Greenbelt Alliance In the News
November 6, 2005
Summaries of Bay
Area Measures
San Francisco propositions
A
A $246 million general obligation bond measure for capital improvements
at City College, which provides instruction to 110,000 students. Proposed
construction includes projects at Mission, Chinatown and John Adams campuses.
B
A $208 million general obligation bond measure for major sidewalk and
street improvements, including bicycle lanes and fixing potholes.
C
Would attempt to make the city Ethics Commission more independent by giving
it additional authority over its budget (the mayor couldn't revise its
budget but the supervisors could) and the ability to hire outside counsel
when it is investigating the City Attorney's office. The commission is
responsible for enforcing city campaign and lobbying laws.
D
Would change the way appointments are made to the board of directors of
the Municipal Transportation Agency, which controls Muni. Now the mayor
has all seven appointments. Under this measure, the mayor would appoint
four members and the Board of Supervisors would appoint three members.
E
Would change the date for electing the city's assessor-recorder and public
defender from the June primary to the November municipal election beginning
next year.
F
Would require all 42 firehouses in the city be kept open at all times.
Firehouses have sometimes been closed temporarily on a rotating basis
when city budgets are tight. Cost: As much as $6.6 million a year, according
to city controller. Supported by San Francisco firefighters union and
Mayor Newsom. Opposed by Coleman Advocates for Youth and Children.
G
Would remove obstacles to creating a southern entrance to the parking
garage under the Golden Gate Park Concourse between the de Young Museum
and the California Academy of Sciences.
H
Would make it illegal for city residents to possess handguns, and would
ban manufacture, distribution, sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition
in the city. Supporters include Supervisor Chris Daly. Officials of the
National Rifle Association have opposed the measure. Local opponents claim
the crime rate would rise if the measure is enacted. Washington, D.C.,
and Chicago have similar bans.
I
Would adopt a symbolic policy statement opposing military recruiting in
local schools, colleges and universities. It would not prevent recruiting,
however.
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Alameda County measure
D
Would allow the addition of 2,450 new homes in Livermore by redrawing
urban growth limits. Developer Pardee Homes has spent $2.7 million promoting
the proposal. Greenbelt Alliance opposes this and the following Contra
Costa County development measures. .
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Contra Costa County measures
K
Would expand Antioch by 1,050 acres to include Roddy Ranch and a nearby
property, sites of a proposed development with 700 homes. No building
would be allowed until Highway 4 is widened to eight lanes.
L
Would expand Brentwood by 2,100 acres, allowing for construction of 2,800
homes.
P
Would expand Pittsburg by 1,400 acres to allow 1,400 new homes. .
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Sonoma County measure
M
Would impose a 10-year moratorium on growing genetically engineered crops
in the county. By unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors could allow
an exemption for genetically engineered organisms needed to fight disease
or crop infestations. Supporters of the ban fear genetically altered crops
could contaminate plants in neighboring fields, especially in nearby organic
farms. The county Grape Growers Association opposes the measure. Marin
and Mendocino counties have bans in place. Sonoma County's agricultural
production is valued at more than $525 million a year.
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