Archive for January, 2009

In the face of mounting fiscal concerns, Mayor Gavin Newsom has proposed allowing property owners to pay a higher service fee for converting their buildings into condos, suspending the traditional lottery just this once.

Local elected officials celebrate Chinese New Year with family, community, and San Francisco tradition.

In the wake of San Francisco’s budget deficit and the continued woes to follow in 2009, Supervisor Daly proposes using the city’s $98 million rainy fund, while others on the Board are not so excited about the proposition.

Columnist Ken Garcia offers his opinion on Supervisor Chu’s proposed legislation to reduce the number of brothels in the Sunset District.

With the success of Outside Lands, the Rec/Park Commission considers putting many more concerts together, in new locations all over town.

The Bay Area Reporter gives us the latest on the re-election of Rafael Mandelman to the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club presidency, the potential run for District 6 Supervisor by Jim Meko in 2010, and Mark Leno chairing the upcoming Capitol’s Legislative LGBT Caucus.

The Examiner covers how the SFPD is planning to cut $37 million from its budget during the next fiscal year to help offset the citywide deficit.

C. W. Nevius takes yet another look at what’s going on at the Community Justice Center.

SF Weekly columnist Benjamin Wachs reports on the high-profile, hush-hush meeting between former Mayor Willie Brown and Board President David Chiu.

The SF Weekly’s Ben Wachs comes up with a heretofore unseen list of what’s really in the San Francisco Bicycle Plan.  Great investigative reporting, Ben!

The Small Business Commission gets two new big business appointees, stirring complaints that City Hall is not representing the interests of small businesses in these troubled economic times.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera files suit against gender rating practices which allow health insurance companies to charge women more for health care coverage. You’re telling me we get paid less and we have to pay more?!

The City counts the homeless population in order to qualify for federal funds, however, homelessness advocates criticize that the process may have left out key components of the population.

The City will NOT hold a special election in June, after all.  But July?  August?  Perhaps.

The MTA Board will attempt to address a nearly $100M budget deficit that is projected for the coming fiscal year. Chances are Muni service won’t improve in the face of this formidable task.

The Controller’s Office releases a report outlining how the City might bring in additional revenues through new or increased taxes, but elected officials are still divided on whether or not a June special election to address the issue is a good idea.

The Examiner reports on the lack of public noticing for meetings of our local zoological society.

Examiner reports that Tenderloin shows improvement in crime statistics due to focus on community policing.

The Board of Supervisors passes legislation that bans new head shops on Haight Street for three years.

The Chronicle discusses improvement made in the permitting process for San Francisco’s pot clubs.

The public is asked to weigh in on several large scale transportation projects in the city that will change the way we travel.

The Tenderloin’s Community Justice Center is on a roll and getting so busy that a second judge is needed to manage all of the cases before the court each day.

San Francisco gets a new Superior Court Judge.  Congratulations, Judge Chan.

Examiner and Chronicle report on the Fairmont’s plans to possibly convert some hotel rooms into condominiums.