Your Donations Count Donate Graphicat the Westside Observer!


Ballot Questions

Voting for District 7's Interests — Props L & G

SupervisorMyrna Melgar
Supervisor Myrna Melgar

Editor's Note: All election recommendations are the opinion of the author, the Westside Observer does not endorse candidates or measures and welcomes opinions to the contrary.

•••••••••• November 1, 2022 ••••••••••

On your November 8 ballot, you will see many propositions to vote on. From protecting the right to choose to increasing voter access, San Franciscans will have the power to shape the future of our state and our City. With so many crucial decisions on the ballot, we cannot overlook Proposition L and Proposition G. Prop L will dedicate new resources to fund transportation projects. Prop G will provide over $1 million in grants to community schools using state funding. Fear not, neither proposition will increase taxes for San Franciscans.

Passing prop L will ensure it’s easy, convenient, and predictable for our west side community members to get where they need to go—within their neighborhoods and across the entire city. Prop L most directly helps people who take Muni or who walk (through traffic calming). But it also helps drivers by paying for road repaving. Crucially, it includes investments in paratransit for seniors and people with disabilities who can’t use Muni independently. Last year, paratransit services provided SF community residents with almost half a million trips – a lifeline to get people to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, visit with their grandkids, and more. And it helps us all by improving emergency vehicle response times by paying for new, “smart” traffic signals that can keep the traffic light green when a fire truck or ambulance needs it. Muni riders will enjoy new vehicles, including our eventual transition to an all-electric fleet, which directly helps us combat the climate crisis.

quote marks

I worry that without these resources, our most vulnerable west side community members—from school kids to seniors, and everyone in between —will continue to face unneeded challenges as we recover from this pandemic.”

Prop G will utilize excess ERAF funding the state has been setting aside to create a Student Success Fund that invests in community schools, which include social workers, nurses, mental health providers, community members, and trained coordinators. We know that schools have the capacity to be much more than classrooms; for many students, they are the primary resource for nutrition and healthcare as well. The community school model embraces this philosophy by creating a space for students and their families to access many of the most essential services all in one familiar place. Our students are still suffering from the devastating impact of the pandemic and the learning loss and trauma that it caused. As our City and our students struggle to recover, we have the opportunity to leverade the full potential of funds we have already dedicated to our youngest San Franciscans.

All of us see the room for improvement of San Francisco’s transportation system and in our public schools. We know that we can and we will do better. But that’s only possible if we pass Proposition L and Proposition G. I worry that without these resources, our most vulnerable west side community members—from school kids to seniors, and everyone in between —will continue to face unneeded challenges as we recover from this pandemic.

Myrna Melgar is the elected Supervisor for District 7

November 2022

Doorsign-Melgar.
Since We're Neighbors ...

It has been just over a month since I was sworn in as the District 7 Supervisor. I am grateful to the many neighbors and community members who trusted me to do the job, and I would also like to thank the talented and smart people who vied for this seat: Joel Engardio, Vilaska Nguyen, Stephen Martin Pinto, Ben Matranga, Emily Murase, and Ken Piper. Thank you for your energy, good ideas and spirit of civic engagement. I commit to working with all of you over the next four years to help us recover and improve the lives of people in our District.

quote marks

We will begin holding regular office hours in the community this month, as well as posting a monthly e-newsletter.

...
Aides Jen Low, Erica Maybaum (currently on maternity leave) Jennifer Fieber, Megan Imperiale meet on theSupervisor's patio. Not shown, Lila Carrillo who is filling in until Erica comes back

The events in our nation’s capital last month served to remind us that our Democracy is precious and that we are all responsible for maintaining it. I will work with all interested neighbors to support all our residents — including those who have been historically disadvantaged — to flourish here. I am committed to progress and equality, and will listen and collaborate, with a pragmatic focus on timely achievement of good results. I have been assigned to chair the Land Use and Transportation Committee at the Board of Supervisors, as well as representing the Board on the First Five Commission, where I hope to support our city’s investment in family supports for early education. Our district 7 office is up and running virtually, as City Hall is not yet open to the public. Our District 7 staff includes Jen Low, as Chief of Staff, Megan Imperiale and Lila Carrillo as legislative aides and Jennifer Fieber as administrative aide. We will strive to be promptly responsive and give the highest level of constituent services to our community. We will begin holding regular office hours in the community this month, as well as posting a monthly e-newsletter.

My priorities include reducing homelessness; increasing the availability of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for San Franciscans; improving rent control protections for tenants; supporting small businesses, supporting the rights of workers, improving our public transportation infrastructure, reducing our city’s carbon footprint and expanding education opportunities for disadvantaged San Francisco youth and families. I will focus my efforts in the next few weeks on pandemic recovery and coordination, improving the Westside’s access to senior services, channeling resources to our small businesses, restoring and improving throughout District 7 and supporting the safety and resilience of neighborhoods and commercial corridors.

Please reach out to us at Melgarstaff@sfgov.org, and I look forward to working with you over the next four years to support our neighborhoods, and help pave the way for a bright future for the next generation. If there are topics of particular interest to you and your neighbors that you would like me to address more in depth through this column, email me at myrna.melgar@sfgov.org. Stay safe, and stay healthy.

Supervisor Myrna Melgar lives and works in District 7.

March 2021



Wolf in sheep's clothing

Sowing Discord

by Julie Pitta

Big money ‘neighborhood’ groups step up their campaign of take-over tactics in 2024 elections.

Check it out

Popular bay view

Say NO to expanding yacht harbors for the wealthy

by Evelyn Graham

Rec and Park’s plan expands access for the privileged few bupkis for the rest of us.

Check it out

New proposed site

New proposed location for Ocean View Library is ideal

by Glenn Rogers

Few were surprised when Supervisor Safai learned the library was not to be built in the Greenbelt — he feared the worst. No library at all.Since 2023, the Library Commission has been considering 466 Randolph Street, where the I.T. Bookman Community Center and the Pilgrim Community Church are located.

Check it out

SF from Alameda Point

San Francisco. In Alameda? Wait, what?

by David Osgood

When the runways for the Alameda Naval Air Station were extended out into the bay—using dredged bay fill, the same way Treasure Island was created — they crossed over the city line. The federal government apparently didn't know or care.

Read More ...

Man in Wheelchair

San Franciscans need nursing home care

Will Laguna Honda Admissions Start Soon?

by Dr. Teresa Palmer

The survey attests to a quality of care that is higher than in for-profit private nursing homes. But there are ongoing problems.

Read More

PARKING CONTROL

parking tickets for RVs on Winston

RV residents on Winston Drive face uncertain future

by Thomas K. Pendergast

A four-hour parking limit is going to make things even more difficult for RV residents.

Check it out