By Dennis McMillan
Senator Leno Introduces New Effort to Close Ellis Act Loophole
Senator Mark Leno has introduced new legislation that would help mitigate the negative impacts of Ellis Act evictions in San Francisco. Senate Bill 364 closes a loophole in the Ellis Act that allows speculators to buy rent-controlled buildings in San Francisco and immediately begin the process of evicting long-term renters. The new bill mirrors SB 1439, which was approved by the Senate last year, but fell one vote short in the Assembly Housing Committee. SB 364 is sponsored by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. SB 364 authorizes San Francisco to prohibit new property owners from invoking the Ellis Act to evict tenants for five years after the acquisition of a property. It also ensures that landlords can only activate their Ellis Act rights once, and creates penalties for violations of these new provisions.
Legislation Would Ensure California Better Meets the Needs of LGBTQ Communities
Equality California and Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) introduced Assembly Bills 959 and 960 addressing concerns voiced by the LGBTQ communities regarding services overseen by state agencies and equal protections for our families. AB 959, the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, requires specific state agencies to collect voluntary information about sexual orientation and gender identity in the regular course of collecting other types of demographic data. AB 960, the Equal Protection for All Families Act, modernizes the state’s assisted reproduction laws to ensure all couples using assisted reproduction are fully recognized as parents.
Mayor Lee Comments on FCC Approval of New Rules on Net Neutrality
Mayor Ed Lee, an early and vocal supporter of net neutrality, spoke regarding the Federal Communications Commission approval of Title II, supporting net neutrality and protecting the open Internet, stating that net neutrality and an open Internet are necessary to foster and support innovation. He applauds the FCC for its historic vote to support an open Internet for everyone. In order for San Francisco and other U.S. cities to continue to grow, thrive and succeed, he said everyone needs equal access to the Internet—access to the same high quality, fast speed data. Net neutrality makes this possible.
Grand Opening of 19th Street Uptown Bike Station Held
As part of the ongoing effort to promote public transportation, health and eco-friendly living, access to secure bike parking is an essential component. Uptown Bike Station, which Oakland Vice Mayor and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Rebecca Kaplan initiated, will help to increase bike ridership, reduce bike thefts, and improve quality of life. It also fills a vacant storefront, will provide bike repair services, and contributes to supporting our local economy. Currently, there are four other bike stations in operation in the Bay Area: Downtown Berkeley, Fruitvale, Embarcadero and Ashby BART stations. The celebration of the grand opening was on February 25 at 1775 Broadway.
Late Night Transportation Plan Released
Supervisor Scott Wiener held a press conference—along with the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Entertainment Commission and the County Transportation Authority—to announce the release of the Late Night Transportation Plan, which contains recommendations on improving San Francisco’s late night and early morning transportation service. The plan makes recommendations in San Francisco and regionally, including expanding cross bay service through improved 24-hour bus lines and eventual 24-hour BART service. The plan is the result of months of work by the Late Night Transportation Working Group that Supervisor Wiener convened via legislation to identify challenges and recommend solutions to improve service, accessibility, reliability and safety for nightlife patrons, late night workers and all residents.
Four Alarm Fire Contained in the Castro
The San Francisco Fire Department contained what was at first a 3-alarm fire that broke out on 15th and Church streets February 21, according to a fire dispatcher. The fire broke out around 4 pm at 1985 15th Street in the City’s Castro/Upper Market neighborhood. The dispatcher said at least 85 firefighters were on the scene. It was quickly upgraded to a 4-alarm fire, and appears to have damaged several buildings. One firefighter on scene suffered smoke inhalation. There were no injuries to any tenants. About a dozen people got out of the burning buildings; but a housecat was found in one unit, suffering from smoke inhalation, and was given oxygen and eventually revived.
Kaiser Mental Health Patients Share Stories of Inadequate Care on New Website
With all the news breaking on Kaiser’s continued failure to reduce mental health wait times—including a Department of Managed Health Care report finding that in Kaiser’s northern region, appointment times for mental health services did not occur within the required regulatory time frame 22% of the time, while in Kaiser’s southern region, appointment times failed to meet the required window 9% of the time—the California-based Courage Campaign launched a new microsite: TheRealKaiserPermanete.com The site features stories from actual Kaiser mental health patients and caregivers impacted. Despite $4 million in fines against Kaiser Permanente for failure to provide adequate services, wait times for mental health patients seeking treatment remain high, and patients continue to suffer.
SF Department of Public Health Publishes Health Advisory on Ocular Syphilis
Since December 2014, seven cases of ocular syphilis have been reported in San Francisco. Five of the affected individuals were men who have sex with men, and six were HIV-infected. The cause of this cluster of cases is uncertain. An increase in cases was also recently reported in King County, WA. Several of the cases have resulted in a significant and permanent decline in visual acuity. Evidence suggests that certain strains of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, may be more likely to cause central nervous system (CNS) disease. It is not known whether there are strains of T. pallidum that have a greater likelihood of causing ocular infections, but the cluster of cases raises this possibility. sfcityclinic.org
Castro Community on Patrol Training Offered
Castro Community on Patrol is looking for new volunteers to become part of the “Walking Neighborhood Watch” that has helped improve the safety of the Castro and Duboce Triangle since 2006. It will help people understand how to watch for and how to report various types of crime. The next Patrol Volunteer Basic Training Class will take place on March 10 from 7 to 10pm in the Castro. To pre-register for the class, go to CastroPatrol.org and click on the “SIGN UP NOW” link on the home page.
Meeting Scheduled Regarding Muni and Twin Peaks Tunnel
To maintain our Muni system and keep trains running effectively, SFMTA will be replacing all the tracks inside Twin Peaks Tunnel, running between Castro and West Portal Muni stations. A number of retrofits to the inside of the tunnel will also take place during the track replacement to avoid future shutdowns. One of the meetings—Thursday, March 26, 6 to 7:30pm, Castro Community Meeting Room, 501 Castro Street—will provide more information about this project and allow residents to ask questions and voice their concerns. sfmta.com
Castro Farmers’ Market to Open
This year’s eagerly-awaited annual Grand Opening of the Castro Merchants-sponsored Castro Farmers’ Market will be at 5pm on Wednesday, March 11, in the usual market space at Noe/Market/16th Streets. Then the market will be there every Wednesday through December 16 from 4 to 8pm. Fresh vegetables, fruit and locally produced items will be available for purchase every week.
Jane Warner Plaza Remains Closed
The Plaza at the 17th and Castro Streets F-line trolley stop is now closed for a few months. The tables and chairs are in storage. This allows the S.F. Dept. of Public Works to make repairs and some design changes—including new landscaping, fencing around planters, better rules signage, and making the Plaza more open. During the time the Plaza is closed, Supervisor Scott Wiener plans to introduce further legislation that will enable better enforcement. Some homeless advocates claim this is to marginalize and scapegoat those on the streets.
Project Open Hand Board Appoints Co-CEOs
The Board of Directors of Project Open Hand (POH) has appointed Simon Pitchford and Mark Ryle as Co-Chief Executive Officers, starting April 4. This appointment follows POH’s recent announcement of the departure of its current Executive Director, Kevin Winge. Pitchford joined POH in July 2012 and currently serves as Associate Executive Director, Operations & Strategic Initiatives. Ryle joined POH in August 2013 and currently serves as Associate Executive Director, Finance, Wellness Programs & Strategic Initiatives. As Co-CEOs, they will lead the organization equally, sharing responsibility for strategic planning, the budget and community relationships.
GSA Network Announces Co-Executive Directors Under New Leadership Model
The national queer, trans, and ally youth leadership organization Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) announced a shift in organizational structure with the appointment of two long-term organizational leaders, Ginna Brelsford and Geoffrey Winder, as Co-Executive Directors, and the departure of Deputy Director Laura Valdéz. This announcement was timed with Valdéz’s decision, after four years of service, to transition out of the organization. GSA Network decided to explore this new leadership model after eight months of organizational reflection and strategic thinking following the departure of the organization’s founding executive director.
Application for Community Partner Beneficiary Program Now Online
San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration & Parade is accepting applications for the 2015 Community Partner Program. In 2014, $164,608.33 was granted to its partners as a result of beverage purchases and gate donations. The program is open to any nonprofit organization based in the nine counties of the Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma) whose mission involves service to LGBTQ communities, seniors, youth, anti-bullying, housing advocacy, animal welfare/rights, people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or homelessness. Since 1997, the Community Partners Program has given nearly $2.4 million to local nonprofits. For more information, view the eligibility and application requirements at sfpride.org/community
Show Pride in Your Neighborhood; Become a Castro Ambassador
Castro Ambassadors volunteer to provide a friendly and hospitable impression of the Castro by directing pedestrians to civic, shopping and business destinations. Volunteer Ambassadors are equipped with training, uniforms, maps and other tools to help them talk to tourists and direct them to places of interest. Ambassadors receive ongoing support from a team coordinator. The Castro Ambassadors program primarily operates on weekends, but is designed to be flexible, meeting the needs of the individual volunteers and tourists. If you are interested in becoming a Castro Ambassador or have any questions, contact the CBD through Executive Director Andrea Aiello at execdirector@castrocbd.org or call 415-500-1181.
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