November Meeting: SF Political Analyst David Latterman

Not quite sure what just happened or whether we really had an election?? Join City Democratic Club in its traditional election wrap-up analysis with local analyst David Latterman. Get the inside scoop on what neighborhoods voted how and why and what election strategies seemed to work with the savvy and diverse S.F. voters. For more information, contact citydemclub@aol.com.

News from the City Democratic Club

CITY DEMOCRATIC CLUB WELCOMES Political Analyst David Latterman for analysis of the November election results.

When: Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Where: Schroeder’s, 240 Front Street, back room

Who: All are welcome

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CITY DEMOCRATIC CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2009, 7:30 P.M. AT SCHROEDER’S.

David, President of Fall Line Analytics, is one of the best-known political analysts in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using quantitative techniques honed in the scientific and public policy arenas, Latterman has used his unique skill set to become an expert on the political, campaigning, and public opinion process. Unlike many analysts that work from inside the political process, Latterman prefers to study the voters, and how their demographics and opinions shape an election.

Latterman moved from detailed, quantitative post-election analyses to pre-election research, which naturally led to polling. With the ability to use maps and clear visuals to display quantitative trends, Latterman and Fall Line Analytics have not only worked on all aspects of political campaigns, but also advertising campaigns, business development projects, and many organizational surveys.

Having worked in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, Latterman has developed a great deal of common-sense knowledge of how the business and political worlds operate. He has the ability to translate complex quantitative data into actionable, useful applications and advice for clients. Latterman sees the political and business worlds as similar, and the same analytical methodologies can be used to learn about both - whether voters or customers.

Latterman received a Masters of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, as well as a Masters of Science in Geology from the UNC Chapel Hill. He graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College with dual Bachelors in Anthropology and Geology. Latterman’s work experience includes working as exploration petroleum geologist; a public policy think tank researcher; and a public-sector utility analyst.

See you this Thursday!

October Meeting: SF Assessor Phil Ting

Got questions about real estate in SF, your property tax, assessed property value, the City budget, or Split Rolls and Prop 13 reform?  Get them answered in person from SF Assessor Phil Ting.  Learn more about how to Close the Loophole.  For more information, contact citydemclub@aol.com.

CITY DEMOCRATIC CLUB WELCOMES SF ASSESSOR-RECORDER PHIL TING

When: Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Where: Special Location for October: MARINES MEMORIAL HERITAGE ROOM, 609 SUTTER STREET, 10TH FLOOR

CITY DEMOCRATIC CLUB RETURNS FOR THE OCTOBER MEETING ONLY TO MARINES MEMORIAL THEATER, WHERE WE MET FOR MANY YEARS.  NOTE THAT THE UPSTAIRS BAR WILL BE OPEN AND SOME OF US MAY WANDER UP TO THE 12^TH FLOOR BEFORE OR AFTER THE MEETING.  (MAYBE EVEN DURING THE MEETING – JUST KIDDING, PHIL).  STAY TUNED FOR NOVEMBER, WHEN THE CLUB HOSTS POLITICAL ANALYST DAVID LATTERMAN BACK AT SCHROEDER’S.

Who:  All are welcome

As Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco, Phil Ting is a solutions-focused, innovative reformer whose efforts have enabled him to generate millions of dollars in new revenue for San Francisco. Ting was appointed and later elected in 2005, becoming the city’s highest-ranking Chinese-American official. 

An avid champion for innovative and good government policies, Ting launched GoSolarSF (San Francisco’s first municipal solar energy incentive program); spearheaded efforts to help homeowners and tenants facing foreclosure; and introduced groundbreaking Real Estate Watchdog legislation aimed at capturing unreported changes of ownership.  Ting also chairs the Advisory Board for ChinaSF - a partnership dedicated to encouraging Chinese companies to open San Francisco offices and create jobs. 

Ting began his career as a real estate financial advisor, and prior to becoming Assessor-Recorder was Executive Director of the Asian Law Caucus.  He is currently president of the Bay Area Assessors Association, serves on several boards, and is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  He lives in San Francisco's Sunset District with his wife and daughter.

Assessor-Recorder Ting will discuss his Close the Loophole Campaign, aimed at reforming Proposition 13 with a split roll proposal.  His plan involves eliminating corporate tax loopholes while continuing to protect California homeowners. 

Don’t forget to vote - S.F. Election Nov. 3 2009

Club Endorsements:

Candidates:

City Attorney: Dennis Herrera

Treasurer: Jose Cisneros

Local Measures:

Charter Amendments

PROP A: YES Two Year Budget Cycle:

The city budget process would become biennial.  Other changes promote planning and responsible fiscal choices. 

PROP B: YES Number of Supervisor’s Aides:

Removes Charter language limiting aides to two per office, but with no plan to increase number. 

Ordinances

PROP C: YES Candlestick Park Naming Rights:  Allows commercial naming on 49ers stadium with profits split between team and city. 

PROP D: NO Mid-Market Sign District: Would create only exemption to city-wide advertising ban between 5^th and 7^th on Market Street.

PROP E: NO POSITION  Advertising on City Property: Codifies previous policy stmt banning new ads on city property.  

See you this Thursday!

September News: Endorsement Vote for November Election

Please join City Democratic Club at our Endorsements session for the November election.

When: Thurs., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Schroeder’s back room

Who: Dues-paid members

On August 20, 2009, the Issues and Endorsements Committee (Executive Committee members Heidi Machen, Clay Harrell, Mike Ho and joined by Erik Cummins (last hour of voting) and club members JoAnn Scordino and Darcy Brown) met to consider positions for the upcoming election.  Proponents and opponents of all measures were invited to present.  Recommendations and analysis for the full membership vote on September 17, 2009, follow:     

 

Local Measures:

Charter Amendments

A. INSTITUTING A TWO YEAR BUDGET CYCLE:   SUPPORT (5-0)

The city budget process would become a biennial instead of annual event.  Also changes timing on labor contracts and, it allows Controller to propose financial policies to the Board.  Pro: Forces more advance planning and city must consider costs of labor consistent with budget considerations rather than after the fact.  Con: Labor will no longer have benefit of “hidden cost;” also, measure doesn’t go far enough because it allows Supervisors to designate “adjustable budget” departments which can modify their budget mid-cycle as needed.  

 

B. NUMBER OF SUPERVISOR’S AIDES:  OPPOSE (3 No, 2 Yes)

Presently, the City Charter limits Supervisors to 2 aides per each office.  This measure strikes that restriction without details of any future structure.  Pro: The Supervisors are overwhelmed in trying to keep up with constituent needs, especially in this electronic age.  Also, language limiting number of staff has no place in the City’s Charter; and, Supervisors haven’t specifically proposed adding more staff.  Con: Bad time in the economy to consider adding to the city’s workforce, especially considering recent layoffs.

Initiative Ordinances

C. CANDLESTICK PARK NAMING RTS: NO POSITION

(3 Yes, 1 No, 2 No position)

This measure will allow the Forty Niners to contract away the naming rights of the park, subject to city approval, with 50% of the revenue directed towards rehiring of recreation center directors. Pro: City needs the money; this is projected to earn $1.5 million yearly revenues.  Naming rights, by themselves, are not terribly intrusive to everyday quality of life and subject to city approval.  Con: Why does this measure keep coming back?  Voters already opposed naming rights in 2004. Revenue projection is small when balanced against the harm of commercializing public assets.

D. CREATING MID-MARKET SIGN DISTRICT:  OPPOSE (4 No, 1 Yes)  

This measure would amend a 2002 ballot measure in which 79.1% of the voters banned new private property advertising, by allowing an exception for theater-type and roof top advertising signs on two blocks of Market Street between 5th and 7th Streets. Pro: Promises to revitalize the neighborhood and fund arts and youth organizations.  Has broad support from endorsers. Con: It could give additional ammunition to litigants challenging the city-wide ban on new advertising passed in 2002. Windfall would hand over 60-80% of the profit to property owners and does not specifically identify where the remainder would go.

E. ADVERTISING ON CITY PROPERTY:  NO POSITION (3 Yes, 3 No)

This measure codifies the previous voter policy mandate (62% voted yes) to ban new advertising on city property including all street furniture.  Pro: Consistent with previous policy; caps visual pollution and commercialization on city assets.  Con: Reduces future revenue stream for the city.  And, presently, policymakers can still restrict size and overall appearance to address concerns.  

 

LOCAL CANDIDATES:

S.F. City Attorney: Dennis Herrera Endorse 5-0; S.F.Treasurer: Jose Cisneros Endorse 5-0.

August News: Endorsement Committee Meets

Attention: NO General Meeting in August ’09

 

Per usual, City Democratic Club Endorsements Committee will meet on August 20 to review candidates and ballot measures to recommend to the full membership for a general vote at the September meeting.  Any member in good standing who would like to participate in the August review is welcome to join us: please contact any club officer for details and to RSVP.  The City Democratic Club will not endorse any person for public office who is not a registered Democrat.

Stay tuned for the next General Meeting on September 17th (third thursday).  The general membership will decide the club’s positions for Measures A – E and endorsements for City Attorney and Treasurer:

 

PREVIEW OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND MEASURES:

CITY ATTORNEY

Dennis Herrera

CITY TREASURER

Jose M. Cisneros

 

CHARTER AMENDMENTS

A            Budget Process

B            Board of Sups Aides

 

ORDINANCE

C            Candlestick Park Naming Rights

D            Mid-Market Special Sign District

E            Advertisements on City Property

 

Only those who have been regular members for a period of at least 28 calendar days prior to the September meeting are qualified to vote.  Those with lapsed memberships but who have been regular members in one of the two immediately proceeding years may renew membership at the endorsements meeting and will then be allowed voting privileges.

Regular membership dues are thirty-five dollars for the calendar year. Students and Seniors may pay discounted dues of fifteen dollars.  All regular members of the club may address the membership and vote at club endorsement meetings.

 

If you have questions regarding your membership status, please email us at citydemclub@aol.com.  Also be sure to check out our website at www.citydemocraticclub.org. 

 

See you in September!

July Meeting: Supervisor David Campos

Got questions about our Board of Supervisors, Budget, Police Commission, School District, Public Power, City Contracts, or Bernal Heights / Mission neighborhoods?  

Get them answered in person from Supervisor David Campos, July 16th 2009 at Schroeder's, with the City Democratic Club.

For more information, citydemclub@aol.com.

Please Join the City Democratic Club in Welcoming

San Francisco District 9 Supervisor David Campos

When: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 7:30 pm

Where: 240 Front Street (the back room at Schroeder’s)

No host food and beverages available and highly recommended.

 

San Francisco Supervisor David Campos first arrived in the United States with his family at the age of 14.  As an undocumented immigrant who spoke only Spanish, David grew up in the barrio of South Central Los Angeles.  Despite these obstacles, he excelled in class, earned scholarships to college and law school, and has remained true to his roots as a progressive civil rights advocate and Democratic leader.

David represents District 9, the Mission, Bernal Heights and Portola neighborhoods.

David has served as General Counsel to the San Francisco Unified Schools District – a job that fits his ideology as a strong advocate for schools and as someone who found opportunity in his own life through education. He has worked to desegregate San Francisco schools, successfully investigated corruption, and brought open government to the School District.

Prior to serving on the Board of Supervisors, Campos was known as a progressive Police Commissioner and was also elected member of the San Francisco Democratic Central Committee.  David has fought for public disciplinary hearings for police officers, more foot patrols, and protection for medical marijuana and immigrant rights.

A respected civil rights attorney who has worked closely with the City Attorney's office, David worked on San Francisco's landmark lawsuit against the gun industry and successfully defended the city's right to provide public power against PG&E.

Within his first several months on the Board of Supervisors, Campos has made a name for himself through his vigilant questioning of city contracts.