Monthly Archives: October 2016

Are SF Politics More Divisive?

Posted October 31, 2016 by

Election Day’s approach has increased testiness and anger in San Francisco’s political scene. The Kim-Wiener race went negative after Kim’s surprising  first place June finish, and the tone has only gotten worse.   Negative campaigning is in all of the contested<br> Read More »

Support Measure RR to Keep BART Safe and Reliable

Posted October 31, 2016 by Nick Josefowitz and Tom Radulovich

On November 8, voters in San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties have the opportunity to reinvest in the backbone of our regional public transit network.  Measure RR, the BART infrastructure Bond at the very bottom of your ballot, will<br> Read More »

Tenderloin Wins Historic Jobs, Housing Victory

Posted October 27, 2016 by Randy Shaw and Rio Scharf

On November 17, the San Francisco Planning Commission reviews 950-974 Market Street, which includes 242 condominium units and a 232 room tourist hotel. While some might expect strong opposition to a new boutique hotel and market-rate condos on the Tenderloin’s<br> Read More »

Tackling Gentrification in “Aquarius”

Posted October 27, 2016 by

Kleber Mendonca Filho’s Brazilian drama/comedy “Aquarius” delivers a luminous celebration of both physical and emotional place.  Sonia Braga’s amazing lead performance anchors Filho’s film with a love of locality and hatred of greedhead developers that will bring smiles of recognition<br> Read More »

Ballot Bullies: Plastics Lobby Hopes Voters Will Unban Its Bags

Posted October 27, 2016 by Judith Lewis Mernit

When the tiny, picturesque community of Bisbee, Arizona, decided to ban single-use plastic bags in 2014, leaders in the plastics industry worried Bisbee had sparked a trend. Other Arizona cities—Kingman, Flagstaff, Tempe—were considering similar restrictions; soon, the bag makers feared,<br> Read More »

Why 2016 Is the Year Latino Voters Are Showing Up

Posted October 27, 2016 by Phineas Rueckert

The Latino vote in the United States has for years been called the “sleeping giant.” It’s considered by some to be a monolith of untapped voters that has been dormant in states like Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. This year,<br> Read More »

Why Are Tech Moguls Backing Prop Q?

Posted October 25, 2016 by

According to multiple sources, tech investor Ron Conway, Sequoia Capital Chairman Michael Moritz, and investor William Oberndorf have each donated $49,999 to pass San Francisco’s Prop Q. Although its backers claim that Prop Q bans tent encampments on city sidewalks,<br> Read More »