Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Just back from the PROSF meeting (panhandle residents organization stanyan fulton) where we were talking about a number of issues I've been following for a while. It was funny, since it was also a candidates night (I guess) and there were a batch of them there. I felt a little awkward commenting on every issue and having a say in the work that had been done... We talked about the Sharon Meadow Sound Policy, which Martin MacIntrye has been working on for 7 years, and I just got involved when it finally got in front of the Park Commission. We also talked about the Panhandle bathroom, which I've been hounding RPD about for the past 3 or 4 years... including being there when they did on sight talks and actually defending the cutting down of the mature trees around the bathroom --Which I hate, but since they're mostly rotted, they're not the best ones to defend.
We also had the ever present and hard working Sgt Porto and Cpt Ehrlich there from Park Station, and I had things to say and ways to help them get their message out (having heard their message for a couple years now) about how to communicate with the police, and that we need to tell them as much as we can.
Oh, and the Panhandle Farmer's Market, that may or may not be a good idea. I of course like the idea of a open air market within walking distance, but the concerns of the local markets losing business, traffic and parking being even worse, and possible trash and bathroom issues make me leery.
I got to put in a word for my tree signs, which --except for some super greens I've bumped into in City Hall who were worried about the staples in the trees-- I've heard nothing but good words about.
Dave Grinell, aide to Sup. Matt made a good --but hard to swallow-- point about 'moving on' to get things done. Dave was saying how sometimes when citizens get involved in an issue and feel let down by a city department, a bridge is burned that is never repaired... and that doesn't get anything done. We need to be able to hold city agencies accountable, but also be willing to let the past be the past and work towards solutions, not just grudges.
Some of the candidates there this evening talked about how the next supervisor needs to not only focus on neighborhood issues but also understand the city issues. I think I demonstrated my understanding of the neighborhood issues tonight, and let me just say, I know and understand the Citywide issues as well.
We also had the ever present and hard working Sgt Porto and Cpt Ehrlich there from Park Station, and I had things to say and ways to help them get their message out (having heard their message for a couple years now) about how to communicate with the police, and that we need to tell them as much as we can.
Oh, and the Panhandle Farmer's Market, that may or may not be a good idea. I of course like the idea of a open air market within walking distance, but the concerns of the local markets losing business, traffic and parking being even worse, and possible trash and bathroom issues make me leery.
I got to put in a word for my tree signs, which --except for some super greens I've bumped into in City Hall who were worried about the staples in the trees-- I've heard nothing but good words about.
Dave Grinell, aide to Sup. Matt made a good --but hard to swallow-- point about 'moving on' to get things done. Dave was saying how sometimes when citizens get involved in an issue and feel let down by a city department, a bridge is burned that is never repaired... and that doesn't get anything done. We need to be able to hold city agencies accountable, but also be willing to let the past be the past and work towards solutions, not just grudges.
Some of the candidates there this evening talked about how the next supervisor needs to not only focus on neighborhood issues but also understand the city issues. I think I demonstrated my understanding of the neighborhood issues tonight, and let me just say, I know and understand the Citywide issues as well.
