Tuesday, July 7: Black Lives Matter in San Francisco and beyond. Yes. They do.

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Racism, Social justice, Uncategorized

 The news has been maddening, depressing, heart-breaking. We need to stand together and say this has to stop. For those who want to respond to the tragic, senseless violence against the people of Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, here is the church website. You can donate either to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund to help the families of the nine victims with funeral expenses, or to the Reverend Pinckney Fund to help continue his work.

Meanwhile, back in San Francisco, we are putting together a stimulating panel of strong voices from various branches of the Black community, to meet and open up the conversation, and to offer folks in Potrero Hill a chance to learn and get involved in a way that is both meaningful and helpful. Panel participants have now been confirmed. Rheema Calloway, Stevon Cook, Dr. Joe Marshall, and Vanessa Moses will be joining us. Maxine Anderson will moderate. Audience Q&A, of course.

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

Tuesday, May 5th: Calle 24; End-of-Life Option Act; Medicare’s 50th birthday

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Health Care, Housing, Income disparity, Uncategorized

Erick Arguello, Edwin LindoCalle 24, the stretch of 24th Street running from Mission Street to Potrero Avenue, is known as “El Corazón de la Misión”, or “The Heart of the Mission.” Calle 24 is also the name of the group of merchants and neighbors fighting for the heart and soul of the Mission. Erick Arguello and Edwin Lindo (right) described the widespread displacement of long-time residents & businesses by skyrocketing rents, and legislation introduced by Supervisor Campos earlier that day to place a 45-day moratorium on market-rate housing in the Mission. The club voted to endorse the “No Monster in the Mission” campaign, thereby joining the Plaza 16 Coalition.

Jacie RoweSB 128 is the End-of-Life Option Act (Wolk, D-Davis, and Monning, D-Carmel), which would allow terminally ill Californians to request medication to bring about a peaceful death if their suffering becomes unbearable. Jacie Rowe (left), Northern California organizer for Compassion & Choices, discussed the bill. The club passed a resolution of support and will sign on to a letter to legislators.


There are plans afoot for preserving and expanding Medicare, America’s universal, public health plan for seniors age 65 and up, and actions to celebrate its birthday this summer. Jonathan Meade from SEIU 1021, part of Healthy California, a coalition of which PHDC is a member, invited PHDC to join the July 30th rally in Oakland.

 

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

Meeting April 7th: Smorgasbord of political issues

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Environment, Housing, Military spending, Uncategorized

smorgasbord


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.  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, March 3rd: City Attorney Dennis Herrera

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Social Security, Uncategorized

SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera spoke about his wide-ranging work protecting the city and its residents. Cases have included protecting children from sex trafficking, defending evicted tenant relocation payments, protecting City College from the ACCJC, challenging the State Lands Commission’s attempt to nullify Proposition B, suing the state of Nevada for patient dumping, championing gay rights, and much more. There was a lively Q&A following the City Attorney’s remarks.

PHDC board member Bob Boileau explained the recent and ongoing Republican threat to Social Security and organized and provided an on-site letter-writing session to Representative Pelosi, urging her to protect and expand Social Security.

Members passed an amendment to the Bylaws increasing the number of At-Large Officers to four, and rejected an amendment to prohibit absentee voting.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 3rd 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 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. 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,  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 López 

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 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 on Airbnb legislation

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 By potrerohilldemocratsIn Uncategorized

food with ribbonNot a political party,  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:  Potrero Annual Holiday Party
When:  Saturday, December 13, 2:30 to 5:00pm
Where:  Triple Voodoo Brewery, 2245 Third Street (betw 19th and 20th)

 

 

Coming Thursday, November 20: What just happened?

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Uncategorized

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

 

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

On 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.  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.