What everyone says about the September 6th Candidate Forum sponsored by TAC

San Francisco Chronicle on 9-11-06

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/11/BAGKRL396F1.DTL


Thursday, September 07, 2006
D6 Debate: Round One
A crowded field of candidates for the District 6 supervisorial race glad-handed and aired their positions today in the first candidate forum of the campaign, held at the Tenderloin Family Housing Project, and hosted by the Tenant Associations Coalition of San Francisco. The candidates and the audience together reflected that unique flavor of the district that only San Franciscans can appreciate.
Adorned with his signature green mardi gras beads, incumbent Chris Daly reviewed his legislative victories for SRO residents and affordable housing in SOMA, including the Trinity Plaza deal and Rincon Hill plan. Regarding public safety, Daly touted his work as Budget Committee Chair in passing the largest ever police department annual budget. Responding to claims from the challengers that he still hasn’t done enough for public safety, Daly cited the limited powers of the Board of Supervisors, cautioning that “more cops on the street are not the only solution—we must program hope into the district.”
Matt Drake, fresh-faced SOMA resident and former patent litigator, proclaimed that “downtown is not the enemy” and a friendlier business environment will create jobs and increase wages for District 6 residents. Like all of the candidates, Drake stressed public safety, pledging to make the district’s streets safer and cleaner. “The City has failed District 6 residents,” Drake said. “It is unacceptable that kids in the district must live in these conditions.” Drake also supports harnessing the vast tidal power of the bay, with power generators housed beneath the Golden Gate.
Rob Black, ethics attorney, union organizer, and former aide to Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, promised to end the “closed door” decision-making of the Board of Supervisors by “making every voice [in the district] heard.” He would confront public safety “head-on” with security cameras in high-crime areas—a proposal that Supervisor Daly rejects—coupled with increased community policing. Black, who is endorsed by Mayor Newsom, also stated that he would encourage the development of middle-rate housing for working families. In response to an audience member who claimed that Supervisor Daly was unresponsive to concerns over embezzlement at SROs, Black offered that “as your supervisor, I will be responsive to you.”
Manuel Jimenez, an attorney running “a symbolic campaign”, stressed diversification of the housing market and public safety. “We have to support our police,” Jimenez advised. George Dias, an insurance agent and former SRO resident, also hammered public safety and affordable housing. Candidate Robert Jordan discussed his personal involvement in the community. The full gusto of Viliam Dugovic called for increased public transportation from the suburbs, “so we can pay for everything.” And lastly, candidate Davy Jones proposed anti-loitering ordinances in high crime areas and a tracking system for the district’s felons and registered sex offenders.
District Six Politics: Daly jokes that “we should just vote today” after Black answers a question about Newsom’s endorsement—from what some in the audience suspected was a plant. Pompadoured Davy Jones pounding his fist on the table, shouting “I don’t need Newsom’s endorsement!” Happy Birthday wishes for Manuel Jimenez, complete with candidate Black’s own pecan pie. Event staffers calling “time!” gesticulating wildly “T.O.” inches from the candidates’ faces. Veteran Daly suggests his challengers’ public safety proposals should wait until next year when “you guys run for mayor.” A somber moment of silence for deceased activist James Leo Dunn. …Sixty days and counting.
Francis Shehadeh and Matt Edling

Above posted at: http://www.hlpr.org/hlpr

Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Today's debate
We had the first debate of the campaign today. "Debate" isn't the perfect term, because eight candidates can't really debate anything, but at least we were all in the same place at the same time answering questions.On the subject of crime in District 6, Chris Daly showed how we differ. Daly said that as a legislator, fighting crime is not something that a supervisor should do. Instead, he claimed, crime is a problem of the executive branch (a.k.a. the Mayor). He has his opinion.I disagree.Unfortunately for District 6, EVERYONE points the finger at someone else; nothing gets done, and no one accepts responsibility. At different times, I have heard responsibility be shifted to: Daly, the police, the Mayor, the DA, and the courts. As long as no one wants to accept the responsibility of doing something about crime, nothing will be done and the streets of the Tenderloin will remain unsafe.I will take responsibility. Instead of pointing the finger elsewhere, I will work with everyone. I will look for solutions, not look for other people to blame.I will work with the Police Department to get cops walking the beat, I will work to install security cameras on streets where the residents want them, I will work with the DA to see what we can do to get drug dealers off our streets, I will be responsive to you when you contact my office with suggestions.I believe that EVERY street should be safe for EVERY person at ANY time. As your supervisor, I will take responsibility for making this happen.


Above posted at: http://www.mattdrake2006.blogspot.com/