OPINION: Pack Up Your Troubles
Norman Patrick Doyle
Resident, The Commons
Worried about the Economy? Homelessness? 8 Washington? Embarcadero Traffic? The Occupy movement has the answer to whatever ails you.
Wednesday afternoon they marched up Broadway and down Battery, waving banners and placards, and shouting catchy slogans like "We Are The 99%." There's a crowd-pleaser if ever I heard one. These people may have solutions to make life better, the trouble is, they don't seem to be able to articulate anything more than "Make the Banks Pay" and "Power to the People."
OPINION: Why crime flourishes along the Broadway "Entertainment" Corridor
Barbary Coast News
North Beach Reporter
Another night of fun on Broadway was recorded this week by the crew at KRON4's "People Behaving Badly" segment.
OPINION: The Decrease in Crime:
The Nice Thing Nobody Tells You
Theo Armour, resident
The Gateway
You're concerned about the rise in crime, right? You nod sagely when you see headlines like these:
Fox News reports “
Violent Crime on the rise…” and
Huffington Post reports “…
Hate Crimes Rise…”, yes?
OPINION: #5 - Questions for the Mayoral Candidates
Theo Armour, resident
The Gateway
June 28, 2011
This is Post #5 of an ongoing development of an agenda of questions to ask the mayoral candidates
When you ask a question, it’s because you want an answer. This post begins to look at who might be the likely candidates to answer our questions.
As of June 27, 2011 the San Francisco Department of Elections listed 37 potential candidates for the mayoral election on November 8. The next cut-off point will be August 8 when the nomination period closes for candidates.
OPINION: #4 - Questions for the Mayoral Candidates
Theo Armour, resident
The Gateway
June 28, 2011
Post #4 of an ongoing development of an agenda of questions to ask the mayoral candidates
Primal Questions
The main thrust of this series of posts is to arrive at a series of questions whose answers will enable the San Francisco mayoral candidates to display their acumen, their wit and— hopefully— provide insight into their ability to solve some of the complex issues facing the City of San Francisco.
You are invited to the
Mayoral Candidates Forum
September 7, 2011 from 6- 8 pm at
KGO-TV (900 Front Street)
Co-sponsors: Gateway Tenants Assn
and
Barbary Coast Neighborhood Assn
At the same time it seems worthwhile to include some questions that delve into the candidates humanity or personal well-being. I am calling these questions the “primal questions.”
OPINION: The Epiphany
North Beach Reporter
July 1, 2011
Early in the morning last Saturday—2:20 a.m. to be exact—I had an epiphany.
Although this was the second night in a row I’d been awakened out of a sound sleep by loud goings on emanating from the Broadway club scene, I suddenly understood why our neighborhood of North Beach is in the state it is. This epiphany made me realize that things are about to get worse as the year progresses—not better.
Subscribe to Crime Mapping (www.crimemapping.org) and read for yourself what’s going on in your neighborhood.
ELECTION OPINION #3:
How to evaluate candidates
Theo Armour, resident
Gateway Apartments
This is the third installment in a series of posts related to questions to ask candidates seeking the post of mayor of San Francisco.
As we all know too well there is a difference between promises made by a candidate and what that same person ends up delivering as an elected official.
ELECTION OPINION: How to evaluate candidates
Theo Armour, resident
Gateway Apartments
Last week I submitted to
Barbary Coast News a rather quickly drafted post mentioning that I would be attending an event on Monday evening, June 13, where David Chiu, candidate for mayor of San Francisco, would be a guest speaker.
Under Supervision
It looks like our cycling supervisor, David Chiu, was on Davis Street today (Monday 28th). He seems to be setting all kinds of good examples these days: promoting harmony between the Board and the Mayor, visiting constituents, and maintaining a small carbon footprint as well.
Anyone care to predict how he will fare in the mayoral elections in November?
OPINION: Wrong Measure at the Wrong Time
Steve Falk, President & CEO
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Flr.
Telephone: 415-392-4520 - FAX: 415-392-0485
San Francisco is poised to pass yet another “first in the nation” – and potentially illegal – mandate that may threaten the city’s access to medical treatment.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will take a final vote on the “San Francisco Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.” While we can all agree that keeping drugs out of the nation’s waste stream, protecting water systems and preventing the illegal sale and use of drugs are valid governmental goals, this measure is impractical, difficult to administer, appears to violate federal law and may ultimately limit San Franciscan’s access to some medical treatments.
OPINION: Opponents sue to stop $2.3 billion sale of 11 state buildings
Mike DeNunzio, President
SF State Building Authority
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The business of the state is to maintain services—not buildings. California owns 22,272 buildings and structures. It also owns a $25.4 billion budget deficit. It needs funds now.
It cannot continue to tax and borrow. Its credit rating is the lowest of 50 states, and its taxes are among the highest. It also is rated the worst state in which to do business. Thousands have left taking with them jobs, tax revenues—and young people.
OPINION: Sale of State office buildings a necessity
On August 11, 2010, the San Francisco Examiner published a portion of the article below. The piece was written by Barbary Coaster, Mike DeNunzio, who is also President of the San Francisco State Building Authority—a position appointed by Governor Schwartenegger.
THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE IS
TO PROTECT TAXPAYER SERVICES—NOT BUILDINGS
by Mike DeNunzio, President
San Francisco State Building Authority
It doesn't require an MBA to question the possible sale and leaseback of 11 state office buildings as some "experts" are doing. Most sale and leasebacks stem from financial crises and are problematic in the long term.
OPINION: Defying Reality
In 1912 an Englishmen reading
Rudyard Kipling’s The Gods of the Copybook Headings could not know the famed poet was foretelling the insolvency of Greece and California in 2010 and the looming fiscal crisis for the US and EU.
OPINION: Let’s Bring Civility Back to Our Sidewalks
Steve Falk, President & CEO
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Flr.
Telephone: 415-392-4520 - FAX: 415-392-0485
As San Franciscans we are tolerant. We celebrate diversity and empathize with those less fortunate. But when it comes to bad behavior on our sidewalks, its time to say enough is enough.
OPINION: Free service from the Police Department
A North Beach reader
For some time now, our fair City has been affected by a serious budget deficit.
...clubs along the Broadway Corridor have—for years—enjoyed city-sponsored security services without paying a single centime.
Reckless spending with
one in every three city employees earning over $100,000 and plummeting tax revenue has done its part to get us to this state.
OPINION: Is it fair?
A Nob Hill reader
It’s the issue of Broadway club madness again. You might think that because I live uphill from the weekend craziness on Broadway that I, like a lot of other San Franciscans, don’t care.
You couldn’t be more wrong.
I care because lack of nightclub security provided by the nightclubs themselves is costing all of us taxpayers money!
Permits and licenses are privileges—not rights.
OPINION: NIMBY Rides Again!
Frederick Allardyce, Realtor
Sotheby's International Realty
In today's
San Francisco Business Times we read about the recent decision by the Board of Supervisors to kill the 555 Washington project:
San Francisco’s vision of its future from a quarter century back collided this week at City Hall with the contemporary reality of what actually happened. Reality lost.
OPINION: Equal time
Cathy Fiorello, resident
The Gateway
Last week, some BCN readers’ feathers were ruffled by our announcement of the Tea Party rally in Union Square. I admit, even my feathers took wing when I received a personal invitation to make a sign and join the group. However, I quickly smoothed them, deciding this was not worth losing a dear friend. A difference of opinion has long been the American way.
OPINION: Let’s Refocus on Paychecks
Steven Falk, President
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Flr.
Telephone: 415-392-4520 - FAX: 415-392-0485
For a city facing a 10.3 percent unemployment rate and a $522 million budget deficit, we spent a lot of time last week on seemingly extraneous legislation. From declaring Mondays meat-free to banning Muni window advertising, one has to ask—is the Board of Supervisors focused on the right priorities?
OPINION: The Entertainment Commission has to go!
Norman Patrick Doyle, resident
The Commons
Once again, Ken Garcia nails it in his April 2nd column: "Time to admit failure, disarm commission." The City's Entertainment Commission is a farce. Comprising many club owners, it is in charge of issuing permits and disciplining clubs. When citizens complain to the police about club-related noise, violence, etc., they are referred to the Commission.
I live close enough to the Broadway "strip" to know how bad things can get on Friday and Saturday nights, with swarms of out-of-town drunks using my street as a toilet. We need a Charter amendment to get rid of the Entertainment Commission and give the police an unimpeded mandate to deal with these undesirable law-breakers.
OPINION: Give Business a Reason
to Create Jobs
Steve Falk, President & CEO
SF Chamber of Commerce.
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
As the city moves closer to the end of its fiscal year and a half-a-billion dollar budget deficit, there is one thing everyone agrees on: economic recovery must begin with jobs. That is why the Board of Supervisors should schedule, hear and approve three pending tax proposals that will create jobs and jumpstart San Francisco’s economy.
THURSDAY IS THE NEW WEEKEND:
The demise of Friday-Saturday nights
in North Beach
My recollection of nightclubs carries me back to the memory of my mother dressed in a beautiful chiffon gown, a mink slung over her shoulders and a gardenia pinned in her hair. Usually her evening included dinner and dancing to Paul Whiteman’s orchestra at the Ambassador on Wilshire Boulevard. Those long ago days were before and during World War II.
Remember: 75% of all San Francisco nightclubs are in SFPD's Central District!
Then, by the time it was my turn to go clubbing, the Korean War was raging. That war had captured many of my high school friends and even a few college friends. My mind wanders back to that time, and I see an intimate club in West Los Angeles, a dance floor, a thick steak, a sloe gin fizz and me dancing to the cool jazz of George Shearing.
Another picture entirely
But when we talk of nightclubs here in San Francisco, and especially in the Central District, we’re talking about bus loads of drunks pouring out onto North Beach streets.
OPINION: Result of "One Party" Compassion
Unemployment in San Francisco is near 10 percent; yet City Supervisors refuse to schedule a hearing on a plan to stimulate jobs. Instead they'll discuss a ban on feeding ducks in city parks. These supervisors—and too many like them—were elected by voters of the ONE PARTY in San Francisco that has controlled City Hall and determined public policy since 1964.
OPINION: Diary of a street walker
Terrance Flanagan
Resident, The Commons
III. A revised Oath of Office
for the mayor and supervisors
It is approaching 11:30 am, and I am walking along a major San Francisco street on my way to a luncheon appointment when I spot some workers tearing up a street corner.
OPINION: Diary of a street walker
Terrance Flanagan
Resident, The Commons
II. SF’s motorcycle patrolmen have gone missing
I am standing on the southwest corner of Lawton and Seventh Avenue. The traffic light turns green, and I proceed across the intersection. Suddenly, a car—also proceeding down Lawton Street and without slowing down—makes a right turn onto Seventh Avenue. The driver has one hand on the steering wheel, and the other holding a cellphone to his ear. At the last minute he sees me and swerves, narrowly missing me. As he passes, he gives me “THE LOOK.”
OPINION: Diary of a Street Walker
Terrance Flanagan
Resident, The Commons
I. “The Look”
I have always known that one day it would happen. It is mid-morning, and I am walking along the 500 block of Pacific Avenue towards Montgomery Street—a tree-lined block of antique stores, law offices and upscale interior decorators.
OPINION: Mike DeNunzio speaks on healthcare “reform”
AMERICA’S SENIORS SAY: “FIRST DO NO HARM”
Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco, in his weekly column in the
S.F. Chronicle on December 27, 2009, asked: “Why are we making bad decisions for the sake of passing something on a self-imposed deadline? I don’t know why our Senators [Feinstein and Boxer] allowed it to happen.”
America's Seniors will remind the Charlatans that 21st Century America is not 8th Century Sparta [Greece] where ailing seniors and sickly newborns were left on a hillside to die.
Most Seniors agree with Da Mayor.
OPINION: No representation
from Supervisor Chiu
Norman Patrick Doyle
Resident, The Commons
Supervisor Chiu:
The current system of district elections for supervisors, along with significant financial support from labor organizations, got you elected. It would seem appropriate therefore that you would at least pay lip service to your District 3 constituents whom you are supposed to be representing. And yet I challenge you to establish that a majority of those constituents would approve your performance to date.
OPINION: BCNA and the 8 Washington Project
By Bill Sauro
November 9, 2009
The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association (BCNA), in a special meeting, recently voted to opppose the 8 Washington development project. The resolution passed by the BCNA stated:
Resolved, that the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association is not in favor of the development currently proposed for 8 Washington/Seawall Lot 351 by San Francisco Waterfront Partners. We object to (a) the height and mass of the structures along the Embarcadero; (b) loss of open recreational space and (c) Public Trust issues.
OPINION: Why seniors oppose the
current version of healthcare reform
Whether to save one 20 year old who might live 60 years, or three 70 year olds who could live 10 years is unclear. We recommend the "Complete Lives System" that prioritizes younger people. Reform must redefine doctor’s ethical obligations for the greater good.
"Seniors question a government takeover of one sixth of the U.S. economy to insure three to four percent of 300 million Americans."
This ominous prognosis for America’s seniors in the
British Medical Journal, January, 2009, was co-written by Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD—brother of Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s Chief of Staff.
OPINION: Now what? Close state's largest tax loophole
All Barbary Coasters have a stake in changes to Prop 13—property owners, renters, and business owners. This article appeared on page A-13 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Phil Ting, Assessor/Recorder
City and County of San Francisco
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sign the Petition
After yet another devastating year of funding cuts and a budget crisis that has taken California to the brink of financial insolvency, now is the time to make fundamental reforms to California's budget and taxation system. Too many politicians have been unwilling to tackle the underlying problems of California's budget process, instead offering patchwork solutions and stopgap measures. Tuesday's failure of the statewide budget propositions illustrates that our elected officials need to go back to the drawing board.
OPINION: Don't cut services to seniors or disabled
Mike DeNunzio, resident
The Commons
Sacramento and San Francisco must not cut services to disabled seniors and cut salaries of in-home service workers. They didn't cause the budget deficits; they shouldn't be punished for the fiscal irresponsibility of City and state officials.
OPINION: We've hit the big time!
Congress Ann Hazel, Publisher/Editor
The Barbary Coast NewsMeredith May, a writer on the
San Francisco Chronicle, has caused many of us to shout for joy! Her May 29, 2009 article entitled “Familiar SF neighborhoods gain new names,” begins her story with:
It's not the Western Addition - it's NoPa. It's not the Financial District - it's the Barbary Coast.
OPINION: Not the Party of Silent Submission
My many Democratic friends are right, the Republican Party is the party of “No.” But what’s new? No is the birthright of the Republican Party—it's not the Party of silent submission. The GOP was founded in 1854 for one reason—to say no to slavery. For 155 years “No you can’t” has been the Republican response in defense of the Constitution and the life, liberty, property, and the health and safety of every American.
OPINION: Investigation of Torture
On April 11th the
San Francisco Chronicle declared: “It's time for a full and open investigation on this country’s shameful use of torture.”
OPINION: Speaking Clearly
Clear-ly, adverb: not faint or blurred, keen and logical, free from confusion
Editor, San Francisco Chronicle, March 9, 2009 ——Karl Hodges of Castro Valley wants Republicans to apologize for America’s many problems. (
Chronicle March 6, 2009) He is correct; the GOP owes America an apology; and it must also make amends.
We Republicans failed to do our job to defeat the most unaccomplished and unqualified presidential candidate in history.
OPINION: Thoughts on 8 Washington's Design
(from Another Architect)
Robert J. Geering, FAIA*
Architect
The new 8 Washington project as redesigned by world-renown architect, SOM, includes residential housing, permanent parking for the Ferry Building, waterfront area, restaurants, and retail, as well as a new recreation club and three significant public open spaces including a new park and restaurant.
Simon Snellgrove of SFWP (San Francisco Waterfront Partners) and Craig Hartman of SOM (Skidmore Owings & Merrill) made an excellent presentation of their revised scheme at the recent Port meeting.
OPINION: On 8 Washington Project
Jonathan Middlebrook, Resident
The Commons
Thank you, Commissioners, for letting me speak to you in the pleasant tones of my daughter, since I am currently out of town on urgent family business.
My name is Jonathan Middlebrook. I own a condominium in the Golden Gateway Commons. I am a member of the board of Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association, though I do not speak for the Board or the Association, as by now will have been made quite clear by some of my neighbors who have already spoken.
OPINION: Frederick Allardyce
Frederick Allardyce, Member
Barbary Coast Neighborhood Assn.
The Millennium Tower is going to be the most sought-after residential building since 2006 Washington was offered in 1925.
OPINION: Mike DeNunzio
Dear Friends, Neighbors and Associates,
I thank all friends, neighbors and associates for their good wishes and financial support, and also homeowner/tenant associations and professional groups that invited me to speak with them.
Mike DeNunzio, one of two Barbary Coasters who ran for the office of Supervisor for District 3, will remain actively committed to maintaining our lifestyle and safety here in the Barbary Coast.
All District 3 candidates conducted their campaigns with competence and respect. We became well acquainted during six debates; obviously only candidate one could win. I have spoken with Supervisor-elect David Chiu—we have a good relationship, and he welcomes my views.
OPINION: San Francisco's
Overspent Budget
On October 31 Governor Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order (S-12-08) creating a bipartisan commission to examine ways and means to avoid annual deficits and also to encourage a competitive economy to attract business, jobs and tax revenues.
OPINION: Mike DeNunzio
Mike DeNunzio is the only Barbary Coaster running for Supervisor of District 3. Recently he sent the following statement to the editorial boards of the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner:
I believe the first responsibility of the city is to protect life and property and above all to expend tax dollars with prudence and respect for taxpayers.
I also believe all public policy must advance the common good—not special interests. These policies must be enacted with respect for the rights and dignity of every person.
——Mike DeNunzio
OPINION: Mike DeNunzio
STATEMENT TO PORT COMMISSION
by Mike DeNunzio on July 8, 2008
Good afternoon Commissioners, my name is Mike DeNunzio. My wife Annette and I are residents of Golden Gateway Commons.
For purposes of identification: I’m a State Commissioner on Aging appointed by the Governor. I also served as a City Commissioner appointed by Mayor Brown where I was
OPINION: Mike Denunzio
May 30, 2008
Editorial: SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
Voters should not blame the mayor and city officials for the salary increases; they should blame themselves. "Raises Doled Out During Budget Woes." (
Examiner, May 28, 2008. )
The mayor and city officials did not seize power and set their own salaries; they were elected by the voters. The Civil Service Commission approved their salaries, and in 2006 the
OPINION: Jonathan Middlebrook
To: Kathleen_Diohep@sfport.com
21 May 21, 2008
RE: Public comment on Port’s 19 May “Draft Development Criteria”
My bona fides: Condo owner in GGC, delighted walker of dog in the Barbary Coast neighborhood, modest participant in naming our subarea and in thwarting the out-of-scale hotel project at Broadway & The Embarcadero, member of several neighborhood organizations (though I am not here writing for any of them), former member of the private GGT&SC, where I made some enjoyable
OPINION: Jonathan Middlebrook
AWAITING DEVELOPMENT; OR, HOW I STOPPED WORRYING
AND LEARNED TO LOVE THE PARKING LOTS
Q: Can we agree that, in general, we support the idea of public open space on The Embarcadero?
A: Let me be clear—Stupid Idea!
Such bellicosity and unsubtle, nonverbal projections intimidate some of my neighbors, silence them. We all like each other (I think), but diverse rhetorical neighborhoods have ruptured themselves before.
Jonathan Middlebrook, Barbary Coaster
Most Barbary Coasters know this:
1. There is a private athletic club, moderately priced OPINION: Mike Denunzio
Mike DeNunzio
WE NEED BOOTS ON THE GROUND!
If the November 2008 election is about change, hopefully it will change the City’s hiring and spending policies. San Francisco now has 28,788 city workers, or one for every 26 residents and 8,185 of these civil servants earn $100,000 a year or more, plus benefits.
San Francisco's $6 billion budget is larger than the budgets of 20 states; yet the City has overspent it and faces a $229 million deficit. Belated spending cuts are underway but
OPINION: Linda Schwartz
CONUNDRUMS
How do you get the young and the old, singles and families to work together to solve problems? How do you interest the wonderfully diverse cultures of San Francisco to participate in solutions?
By Linda Schwartz, Member
BCNA Board of Directors
How do you encourage and engage the Barbary Coast businesses and residents to think about the needs and possibilities for the place they work and live in?
We don’t have the answers yet, but it’s well worth our time to think about them.
