Meeting April 7th: Smorgasbord of political issues

On March 28, 2015June 12, 2015 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Environment, Housing, Military spending, Uncategorized

Sue Vaughan spoke in opposition to AB 61, introduced in the State Assembly by Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, which would grant legal authority to local transit agencies to allow private shuttles to use public bus stops. Here’s an SF Examiner article about AB 61. The Club voted to send a letter of opposition to the members of the Assembly Transportation Committee, as well as our legislators. The Transportation Committee hearing in Sacramento is Monday, April 27.

Sue Vaughan also asked for support of SB 47 (Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo), a bill that would enact a 2-year moratorium on tire-crumb artificial turf to allow further study. Members passed a resolution of support, which was then sent to Senator Hill. SB 47 goes before the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday, April 13.

Sue Hestor discussed the questionable actions of the ever-expanding entity known as the Academy of Art University. Read an article about it in the SF Business Times: “After years of flouting city rules…” Members signed up to attend the hearing for the draft EIR next Thursday, April 16.Â The Planning Commission meeting starts at noonin Room 400 of City Hall, and this is first on the agenda after staff reports.

Tom Gallagher presented a resolution against further U.S. aggression in or over Iraq. Read the resolution here. After a a debate with a club member and a discussion, the motion to pass the resolution was tabled.

PHDC held a special election to fill a new position; Audrey Cortes was elected as the fourth Officer-At-Large on the Executive Committee.

Members passed a 3-part amendment to the Bylaws.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 7th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Meeting Tuesday, Feb 3: Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, CiriReport editor Larry Bush, electing PHDC officers, & more

On January 27, 2015February 23, 2015 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Elections, Money in politics, Uncategorized

Since the District 10 Supervisor, the City Attorney and the Sheriff are all our neighbors – and PHDC members – the Club decided to invite them all separately to address members and guests on their current and future projects.Â Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi appeared and gave a lively, informative and well-received talk, followed by audience Q&A.

Alas, the other two could not make it this time. Supervisor Malia Cohen submitted her goals and priorities for the next term via a summary document distributed at the meeting, and City Attorney Dennis Herrera agreed to appear before the Club on March 3rd.

Larry Bush, Friend of Ethics, columnist & editor of CitiReport,Â joined us to talk about campaign finance and other ethics reforms called for in his Feb 2 op-ed in the Chronicle. Club members voted to send letters to the SF Ethics Commissioners, urging the Commission to consider and act on these reforms at its February and March meetings.

Executive Committee Members Bob Boileau and Loretta Lynch, respectively, presented updates on the Eden Foods boycott and reaching voters in large multi-unit buildings with the PHDC hand-delivered slate card.

Members elected the following officers for 2015:
President Joni Eisen
1st VP Membership Monisha Mustapha
2nd VP Political Action Loretta Lynch
Secretary J.R. Eppler
Treasurer Carlin Holden
Tech Officer John O’Neill
Officers-At-Large Bob Boileau, Kate Gaidos Eppler, Eliana LÃ³pezÂ

WHEN: Tuesday, February 3rd at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Jan 6th meeting: reforming Prop 13, reining in Airbnb, & more

On December 30, 2014January 18, 2015 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Education, Housing, Uncategorized

PHDC started off 2015 with a couple of thought-provoking topics, both of which engendered very active audience participation.

Dale Carlson (left) of the Share Better SF coalition discussed a proposed ballot measure his coalition of affordable housing advocates and community organizations is creating. The intent is to continue to expose the impact of Airbnb and other illegal hotels, and to hold them accountable in San Francisco.

Since the initiative passed in 1978, Prop 13’s business-property loopholes have decimated California’s public education system. Now, Evolve – California has taken over the campaign to ensure that commercial property pays its fair share. Evolve organizer Emil Margolis described the campaign, which club members then voted to endorse.

Nominations for 2015 officers are open. The election will be held at the February 3rd meeting.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan 6, 2015 at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Saturday, December 13th: Party Time

On November 25, 2014 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Uncategorized

Not a political party,Â just a fun, neighborhood afternoon party. Instead of our regular December meeting, PHDC is delighted again to be co-hosting the Potrero Boosters’ annual holiday party, open as always to all residents of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch. There is one catch: please bring a non-perishable food item, which we will donate to the San Francisco Food Bank.

Catch up with your neighbors – or meet new ones – over food and drink. There will be a hosted bar with beer and wine, locally sourced pizza, sides, and sweet treats. Since it is a brewery, only age 21+ please. See you there!

What:Â Potrero Annual Holiday Party
When:Â Saturday, December 13, 2:30 to 5:00pm
Where:Â Triple Voodoo Brewery, 2245 Third Street (betw 19th and 20th)

Coming Thursday, November 20: What just happened?

On November 17, 2014 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Uncategorized

PHDC is happy to join Noe Valley Democratic Club* to present a recap of the November 4th election this Thursday by Dr. Corey Cook, Director of the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco, where he teaches courses in American Politics. He is frequently quoted on NPR and CBS Channel 5, and in the SF Chronicle.

The speaker’s comments will begin at 7:30. There is much material to cover, so please arrive promptly at 7:15 pm to sign in and grab a snack. There will be 40-45 minutes reserved for Q&A.

*Also co-sponsored by San Francisco for Democracy and Progressive Democrats of America SF.

What:Â Â Â Â Â Election recap with Dr. Corey Cook
When:Â Â Â Â Thursday, November 20, 7:15pm
Where:Â Â Â James Lick Middle School, 1220 Noe St – not St Phillips as originally publicized

PHDC’s cheat sheet: take it to the polls Tuesday!

On November 2, 2014 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Uncategorized

Please note that our club neither solicits nor accepts any money from endorsed candidates or campaigns.

Tuesday, Nov 4th: No PHDC meeting. GOTV then party!

On October 26, 2014October 26, 2014 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements

The first Tuesday of the month is our regular meeting night, but this Tuesday is Election Day. Our beautiful meeting space will serve (beautifully) as a polling place. Club members are urged to spend some time and energy getting friends and neighbors to the polls. Turnout will be everything. Pick a campaign to help with, then, hopefully, go to election-night parties to celebrate. Here are some of our top picks: David Campos for Assembly. Tony Kelly for Supervisor. Yes on E – support the soda tax. Yes on F – Pier 70 height increase, with benefits.Â Yes on G – stop the evictions. Yes on H, No on I – save Golden Gate Park. Yes on J – raise the minimum wage. No on L – no on gridlock. No on 2 – bad for kids. Yes on 45 – put the brakes on rates.

Oct 7: City College; endorsed candidates & campaigns

On September 28, 2014January 5, 2015 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Education, Elections, Endorsements, Uncategorized

The meeting was mostly devoted to actively promoting PHDC-endorsed candidates and campaigns, like those of David Campos for Assembly, Tony Kelly for Supervisor, Daniel Flores for Judge, John Rizzo for Community College Board, and Shamann Walton for School Board. They, and reps of several Proposition campaigns, came to say a few words, distribute campaign swag and invite volunteers. We also signed people up to staff the PHDC table at the Potrero Hill Festival Oct 18th, and to walk precincts with our slate card/door hanger. Truly grassroots democracy.

In addition, AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly (at left) gave an update on the effort to Save CCSF, asked audience members to take a survey, and submitted the CCSF Bill of Rights for Club endorsement (done).

WHEN: Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Hts Â

Two Tuesday endorsement meetings in September

On August 30, 2014September 10, 2014 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Uncategorized

At the Tuesday, Sept 2 ballot measure endorsement meeting were state and local ballot measure speakers pro and con, with Q&A of course. We covered local propositions A, B, D, J, & K and statewide propositions 1, 2, 45, 46, 47 and 48. Club endorsements for November are here.

The Tuesday, Sept 9 candidate endorsement meeting featured forums for candidates for Board of Education (photo above, with moderator Sara O’Neill at left) andÂ SF Community College Board of Trustees. Candidate questionnaires received from these folks may be viewed online here. The club revisited candidates for both SF Superior Court Judge and for CA Assembly District 17 – since the primary vote was a tie for both races. Now, months later, after getting to know the candidates better, members voted to endorse David Campos for Assembly and Daniel Flores for Judge.

At the end of each meeting, regular members in good standing voted, and ballots were tallied. To be endorsed, a proposition or candidate must get 60% of votes cast.

Both meetings took place at Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights.

Potrero Hill Democratic Club

Author: potrerohilldemocrats