Independent Bookstore Day on West Portal

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A Great Day for Kids and Books

Independent Bookstore Day on West Portal

• • • • • May 2024 • • • • •

by Susan Tunis

Bookshop West Portal’s Independent Bookstore Day was a smashing success, bathed in sunshine for the first time ever! The festivities kicked off with a delightful spread of Richard Scarry-themed activities in the courtyard, keeping the younger bookworms thoroughly entertained.

The excitement hit a new level at 11:00 am with the arrival of a star-studded author caravan. Led by the ever-delightful Dave Eggers, the group included Rita Bullwinkel, Michael Chabon, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Daniel Gumbiner, R. O. Kwon, Lauren Markham, and Vendala Vida. The atmosphere was casual and inviting, with authors mingling between the bookstore and the courtyard, signing books and sharing conversations with customers.

Bookshop West Portal’s Independent Bookstore Day was a perfect illustration of the magic that independent bookstores can create. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and a shared love of books!”

The afternoon brought back a beloved tradition: a visit from the adorable llamas of Circle Home Ranch in Sonora, California. These gentle giants, Cap (a spry five-year-old), Chai (a veteran visitor since the age of one, now six), and Yanni (a seven-year-old charmer) stole the hearts of everyone they met, leaving a trail of wide grins in their wake.

The fun wasn’t limited to just browsing and meeting authors. Every customer was offered a chance to take a “blind date with a book” and a raffle ticket. The grand prize? A rare, oversized, and signed edition of Dave Eggers’ Newbery Medal-winning “The Eyes and the Impossible,” complete with original artwork by the author himself!

Independent Bookstore Day on West Portal

The spirit of the day extended beyond the bookstore walls. A generous anonymous customer sent over a delightful contribution – 100 festive cupcakes from nearby Noe Valley Bakery.

Susan Tunis is Special Projects Manager at Bookshop West Portal

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Beyond the tangle of red tape

Will SF be the first City with a Public Bank?

Doug Comstock

Mired in Dull-as-Dishwater Details, It's an Amazing Accomplishment — But Will Oakland Beat Us To It?
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Race-blind Admissions in California

by Carol Kocivar

Schools scramble to comply with Supreme Court’s admission decision AND still create diverse college communities
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Greenland Will Cause Sea Rise First, Not Antarctica

by Glenn Rogers

Should all the ice in Greenland melt, we could expect the sea level rise an additional 23 feet.
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It’s time to assess Prop 47’s havoc on the safety of San Franciscans

by Lou Barberini

Before Prop 47 eliminated California Penal Code section 666, a police officer could charge a thief with a criminal history with “felony theft with-priors” and take him to county jail.
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SF's Housing Snag

... E.T. versus City

by Steve Lawrence

Pretend you're an alien (E.T.) come to earth in human form to live and learn and even to rationally guide humans who have lost their way. You land in San Francisco.
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Don't Let High Rises in the Sunset Overshadow Other City Hall Absurdities

by Quentin Kopp

Have any such housing units been built? Of course not! strong>Why? Probably because there’s no market for them. Why not? Because the population has declined
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Costs to Rescue Laguna Honda Continue to Escalate

Managers disregarded the risks to patients

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Known costs climbing to $65 Million but City Attorney conceals ($5 million?) in legal fees.
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A Few Cheers for What’s Great About San Francisco

by Carol Kocivar

I’m reminded again and again that there are really great things the world of San Francisco.
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West Side Stories

by Julie Pitta

SF has 60,000 market-rate apartments standing empty. They’re unlikely to be filled any time soon since about 70,000 left in the last three years.
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Corruption Central

... & The Family Enterprise

by Steve Lawrence

Some say a little bit of corruption greases the wheels. Just don't kid yourself ... each of these words, Social Impact Partnering, are buzzwords. There's a reason for that.
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A Home in the SF’s Countryside

by Glenn Rogers

The neighborhood was much different then. Yellow and white margaritas were everywhere in wild areas on the south and north side of Alemany Blvd. There was no Highway 280.
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Grand Jury Tackles Homeless Providers

by Dr. Derek Kerr

City Family’s coziness with contractors sustains a “Homeless-Industrial-Complex." Politically-connected entrepreneurs are awarded City contracts and return the favor.
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Laguna Honda’s Mismanagement Costs Reach $64.1 Million

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Moss Adams’ contract increased by by $5.9 million to $9,987,293 — just $12,707 shy of requiring Board of Supervisors approval.
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Selective Admissions

by Carol Kocivar

One small problem. Although we called it a computer match, we did not have a computer. Yup, that long ago.
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Ethics should be called The Narrow Commission

by Sullivan

Giving a complaint to the “Ethics” Commission is like giving a complaint to a black hole. Your complaint goes in and the chance that anything comes out is slim.
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Ignoring the Neighbors — Rec & Park Shows How It’s Done

by David Romano

Neighbors were not adequately notified — the few who showed up were ignored.
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Supervisors Honor Nancy Wuerfel

Long-time Westside activist commended

by Kathy Howard & Sally Stephens

The Supervisors celebrated her preservation and conservation efforts and recognized her significant contributions.
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Bored? Libraries to the rescue

My Summer Reading List

by Carol Kocivar

The good news: it's available to every child though our public libraries in every corner of San Francisco. And it's free!
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A History Lesson and the State’s Future

by Quentin Kopp

Observations and criticisms with a bit of the usual snark.
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Laguna Honda Admits Its Own Staff Jeopardizes Its Recertification

Patrick Monette-Shaw

We will lose Laguna Honda Hospital if immediate jeopardy citations continue.
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Major Meter Hike Hijinks

by Glenn Rogers

Budget Problem? City Hall's Reliable Cash Cow to the Rescue! Stop the exploitation.
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Laguna Honda Finally Hires a Nursing Home Administrator

Patrick Monette-Shaw

After 20 years without a licensed Nursing Home Administrator at the helm, that will change. At last someone knowledgeable about Federal nursing home regulations will be in charge.
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The Greatest Story Never Told

Hunters Point Continues to Poison San Franciscans

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

The Health Department burned down a village of Chinese fishermen dependent on the lucrative shrimping industry when the Navy purchased the 934-acre property using eminent domain for the Naval Shipyard.
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Rec & Parks Scheme to Cash in on Outside Lands Income

by David Romano

“ You guys had a bunch of secret planning meetings ... no Brown Act notice ... now you want to permit an additional 60,000-person event ...”
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Let’s Fight SFPUC for Affordable Water

Ratepayers may need to rely on the courts

by Brian Browne

1985 to 2022, the nominal SFPUC rates have increased annually by an average of 10.1%.
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Railroaded Out of Town

by Sullivan

Inside the Sunshine Task Force’s “Compliance and Amendments Committee.”
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The day before evictions of all residents — a final last-minute reprieve

Too late to save Laguna Honda intact?

by Dr. Teresa Palmer

CMS extended federal funding while the facility continues without resident evictions until September 19, 2023
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Families Sue Laguna Honda for Transfer Deaths

LHH “disregarded” the risk of transfer trauma to elderly dementia patients

by Dr. Derek Kerr

3 families filed suit, alleging LHH culpability in the deaths of patients transferred to outside facilities last year.
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It's Game On!

D7’s Participatory Budget Selection Nears

by Doug Comstock

The selected projects will be up for public voting beginning June 12.
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Letter Re: Fear and Trembling — Frisco Style

Julie Pitta’s most recent commentary misrepresents what I said in a TMZ interview — “to stoke fears about public safety.” This is false.

from Joel Engardio
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SFUSD: Failing Math and Literacy for Kids

Can the Commission admit they were wrong?

by Carol Kocivar

The evidence is in time for SFUSD to change.
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A Spring Collection

by Quentin Kopp

Newsy bits and quips Quentin’s monthly criticisms, and encouragements.
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Melgar's Crime Town Hall signals public dissatisfaction

District 7 residents grill officials

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Grassroots anti-crime and pro-accountability organizing could imperil elected officials who can’t get a handle on the disorder.
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The Truth about SF's Crime Spree

Fear and Trembling
— Frisco Style

by Julie Pitta

San Francisco has experienced a spike in property crime, no surprise in a city of wealth disparity.
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Laguna Honda on Last-Gasp Status

Patrick Monette-Shaw

While consultants released three follow-up reports ... details of the complete picture are still dripping out, like a leaky faucet.
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Stop Crime SF engages in election advocacy

Anti-crime group to test its political strength

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Judges can undermine the good work of the police and the DA ... Judges are elected, but the public doesn't know about their decisions
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Is AI Ready for Prime Time?

by Glenn Rogers

It Could lead to more arrests of protestors, minorities, or anyone the State considers a threat if artificial intelligence is designed and executed improperly.
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It's Teacher Appreciation Week

Time to Reassess the Value of Teachers

by Carol Kocivar

Flowers and cards are great, but teachers deserve a fair wage for their valuable work.
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Public Records Request with a Side of Fries

by Sullivan

When I made a simple request for documents what I got left me confused — should I laugh or cry?
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SF's Public Guardian Sues Laguna Honda for Abuse

The lawsuit cites seven Causes of Action

by Dr. Derek Kerr

It took courage for the Public Guardian to file suit. Hopefully, the public will learn the full extent of the scandal. The timing couldn’t be worse for LHHs struggle to survive.
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April 14th is the anniversary of Laguna Honda's decertification

Just Released—Laguna Honda Hospital's Revised Closure Plan

Patrick Monette-Shaw

LHH mostly serves low-income, medically indigent patients, likely to face discharges, exile, and displacement to out-of-county facilities, away from their families, and support networks.
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The Crisis in Housing for Artists

by P Segal

The City's vacant downtown businesses and escalating housing rents are a San Francisco disaster. Roadkill: San Francisco's artist communities.
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Does SF Enable Drug Use?

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Fentanyl overdoses have killed more San Franciscans than COVID. Yet, SF fails to prosecute dealers; no convictions for fentanyl sales in 2021. Most dealers are granted diversion.
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I am plain worn out listening to all the things that have gone wrong in our City and our Country.

Arts, Music, Dance, Drama: Great work SFUSD!

by Carol Kocivar

The arts are more than alive and well in San Francisco public schools. In many cases, they are spectacular. A little hyperbole? Nope.
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Sporting Trolls, Reparations and Highway Tolls

by Quentin Kopp

The history of liberty is the history of the limitations on the power of government. And the provenance of government usually expands on federal, state and local levels
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Tranq - the Next Drug Scourge

Fentanyl has a new rival

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Xylazine is infiltrating North American fentanyl and heroin supplies. It is causing more fatal overdoses, zombie-like intoxication— addictions that are harder to treat than simple fentanyl dependency.
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April 14th is the anniversary of Laguna Honda's decertification

Root Cause Factors Refute DPH Claims Minimizing LHH’s Violations

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Inept managers from SF General and SF Health Network are principally responsible for the current mess at LHH, not LHH's caring and dedicated staff.
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San Francisco's $780 Million Budget Deficit

by John Farrell

Controller's estimated $290 million deficit — $90.1 million more than projected in January. For the next two fiscal years, the shortfall is projected at $779.8 million.
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Let the Bay Lights go dark

Heather Knight Plugs the Bay Lights

by David Romano

Our resources are precious, and we shouldn't be using them for displays of lighting that serve no practical purpose.
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Is the Sunshine Task Force Ethically Challenged?

by Sullivan

When the City Attorney and the Ethics Commission demur — the SOTF needs to police itself.
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Billions and Billions Later, California's High-speed Rail Future Is Still Illusive

by Quentin Kopp

The project cost for the non-high speed rail portion in the Central Valley increased last month to $35.3 billion from $25.2 billion. It obtains money from a cap-and-trade program which adds 23 cents to every gasoline gallon besides the state’s 53.9 cents tax per gallon
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Hiding the Deadly Risks of SF's High-Rises

Facing the under-reported facts

by David Osgood

For decades, the City has allowed weaker standards for buildings shorter than 240 feet — no signs of seriously considering these structural deficiencies.
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SFPUC: 90% Rate Increase

... & Housing Dreams

by Steve Lawrence

Our Board of Supervisors is keen for the City to acquire the PG&E infrastructure.An offer of $2.5 billion has been rejected.
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Keep Diego Rivera's Mural at City College

This mural is currently on loan from City College to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) — The agreement includes the return of the mural to City College which has been its owner and guardian since 1940.

by San Francisco Resident
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Screen California Students for Dyslexia

by Carol Kocivar

In third grade...nearly 60% of students are not yet proficient in reading — students can't “read to learn” until they have successfully learned to read.
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Tuesday, March 21st - 9:30am

Westside Neighbors to Protest Climate-Hostile Banks

by Ken Hoegger

West Portal's Chase Bank protest highlights banks’ dominant funding of fossil fuels.
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Dreams Come True

Get That Neighborhood Improvement Funded

by Supervisor Myrna Melgar

The winning projects will be most closely align to the criteria and can be successfully completed with the funding allocated as a one-time grant.
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Recology, Reparations, Preservation and Supervisor Walton are among Quentin's Observations

by Quentin Kopp

Concerns that trouble Quentin but may only annoy most folks.
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Stop Using Herbicides in San Francisco

The Oxalis Obsession

by SF forest Alliance

The herbicides don’t kill the bulbs. You can kill the top growth and other plants, but you won’t kill the oxalis.
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Fighting Against a Stacked Deck

by Sullivan

No wonder the City finds itself in scandals — when the Ethics Commission and the City Attorney doesn't enforce misconduct.
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Parents Who Help SFUSD

by Carol Kocivar

PTA's Honorary Service award recognizes people for outstanding service to children and youth — above and beyond what is asked of them.
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Mayor Breed’s Mysterious Appointments

Is it true that none of Mayor Breed’s four nominees for the Homelessness and Supportive Housing Oversight Board seem to have any experience or credentials in dealing with the problems of homeless citizens?

by Chris Gray and Susan Chen
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Laguna Honda Debacle: Root Cause Analysis

DPH kept the report secret for months

by Dr. Derek Kerr &
Dr. Maria Rivero

The report finally gives us a complete picture of LHH's problems and the path to recover.
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The Weed That's Destroying our Native Habitat

Oxalis is rampant in the Bay Area

by Jake Sigg

Its a tragedy for all the foragers who depend on native plants: myriads of insects, the birds and others that feed on them ...
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The Mystery of the New Housing Element

Roadmap or Pipedream?

by Steve Lawrence

Well-resourced Neighborhoods are guilty of plenty, explains the new Element. Racism, greed, selfishness– ... it's time to reform
Read More ...

Did 20 years of mismanagement prompt the Feds to intervene?

The Bungled Management of Laguna Honda

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Kanaley had no experience running a skilled nursing facility whatsoever and certainly no experience or training to run a 1,200-bed nursing home with approximately 1,500 employees
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What could possibly go wrong?

Judge Gives Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Union Square Ransacker

Frank Noto

It had major consequences for SF's economy, and millions in lost tax revenue City taxpayers spent an additional $2 million for police patrols.
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Ignoring document requests, misinforming Supes and Boards — are Feds feed up yet?

Squeezing the Truth from Laguna Honda Management

Patrick Monette-Shaw

The showdown at LHH. Now the Feds are demanding SF hire qualified Nursing Home Administrators!
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An easier way to pass local taxes for schools

California Supreme Court grants a wish to school communities

by Carol Kocivar

Can regulating taxation by local governments (two-thirds vote for a parcel tax) override a majority vote in a citizens initiative? Nope.
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”Moderates“ Organize to Change City Hall

According to TogetherSF, District elections is the problem

by Dr. Derek Kerr

The proposed fix is to return to at-large board seats to get more done for the whole City.
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Problems looming at the Shipyard

Newsom's Albatross

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

Newsom violated ethics laws by signing into law Shipyard redevelopment measures he sponsored before the Board of Supervisors and accepted the transfer of Parcel A at the cost of one dollar
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Let's Rethink Hospice Admissions

Oversight for Patients’ Rights

by Brian Browne

A group of friends formed to rescind her hospice disposition and return her home to live or die among her treasured surroundings...
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Laguna Honda's 12 Transfer Deaths

Culpability extends to the feds as well as LHH

by Dr. Derek Kerr

So far, twelve patients are dead. 11 patients were severely disabled and had profound cognitive impairment.
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Weeks After Forced Discharge, Patients Began Dying

Laguna Honda Residents Face Resumption of Mandatory Discharges

Patrick Monette-Shaw

LHH wants to avoid culpability when patients die, but actions have consequences, sometimes grave
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PG&E, SFPUC

and even stranger things

by Steve Lawrence

A look at the City's lawsuit against PG&E, at at SFPUC's mismanagement of flooding, AI's artificial idiocy, and aging in SF!
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Will changing Lowell admission policies fix the achievement gap?

by Carol Kocivar

The issue is heating up AGAIN. the SFUSD high school task force will present recommendations on admission policies
Read More

Say No to Bay Lights; Stop polluting the night sky

We Have Better Uses for $11 Million

by David Romano

Our resources are precious, and we shouldn't be using them in displays of lighting that serve no practical purpose.
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What do Recology, Nate Albee, President Peskin, & Bloated City Government have in common?

by Quentin Kopp

City Hall and its environs are fair game for Quentin’s inquiries.
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Are Progressives Making Homelessness Worse?

A book review of San Fran-sicko

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Poor people seldom end up on the street. But, addicted and mentally ill people become “disaffiliated” from supporters – a key determinant of street homelessness
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Immediate Jeopardy Violation Further Risks Laguna Honda

DPH Reveals Troubling Laguna Honda Developments

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Unanswered questions: will they continue admitting behaviorally disturbed patients ... will forced discharges resume on February 2?
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Could Parkmerced Transform to Affordable Housing?

by Glenn Rogers

30% of Parkmerced's 3,221 units are vacant. If the Prop M Vacant Unit Tax does not encourage lower rents, the City might purchase them at a bargain, making thousands of new units available...
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California Deserves Better

Time for Feinstein to Step Down

by David Romano

Feinstein has been an enthusiastic supporter of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. How have those wars benefited the families of California?
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Madam Mayor parties down as City is deluged in “atmospheric river”

Mayor's Clueless New Years Fumble Signels Trouble

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

Adorned in a feather boa and accompanied by City Attorney David Chiu, Breed's City Officials were oblivious to the massive flooding NASA satellite images predicted December 16, 2022.
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Ask the right questions to fix SF High Schools

by Carol Kocivar

A huge number of students who enter high school are not proficient in English and math — almost 45 percent of SFUSD 8th graders are not proficient in English. More than half are not proficient in math
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Gender Neutral, Affirmative Action, Gary Kamaya and John Arntz

by Quentin Kopp

Moses was a great lawgiver. He was satisfied to keep the Ten Commandments short and to the point . . . he was not an ordinary lawyer..
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First Victim of Redistricting: Supervisor Gordon Mar

by Doug Comstock

Mayor Breed’s backroom manipulations brought the defeat of Mar and the election of Dorsey — more targets in 2024?
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No Religious Discrimination for the Holidays

by Carol Kocivar

It's America! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah
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Root Cause Analysis: Key Report Missing?

Costs to Rescue Laguna Honda Climb to $20 Million

Patrick Monette-Shaw

... it tells us that they are maintaining secrecy to cover up the loss of greatly needed skilled nursing services in SF
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Banned Books for Christmas

by Carol Kocivar

Banning children’s books from schools and libraries is a threat not only to freedom of speech but also to our commitment to teach our children well.
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What Happened at Laguna Honda? Update

by Dr. Teresa Palmer

...the mission of a nursing home is to promote resident autonomy. This is not compatible with the treatment of persons with unstable behavioral issues, which requires structure and agreement to "house rules." If LHH continues admitting persons with active substance use or unstable mental illness, we will lose Laguna Honda.
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Central Subway Boondoggle

by Quentin Kopp

Willie Brown predicted the Central Subway would reduce (can you imagine?) Muni’s operating costs by $23.9 million annually. Muni’s operating costs will now increase by more than $25 million per year.
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Renne's Gambit Goes Belly Up

LHH Patients' Class Action Lawsuit Tossed Out

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Renne sought to take credit for the Tobacco Settlement Revenue lawsuit. It was used, in part, to pay for the LHH rebuild project. Renne had done no such thing.
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UNs’ COP27 / Healing Starts at Hunters Point

Heeding the Clarion Call for Climate Reparations

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

Climate reparations dominated Egypt's UN Climate Change Summit this month — overburdened communities demand help cutting emissions, adapting to climate change…and compensation for damages!
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Expectations

by Carol Kocivar

The expectation is that children attend school. The latest data from SFUSD severely challenges these expectations.
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Laguna Honda Settlement Agreement

Too many questions remain unanswered

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Has LHH been skirting its Admissions Policy — by accepting patients who endanger themselves and others by using and distributing drugs?
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Willie's Pay-to Play Lives On!

by Tony Hall

Residents of single-family homes will be watching this variance ... if this could happen to my property, neighbors could easily be the next victim.
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Nobody Home?

Prop M: SF Grapples with Vacant Apartments

by Thomas K. Pendergast

We’re not building at the price points where the demand actually is, so we’re overproducing what folks can’t afford.
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What could possibly go wrong?

Will the Police Commission
Ban Traffic Stops?

Frank Noto

3 meetings held so far —will Westside feedback be considered?
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Can the Supes Clean-up the Shipyard?

by Glenn Rogers

… the statistics remain grim. In 2018, DPH found that Bayview is significantly more at risk than other neighborhoods.
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City Attorney’s Legal Case Was Strong

But Then He Rolled Over

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Why did Chiu do an about-face and drop both his lawsuits merely to delay re-certification?
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The Myths about School Money

by Carol Kocivar

School districts with the more low-income students, English learners, foster youth and homeless students get a lot more money.
Read More

Reassesing DA Boudin's Recall

"Failed City" fails to convince—Pt. 2

by David Romano

We are reaping what was sown in 2004. Newsom and Mark Buell, a real estate developer, had big plans for the City
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Behind-the-scenes machinations explain our surging utility rates

by Brian Browne

His required learning curve and that of his associates is just the opposite of what theory teaches is a management requirement.
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The Cow Palace & Ruminations on Immigration & Gun Control

by Quentin Kopp

On the eve of an election, a candidate asked a reporter: “Did you hear my last speech?” The reporter replied: “I certainly hope so.
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Ongoing Issues Threaten Re-Certification

Worrisome Proplems Plague Laguna Honda

Patrick Monette-Shaw

The first survey completed in July found Laguna Honda would not pass a CMS certification.
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Reassesing DA Boudin's Recall

"Failed City" fails to convince

by David Romano

Within months, single-handedly, this incredibly powerful man was causing misery and making people feel unsafe throughout San Francisco.
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Showdown: Dennis Herrera v. Sunshine Task Force

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Since its inception, the SOTF has been a thorn in City Hall’s backside. Why? ... Engaged citizens and journalists seek more information than officialdom likes to share.
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School Board: Learn from Your Mistakes

by Carol Kocivar

The school board, ... voted to create these Muslim holidays. The threat of a costly lawsuit then forced the school board to reconsider.
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Vote NO on L!

by George Wooding

Post-Pandemic Light rail and buses are running empty. SF’s mass transit was designed to take people to a deserted downtown ... a ghost town.
Read More

The City is In Shambles — Here's What to Do.

by John Farrell

Audit non-profit agencies and City contracts to ensure that services are provided ... especially those providing homeless services. ...revenue-generating departments need to ensure all revenue sources are addressed
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Whistleblower and the Disappearing Inventory at SFPUC

by Dr. Derek Kerr

A 21,000-gallon diesel fuel deficit ...despite spending $230,000 on a fuel monitoring system...and the struggle to track $4.7 million tool inventory.
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Face It!

But Don't Hold Your Breath

by Steve Lawrence

Housing and crime are driving residents out of the city, so too does the rising cost of utilities!
Read More ...

What Me Worry? Owning DPH’s Mistakes

Rising Costs to Rescue Laguna Honda Hospital

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Laguna Honda followed the wrong rulebook and failed to follow training guidelines
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$Math in chalk$
Solving California's Math Problem

by Carol Kocivar

Reducing access to advanced mathematics — elevating trendy but shallow courses could cause lasting damage
Read More

September is the best month for skywatching

Searching for the Night Sky

by David Romano

You won't see from downtown what you can see from Mt. Tam. Out here at Ocean Beach the nighttime fog makes viewing an occasional event. Happy skywatching!
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Travel: Sergio is back!

Looking for Leonardo—Florence

by Sergio Nibbi

Florence, where the Renaissance blossomed and its endless treasures are still here for all of us to enjoy.
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What Happened at Laguna Honda?

Step-by-step
& Where are we now?

by Dr. Teresa Palmer

LHH has always been a nursing home facility, has no locked beds and no licensing to take care of behavioral, substance abuse or mental illness.
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Outside Lands Outrage

More concrete replaces grass in Golden Gate Park

by David Romano

It's clear Outside Lands damaged Golden Gate Park but has not honored its agreement to repair any damage to the Park
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DPH's Slipshod ”EPIC“ Datasystem Compounds Senior's Problems at Laguna Honda

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Laguna Honda Update EPIC software bungles safe transfer process - Will Failed ”Restorative Care“ program be a major cause of closure?
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Digging Into the PG&E Buyout

Public Power

by Steve Lawrence

Is there any company easier to despise than PG&E? Explosions, fires, outages: PG&E is constantly in the “ain’t it awful” column.
Read More ...

State Budget Helps Schools Recover

by Carol Kocivar

At about $17,000 per student, California funding no longer lurks in the national basement.
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Travel: Sergio is back!

My Orcha - Mallorca and Barcelona

by Sergio Nibbi

I would think that a small island like Mallorca would have a simple, antiquated airport, but that was quite the opposite.”
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Laguna Honda: Denial, Complicity, Resistance

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Despite these commitments to ensure safe and minimally-stressful transfers ... it did not fully grasp the number and complexity of LHH patients. So, LHH was “pigeon-holed into rules applying to standard nursing homes.
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Westside Fire Response

City Leaders Value Saving Money Over Saving Lives and Property

by Frank T. Blackburn
and Nancy Wuerfel

Mayor Breed remains blissfully silent on the need to extend adequate fire protection to approximately half the City, even though she has knowledge of Fire Department needs having been a fire commissioner in 2010.
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City's Pathetic Defense of Laguna Honda

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Supervisor Myrna Melgar rallied Supervisors, passing two urgent Resolutions — before the Board went out on summer recess. She achieved this victory!
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Dead Trees of LaPlaya

The Mystery of the Trees

by David Romano

D5 gets $50,000 for tree planting. D8, $246,000 for sidewalk gardens and street trees. And that's it for the entire City. If there is a climate emergency you wouldn't know it from San Francisco.”
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Act Now to Save the Youth Guidance Center

by Glenn Rogers

There is a need for a routine and consistent review of this facility. Programs that exist here are rarely audited, and when they are, the list of improvements required is long and important.
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Tammany Hall, District Elections, November and Boudin

by Quentin Kopp

“A successful man or woman is one who thinks up ways of making money faster than the government can take it away from him or her.”
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Time to Shine a Brighter Light on SFUSD Chronic Absences

by Carol Kocivar

Children living in poverty are two to three times more likely to be chronically absent—and face the most harm because their community lacks the resources to make up for the lost learning in school.
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The City's Muffled Defense of Laguna Honda

by Dr. Derek Kerr

As of July 11, just 623 patients remain at LHH, compared to 681 in May. Most have been transferred to San Mateo nursing homes. Three went to homeless shelters.
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Will District 7 Join the Progressives?

Voting in the Redistricted D7

by Doug Comstock

Banished D7's western precincts voted 76% in favor of the recall. Acquired Inner Sunset voted 61% against the recall, the future is in flux.
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DPH Plan: Splitting Laguna Honda's Unsuitable Populations Won't Work

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Carving Up LHH Patient Towers into Two Uses, “Cohorting” Different Patient Populations in Each Tower? A Disaster for SF's Health Needs
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West Virginia v EPA

Overreach at the Supreme Court

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

Power plant emissions formed black soot on windows and doorways in their homes and triggered asthma attacks, headaches and nosebleeds in their children. Residents led the successful fight that ultimately closed the PG&E Hunters Point power plant in 2006
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Trouble in Outer Sunset

Farmers Market and St. Ignatious in Tug-of-war over parking spaces

by Jonathan Farrell

...the farmers market gets: 2000-6000 visitors per weekend. Whereas if the area were ceded back for Saint Ignatius’s parking needs they would serve about 60 cars...
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How parents changed school start time in California

Carol Kocivar

It began in 2016 with an op-ed by a parent and writer, Lisa Lewis. School started at 7:30 — her son strugged each morning. He came home exhausted.
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Karma or Persecution: Laguna Honda’s Ordeal

by Dr. Derek Kerr

LHH was given 6 months to correct its deficiencies. A follow-up inspection found persistent - and seemingly worse - drug and contraband use, despite LHH’s Plan of Correction.
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Will Laguna Honda Solve Its Problems By Abandoning 120 More Patient Beds?

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Both consultants provided “preliminary assessment reports” of their initial recommendations. Only HMA’s “preliminary assessment report” has been made public.
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It's Climate Change — Stupid

by Glenn Rogers

in the near-term, methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 as a contributing factor to global warming.
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Culture of Silence" and Cover-up Plagues LHH Management

Gray Panthers Pounce on Laguna Honda Crisis

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Crises like COVID-19 and the one at LHH have “unmasked a society that does not value the aged and disabled.” Dr. Palmer noted
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Celebrate Independence, but There's More To Do

by Quentin Kopp

MTA management ignored two reports in 2011 that would’ve saved hundreds of millions on an essentially useless transportation project.
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DPH's “Flow Project” Comes Home to Roost

The Agony of Laguna Honda Hospital

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Everybody involved knew that adding “unstable” adults brought disarray and danger to Laguna Honda's seniors. Most folks just went along. Now they’re surprised?
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Sea Level Rise and Toxic Groundwater

Civil Grand Jury Blasts Hunters Point “Clean-Up”

by Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

The report concludes groundwater “may” become contaminated as sea level rises. In fact, Shipyard groundwater was documented as“contaminated” where thousands of homes are being constructed.
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Public Pans Ocean View Library Plans

by Jonathan Farrell

“It seems preposterous to put a library on a congested thoroughfare when there are better places that are safer for pedestrians to use,” one community member said.
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SFUSD is not segregated.

Carol Kocivar

People are frustrated and spurt out the word “segregated” That's because SFUSD has failed to prepare all ethnicities for a rigorous academic high school.
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New Library at 100 Orizaba? No.

by Glenn Rogers

41% of companies allow employees to relocate permanently to any state freely, while companies that do not allow the employees to relocate elsewhere represent only 5%.
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Picking Up the Pieces

by Doug Comstock

The moderates only need to flip one district from the progressive side of the aisle to preclude the veto power of the Board of Supervisors, since the mayor appointed moderate Supervisor Matt Dorsey ... the Redistricting Task Force handed moderates a perfect set up to do just that.
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Californians Asked to cut water by 5%

Statewide Emergency Drought

by Steve Lawrence

If a mandatory reduction is ordered, there will be a “floor” or minimum allocation per person so that those who have conserved, and now conserve, will not be penalized.
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Graft, deception, double-dealing, fraud

Living with Municipal Corruption

by Dr. Derek Kerr

...competence erodes as conscientious employees get marginalized and lackeys are promoted. This consolidation promotes impunity. Betraying the public trust is normalized.
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Violent Thug Attacks, Robs Asian Visitor—Goes Free

Boudin's famed "puppy killer" strikes again

by Lou Barberini

Boudin and the judge circumvented diversion rules because violent criminals are “not eligible” for diversion programs. Why did Boudin send someone to drug diversion if they weren’t arrested for drugs?”
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Laguna Honda Losing Funding

Despite the fact that discharge is not legally required (yet) at Laguna Honda, all patients and their families are being interviewed for discharge and this is causing a lot of stress.

Too bad no one saw this coming......oh, a group of doctors from Laguna Honda did.
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Addicts Housed among Frail Elderly—What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Turmoil and Crackdown at Laguna Honda

by Dr. Derek Kerr

State Health inspectors diagnosed “Substandard Quality of Care.” Records showed the disarray was more dire than LHH publicly disclosed.
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Breed's Policing Numbers Don't Add Up

SFPD Discloses Staffing Shortfall

by M. Sullivan

You can flood the Tenderloin with officers, but if you do not have the officers to sustain the effort, you will not see sustained results.
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Biomonitoring Finds Toxins in Hunters Point Residents

Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

HP Biomonitoring was awarded a $50,000 grant from CalEPA to create a live and virtual “Community Window on Environmental Exposures””
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GUEST OP-ED

Why I Oppose Boudin Recall

D. M. Scott

They would have us believe he’s responsible for the statistical rise in crime that’s occurred since the pandemic. Research, however, suggests otherwise...
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Rethinking the Recall Process

by Doug Comstock

Over time, those special interests have proven adept at using the same “peoples protections” to further their own interests. Recalls are expensive, and a few of San Francisco’s bitterest billionaires buy low-turnout elections when they disagree with the voters...
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People are Leaving San Francisco

by Glenn Rogers

41% of companies allow employees to relocate permanently to any state freely, while companies that do not allow the employees to relocate elsewhere represent only 5%.
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UCSF Expansion Plans Under Submission as Judge Considers Arguments

by Doug Comstock

Knowing that either way he rules, an appeal is likely, Alameda Court Judge Frank Roesch weighs the evidence.
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Restoring Confidence in SF Schools

Carol Kocivar

...there are issues that can unite us.. We all want to support our educators who have been doing the hard work every day despite a pandemic and political feud.
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International Dark Skies Week

San Francisco Needs to Address Light Polution

David Romano

In Pittsburgh a new ordinance makes it the first major American city to adopt lighting standards addressing light pollution.
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A great beginning that ran into WWI

St. Francis Wood and the Planned Garden Residences

Jonathan Farrell

36 Garden Residence neighborhoods were planned only St. Francis Wood was actually built.
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Chaos at the Redistricting Task Force

by Doug Comstock

Could the motivation behind all of this be to create such a god-awful divisive plan and create so much anger that the voters would just throw up their hands and get rid of it altogether?
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Medicaid & Medicare threaten payments...

Laguna Honda: Overdoses

Dr. Derek Kerr

Medicaid or MediCal covers 96.5% of LHH patients, the City’s General Fund – aka tax-payers – would then foot the bill. The deadline is April 14th.
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San Franisco's Cancer Necklace

Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai

Taylor minced no words … the results of her 1995 investigation displeased health officials and influenced her decision not to publish significant findings, “I was convinced there was something there
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Mysterious Subversion of Oversight at SFPUC

by Brian Browne

A catastrophic rate disaster shows SFPUC's ingenious ability to evade culpability. They take full responsibility for lowering the water usage...
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Redistricting Goes Off the Rails

by Doug Comstock

Chair Townsend's Solution to African-American Population Decline Will Likely Result in a Lawsuit Redistricting's latest map has everyone on edge, scrambling to find out who their new Supervisor will be.
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Garbage, Redistricting & Gas Taxation

Quentin Kopp

Three new Board of Education commissioners were appointed last month by Mayor London Breed who promises implicitly that SFUSD will somehow conquer a budget deficit of over $125,000,000.
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Westside Public Safety Forum

Too Much Crime — Not Enough Cops?

by Dr. Derek Kerr

What had Taraval Station done about the unprecedented rise in burglaries in 2021? There were 620 — a 29% increase over the previous year.
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Redistricting — Final Battlelines

by Doug Comstock

District 7 reclaims Forest Knolls, Twin Peaks, Midtown Terrace, the Woods and Miraloma Park from District 8 as well as all of Lakeshore and Merced Manor from District 4, but loses ground entirely in the Inner Sunset.
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A New Admission Process for Lowell High School

Jill Wynns & Carol Kocivar

Lowell high school's merit-based admission policy is perfectly legal. We’ve looked at the language of the law, the history of the law and the intent of the law. We've done our homework.
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Homelessness and the Mental Health Housing Crisis

by Roger Rogers

As additional funding for supportive housing services through programs like Project Home Key become available, radical reform of board and care programming and funding will be necessary to maintain and expand this crucial resource.
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Retreat from Sea Level Rise is Avoidable

Coastal Commission Takes a Wrong Turn

by Dennis Holl

The Port will spend billions to protect Bayside property but not a dime to protect Ocean Beach.
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Redistricting: Drawing the Battle Lines in District 7

by Doug Comstock

SF has had some surprising changes since the current lines were drawn in 2011 — they could change which Supervisor represents us.
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Banning Cars from JFK is Exclusionary

by Howard Chabner

Civil rights laws have been enacted to protect people who are being denied equal access and opportunity. The closure is a violation of the ADA and California disability rights laws.
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War, Worries & Waste

by Quentin Kopp

Donald Trump, disregards 42,000,000 Ukrainians by lauding Putin’s “genius” in invading Ukraine. I urge readers to divest themselves of any reverence or respect for Trump, a draft-dodger, who could demolish the Republican Party.
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Labor Union Sues City for Corruption and Retaliation

Union Lawsuit Reveals "City Family" Backroom Maneuvers

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Why does the FBI manage to unearth City Hall corruption, while our watchdog agencies; the Controller’s Whistleblower Program, Ethics Commission and City Attorney’s Office cry “What happened?
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Bob Planthold,
Father, Advocate, Humbug

by Rick Knee

When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground Old African Proverb.
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SFMTA's Continuing MUNI Problems

by Gerald Cauthen
& Angelo Figone

… instead of looking seriously into what could be done to solve the coupling problem … henceforth the trains operating in the subway would be only one and two cars long.
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The Growing Pacific Plastic Patch

by Glenn Rogers

Limit plastic used in wrapping done by on-line shopping? Since the pandemic, online shopping has created 29% more waste in landfills which can end up in our oceans
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Hey DPH—Where Did You Dump Our Seniors?

Hint: the software is not the problem

Patrick Monette-Shaw

The Health Dept. continues to flout the open records laws. Our seniors deserve better.
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Shipyard Development, Mired in Problems, Continues to Pay Off for Willie Brown

by Matt Smith

Newly unearthed public records show that the developers paid more than $1.3 million during 2020 to Brown and two partners
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Recology's About Face

by Quentin Kopp

In 2020 SF was paying $59.70 per garbage bin to Recology while San Mateo ratepayers (under competitive bidding) $24.93 per month...
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Can SF Keep Hetch Hetchy?

by Brian Browne

If they want to override the current cost criteria ... jack up the rates ... they must seek voter approval. The SFPUC has not done that ...
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SFPUC: Controllers Audit Reveals Compromised Bid Process

by Dr. Derek Kerr

Most contractors lagged in delivering community benefits and submitting required progress reports. And, once a contract ended, undelivered benefits were not recoverable. SFPUC had no policies to monitor compliance.
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Things that Go Screech in the Night

by Doug Comstock

Ideally, police can stop “sideshows” before they happen with intel from undercover officers and by monitoring social media accounts that announce where sideshows will be. That was not evident in West Portal & 30th/Lawton incidents
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Park Road Closures

Paul Kozakiewicz

Ginsburg, working with the SF Bicycle Coalition and Walk SF, have banned cars on JFK Drive and the Upper Great Highway during the pandemic. Plans are being made make the bans permanent ...
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Transform the Great Highway

by John Elliott

Drivers ... good news for you: the vast majority of streets are dominated by cars! You can drive on all the roads, which is why a radical change is necessary.
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SF Parks Alliance Records Subpeonaed

More Fallout from the SkyStar Wheel Deal

by David Romano

The vendor was selected on a sole source basis for a one-year term ... due to the limited time to accomodate a community event date in April 2020 ...
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“Housing Galore—if you're a millionaire...

Where’s the Affordable Housing?

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Two years after the 2019 Affordable Housing Bond passed—No progress status reports, or annual or quarterly reports to MOHCD or the Supervisors?
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“Granny Dumping”

Dumping Patients Out-of-County

Patrick Monette-Shaw

Moving physically - or mentally-challenged patients is clearly detrimental to their health...leaving fragile patients stranded, miles away from their families and friends
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Rate Hikes & Murky Politics

by Steve Lawrence

Does the City care what your rates are? The Commission recently passed a resolution to guide Herrera. It lacks anything about keeping rates as low as possible.
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