They are visible, watchful, and able to make friends. They reduce crime by their being on the beat. We need to do this now in San Francisco. It works in New York, Chicago and even in sprawling east Los Angeles Until crime is arrested in san francisco every other thing is way down the list in my opinion. thank you. Gangs are made up of kids are either unloved or not protected in our schools from bullies. They join for strength and protection. Only after joining do they realize the fatal challenges of gang life. It starts in homes where Read This Posty »

1.  I was at last week's community building meeting w/ the Mayor at his HQ, where he told me that education reform - in reference to low income/at risk youth schools, where we have totally neglected the Latino and African American populace - will take 20 years.  While I am a realist, this projection is unacceptable - to put it mildly.  The fact that we even have low-income schools is a ridiculous notion for a city with such business and real estate wealth.  I suggested adopting a school model from a succesful state, such as Minnesota.  I feel a complete Read This Posty »

Taking away JROTC out of the schools took away one more opportunity for students to develop themselves in a positive way, i.e. self discipline and self esteem, and also to pursue a career of their own choosing.  My son was in JROTC and our whole family has nothing but praise for this program. No one was forced to take JROTC.  If you have a problem with JROTC, then don't take it.  Simple as that.  It's called freedom. The school board's decision to dump this highly popular program was not made with the best interests of the students in mind, but to selfishly Read This Posty »

I'd like to see us come up with a 10 year plan to reduce homeless funding to zero in the next 10 years.  Cut it 10% per year and give it to the public schools instead.  I'd wager that this will cause the homeless to venture to other cities naive enough to think they can make a difference with their cash. James A Read This Posty »

Mayor Newsom - I live in the Parkside District. I have four school aged kids. They attend local schools. As you know, 19th Avenue is a free way with stop lights running through a residential area.  I am on the CAC for the SFCTA and understand many of the complexities of dealing with this stretch of road. However, to mitigate some of the danger couldn't a series of raised walkways over 19th Avenue be built so people do not have to try to walk across the road itself. I know this costs money, but some sort of modest solution is Read This Posty »

Hi, One thing I've noticed over the years is that people like to visibly see their tax dollars spent near their homes. An excellent example is the State's Safe Routes to School Initiative. I think we need to encourage more projects like this. For example, look at the SW 12th Avenue Green Street Project on the Portland State University campus, which has received a national award of honor from the American Society of Landscape Architects. How about a project just like this within every supervisor's district? As a bonus if you can make this happen before Election Day, I will promise Read This Posty »

Attempting to ban Narconon lectures in public schools was not correct.  I'd like to see Narconon reinstated as the premiere drug reform.  I know that Criminon has some kind of program currently going on in the San Francisco justice system.  I'd like to see it expanded to include with the Mayor's community court program which I think is a step in the right direction.  The above are secular organizations and the media will howl about Scientology but so what?  I'm a native and want reforms that are proven solutions by statistics, not opinion.  Thanks. James Mourgos Read This Posty »

 The following are my recommendations: 1. Vending Machines in every underground station w/monthly passes and tokens 2. Stop Bus Stacking -- I have often waiting 20+ minutes for the 6 or the 71 bus.  When one final arrives it is followed by one to two other 6s or 71s buses.  This is common complaint of the F line as well. 3. No school rides during peak hours.  It's great that SF kids are using transit for school trips, but do they need to go during the peak rush hour?  It is impossible to get on the N and breath the mornings that they Read This Posty »

Fully fund NCLB so every child's needs can truly be met (meaning beyond the political rhetoric.)  The "lottery" system for choosing SF schools to attend is ruining integration.  I work at a school where 2 Caucasian children wait for a school bus to take them to a school outside their neighborhood, yet they do not attend their neighborhood school whose main demographic is Latino and some African-American, many of whom are from rough neighborhoods.  And many of the parents who send their children to our school, do so to be away from what they deem "unsafe" schools in Bayview.  I Read This Posty »

Get rid of the lottery.  It creates many more problems than it solves, and doesn't solve the main problem it's supposed to.  Getting your child into a public school has become a nightmarish process.  People end up having to drive their kids to school, even if they live within walking distance to some schools, because their kids don't go to the nearby-schools.  Many people end up sending their kids to private schools (even if they can't really afford it) who would have gone to public schools because they feel the school they get into isn't good enough or close enough.  Read This Posty »