Bored of Supervisors - 4/29/08

Constant Readers,

Today's Board of Supervisor's meeting is over and here's what happened:

1. The Calm Before the Storm?

Once again, this week's meeting was about as exciting as watching grass grow. On the agenda were appointments, second votes on stuff that has already passed and (apparently) unassailable items like Supervisor Mirkarimi's greenhouse gas emissions ordinance. It's hard to bore a dork like me, but these folks still manage... Never fear though, y'all. Budget season is a'coming and this year promises to be especially exciting.  Watching self-interested, pandering broke people try to balance a budget is not only amusing, but involves the kind of dealmaking that results in a $3000 car stereo in a 1989 turquoise Honda Civic. Trust me, I know. I'm from Georgia.

2. Why Didn't He Just Propose A Resolution Calling Heather Fong A Poopyhead?

During Roll Call for Introductions, Supervisor Mirkarimi asked that the Office of the Legislative Analyst and Controller's Office look into the possibility of having a Police Chief who is a contracted employee with the City instead of a Mayoral Appointee. He wants to know how such a set-up would affect performance and accountability.

Hm.

And this one day after a Public Safety Committee hearing in which the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice reported on citywide safety. 

QUOTE OF THE MEETING:

"This is what we call an old fashioned shakedown."

-Bob Peacock, Bernal Heights resident, on the fact that the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center (a low-income housing builder) agreed to withdraw its opposition to the a conditional land use permit sought by ICI (aka Glidden paint) to open a store at 1575 Van Ness Ave if ICI agreed to help the BHNC acquire more Bernal Heights property.

Were any of the Supes outraged? You betcha! Supervisor Ammiano admonished the speakers to refrain from name-calling.   

Welcome to San Francisco, Mr.Peacock.

--Melissa

PS - I have been sick, sick, sick this past week. Forgive me for the scarcity of posts. The upshot is that my sore throat makes me sound like Kathleen Turner.

Well, maybe not exactly. Maybe like, her cousin.

Alright, second cousin.

Whatever. I think I sound cool. Though I am on drugs...

Comments

[sfmike]

You've got to watch those late nights with Ms. Beth and Celebrities or you'll drive yourself into an early grave.

By the way, though everyone's chemistry is different, I find that hot water, lemon and honey to taste, brandy, and the long sleep they induce works every time.

And yes, though I agree with a lot of his politics, Supervisor Ammiano is a hack, and his "how dare you insult me or any of my friends or anybody else in the gay/lesbian/bi/transgender/questioning/what-the-fuck-have-you" routine is beyond stale.

[Brock]

nice supe review today.

[Jeremy]

A broke-ass City = boring Board of Supervisors meetings. But you're right, the budget battle should be especially ugly.

About the Police Chief, I keep waiting for someone to propose making it an elected position. We love elections so much in this town, why not add another office? Sheriff Hennessey has said he thinks it's worth looking in to. On one hand, it seems sketchy to politicize the police department. But it's already totally political anyway, and maybe some public accountability would do some good.

[jeff nalle]

It's all boring if you're just watching, but damn exciting if you're participating. Go for it, fellow manatee lovers,and cloaca watchers.