April Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to my bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition of my newsletter, read on to learn more about community events and updates from the district.

Response to Anti-AAPI Attacks

The last few weeks of March were difficult for our community, especially our Asian American brothers and sisters. Before the deadly attacks in Atlanta, and the violence against Asian American seniors we saw the following day, elected officials across California have been working on legislation to stop the rise of violent attacks on our community. 

• In December 2020, Senator Dr. Richard Pan and the Greenlining Institute introduced Senate Bill 17 to establish the statewide Office of Racial Equity and the Racial Equity Advisory and Accountability Council. 

• Last month I introduced a resolution supporting the bill, which is modeled on the work of former Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer and will help our State practice equity by turning our commitment to equity into actionable strategies. 

• In February, Supervisor Gordon Mar introduced a hearing request to address concerns on the increasing crime and violence targeting Asian American seniors and the rise of anti-Asian racism. This hearing will take place at the Board’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. 

I am calling on San Francisco to take action in preventing these attacks by fully funding community groups that serve the AAPI community: the Asian Pacific Islander Council and the Coalition on Community Safety and Justice. Please join me in demanding more resources for these services.

Legislative Update

In addition to the resolutions mentioned above, last month I introduced legislation to further protect and help our small businesses and small property landlords, urge the state legislature to allow local cities to lower speed limits, and a hearing on sharing of traffic collision data so we can further achieve Vision Zero.  

Anchor Business Ordinance

My Neighborhood Anchor Business Registry would make it City policy to prioritize long standing neighborhood serving businesses in City grant programs for small businesses and legal aid to prevent commercial evictions. As we recover from the impacts of this pandemic, it is critical that we support our small businesses who have been hit hard, particularly those who have been serving our neighborhoods for many years. This registry will build on the success of our Legacy Business Program by recognizing the importance of our long standing small businesses and providing them with the support they need to prevent eviction and continue serving our neighborhoods.

Rent Relief for Small Property Owners

I also introduced a resolution urging the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to prioritize small property owners and affordable housing providers for rent relief funds, and urging large corporate landlords to negotiate in good faith with their tenants and use their own capital to provide them with rent relief before dipping into public funds. We are asking corporate landlords, who can leverage their existing assets to provide direct relief to their tenants, to step up, work with their tenants and forgive their rents directly. Doing so will allow funds from the state to forgive rent for tenants of smaller landlords who don't have the ability to voluntarily offer more relief than they already have. 

Traffic Safety

With less cars on the road during the pandemic, we’ve seen increased speeding and traffic collisions. In 2020, San Francisco had the same number of fatal traffic collisions as 2019, which means we are falling behind on our Vision Zero goals. That’s why I introduced a resolution supporting AB 43, Assemblymember Friedman’s bill that would allow local municipalities to set their own speed limits. I also introduced a request for a hearing on traffic collision data sharing between city departments to ensure we can work to improve street safety and infrastructure to help us reach Vision Zero by 2024.
 

COVID-19 Updates

• San Francisco has launched a   COVID-19 vaccination notification program . Sign up to hear when you are eligible for the vaccine. You can also find out where you are on the vaccine priority list if you live or work in SF.   Learn more here. 

Community Events:

Save the Date: Budget Town Hall

On April 8 at 6:30 pm, the District 1 Office will be hosting a virtual Budget Town Hall for the Richmond District. Please stay tuned for more information on how to join the virtual meeting. 

SF Fire Department Hose Tender Demonstration

The San Francisco Fire Department will be demonstrating the importance of hose tenders to protect the Richmond District in the event of a large fire or failure of our water supply system following an earthquake. You can safely watch this demonstration on April 24 at 10 am at Transverse Drive and JFK Drive. 

Hose tenders create a makeshift, above-ground water main that can distribute water throughout the City to prevent fire from getting ahead of firefighters. This critical equipment is what saved the Marina District after the 1989 earthquake damaged hundreds of water mains. I thank the SFFD for their efforts to modernize their fleet and increase the number of hose tenders in order to provide greater protection for our neighborhoods.

Heron Watch 2021

Community Updates:

#OneRichmond Heroes

In our upcoming newsletters, we will be highlighting some of our extraordinary neighbors and community partners who are our #OneRichmond heroes, and sheroes!  Individuals who are unifying our community and cultivate neighborhood pride centered on taking care of one another, taking care of the Richmond, and supporting our local businesses.
 

Kaleda Walling

While one of the less visible directors of a neighborhood nonprofit, Kaleda Walling of the Richmond Senior Center is one of the most active and committed.  It is common to see emails from Kaleda at odd hours of the night and early morning, wrestling back-end administrative headaches or problem-solving daily essentials, both before and during COVID-19. 

There is no task too big or too small that Kaleda won’t take on. When several members of the senior center told Kaleda they were concerned they hadn’t heard from a friend in a few days, it was a home-visit and call from Kaleda that led to a Richmond District resident receiving emergency services and support after they’d fallen and had been trapped in their own home for several days.  When freezers used to store frozen meals for seniors stopped working, all during a shortage of freezers, she relentlessly contacted local restaurants and markets to find one that could temporarily store frozen meals.

Moreover, she has consistently made a point of building relationships with other community based organizations and seeking ways to empower mutual support and strategic partnerships, before and during the pandemic.

Thank you, Kaleda, for your tireless service for seniors in the Richmond!

Andronico's Opening

On March 23rd, Andronico’s opened on Clement Street and 32nd Avenue! Thank you to our essential grocery store workers and the company for working tirelessly through this time, to create this new addition to serve the neighborhood! Stop by for a wide selection of groceries, fresh offerings, bakery, deli, fresh produce, and more!  

WalkSF Walking School Bus

If you missed the webinar on how to host a walking school bus in the district, you can watch the livestream again here.

Neighborhood Street Improvements

Geary Loading Survey

420 in Golden Gate Park Cancelled

Large gatherings are still a no-go under health order — and that means the Recreation and Parks has cancelled the annual 420 celebration in Golden Gate Park. Robin Williams Meadow/Hippie Hill will be fenced and inaccessible. Rangers and police will be on patrol. Celebrate in the comfort of home this year with livestreamed comedy, music and more at 420hippiehill.com.

Still want to get outside? Avoid the crowds and explore nature at your neighborhood park (SF has more than 220!)

Important Update About Your Electricity Service

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