As a resident of the Castro, I'm very concerned about Halloween this year.  Instead of telling people not to come and asking businesses to close, let's just tell everyone the event is being held in Walnut Creek this year.  Seriously, those of us who live in the neighborhood are very concerned about how little thought or preparation appears to have been spent on this matter. Larry Gentry Read This Posty »

I just want to applaud Newsom, Dufty, and Fong for the wonderful leadership being shown with the handling of the Castro Halloween party.  I mean seriously, what's better than the people who are supposed to lead and be in control saying "we can't handle our responsibilities, so we're just not going to this year". Wonderful.  I mean, yes, it's true that the Police department can't handle their responsibilities any other day of the year, and yet Heather Fong still has a job for some reason.  The SFPD can't even recruit officers despite the ridiculously high pay.  The officers they do Read This Posty »

Please do something about the homelessness in the Castro, the pan handlers are out of control and angrily aggressive. It makes for an UNSAFE environment for locals and tourists. Why should I be afraid to walk in my neighborhood, the Castro. My neighborhood deserves as much attention and problem solving as any other. If you need proof, just walk through the Castro anytime day or night. Chuck Seeleyhoe Read This Posty »

This is more than just a pet peeve. The city has become so crime-ridden the streets -- even in previously safe neighborhoods like Noe Valley and the Castro -- are seriously unsafe. The buses and subways are overrun with criminal elements, and I invite you to try to walk from, say Zuni to to 4th Street after 6 pm -- wait, don't, unless you have an armed guard. I've lived here for 27 years and the quality of life has spiralled downhill in the last few years, especially since Willie Brown was in office. Do something! Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Last night, 06/23/07, we had vandalism, littering, and trespassing associated with the "permitted but unpublicized" party  in Eureka Valley, a.k.a. the Castro. Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Mayor: I am not an advocate for what you call marriage equality (gay marriage). I am not an advocate of the Bay to Breakers Race on Sunday mornings blocking traffic. Please consider having it on Saturdays instead. I am not an advocate for the uncontrollable Halloween Party in the Castro District. I am not an advocate of the Critical Mass (bicyclist) blocking traffic the last Friday of each month. I do however appreciate what you are attempting to do with your other projects of establishing WiFi in the city, Universal Health Care, Getting Muni on time, Services to the Bayview and Hunter's Read This Posty »

My letter to Supervisor Dufty (as yet unacknowledged) February 19, 2007 Mr. Dufty: After 8 years in this once beautiful city, my partner and I are beginning the search for a home in Marin and leaving the once beloved Castro. Please tell Chris Daly, Aaron Peskin, Jake McGoldrick and the rest of the fractionalized self-centered Board of Supervisors that they win and SF is theirs.   From the big annoyances like Critical Mass and NO ONES ability or balls to stand up to the arrogant bicycle coalition to the growing homeless camp on 16th Street, across from our once beautiful little street (Pond), to Read This Posty »

I have lost confidence in your leadership abilities but MAY support you in the fall IF the following are involved. 1) SF is FILTHY!! Have you walked the streets lately? 2) SF does not LOOK, ACT or FEEL like a world class city. You need to RE FOCUS. 3) Take a LOOK at the CASTRO-a HUGE money maker for SF is now in a DEPRESSIVE SLUMP-closed up business's and a LACK of leadership. Its truly embarrassing. 4) After living her for 20 years, I am EMBARASSED to bring my family here. Every ten feet: homeless, garbage, boarded up business' 5) One asks: What is our Read This Posty »

* Tourism is our biggest business and we need to be sure this city is clean and compared to NY it is filthy.  Homeless continues to be a problem and the garbage in the streets.  Awful. * The Castro which used to be a vital neighborhood is looking more and more like a ghost town.  Greedy landlords need to get with a program of letting in tenants who will revitalize the neighborhood into a destination again. * Disaster preparedness - are we???  Thanks - KR Read This Posty »

What's with their flags on Church and Markets streets? How could the city provide them with a permit. Is it a culture or a nationality as in Chinese, Italian or Latin American. When did the Castro area become a city tourist attraction as in Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, La Mission ? Oh  Gavin remember the Mission District ? Not enough constituents? Gavin can you say "tolerate". Get to back to basics Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Anyone who walks three or more blocks (and in some neighborhoods, three or more feet) undoubtedly encounters litter, trash and "waste" of every variety on the sidewalks.  Just like the "broken window" syndrome, this condition only depresses our neighborhoods and citizens.  Efforts such as the sidewalk cleaning that (I believe) the Castro and Upper Market businesses do is great and more things like that should be supported by the city.  Perhaps a Public Service Campaign could be created to have each and every resident, not just property owner, take more pride in their small section of sidewalk by making sure Read This Posty »

Double parked delivery trucks on busy streets are dangerous to drivers and pedestrians, often impede Muni buses, and are generally a real problem with driving in San Francisco. All too often, you will see a UPS of FedEX or USPS truck double parked with empty parking spaces nearby - as if the drivers would rather block traffic than walk 10-15 feet with their loads. Beer trucks double park near every corner grocery in the City at some point in the day, again sometimes ignoring open parking spaces nearby. Worse yet, it is common to see DPT and SFPD officers driving past Read This Posty »

Panhandlers on every corner! I can't walk to the local Walgreens without getting hit on at least a dozen times in between home and the store . . . and I live in a supposedly *better, safer* neighborhood (the Castro)! Even when I leave the store, you have to hide your pocket change because beggers are standing outside the door with Big Gulp cups for your change. I am not heartless; but, since I moved to S.F. five years ago from San Jose and Monterey, I have turned a blind eye to beggars and I don't think that City Hall Read This Posty »

1.  Unreliable Muni Metro service on weekday rush hour times.  Why is it that when there are the most people waiting for a train, the system runs only one-car (as opposed to two-car) trains?  It's also frustrating to me that the "No food or drink" rule on Muni is pretty much universally ignored.  I've never seen it enforced, nor have I ever seen a bus driver confront a fare evader who boards from the back door.  I'm sure that the drivers see a lot and endure a lot, but if the public is given the idea that the rules don't Read This Posty »

Why not run it like any big event?  1) Give locals the priority on tickets, then people from outside SF.  If you live in the Castro, you go for free.  Limit sales to 5,000 people.  Let Bill Graham productions or something organize it, provide security, and make a profit.  How hard can it be?  The city supes are not event organizers.  Give the event to the pro's and end the trouble already. Jospeh Hardegree Read This Posty »

On several occasions I have been at an intersection - at the same time as a cop car (sometimes two cars) - when cars run the red light or stop sign, AND THE COP(s) DO NOTHING! Also the JAY WALKING pedestrians at the following intersections - while the cops are busy harassing the homeless just sitting (NOT PAN HANDLING) on the side walk near by: Market/Castro/17th Street Castro/18th Street Rod Marchetta Read This Posty »

All the drug abusing homeless people who have invaded the Castro and made me feel unsafe. Gavin Newsom, what the hell are you doing about this? I know you have been busy in rehab, but you promised. Name Withheld Read This Posty »

My pet peeve is that Market Street is a dirty, disgusting hole in the city that could be one of the most vibrant assets that the city has to offer.  Southwest of 4th and Powell, Market Street becomes a drug ridden, pornography haven with  litter, and establishments that attract crime.  By cleaning up Market Street and encouraging new buisinesses that attract residents and tourists, Market Street can become a main artery not just for transportation but for shopping, entertainment, and a safe link between the downtown and castro districts, much like Time Square in New York City.  There are so Read This Posty »