Thank you Ann for providing San Francisco with a clear vision for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future. Neighborhood retail businesses are a key factor why people choose San Francisco as a place to live, work or visit. With more green businesses, the healthlier, more interesting the City becomes and much less like "Anywhere USA."
 
Yet here in San Francisco we have "formula retail legislation" to keep the chains out but no legislation that helps keep small, independent retailers in. The City is silent on retail when it comes to its own procurement policies.
 
Truck zones are painted in front of retail establishments so their out of town competitors can deliver their products easier.
 
The City can learn a lot from BALLE and its holistic approach to building a thriving community.
 
BALLE’s 2007 International Conference takes place in Berkeley May 31-June 2.