July 7th meeting: National Health Care Reform panel
Please join us for what promises to be yet another lively and informative discussion. Our panel: Linda Leu, organizer for Health Access and the Health Care for America Now campaign, and also a volunteer with Organizing for America, formerly Obama for America; longtime progressive activist Don Bechler, chair of Single Payer Now; Justin Davis, M.D., Potrero Hill primary- and urgent-care physician. Additional panelist may be added; watch this site for any changes in lineup. Find more details on our calendar.
JUNE 2nd: San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi
Following a brief business meeting and further discussion of Lennar's plans for Bayview/Hunters Point/Candlestick open space and development, the club welcomed Jeff Adachi, California's only publicly elected Public Defender. See our calendar for details.
For MP3 Audio and photos of the June 2nd meeting,
click HERE.
MAY 5th MEETING: Low-cost Solar & Big Plans for the Shoreline
First, Leah Pimentel (right) of GRID Alternatives described their program, which provides qualifying lower-income homeowners with photovoltaic systems to produce clean electricity - without increasing monthly household expenses.
Next, Saul Bloom, Executive Director of Arc Ecology, and Arthur Feinstein (left) of the Sierra Club explained their alternate concepts to Lennar's plans for Bayview/Hunters Point/Candlestick open space and development.
Finally, Quintin Mecke, Communications Director for Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, and David Beaupre of the Port of San Francisco sought and won the Club's support of AB 1176, to enable adequate financing for the cleanup, restoration and development of Pier 70.
For MP3 Audio and photos of the May 5th meeting,
click HERE.
Endorsement meeting on Six State Budget Propositions
The statewide Special Election is Tuesday, May 19th. Speakers for our
April 7th meeting were District 10 Supervisor Sophie Maxwell (right) to discuss potential local effects of the budget, plus Rick Wathen of California Teachers Association and Beyond Chron Managing Editor Paul Hogarth (below, left and right), both of whom spoke in detail about the six propositions, for and against respectively.
Club endorsement votes were tallied at the end of the meeting: NO on 1A, 1C, 1D, and 1E, and no position on 1B and 1F.
There was also an update by Chris Jackson (below) of the SF Labor Council, on Bayview/Hunters Point development plans as they pertain to SB 792.
Photos by Branca Nitzsche.
For MP3 Audio and more photos of the April 7th meeting,
click HERE.
March 3rd Meeting: Community Choices
What do Community Choice Aggregation and rebuilding Potrero Terrace & Annex have in common? They both are in the planning stages, and both are seeking community input to make the ideas become reality.
Laura Hahn of the Sierra Club Bay Area chapter spoke about the former, and Ben Golvin of Equity Community Builders spoke about the latter.
Laura Hahn with the Sierra Club
Ben Golvin with Equity Community Builders
Photos: Quint King
click HERE.
Special Guest Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi at our Feb. 3rd Meeting
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi
Photo: Quint King
Supervisor Mirkarimi, despite feeling under the weather, gave an energetic presentation highlighting some of his main interests, then fielded plenty of audience questions. We heard from Jean Cosby of the Neighborhood House about their upcoming fundraiser, of which PHDC is a sponsor, and also elected officers for 2009.
For MP3 Audio and Photos of the Feb 3rd meeting,
click HERE.
Jan. 6th Meeting: Prop 8 aftermath & MORE
Anti-Prop 8 activist Dave Chandler spoke eloquently and movingly about his family's experiences before and after the civil rights disaster Prop 8. The ad hoc committee on peaceful neighborhoods described its first meeting about research and potential collaborations to help make our neighborhoods safer. We tabled the District 10 Supervisor candidate speculation - it's way too early. Members approved a letter to Speaker Pelosi in support of Clean and Fair Elections (full public financing) for congressional campaigns. Officers were nominated; there's still time for more nominations at the beginning of our next meeting, February 3rd. Old business, new business, refreshments & cameraderie, at the usual time and place.
Dave Chandler against Prop 8
Photo: Quint King
click HERE.
Post-Election Meeting/Celebration Tuesday, Dec. 2nd
Anna Wagner from Greenpeace
Photos: Rebecca Shearin
click HERE.
Support Our Endorsed Campaigns
Let's make sure the Club's endorsements actually mean something. Please donate your time, energy or or other resources to our endorsed campaigns. Links to many of those campaigns are in the sidebar at right. Then celebrate at Election Night Parties!No on 4! Yes on H! No on 8, Yes on 5...
On October 18th at the annual Potrero Hill Festival, Club members campaign (and sell T-shirts!) as neighbors and friends enjoy a beautiful day on top of our Hill. More photos here.
October 7th: Presidential Debate Watch Party
The time: 5:30. The place: the venerable Connecticut Yankee. This time our first-Tuesday-of-the-month meeting coincided with the second Presidential Debate. We ate, drank and made fun of certain statements. And connected with some reps of the campaigns we've endorsed.
The next first-Tuesday is ELECTION DAY. No PHDC meeting. Get out there and make a difference, then celebrate your efforts at a party!
Two September Endorsement Meetings
Our September 2nd meeting, starting at 6:30PM instead of 7:00, featured local candidates for Board of Education and Community College Board (read the candidates' questionnaires here), as well as speakers on four contentious ballot measures.
Endorsements from that meeting have now been made.
Prop A (SF General Hospital Bonds) PRO
by Dr Jeff Crutchfield & others
Props C (City Employees on Charter Boards), E (Signatures Required for Recall), F (City Elections in Even-Numbered Years) PRO
by Jake McGoldrick
click HERE.
For MP3 Audio and Photos of the Sept 9th meeting,
click HERE. More info about local ballot measures can be found at SFGov.
Our August Meeting: 12 California Propositions on the November ballot
The ballot for the November 4th Presidential election will be a whopper. Tuesday, August 4th was our first endorsement meeting for that election. We had outside speakers pro and con for the more controversial state propositions, and club members gave overviews and recommendations on other measures. Members had a week to turn in their ballots; results are on the right. A useful reference for anyone pondering how to vote is the Secretary of State's website.
The Honorable Quentin Kopp
former SF Supervisor and State Senator,
Chair of High Speed Rail Authority
click HERE.
City candidates and ballot measures will be dealt with at TWO September endorsement meetings, Sept 2nd (local candidates) and Sept 9th (local propositions).
Revisiting Proposition 13
At our July 1st meeting, back in our usual room at the Neighborhood House, we featured speakers from the Proposition 13 Reform Task Force, a group concerned about the continuing adverse impact of Proposition 13 on California government. They drafted a resolution as a prelude to passing a ballot initiative to change California’s property tax laws by removing non-residential commercial property from Proposition 13's tax shelter. They say that this change would produce billions of dollars in revenue that could be used for local needs.
Photo: Rebecca Shearin
click HERE.
Election Night, Tuesday June 3rd: PHDC Potluck Meeting & Party
By all means help get out the vote for your favorite candidate or campaign. Then grab a drink, salad or dessert to share and head on over to 824B Carolina - behind the Neighborhood House this time, since our regular venue is being used as a polling place. Pizza's on us.
Special guest Barry Hermanson will speak about the need to reduce military spending. More details about the meeting are on our calendar.
For full MP3 Audio and Photos of the evening,
click HERE.
Superdelegates, Clean Money, Helipad
These were the topics covered at our May 6th meeting. Below, Superdelegate Alicia Wang shares insights about Party machinations.
Photo: Rebecca Shearin
click HERE.
Endorsements: The REST of the June 3rd Primary Ballot
At our meeting Tuesday, April 1st, there were 8 local and 2 state ballot measures to consider. These included two pairs of competing measures: one about development in the Bayview, the other about eminent domain in California. There were candidates to consider, too; State Senator isn't the only contest on the ballot. At the Neighborhood House for speakers and Q&A, members and guests enjoyed an informative evening of civic engagement. Check out the Club's endorsements.
Photo: Rebecca Shearin
click HERE.
Senate Primary Debate and Endorsement Vote
March 4th was the date, The Nabe was the place to be when Police Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Senator Carole Migden and former Assemblyman Joe Nation vied for your vote. Philip DeAndrade moderated this leg of California's hottest legislative race. Around 90 people showed up - our biggest event yet. Click on Blog at left to read an article about the event in the Bay Area Reporter.
Photo: Rebecca Wilkowski
click HERE.
Members voted as follows: First round IRV, counting 1st choices only: Leno 21. Migden 14, Nation 3, No Endorsement 2, total 40 votes cast. 2nd round: Eliminating the votes for Nation and No Endorsement, those voters' second choices added 1 each to Leno and Migden, and 2 to Alioto Veronese (one voter had no 2nd choice). Since Alioto Veronese, like Nation and No Endorsement, got less than 15% of the vote, his votes were eliminated.
Final count: Leno 22, Migden 15. 24 votes were needed to make the 60% endorsement threshold. So the Club's official position is: No Position. You can still click on the candidates' photos at upper right, except for the one who dropped out, to go to their web sites.
More Fun with Politics: SUPER TUESDAY Watch Party
Our regular February meeting coincided with the Primary Election in California - and 23 other states! After voting, members, neighbors & friends gathered for a potluck at the Nabe to watch the returns. We also elected officers for 2008.
Below are scenes from the event, which was held in the downstairs game room; our regular meeting room was being used, of course, as a polling place.
Photos: Linda Post
The REST of the Primary Election Ballot
On January 8th, 2008, the Club held its endorsement meeting for local and state propositions that will be on the February 5th California Presidential Primary ballot. Here are our endorsements. Read about what the speakers had to say in the minutes of the meeting.
PHDC Endorses John Edwards
With such a strong field of candidates, no one thought our Club would be able to endorse just one. Twenty-seven members (out of 42 eligible) cast their ballots using ranked choice voting at our December 4th Party Endorsement Party. After several rounds Edwards remained the front runner, exceeding the 60% threshold when he and Barack Obama were the only two left standing. (Interested members are encouraged to volunteer by contacting the SF John Edwards campaign). Below are scenes from the event, including the reps from six presidential campaigns.
Tuesday, December 4th: Party Endorsement Party
The California Presidential Primary is February 5, 2008, just two months away. Please join us for an exciting and festive Tuesday night meeting, at 7PM at the Neighborhood House. Speakers have been invited from all eight Democratic Primary campaigns to present and take questions. Written questions are being accepted now. Club members' votes will be tallied at the end of the evening. For more details, please check our calendar.
Oil Spill Cleanup
If you want to help clean up the disastrous Cosco Busan oil spill on San Francisco Bay, here is where you can find out how to get the necessary training and updates.Almost Election Day, November 6th: Do More Than Vote
Our meeting night falls on Election Day. Our club strongly endorsed a NO vote on Measure H, which the San Francisco Planning Department estimates will put 20,000 new vehicles on our city's streets. That means more traffic, more air pollution, and the problems associated with both: more danger for pedestrians, childhood asthma, and global warming. Now let's back our endorsement with action. For details of what you can do on Election Day and the days leading up to it, see our calendar.
Kamala Harris at Oct 2nd Meeting
District Attorney Kamala Harris was the featured speaker at our October 2nd regular meeting. More info here.
Photo: Rebecca Wilkowski
Hill Dems Co-Sponsor Sept. 15th Coastal Cleanup
Join San Francisco Young Democrats, Potrero Hill Democratic Club, and Democrats Work at the India Basin Open Space in Hunter's Point for Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday morning. Read more on our calendar.
PHDemClub Endorses SB 840: Single-Payer Health Care
Andrew McGuire, Executive Director of Health Care for All - California, spoke at our September 4th meeting, describing the difference between the plans getting all the press and real, single-payer, universal health care. After his presentation and a lively Q & A, the membership voted to endorse Sheila Kuehl's bill.
Now that the Club has endorsed SB 840, we can actively promote the campaign to get it passed. To learn how you can get involved, click here.
Mark Leno at August 7 meeting
Members listened intently to Assemblyman Leno's discussion on a range of topics from our state budget deficit to the prison crisis. More details can be found in the August minutes.
Assemblyman Leno represents the 13th District, which includes Potrero Hill. One of the first openly gay men ever elected to the Assembly, he currently chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which oversees all bills with a fiscal impact on the state. While in the Assembly, Leno has fought for better schools and access to higher education, a cleaner and sustainable environment, universal affordable and quality health care, improved transportation, renewable energy, Clean Money, safer streets, and equal rights for all Californians. He is challenging Senator Carole Migden (speaker at our May meeting) for the District 3 State Senate seat.
July "Meeting" - PHDems Support Democracy by Registering Voters
Alyssa, Pat, Kasha, Rebecca, Lauren, Abby
In July, the first Tuesday fell on the 3rd - the eve of Independence Day. PHDemClub showed real patriotism on July 4th, 7th and 8th by registering 38 voters at the opening performances of the San Francisco Mime Troupe in Dolores Park.
June 5 Helipad Discussion
Speakers from both sides of a contentious issue debated the proposed helipad at San Francisco General Hospital, making for a lively evening.
Details of the meeting and more information relating to the helipad are in the June 2007 minutes.
The San Francisco General Hospital Helipad website is: www.dph.sf.ca.us/helipad
The Helipad opponents' website is:
www.stophelipad.org
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April 23rd: Mark Leno on Single-Payer Health Care
Senator Leno discussed his recently-introduced bill, SB 810. PHDC co-sponsored the event with four other Democratic Clubs. Details here.
Mission Creek Cleanup April 11th
PHDC joined Save the Bay and Mission Creek Harbor Association for some early Earth Day action, weeding and cleaning up trash. For future opportunities to help restore Mission Creek, one of the last remaining creek mouths in the city, home to marsh habitat and houseboats - and so close to home! - watch this space and check our calendar.
For Photos of our crew in action, click HERE.
New T-shirts are here
There are several new colors and styles, and we now have size XL too. Show your pride in the 'hood! Get your t-shirt at a Club meeting, or click on "Contact Us" at left. Prices: 15 bucks for tanks and short-sleeved; 20 for long-sleeved.
Change is Coming house meetings
Dec 13th and 14th, Obama campaign allies are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Find a house party near you. There are at least two on Potrero Hill!
Voter Registration needs YOU
Political Action Chair
Rachel Schapira
at the Pride Celebration in Civic Center
To win big in November, we need Democrats registering and voting in huge numbers. Please check out our new online signup website to see what shifts need volunteers.
You can also register to vote online.
March 4th Debate Candidates
 |  |
| Joe Alioto Veronese | Mark Leno |
 |  |
| Carole Migden | Joe Nation |
We ARE making a difference
Our neighborhood club welcomed State Senator Carole Migden as speaker at our fourth meeting, May 1
(see minutes). During a lively and entertaining talk, the Senator was asked about her support of AB 583, Assemblywoman Hancock’s Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. Senator Migden said she was in favor of the bill, except for a concern about the limitation on the party giving money to a candidate.
During the ensuing discussion, audience members explained that with full public financing and its inherent triggering of matching funds if a Clean candidate is outspent by an opponent or an independent expenditure, the candidate would be able to run a competitive campaign without needing extra money from the party. The party would still be free to spend all it wanted on voter registration and other party-building activities.
Two days later, Senator Migden’s aide reported that her conversation with us led her to review AB 583, then decide to support the legislation and become a co-sponsor. Senator Migden is now a co-author of the bill; as Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and a member of the Senate Elections Committee, she can be a powerful influence on AB 583’s passage through the Senate.
Senator Carole Migden
To learn more about the bill, and public financing in general, please visit CA Clean Money Campaign.
Hawking T-shirts at the Festival
Club members Helena Ju and Heather Sullens staffed our table in front of the Neighborhood House for the first couple hours of the Potrero Hill Festival Saturday, October 13th. Besides T-shirts, they and other volunteers offered voter registration, information about the Club, a list of our endorsements for the upcoming municipal election, and literature from the various campaigns. Our first run of union-printed "Potrero Hill 94107" t-shirts sold out, but more have arrived, in adult sizes small, medium or large. Still only fifteen bucks. To get yours, email us: contactus@phdemclub.org