Archive for December, 2010

The SFPD is looking into a claim by the Ingleside District Captain that perhaps some of his officers ratcheted down the citations in the past few pre-election months because they didn’t want folks getting ticked off and voting for Proposition B - which would have increased public employee costs for health and pension benefits.  On one hand, [insert many many jokes here] - and on the other hand, YIKES.  Stay tuned…

It was in the Chron on Sunday, but if you didn’t buy one (or have a handy Kindle subscription), you didn’t get to read Rachel Gordon’s profile of outgoing Supervisor Sophie Maxwell.  But now it’s Tuesday - check it out online!

Thousands attended Sunday’s City Hall open house with Mayor Newsom, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, members of the Board of Supervisors, sleds and snow, and a ZooMobile.  Happy Holidays!

With less than a month to go until his Golden State transition, Mayor Gavin Newsom prepares a trusty “How To” binder for his successor on city operations and what challenges to expect in balancing the 2011 budget (other than a massive deficit, of course).

With the SFUSD trying to pass a $531 million bond to fix our school’s leaky sinks and crumbling walls, the Board of Education is reconsidering whether it is a shrewd move to ask voters for a significant raise in the same election cycle.  Quick: change your answer, pencils down, and heads up.

The Examiner tells us that San Francisco’s thriving arts culture is providing a myriad of economic benefits to the city’s other businesses.

A Mayor’s Office celebration and Texas rib chow-down was captured on film and subsequently leaked to TMZ… But the weirdest part? That news of the Mayor making news subsequently makes news.

The Bay Citizen examines the possibility that San Francisco will find leadership from a new generation of Feinsteins.

In response to Supes’ concerns, the MTA issues a report on how often Muni turns around its vehicles mid-route in an attempt to get them on schedule.

Supervisor Alioto-Pier introduced a resolution that would call on the Rec & Park and Animal Care & Control Departments to protect the swans who call the Palace of Fine Arts home.

The Bay Area Reporter gives us the rundown on the fight over whether rainbow flag banners should be allowed to be permanently placed on historic flagpoles in the Castro.

With all of the bickering going on under the dome, it’s hard to believe that there is any holiday spirit floating around City Hall.  But Santa knows no boundaries.  In fact, he’s navigated trickier chimneys than our process to pick the next mayor.  So read up on all the cheer that will be coming to City Hall in the weeks ahead, and enjoy!  Because there is much to celebrate.

Planning Commissioner Bill Sugaya apologizes for another not-so-funny joke he made, this time about a store owner in the Tenderloin.

David Latterman of Fall Line Analytics is at it again!  He’s taken his number crunching superpowers and applied them to November’s ballot measures, and the results are interesting, thought-provoking, and wonderfully geeky.  All of your friends at Usual Suspects have been enjoying poring over every last detail and we hope you do, too.  Check out his analysis here.

Film Commissioners and city leaders are mulling ways to increase the number of films being shot in San Francisco - incentives are in play.  I guess this is a message to all the kids - being super-pretty isn’t good enough any longer…

The Board of Supes considers Mayor Newsom’s latest appointment; this time to the MTA Board of Directors.

That’s only if you are one of the lucky drivers who come across broken parking meters in San Francisco.  Yesterday, the MTA Board of Directors voted against a proposal to enforce a one-hour maximum at broken meters.  But don’t get too excited, the plan is expected to return to the Board for a vote in the future.

If you don’t have a subscription to the Chronicle, then I have some news for you.  Willie Brown, our former mayor, discusses the 2012 challenges of President Obama, the legal battles brewing over selling state buildings, a new progressive coalition at the Board of Supervisors, the good health of retail this season, a City Hall holiday party, a movie review, and the weather.  Meanwhile, Matier and Ross tell us about a potential real estate deal in Santa Clara involving former 49er greats, a poll evaluating the prospects for the next interim mayor in San Francisco, last minute appointments by Governor Schwarzenegger, and the Macy’s Santa story.

We have a winner!  We’ve consulted the spreadsheet that determines the winner of the Usual Suspects political prediction contest, and it tells us that of our nearly 200 entries, Max Szabo came out on top.  He (along with seven others) had three of the four Supe winners called correctly, as well as three of the four Supe runners-up.  And of the eight people similarly situated, his guess about the final tally for Prop B was closest.  And so he wins our grand prize of $500 – congratulations, Max.

Okay, this isn’t political, but it’s COOL.  Apparently there is a century-old time capsule hidden in the walls of Cleveland Elementary School, placed there after The Quake by Mayor Pinhead McCarthy.  Enjoy this story on Sunday morning - it’s got suspense, a protagonist with a funny name, and redemption, all in one.  (On a side note, I will be taking bets about what’s in the time capsule.  I’m thinking vintage toys…)

John Diaz gives us his $0.02 on what’s in store for Sacramento now that two of San Francisco’s ambitious young politicians are moving north - and why they owe Ms. Meg Whitman some serious thanks.  (Might I suggest a basket of mini-muffins?  What’s better than a muffin… that’s mini?!?)

The Chronicle sits down with Melanie Nutter, the director of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment - the woman behind all things compostable - to talk about everything from biodiesel to what’s next at City Hall.

He cut his teeth as a student organizer, caught the eye of Jess Unruh and Pat Brown, and found himself, still in his twenties, advising a young Boston politician named John F. Kennedy.  He strode the second half of the twentieth century as a colossus - advising LBJ, Bentsen, Gore, Humphrey, Glenn, and more - mentoring dozens of operatives and politicians - and building one of the most remarkable public affairs firms anywhere, with reach from California to DC and beyond.  He leaves a legacy of insight, smarts and strength - and another like Joe Cerrell will not come our way again soon.  Rest in peace, Joe - and to the folks at Cerrell Associates, know that people across our nation are thinking of you today.

The SF Public Press reports on why it has become more expensive to do business in the city and just where, oh where those fees are going.

San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum will remain open thanks to the negotiation skills of our City leaders.  The City owns the museum, so when you mess with the Asian Art Museum, you mess with the City of San Francisco.  Remember that.