On October 17, several candidates for municipal office gathered on Taraval Street in San Francisco for a press conference focused on improving city operations, particularly regarding the future development of District 7. The event highlighted core issues such as public safety, housing, and education, with attendees expressing their dissatisfaction with the current District 7 Supervisor, Myrna Melgar, for not effectively representing the interests of her constituents.
Russell Davis, the head of Thrive SF, moderated the meeting. Key speakers included District 7 Supervisor candidates Matt Boschetto and Stephen Martin-Pinto, Leanna Louie, a candidate for the City College Board, Lefteris Eleftheriou running for the San Francisco Unified School District Board, and Ellen Lee Zhou, the Republican candidate for mayor.
One of the primary topics discussed was the city’s escalating public safety and crime concerns. Stephen Martin-Pinto criticized the existing safety measures for failing to address fundamental issues impacting public safety in the city. He urged the city government to reassess its police deployment and funding strategies. Martin-Pinto specifically condemned progressive policies advocating police budget cuts, stating that such measures do nothing to reduce crime and only serve to make citizens feel less secure.
Matt Boschetto noted, “Over the past decade, progressive policies have put San Francisco in a difficult position. The community can no longer endure unsafe streets and rampant crime.” He emphasized the urgent need to tackle homelessness, identifying it as one of the core challenges in current city governance. Boschetto advocated for greater resource allocation towards affordable housing and mental health services to effectively address the root causes of homelessness, rather than relying solely on temporary emergency measures.
Education was also a significant theme at the conference. Candidate Lefteris Eleftheriou highlighted the immense challenges facing San Francisco’s public school system. He pointed out that recent policy decisions by the city government have diminished the appeal of public schools, leading more families to seek alternatives such as private institutions, charter schools, or homeschooling.
When it came to housing, the candidates discussed affordability issues and the need to balance housing development with the preservation of existing community character. There was opposition to the proposal of placing eight-story apartment buildings in single-family residential areas, as attendees believed this would undermine the uniqueness and sustainability of the community.
During this press conference, candidates shared their visions for San Francisco’s future and urged citizens to engage actively in the upcoming election. Whether the concerns were about public safety, housing, or education, all speakers agreed that the city government must become more transparent and accountable to genuinely serve its residents.
Leanna Louie summarized the sentiment by stating that if we can address educational challenges and care for the children, we will ensure a brighter future for the city. She expressed her belief that this election could represent a pivotal moment for San Francisco to reclaim its former glory.
