless shelter by the Planning Department.
While the City claims it does not significantly add to the capacity of homeless shelters, there is already a severe shortage of facilities.”
By George Wooding More...
Public Land for Housing: Balboa Reservoir?
“While low income housing is often subsidized by the government and market rate housing is subsidized by hearty paychecks (or trust funds), it is moderate income housing that takes a back seat. If the city carries on at this rate, it will quickly become a polarized environment: the ultra rich and the ultra poor.”
By Maya Lekach
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City Attorney’s Whistleblower Battle Lands in Court
“...taxpayers are footing the bill for a plausible retaliation claim. John Keker’s firm, a Herrera campaign donor, is collecting $850/hour to defend him per a contract ‘Expected to exceed $50,000’.”
By Dr. Maria Rivero & Dr. Derek Kerr Read More…
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SF Giants Champs! SF Taxpayers Chumps!
“In October, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation to legalize short term rentals of homes, and in the process rezoned the City. Further, the Board rejected approximately $25 million due in back taxes from Airbnb...And by the way, this legislation came about only as a platform for then-Supervisor David Chiu to run for the Assembly.”
By John Farrell More...
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63 Annual Pacific Orchid Expo
“This year’s theme, “The Thrill of Discovery,” ... happening February 19-22, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco—a world of rare orchids seldom seen in the U.S.”
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“Hybrid and electric car usage has also caused declining revenue for the building and maintenance of roads. You don’t pay for roads from income, sales, or property taxation; it’s illogical to abandon a proven user fee. ... The state legislature must also act.”
Julie Christensen Is Designer of Change at Sf City Hall
“…Change is frightening for people who can’t imagine things another way …"But life is not a tableau. It is a parade. We can’t stand frozen and expect everything to stay frozen around us.”
By Joel Engardio More...
Joe Barbosa, “the Animal” Shot Dead at 25th & Moraga
““He became the first participant in the Federal Witness Protection Program and there was nothing a grateful FBI would not do for Joe. Although Joe admitted killing 26 people, he was given a sentence of one year, including time served. ”
By Paul Drexler More...
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What's Up With Our Water, Sewer and Power People?
SFPUC, SF Public Utilities Commission, with about 2300 city employees
SF’s residential use is below 45 gallons per day per person; ten years ago it was 61. By early November we had saved all the water officials asked us to save this past year because of drought.”
Read More… By Steve Lawrence
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SFPUC Why Prop 218 Must Not Be Ignored
“... fees and charges for water service are governed by Proposition 218. To the extent that tier rates are imposed in a manner that deviates from ‘cost of service’ requirements, those rates are in violation of Proposition 218..”
By Brian Browne
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SFPUC Response to Browne's Previous Column More...
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Gambling With San Francisco Employees’ Retirement Fund
“The plan beneficiaries were warned by Matt Taibbi in his September 2013 article “How Wall Street Hedge Funds Are Looting the Pension Funds of Public Workers,” that Wall Street firms are making millions in profits off of public pension funds nationwide. “Essentially it is a wealth transfer from teachers, cops and firemen to billionaire hedge funders.…
By Patrick Monette-Shaw Read More...
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Taraval Station
“Home Invasion Robbery
9:55 am •100 Farallones St
Officers responded to a report of a home invasion robbery. Two suspects entered a victim’s home, tied her up, hit her, and demanded the whereabouts of her valuables. They claimed their actions were in retaliation on behalf of a third suspect who was not present in the house. The suspects ransacked the home and stole valuables. They told the victim to not contact the police and then fled. ....”
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JANUARY MEETING
“The November 2014 election, and houses on the Balboa Reservoir, were the big items discussed at the January meeting of the West of Twin Peaks Central Council on January 26th. President Roger Ritter opened the first meeting of 2015 with approximately 25 attendees. ”
By Mitch Bull More...
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1915 World’s Fair • Tue Feb 10 - 7:30pm • The Old Mint • 88 5th St
“ Illuminating the Jewel City: Spectacular Lighting at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Enjoy a nighttime tour of San Francisco’s beautiful 1915 World’s Fair. We will explore how Illuminating Engineer Walter D’Arcy Ryan implemented groundbreaking lighting effects like The Great Scintillator and The Electric Kaleidoscope in the face of tremendous skepticism. Learn about the more than 100,000 large, cut-glass Novagems that adorned the Tower of Jewels... ”
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FEBRUARY 2015
“Viva 2015… the holidays are behind us and it’s time to move forward into 2015, and there’s a lot on the agenda. The city is always changing and flexing, retail spaces open up and someone comes along to fill them in, no matter for how long. ”
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Learning from Grief
“The subject of grief is emotionally challenging and explains the deficiency in family pre-needs planning. Being a health care professional does not lessen coping with the loss of a loved one. ”
Anise J. Matteson
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Managing Your Taxes in 2015
“It is important to be aware of how all of these factors might affect your tax liability. On the other side of the coin, if you receive a salary increase and/or bonus in 2015, it could impact your tax bill. Work with your tax advisor to help determine if the amount of tax withheld from each paycheck is sufficient to avoid an under withholding penalty.”
By Brandon Miller Read More…
View from the Cliff House 1865
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