Here are two actions we should (but won't) take: 1) Increase gas tax by 100%, 200%, 500% or more. 2) make the tax money available for schools and law enforcement as well as transportation. This will accomplish four goals: 1) raise revenue for underfunded state needs, 2) penalize people who are "over-autoed" - that is, a single person who owns/drives a huge SUV or 4WD when they could get by just fine with a small gas efficient car, 3) increase usage of mass transit to reduce need for more highways, 4) encourage/force auto manufacturers to increase efficiency through innovation. It Read This Posty »

Plant vines like Bougainvillea, Boston Ivy, etc. where there is a chronic graffiti problem.  I have seen buildings that even after cleanup, cannot avoid graffiti vandalism for more than a couple of days.  I think it could help.  Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Communications between the SFPD and the DPT should be improved for situations where citizens have had their vehicles stolen. My vehicle was stolen and recovered with damage when the DPT was issuing a citation as the theives abandoned it on a public street. I have since attempted to reconcile this matter by phone. The first time I called, I was on hold with DPT for over 45 minutes at which time I opted to hang up. I was able to get through to them today and am sending a letter explaining my situation. In a nut shell, it seems entirely Read This Posty »

Hi Mayor Gavin! I've been driving to San Mateo everyday via the 101. The second lane (2nd from the left) has a huge crack running along the lane for quite a distance. Some of the cracks are potholes already. I think it needs some fixing. Robby Read This Posty »

I want to contribute ideas to Mayor Newsom.    First of I think he's doing a great job with cutting edge ideas and newsworthy initiatives.  I like the idea that he made SF into a city of tolerance by welcoming gay marriage.  Although it did not bode well nationally, it helps make SF the most tolerant city in the US and achieve much more internationally.     Lately, the energy crisis and global warming have been dogging the economy as well as cause concern for many people.  The biggest challenge we have is that everyone in the US wants to have bigger cars, Read This Posty »

One more thing. When is Cortland street going to be repaved. I thought Mission street was horrible but Cortland street pavement is dangerous. Elise Hyndman Read This Posty »

Too many accidents at Sunset Blvd and Quintara. There are 3 bus stops. There is a high school at the intersection, a middle school 2 blocks away and an elementary school 2 blocks away. There were 2 accidents over the weekend. A light pole was demolished in the last 2 months. We need a signal light, or at least a school crossing light for pedestrians when crossing. Please make a change before someone is killed. You should not have to RUN across the street to beat the speeding traffic! Thank you. Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Dear Mayor Newsom, My name is Jared Moskowitz and I am the Vice Mayor of the city of Parkland in South Florida. I wanted to share this environmental program that I am proposing to the city commission. I have attached an article below explaining the program. It would be great to have your thoughts as you are a leader in the environmental arena. I think you will find the idea of returning tax dollars in exchange for participation in environmental programs innovative. Sincerely, Jared Moskowitz ----- Parkland plan gives residents incentives for going green By Lisa J. Huriash |South Florida Sun-Sentinel PARKLAND - Residents could soon Read This Posty »

Congratulations on your re-election, Mayor Newsom!   Please make your second-term priority to revisit the issue of enforcing and funding Laura's Law. You have cited "institutional resistance" for holding back on your promise to do so.  You overcame social forces against supporting equal marriage rights for gay couples because it was the right thing to do.  I applaud that decision.   Funding and enforcing Laura's Law is right in keeping with your commitment to reduce homelessness and match our destitute and severely mentally ill residents with the services they need.  Please do not allow any more psych bed reductions at SFGH.  Please support Assertive Read This Posty »

I live in an area with trash pick-ups scheduled at 9 or 10pm in one direction, and as early as 6am at the other end of the block. Part of the noise (besides the beeping and banging) is the loud noise of the metal lids on the dumpsters. It seems an obvious solution would be some sort of plastic or rubber top that would not bang -- and would also be much easier for the people dealing with them.  Seems simple, but I understand there is some sort of ordinance requiring metal lids -- is that true? Robert Mansfield Read This Posty »

The problem is that hard working citizens of San Francisco, when they arrive home after a days work, cannot even park in their own driveway to unload groceries for their children.  The solution is to change the ordinance so that a parking ticket is only issued if the sidewalk is actually blocked so as to prevent pedestrians from passing.  Another solution would be to have fewer meter maids and more SFPD officers, so that some of the actual, serious crimes that face us, like car theft, can be dealt with, rather than spending all of our enforcement efforts on punishing Read This Posty »

I drove for Luxor in the early-mid 1980s.  To get quality cab drivers there has to be the possibility of earning "good" money.  Putting even more cabs on the street will make that even less of a possibility than it already is.  The biggest problem is the simplest.  Cabs change shifts (for the most part) at the wrong times!  Too many shifts change at 5PM.  ABSURD!  If the shift changes were switched to be mostly from 2-4 PM there would be cabs aplenty on the street at 5PM when they are in high demand. We drivers told the companies this 20 Read This Posty »

Most cars are speeding in s.f. and we need to make the speed limit 25 mph.  A lot of jay walkers and people are getting killed because they do not come to a complete stop at corners turning and the pedestrian comes first.  Put cameras taking pictures of speeding, and red light runners and give them a $500.00 fine or do community service work.  Have a great day.   Debbie Read This Posty »

If everyone who values fitness - and everyone with membership to a gym - took one vegetable bag from home, used it inside out like a rubber glove, and "touched their toes" just one more time to pick up a piece of trash or two, and dropped it in the very next trash bin they see, they'd soon realize they feel much greater happiness.  It's easy as a walk in the park.  Name Withheld Read This Posty »

I have noticed that often times when people run red lights they tend to run them because they are trying to get through before the light turns from yellow to red.  I have also noticed that as one light turns red the intersecting light would turn green.  If a delay were put in place so that both lights were red for perhaps 3 seconds before the one turns green this delay could perhaps save lives and prevent injuries. This would assure that when the light turns green - those who go through it will less likely be met by someone Read This Posty »

Dear Mayor Newsom, First, let me just say that I think you're great. I've always liked your attitude, and how you handle yourself under pressure. Second, there is a lot of complaining these days about the SFPD budget, and funding more police. Did you know that the SFPD, and 90% of police departments in California, have police officers who are unpaid, who volunteer their time to their city? They are FULLY TRAINED, and have the SAME POWERS, and LOOK THE SAME as the full-time officers. They are citizens, like myself, with good backgrounds and an interest in civic duty. Often they're business Read This Posty »

I do not ride my bicycle unless my energy levels are fairly strong. Sometimes it affects my productivity. One big reason is the jarring effect of the bike lane conditions on my body. With the potholes (thanks for marking most of them at least) but worse the construction patches that are not completed well enough for bicycle safety, it's a seriously rough ride. It occurred to me the other day that the low grade speed bumps that some of these patch jobs amount to are actually probably helpful in the car lanes -- they slow down traffic by interrupting the driver's Read This Posty »

I believe every merchant should be responsible for maintaining litter free and clean sidewalks regardless of what part of the City the store is located. Name Withheld Read This Posty »

If there is going to be a left turn, then have a left turn signal. Driving schools: teach to look out for people crossing the street.   No cell phones for all when driving .. Let us be a good example to the teens. Name Withheld Read This Posty »

Write tickets to those who litter.  Fines are already on the law books.  Fund the litter police with part of the fines.  Michael Lamperd Read This Posty »