Exhibit A, from Rose Pak, on the topic of the recent statements from San Francisco Ethics Commission Executive Director John St. Croix:
“He doesn’t even know the U.S. Constitution. I don’t know how he does his job. How can you deprive people of their rights to volunteer for a campaign? It is unheard in history that if someone enters the race, those who helped him before are not allowed to help him again,” said Pak.
Snap!
And Exhibit B, from His Willieness*:
”Former Mayor Willie Brown said St. Croix obviously does not understand what democracy is about. His anti-Ed Lee position has disqualified himself for his post. “When you announce your candidacy, I will not be able to support you. This is just unbelievable,” said Brown.”
(Keep in mind when you hear allegations of constitutionality and whatnot, that Willie Brown went to UC Hastings School of Law and Enrique Pearce and Mayor Ed Lee both attended UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall.)
See? Read it for yourself:
Oh, how about this crude translation? It’s the best I can do right now:
“In response to the letter from San Francisco Ethics Commission Director John St. Croix, supporters of Ed Lee for Mayor reprimanded St. Croix for actions being based on nothing. They also questioned his qualification for the position.
Chinese Chamber of Commerce consultant Rose Pak described it the biggest joke of the world. She said it is full of nonsense. He didn’t know what he’s talking about. “He doesn’t even know the U.S. Constitution. I don’t know how he does his job. How can you deprive people of their rights to volunteer for a campaign? It is unheard in history that if someone enters the race, those who helped him before are not allowed to help him again,” said Pak.
Enrique Pearce had consulted St. Croix. However, the latter said differently afterwards. Besides, he didn’t provide written replies to questions that Progress for All raised or gave explanations, said Rose Pak. “I will be the first one not to comply. You don’t have the authority to formulate the law, which is not free to go by your interpretation.”
Former Mayor Willie Brown said St. Croix obviously does not understand what democracy is about. His anti-Ed Lee position has disqualified himself for his post. “When you announce your candidacy, I will not be able to support you. This is just unbelievable,” said Brown.
Hey, what do you think? Is this an accurate translation? Tell me, tell me if you think the translation isn’t good.
*Speaking of Willie Brown (who still writes for the San Francisco Chronicle) and Rose Pak (who used to write for the San Francisco Chronicle), here’s a bit (in the San Francisco Chronicle) from Willie on Rose circa April 2011:
“I want every one of you to call his office and tell him he should run for mayor,” Rose told the table. “And do it right away so that there’s no misunderstanding.”
Then she turned to the architect David Gensler.
“Didn’t you do this terminal?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“Didn’t you remodel this terminal before?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Then your firm should raise a million dollars for his election campaign.”
“Consideration of the Status of “Progress for All,” an entity registered as a General Purpose Committee in San Francisco. This organization is responsible for the “Run, Ed, Run” campaign and claims its primary purpose is to convince Mayor Ed Lee to run for election to the office that he currently holds. The Executive Director has instructed Progress for All to refile as a “Primarily Formed Committee” as its independent expenditures have the effect of promoting an Ed Lee candidacy to the voters. As a matter of policy, the Commission will discuss the status of Progress for All and possibly determine what, if any, policy and regulatory changes are necessary to address similar situations in the future. The Commission may also discuss whether to redraft, withdraw or update a prior informal advice letter to the Progress for All Committee. (Discussion and possible action.)”
It turns out that some of these unenthusiastic people were getting paid $11 an hour? That would explain a lot:
“During the current Mayoral election cycle, two committees formed with the stated intention of convincing Mayor Ed Lee to run for the office which he now holds. The first, called “Progress for All” registered as a committee on May 18, 2011 (and refiled on June 23) and is the sponsor of the “Run, Ed, Run” campaign. The second, called “Support Drafting Ed Lee for Mayor 2011” registered as a committee on July 19. A third group was also formed, but reportedly did not raise or spend any money and therefore did not qualify as a committee.
State and local law provide definitions of types of committees and their filing responsibilities. Initially, the scope of the activities of these committees was unclear. In an informal advice letter date May 17, 2011, the Commission answered a hypothetical question from Enrique Pearce, who would become a hired consultant for Progress for All. However, the question posed in that letter is only tangential to the policy question before the Commission. While it is clear that the citizens expect political activity, particularly fundraising and spending, to be regulated, under which state and local regulations are committees such as the two mentioned above most appropriately placed?”
People, you got to get out there and let AT&T put up towers and otherwise improve service. My sweet T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4G isn’t going to work so hot post-merger unless you get out there and support a cell tower or something.
You live next to 3165 Steiner Street or someplace in Cow Hollow or the Marina? Well, then start fighting those NIMBYs post-haste.
Thusly (but please remember to double-check starting times if you’re actually going to go down to City Hall):
“AT&T is working hard to improve wireless coverage in San Francisco and your support will help. AT&T proposes a new cell site at 3165 Steiner Street on top of the city-owned Lombard Street Garage. In addition to improving wireless coverage for the residents of Marina and Cow Hollow, this upgrade will provide improved wireless coverage for commuters and residents who travel along the busy Lombard Street corridor, which is the gateway to the Golden Gate Bridge and US 101N.
You can show your support for better coverage in this area of San Francisco by emailing the Planning Commissioners and letting them know you supportAT&T’s efforts to improve service across San Francisco and specifically at the Lombard Garage location:
Attend the Planning Commission hearing at 2pm, on July 28, 2011 at San Francisco City Hall, Room 400.
Please feel free to share this information with your friends, neighbors and family members. AT&T wants all of our customers to enjoy the convenience, safety and security of quality wireless service now, and for many years to come. Your support will make a big difference.
“There are a number of opportunities for you to learn more about our efforts to upgrade San Francisco’s wireless network, or speak up to support our work to bring you a better wireless experience. These events are usually community meetings, planning commission hearings, or meetings of the Board of Supervisors.
Please feel free to invite your friends, neighbors and family members. Your attendance at these meetings will make a big difference.
All Planning Commission Meetings are on Thursdays at San Francisco City Hall at 1:00pm.
Date
Location
Project #
July 28, 2011
Visitacion,
199 Leland Avenue
CN5257
August 4, 2011
POA Credit Union,
501 6th Street
CN5521
September 8, 2011
Project Open Hand,
726 Polk Street
CN5543
September 15, 2011
Condor Club,
301½ Columbus
CN5578
September 15, 2011
Chinese Hospital,
1099 Powell Street
CN5726
September 15, 2011
Pottery Barn,
400 Castro Street
CN5559
September 15, 2011
Monaco,
201 9th Street
CN5520
September 15, 2011
Mission Parking Garage W,
833 Mission
CN5895
September 22, 2011
Church of the Fellowship,
1515 Broadway
CC2348
September 22, 2011
539 Bryant Street
CC5238
Don’t see your neighborhood on this list? Contact us if you’d like to schedule a Community Meeting in your area.
Date
Meeting Location
Proposed Site
July 27
Tenderloin Recreation Center,
570 Ellis Street
RJ’s Sports Bar,
709 Geary Street
#CN5546
July 28
County Fair Bulding-Garden Room,
1199 9th Avenue
Woodside International School,
1555 Irving Street
#CN5263
August 3
Mission YMCA,
4080 Mission Street
3999 Mission Street
#CN5249
August 10
Grace Cathedral Chapter Room,
1100 California Street
And outside, what you’ll see are a bunch of tourists debating the merits of paying $28 or whatever to enter the gates. Usually, they walk off dejectedly.
And don’t worry, no matter how it goes, everybody in San Francisco will be represented by a state Senator at all times…
The 14 members of your Citizens Redistricting Commission. Seated, left to right: Connie Galambos Malloy and Michael Ward. Standing, left to right: Jodie Filkins-Webber, Gabino Aguirre, Vincent Barabba, Michelle DiGuilo, Maria Blanco, Peter Yao, Cynthia Dai, Lilbert “Gil” Ontai, Jeanne Raya, Angelo Ancheta, Stanley Forbes and M. Andre Parvenu:
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___________________________________________________________________
“The 14 member Independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold a public input meeting in San Francisco on June 27, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Fort Mason Center. The Commission was created by California voters to draw state Congressional, Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization Districts.
“Public participation in drawing these districts is critical to ensuring that communities have the strongest voice possible to express their preferences. When voters with similar interests are drawn into a district together, their voices multiply giving them a greater opportunity to express their views, elect candidates of their choice and hold their leaders accountable.”
Now, last year, back in 2010, the rides were free, so people were lining up at 3:00 AM. But this year, the cost will be $29, so that will certainly cut down on the riff-raff, and therefore surely shorten the queue.
(And oh, our friends from up in the Great White North just told me that they will be highly disappointed if Edwin Lee, San Francisco’s once (and future?) Mayor chickens out, if he blows off his obligation. Other Mayors have done it and it all worked out fine. See below for one example…)
Hours: Open daily (7 days a week!) from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.*
Price: $29 (all ages)
Age: 6 years+
Weight: 65lbs – 275lbs
First come, first serve
All guests are required to sign an Assumption of Risks and Release of Liability Agreement (coming soon) before zipping. Under 19 requires signature by a parent or guardian.
The ziplines are gravity fed, so guests do not have to worry about controlling their own speed. Guides are stationed at each tower to connect (launch platform) and disconnect (landing platform) each and every guest. Age restrictions apply and guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds.
When: Summer 2011 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. *
Where: Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California
* times may vary on certain days”
Will you have the guts to climb a temporary tower (80 feet tall!) just like this one from 2010 to earn the right to tell your friends you rode the Justin Herman Plaza Zip Line?
But first, you’ll need to wait in line next to the abysmal Vaillancourt Fountain, sign a waiver, and get harnessed up.
Le mise-en-scene.
You’ll ascend the 80 foot tower and encounter a friendly Canadian guide at the top. If you need a pep talk, you’ll get one:
You’ll soon be steadying your nerves by glancing at your jump buddy…
…and then you’ll be off, into the wild bleu.
Sisters doing it for themselves:
Can you see the nervous giggles? There’s your team bonding right there.
And this is what it felt like last year. Everything zooms by with a quickness, and there’s a loud buzzing above your noggin. Some people go upside-down even.
And they’ll totally let you bring a camera to make your own YouTube:
You owe it to yourself to try.
Don’t dissappoint lovely Ashleigh. She brought her Olympic Gold all the way down here last year just so you’d consider Vancouver as the starting point for your next vacation:
Why does our Strybing Arboretum (aka San Francisco Botanical Garden) need to become “world-class?”
Nobody’s ever explained that one to me. But that’s the rationale for charging admission these days (after six decades of free admission.)
Now, why isn’t our Strybing Arboretum called Strybing Arboretum anymore?
So it can become “world-class.” (Apparently, naming an arboretum after the woman who gave the money to start things up is considered provincial Back East. Plus Founder Helene Strybing made the mistake of becoming old and dying so nobody gives a ROMEO ALPHA about her anymore.)
Anyway, they started charging admission so the place turned into a ghost town, a “museum of plants and trees.”
Click to expand
Oh well.
They said if things didn’t work out, they’d stop charging admission.
And here’s what they look like. Yes, there’s a bathroom in there:
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Myself, I haven’t been back into Strybing (except to poke my head in to see how few people are there) since they started charging admission.
Maybe I’ll visit again when they stop charging…
But these booths need hawkers, you know, just like the strip clubs in North Beach. Why don’t you sign up?
You’ll need sales skills of course. Check out the job posting below.
BTW, your pay as a “Garden Ambassador”will be $9.92 below minimum wage (aka nothing) and your commission will be zero (0) percent. (Can you imagine what hawkers would do on slow days if they got paid a commish of one dollar per entry ticket? OMG,
“Description
Greet visitors at the North Gate of the Botanical Garden and encourage them to visit this outstanding garden. Many visitors approach the admissions kiosk and don’t know about the amazing garden that lies just beyond the gates.
Skills
Public Speaking, Sales
Requirements
Willingness to approach the public. Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively. Sincere desire to share basic knowledge about the Garden. Genuine love and appreciation for the SF Botanical Garden.”
Your Citizens Redistricting Commission is avoiding San Francisco County (and Marin and San Mateo and Santa Clara, for some reason, for now, anyway) so you’ll have to hoof it over to Oaktown if you want to give them your 2 cents before they have the chance to turn California’s electoral districts upside-down.
And actually, they have a whole state tour going on these days. Deets below.
14 members of the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Seated, left to right: Connie Galambos Malloy and Michael Ward. Standing, left to right: Jodie Filkins-Webber, Gabino Aguirre, Vincent Barabba, Michelle DiGuilo, Maria Blanco, Peter Yao, Cynthia Dai, Lilbert “Gil” Ontai, Jeanne Raya, Angelo Ancheta, Stanley Forbes and M. Andre Parvenu:
Click to expand
First up is the meeting in Oakland and then the full sked, below:
City Council Chambers – 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza – Oakland, CA 94612 – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The 14 member Independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold a public input meeting in Oakland on May 21, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The Commission was created by California voters to draw state Congressional, Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization Districts. Public participation in drawing these districts is critical to ensuring that communities have the strongest voice possible to express their preferences. When voters with similar interests are drawn into a district together, their voices multiply giving them a greater opportunity to express their views, elect candidates of their choice and hold their leaders accountable.The Commission is taking testimony from local area residents before drawing its first round of draft maps which will be released in June. Final district maps must be certified by the Commission and presented to the Secretary of State by August 15, 2011. Citizens wishing to provide testimony to the Commission can learn more about how to effectively present information by going to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov . To assist you in providing your presentation, we have developed a “Toolkit” which you will find on the home page under “Upcoming Events.”All public input hearings are ADA accessible. Any person who wishes to request auxiliary aids or services, including translation, to participate in the hearing of the Commission, in accordance with State or Federal law, should contact Janeece Sargis at 1-866-356-5217 not later than five (5) business days before the noticed hearing date.”
April 27, 2011: Long Beach
