Haighteration

Today, just one week before the election, we present the third and final installment of our interview series with the San Francisco mayoral candidates.

As with part one and part two, today we feature four questions submitted by Haighteration readers.

Here are the candidates’ answers, presented in random order.

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Q: SCB wants to know: How are you going to improve the general cleanliness of the city, including dealing with graffiti, trash, people peeing on the streets, etc.?

	Dennis Herrera: Many of these issues are caused by the rampant homelessness in our City, which is one of the top issues I intend to address as Mayor. We need to approach this problem with a balance of compassion and enforcement of the law. A model for this is the Community Justice Court in the tenderloin, which combines individualized case management, treatment, and social services, with increased accountability and restitution in the community which the offenders’ crimes have impacted. Please visit www.herreraformayor.com/homelessness for more on my plan to tackle homelessness in the City.
	John Avalos: I’m opposed to people tagging with no regard to people’s personal property, but if there is a way to promote street art with the consent of property owners or tenants, then I’m more than okay with it. I’d discourage graffiti by promoting beautification efforts, such as painting murals on roll-down gates or storefronts (which also puts residents to work, encourages getting to know your neighbors, and supports and encourages local businesses). As Supervisor I’ve allocated resources to the DPW for apprentices to work on our commercial corridors, and as Mayor I would recruit volunteers for our community Clean Team days.
	Paul Currier: We have three sources of general trashiness: (1) Homelessness; (2) Lack of Opportunity and thus the disrespect of self and others and the property that belongs to our community, our businesses, and each other as individuals; and (3) general disrespect of our ecology by everyone. I will end homelessness as that is a “can do” action that will greatly improve all our quality of life in town. We do this by putting people in homes – not shelters. Opening up transition housing will start within 60 days of my inauguration. My platform will deliver work – and no – I can not explain this in 3 sentences. sorry. It took us decades to get here and all I can promise is to turn this around and provide real jobs with real income for real people as best as I can. The most critical aspect of “getting a piece of the pie” instead of “pie in the sky” is home ownership. Under my administration we will set up the processes where tenants can turn their housing into Community Land Trusts and Tenant Owned Coops. No one wants graffitti everywhere. We must end the Plantation Model of Housing and Work Opportunities if pride of ownership is to develop. On littering, I have no problem with a $100.00 fine per incident, with 50% going to the kids who report it, and more than $1,000 in accrued fines equals one week in jail.
	Bevan Dufty: I’m manic about picking up trash on the street and calling #311. I didn’t support Sit/Lie because we have laws on the books about urination, public drunkenness and aggressive panhandling that are not enforced. I championed the Community Justice Center (CJC) and am committed to DA Gascon’s approach of Neighborhood Courts to ensure accountability for low-level offenders to seek help or provide community service.
	Cesar Ascarrunz: A few weeks ago, I went with a friend and painted up some graffiti in our neighborhood. If people are destroying houses or businesses, I will make sure that according to the law, people will be held responsible.
	David Chiu: Dealing with blight in neighborhoods is one of those things where a Mayor and a City have to be creative and employ a myriad of strategies. For example, when Police Chief Greg Suhr was Captain in the Bayview District, he pioneered a program in which youth were hired and paid to remove graffiti and paint murals in their stead. Creative ideas like these address multiple needs at once – not just removing the graffiti, but putting young people to work, creating public art, and enhancing the neighborhood experience. We of course need to invest again in our Department of Public Works, which has seen dramatic cuts to front line staff in recent years, and encourage the creation of Community Benefits Districts to augment existing public services, which are often inadequate simply due to a lack of funds. And we have to think outside of the box about how to use our built urban environment as public space, which is why I’ve supported expanding parklets, temporary street closures, and urban agriculture.
	Ed Lee: I know that the Upper and Lower Haight experience greater problems with trash and graffiti and inappropriate behavior than many other neighborhoods in our City and despite limited resources and tough budget decisions, we have to maintain these basic city responsibilities as priorities. As former Director of Public Works and City Administrator, I reorganized our City Departments around serving neighborhoods and districts to target streetcleaning resources where they are need most, organized Community Clean Teams and launched the Community Corridors Program to help clean and green our busiest commercial corridors. We have also supported the creation of new Community Benefit Districts, working with private property owners, neighbors and small businesses to clean, green and remove graffiti from our neighborhoods. As City Administrator, I was responsible for implementing the City’s 24/7 multilingual 311 system for residents to report trash, graffiti, illegal dumping and other neighborhood problems. I’m proud that recently, we put 200 unemployed San Franciscans back to work through our JobsNow program specifically helping to clean and maintain neighborhood commercial districts throughout the City through our Community Corridors Program. Finally, we need to hold people accountable for their behavior. That’s why I supported Prop L the Civil Sidewalks initiative last year and worked carefully with the SFPD and the community to implement the sit-lie ordinance responsibly this year. We must continue investing in supportive housing and services to move people off the streets and into productive lives. But when people engage in dangerous or inappropriate behavior and endanger themselves or others, we must enforce our laws. We are making progress finally working with the District Attorney, the courts and the SFPD to deal with citations and accountability for our most frequent offenders and that work must continue.
	Jeff Adachi: These quality-of-life issues are often the symptom of a greater problem—a struggling economy. Improving job opportunities in both the public and private sector is the most important tool for transforming people into productive members of our community. Along with creating a micro-loan company for small businesses to revitalize our neighborhoods, I also intend to expand job training in community colleges and trade schools. By enhancing the resources available to all San Franciscans, we can impart an even greater sense of individual responsibility for the well-being of our city. We have to go back to cleaning our streets every week instead of every other week.
	Leland Yee: San Francisco is a beautiful city and its residents need to take pride in keeping San Francisco that way. We each need to take ownership of our neighborhoods and I would like to expand projects like Community Clean Team that. I support establishing a graffiti abatement fund that would help small businesses combat graffiti. I’m also committed to working with city agencies to address urban cleanliness issues and ensure city services are allocated equally across city neighborhoods.
	Joanna Rees: Our unique neighborhoods make San Francisco the great city that it is. We must insure that our neighborhoods thrive. We are a world class city. Our citizens deserve a world class quality of life. Not only do our citizens deserve a clean city, our tourism economy depends on it. I will allocate additional resources for street cleaning and hold those who do not treat our public space with respect accountable.
	Tony Hall: I will support the concept of community policing with dedicated foot patrols by promoting only qualified, and competent San Franciscans who can instill morality, honesty and integrity in our protective services so that we can re-capture our streets from those who are not mindful or respectful of others’ rights.

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Reza asks whether you support the upcoming bond measure (Measure B) to fund maintenance of roads and infrastructure in San Francisco. Why should the city have to incur additional debt to fulfill such a fundamental role of government? It seems as though existing resources have been misappropriated or poorly spent. Please comment.

	Dennis Herrera: I reluctantly support the road bond. It’s unfortunate that road repair and street maintenance funds were mismanaged and that proper maintenance and care for our roads was ignored. I agree with you 100% that existing resources need to be appropriated better in our city. This is why I plan to implement zero-based budgeting, which will require the city to justify every expenditure against our public policy priorities. In the meantime however, our roads and infrastructure are in bad need of repair, and the upcoming bond measure is a short-term solution.
	John Avalos: We should vote Yes on Prop B because we need to fix our shamefully debilitated roads and pavements. This bond does more than just fix potholes; it’s rebuilding the city’s infrastructure by redesigning streetscapes and improving traffic flow – which is naturally a larger capital investment – and unfortunately, we’ve just lost a lot of funding from the State.
	Paul Currier: I am glad Reza is paying attention. We went from $3 billion per year to $7 billion per year in our budgets in ten short years. All the money needed to fix, repair and resurface our streets was assessed, taxed, collected, paid into the general fund for, and then misappropriated under the City Administration of “Team China” and City Administrator Ed Lee. Both Mayors Brown and Newsom watched and approved of this organized crime, as their hands were in the cookie jar also, as were the hands of their friends, and cronies, and that corruption paid for how many trips to China to set up the new “Manhattan on Treasure Island” with skyscrapers to rival New York, Shanghai, and Dubai? I am the only candidate focused on this. The roads issue and the bond solution is not the solution and the missing $250 million was embezzled by Ed Lee and Company. Why the Mayor Ed Jew (Lee) Bond Shakedown? Because Warren Hellman (heir to the Wells Fargo Fortune) will get $2 dollars for everyone paid out to Ed Lee by purchasing those bonds. John Avalos has solutions for San Francisco that require bonds. Jeff Adachi has bond solutions for San Francisco to create money for jobs. Bevan Dufty has bond solutions, in fact all the candidates except a small few, all have bond solutions to our money problems. My proposal for our Public Community Bank as been validated by Judge Quentin Kopp and past 30 veteran of our District Attorney’s Office, Bruce Rosenberg. When we take my plan modeled after the State Bank of North Dakota (established in 1919), and pour all our City and County Public Assets into our cash basis of value, we can create over $1 trillion of infrastructure money for our new subway, schools, the roads, our new bikeways, and we don’t ever have to float a bond again. This alone is the secret to San Francisco never needing Sacramento, or Washington DC again for all our prosperity. This is why you should vote for me as your number one choice and then vote for who you love for number two, and for your corruption vote – you have Avalos thru Yee to pick from.
	Bevan Dufty: Yes. I’m embarrassed that we have to incur debt because we have been remiss in funding street repair. I supported a successful ballot measure in 2010 that dedicated $10 of our vehicle license fee towards future annual street improvement needs (generates $7m each year). We need a major investment to bring our pavement quality up; otherwise motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at risk.
	Cesar Ascarrunz: I agree that funds have been misappropriated. We need to take a solid look at our City’s budget and manage the funds appropriately.
	David Chiu: I do support Prop B. There’s no doubt that road repairs should be a part of our regular operating budget. But years of mismanagement at City Hall let a backlog of years of road maintenance needs pile up and if we don’t address it comprehensively now, the cost of repairs will quadruple over the next half decade. Since I was elected in 2008, I’ve pushed to find the funding – but given other priorities and the economic downturn, there’s just not enough there. The short answer is that we have to use debt financing now to avoid a catastrophe later. The good news: the bond will put nearly $150 million towards street repaving, $50 million towards pedestrian and bike safety improvements, and over $20 million towards traffic signal upgrades along busy Muni routes.
	Ed Lee: Did not answer.
	Jeff Adachi: City Hall already has a multi-billion budget at their disposal to fund street maintenance; but they have just chosen to divert the money elsewhere. Under my administration and my concrete plans for fiscal reform, enough money will be saved that no street bond would be necessary.
	Leland Yee: With the city’s streets in such a desperately poor state of repair, more funding is needed to keep our streets in a stable condition. We must immediately repair our streets for the safety of our pedestrians, bicyclists, MUNI and drivers – and, therefore, I support the current ballot measure. The bond will have a positive impact on the city’s street quality and serve as an immediate source of job creation. Moving forward, however, we must identify stable, sustainable revenue for our streets. As Mayor, I would support developing dedicated funding for street repair and maintenance – so we don’t have to rely on bond funding.
	Joanna Rees: No, I am opposed to Prop B. The politicians at city hall have dropped the ball when it comes to street maintenance. We need greater transparency in how we budget to prevent needing to bond regular maintenance in the future. I recently requested a detailed budget from every city department through a Sunshine Ordinance Request, and received no details outside of the City Controller’s budget from any department. It is clear that we need greater transparency in how city government spends its resources. I will implement zero based budgeting that is fully transparent.
	Tony Hall: I will not support the upcoming bond measure because I am tired of seeing City Government dip into the pockets of its citizens, especially to fulfill such a fundamental role of government. Such misappropriation of funds again reminds me that we must return to ZERO based budgeting. Under this system, every City Dept. must justify their expenditures for the next fiscal year from zero, not with colas added to their last years budget as has been the case for the past 20 years. Until it re-adopts this proven budgetary approach, City Hall will continue to spend outside of its means.

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And now for something completely different. Neal G., founder of Three Twins Ice Cream, wants to know what your favorite ice cream flavor is — and why.

	Dennis Herrera: Anything from Three Twins Organic Ice Cream. Seriously though, their Madagascar Vanilla is fantastic. I also love Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous in Potrero – I take my son there all the time because it’s three blocks from our house.
	John Avalos: Mocha Difference!!
	Paul Currier: “Chocolate” by Edy’s Candies. Edy’s the store I grew up with in Palo Alto at the Town and Country Village across the street from where I went to High School at Palo Alto High School. Dryers in Oakland bought the “Edy’s Candies” store to get the recipe, and it is available from Dryers Grand Ice Cream – I don’t much care for their other flavors but that one Chocolate is to die for. I came back from living in Europe for that Chocolate. (smile)
	Bevan Dufty: Neal, I am jones-ing for Three Twins and am so sorry for the fire/water damage! Small cup, with Cookies n’ Cream and Bittersweet Chocolate. Three Twins rules!
	Cesar Ascarrunz: Mitchell’s Ice cream. Coconut pineapple and mango! Yum!
	David Chiu: Mochi green tea ice cream – subtle and calming.
	Ed Lee: First, I’m hoping Three Twins can reopen soon after the terrible fire at Haight and Fillmore and I’ve been working with our Human Services Agency and the Fire Chief to make sure everyone is relocated and see that we’re doing everything we can to help the businesses and residents affected. But before the fire, one of the benefits of being the only candidate to have a campaign field office in the Lower Haight is that it is right around the corner from Three Twins! My favorite Three Twins flavors are Strawberry Fields and Bittersweet Chocolate, and I’m waiting for a Three Twins version of Butter Pecan someday soon.
	Jeff Adachi: Ube from Mitchell’s Ice Cream. It’s the only purple ice cream!
	Leland Yee: Of the Three Twins flavors, “Strawberry Fields” is great. But my all-time favorite flavor is mango. (Neal… Any plans to add that one when you re-open? I’ll be first in line.)
	Joanna Rees: Salted Caramel from Bi-Rite, because it is the perfect flavor combination.
	Tony Hall: Coffee, because it tastes great and keeps me on my feet.

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And our final question for the mayoral candidates (drumroll please)…

David asks: Aliens are descending on the city, and you only have time to save one of the following: the Golden Gate Bridge, the Giants, or Twitter. Which do you choose, and why?

	Dennis Herrera: The Giants, because they embody our City’s pride and spirit, and bring us together towards a common goal.
	John Avalos: I’d make a step in the direction of saving the Giants, but with free agency, I don’t know who’s going to be on the team next year. Wouldn’t know who to grab. After surviving the ’89 earthquake, I had frequent dreams of the Golden Gate Bridge collapsing in an earthquake. It’s frightening as hell. I don’t want to see it happen. I’ll be saving the Golden Gate Bridge.
	Paul Currier: None of them. There is a friend or foe question that is more relevant. If they are friends, wow, this is going to be a good 2012! If this took place right now, this year, they can take the Giants – da Bums! (smile with genuine love and appreciation). On the Golden Gate Bridge – maybe they can run it better than our Bridge Directors. When will it cost $20.00 to cross? On Twitter? Hahahahahhaha Are any of my twelve answers 140 characters or less?
	Bevan Dufty: Alternate answer: UndergroundSF and Cip Cipriano. Before the world ends, I’d like to drink, dance with Pansy the Drunken Panda and chase guys at Cockfight. If the aliens haven’t devoured me by last call, I’ll go next door to Wing Wings for fried mushrooms!
	Cesar Ascarrunz: The Golden Gate Bridge. Our City is full of history and the bridge is a symbol of where we, as San Franciscans, have come and where we can take it.
	David Chiu: The Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the most recognizable symbol of our city in the world.
	Ed Lee: Did not answer.
	Jeff Adachi: The Golden Gate Bridge – that way we can charge the aliens toll.
	Leland Yee: Close call. But I’d save the Giants – and, if they commit to San Francisco, I’d definitely try to save the 49ers, too.
	Joanna Rees: The Golden Gate Bridge. You can rebuild Twitter and the Giants, but Golden Gate Bridge is one of a kind.
	Tony Hall: I’d have to save the Golden Gate Bridge, because it is an international landmark and the icon of our city.

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That’s it!

Thanks to all the candidates and their teams for taking the time to answer our readers’ questions. It’s been… enlightening!