Author: potrerohilldemocrats

Saturday, August 23rd: 6th Annual Party & “Shop Local” Silent Auction

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Fund-raising, Uncategorized

Auction invitationPotrero Hill Democratic Club members and friends had an evening of live jazz, food drinks and fun. Plus walls & tables full of cool stuff to bid from the fabulous merchants and artists of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch. And politicos galore: Senator Mark Leno, with an award for the Club; Supervisor David Campos and Supervisor David Chiu, both running for Assembly; Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi; judicial candidates Daniel Flores and Carol Kingsley; candidate for Supervisor Tony Kelly.

The music – by fantastic jazzmen Chuck Bennett on bass, Ray Scott on guitar, and Jim Zimmerman on drums – could be heard a lot better this year, not sure why. Dogpatch Saloon provided the no-host bar, and food was courtesy of local eateries and PHDC members. Admission was free.

Thank you to everyone who helped before, during and after this lovely event! Our incredible, super-generous list of donors is here.

WHEN: Saturday, August 23 at 5pm
WHERE: Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 Third St @ 22nd

Tuesday August 5th: An endorsement sampler – and more

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Environment, Health Care, Housing, Money in politics, Uncategorized


Prop H vs. Prop IArguments pro and con for a variety of measures on the November 4th ballot made for an engaging evening of mini-debates. There was a literal turf battle (at right, Mike Murphy & Donald Collins argue real vs. fake grass in the parks), the Pier 70 development height limit increase, an attempt to “balance” transportation priorities (oh, pity the poor cars!), the sugary beverage tax, a question about an amendment to overturn Citizens United, an anti-speculation tax, a fund for children and youth. In short, something for almost everyone.

Club members voted at the end of the evening. Results of the vote: PHDC endorsed YES on Props C (Children’s Fund), E (Sugary beverage tax), F (Pier 70), G (anti-speculation tax), H (natural grass in Golden Gate Park), and 49 (overturning Citizens United).

PHDC endorsed NO on Props I (artificial turf) and L (Transportation priorities policy). Endorsement requires 60% of votes cast.

The Club also voted to support the Eden Foods boycott (featuring another Hobby Lobby-esque owner suing to foist his own religious beliefs on employees).

WHEN: Tuesday August 5 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Wednesday July 2: DEBATE!

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Elections, Endorsements, Uncategorized

Candidates for District 10 Supervisor shared their ideas, expertise, and love for the neighborhoods of District 10 Wednesday at the Neighborhood House in an intense debate, ably guided by moderator Marisa Lagos of the SF Chronicle. All five official candidates held the standing-room-only audience rapt. Candidates, left to right: Ed Donaldson, Marlene Tran, incumbent Malia Cohen, Tony Kelly, and Shawn Richard. An amazing turnout with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Every candidate had important and insightful information on how Potrero Hill and District 10 can best be served by the city of San Francisco.

At the end of the evening, after first-choice votes were counted, Tony Kelly won the Club’s endorsement.

Tuesday, June 3rd (election night) Sheriff’s update; Campaign for a Healthy California

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Health Care, Labor

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi (right) gave an update on happenings in and around the SF Sheriff’s Department, including a number of initiatives regarding public safety and rehabilitation both inside and outside the jail system.

Ed Kinchley, SEIU 2121’s political education co-chair, talked about the Campaign for a Healthy California, whose mission is to “finish the job on health reform” by eventually replacing private health insurance with guaranteed healthcare for all Californians.

The Club voted to join Campaign for a Healthy California’s coalition as an endorser.

Because the theater was in use as a polling place, we met downstairs in the Game Room.

WHEN: Tuesday June 3 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights


Tuesday, May 6th: Housing crisis – discussion, updates, ideas

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Endorsements, Housing, Uncategorized

PHDC housing panelThe housing situation in our fair City is dire and fast-changing. Housing prices explode; protests against evictions escalate; legislation is introduced at state and local levels; lawsuits are filed by the City Attorney.  San Francisco leads the nation in income disparity. Participants in a thought-provoking discussion, which included plenty of audience Q&A, were:

Tim Colen,  Executive Director,  SF Housing Action Coalition
Sara Shortt, Executive Director, SF Housing Rights Committee
Calvin Welch, founder, Council of Community Housing Organizations

Brad Paul, Deputy Executive Director, Association of Bay Area Governments,  moderated.

The above program was co-sponsored by our friends at San Francisco for Democracy.

At the start of the meeting, speaking briefly and toting campaign swag, were the endorsed campaigns of Yes on B – Voter Approval for Waterfront Development Height Increases (Tim Hester) ; Betty Yee for Controller (Jay Cheng); Derek Cressman for Secretary of State (Joni Eisen).

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, @ 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro @ Southern Hts

Tuesday, April 1st: Secretary of State candidates, other candidates, ballot measures

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Uncategorized

Derek Cressman, Christina Olague for Alex Padilla

4-1-14 Betty YeeA discussion with Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Derek Cressman (above left) and former SF Supervisor Christina Olague, surrogate for Dem candidate Alex Padilla, was  moderated by PHDC’s  J.R. Eppler, who so ably presided over the Assembly candidate debate last month. Audience members asked their own questions. Here’s a link to the video of this segment that Tom Brown can be seen shooting in the photo above.

Democratic candidate for Controller Betty Yee (left) discussed her campaign and answered questions, and Bill Barnes, surrogate for Democrat John Pérez , campaigned for his candidate.  The three candidates for SF Superior Court Judge, Seat 20 (the only open seat), Daniel Flores, Carol Kingsley, and Kimberly Williams, spoke separately of their experience and qualifications, also engaging in Q&A.

Three propositions were covered, with speakers in support and opposition: SF Proposition A – Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond – Bill Barnes spoke for, Aubrey Freedman against; CA Proposition 41 – Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014 - Executive Director of Swords to Ploughshares Michael Blecker  spoke in favor, PHDC board member Joni Eisen presented arguments against;  CA Proposition 42 – Public Records. Open Meetings. State Reimbursement to Local Agencies – PHDC board members J.R. Eppler (for) and Kate Gaidos Eppler (against) duked it out for this one. Photos by Kate Gaidos.

Members voted that night on endorsements in the above races, as well as everything else in the June Primary. Ballots were counted at the end of the meeting. Results for the contests argued by speakers:

Secretary of State: Derek Cressman
Controller: Betty Yee
SF Superior Court Judge: No position (vote too close; no one achieved the requisite 60% threshold)
Prop A: YES
Prop 41: YES
Prop 42: YES

Click here for the complete list of endorsements for the June 3rd election.

WHEN: Tuesday April 1 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Wed Mar 5: Debate between CA State Assembly candidates David Campos and David Chiu

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Environment, Housing, Uncategorized

David Campos, David Chiu, J.R. Eppler
the crowdPotrero Hill Democratic Club presented a lively and informative debate between the two Supervisors running to succeed Tom Ammiano in the State Assembly, District 17: David Campos and David Chiu. The two Davids, both Harvard-educated attorneys, agreed that they agreed on a lot – and also tried to bring their differences into sharp focus.  Moderator, PHDC board member J.R. Eppler (right), did a stellar job. The result of the endorsement vote? A flat-out tie. Photos by Kate Gaidos.

Members did vote to endorse YES on Prop B, the Voter Approval for Waterfront Development Height Increases initiative, after presentations and Q&A with Jon Golinger for and Corinne Woods against.

WHEN: Wednesday March 5 at 7:30pm.
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Tues Feb 4th: WATER IN A TIME OF DROUGHT

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Environment, Uncategorized, Water Issues

Feb 2014 Water meetingA presentation about PUC policy and proposed water rate hikes by the SF Public Utilities Commission‘s Yolanda Manzone (center left), Environmental Justice and Land Use Analyst, and Jamie Querubin (center right), SFPUC Financial Analyst,  was followed by a very lively conversation about the drought, its implications and, yes, opportunities, with Jennifer Clary (left),Water Policy and Legislative Analyst for Clean Water Action, the SFPUC reps, and moderator, former CA PUC President Loretta Lynch (right). Photo by John O’Neill.

Club business included  election of  2014 Club Officers.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Tues Jan 7: AT&T Park labor struggle

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Labor, Uncategorized

To begin our  eighth year, PHDC had several things on the agenda:

● Presentation by Ubring your own foodNITE HERE Local 2, representing the 750 concession workers at AT&T Park. Employed by a subcontractor called Centerplate, they are involved in a difficult campaign to achieve a fair contract  and haven’t had a wage increase or new contract since April 2010. Workers who shared their stories were Bobby McCall and Patricia Ramirez, joined  by union organizer Julia Wong. Following the meeting, PHDC held an online vote and passed a resolution in support of the concession workers.

● A check-in with members to assess which topics & issues they would most like the Club to take on. People voted by pinning dots on the donkey next to their choices.

● Nominations opened for 2014 officers (election in Feb).

WHEN: Tuesday, January 7th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St