Castro News Briefs

Notion of Night Parking Meters Looms

On Oct. 20, The SF Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) presented the results of a summer study to assess the possible extension of parking hours to the MTA Board of Directors. Strong opposition ensued from the Merchants of Upper Market and the Castro and the San Francisco Council of District Merchant Associations, according to the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association.

Specific proposals for the Castro and Upper Market areas include expanded meter operations until midnight Monday-Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Mayor Gavin Newsom has also come out in opposition to lengthened metering hours as he said it could adversely affect something as simple as dinner and a movie and would discourage economic activity.

The MTA has said that it will seriously consider concerns expressed at the hearing and will do more community outreach to organizations before proceeding. The MTA had originally proposed extending parking meter hours of operation in April 2009.

Governor Signs Harvey Milk Day Legislation

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Oct. 11 to create a state day of recognition for slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk.

The measure mandates that each May 22, Milk’s birthday, be dedicated as Harvey Milk Day in the state, though it will not be a formal state holiday. Authored by State Senator Mark Leno, the bill encourages public schools in the state to conduct lessons that recognize and familiarize students with Milk’s contributions and accomplishments.

The Harvey Milk Day bill was originally introduced in 2008 but vetoed by Schwarzenegger, who claimed that Milk was not well known beyond San Francisco at that time. However, after the success of the film “Milk,” the bill was reintroduced and passed by the California assembly and senate in September. President Obama's awarding Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year also added pressure for the governor to sign.

Milk, one of the first openly gay people elected in the United States, and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by Dan White, a former supervisor, at City Hall on Nov. 29, 1978.

The governor also signed a measure the same day giving same-sex couples legally married in other states all the rights of marriage in California.

Citywide Election Set for Nov. 3

San Francisco voters will elect their city attorney and treasurer, along with vote on five local ballot measures, in the Nov. 3 municipal election.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Treasurer José Cisneros, both incumbents running unopposed, will retain their positions. However, the outcome for the ballot measures A, B, C, D and E, which all need a simple majority to gain approval, will be decided.

Proposition A would mandate the City to establish a two-year budget cycle with a five-year financial plan and long-range financial policies that must comply with the budget.

Proposition B would end the requirement for members of the Board of Supervisors to have two aides.

Proposition C aims to allow the City to enter into a new naming rights contract for Candlestick Park whereby 50 percent of the revenue would be used to fund SF recreation center directors.
Proposition D is an ordinance that would create a special sign district on and near Market Street between 5th and 7th streets to allow new general advertising signs in that district, since general citywide advertising signage was prohibited by voters in 2002.

Finally, Proposition E would prohibit an increase in the number of general advertising signs on street furniture and specifically prohibit new general advertising signs on City-owned buildings.

New Castro School Seeks Growth

Although the Castro’s new Marin Preparatory School, located at 117 Diamond St., opened on Sept. 8 with just 11 students, it has received a buzz from local parents and already has plans of expanding its enrollment next year.

The Spanish-infused K-8 grade school offers children and their families a cross-cultural learning environment that fosters high standards of academic excellence, global citizenship, personal responsibility and integrity. According to Head of School Ed Walters, the students are all currently in kindergarten, ages four or five, and have been encouraged to take notice of the community.
“We take field trips every Friday into the Castro. We try to use the Castro and the surrounding communities as our learning labs,” Walters said. “We try to get as involved in the Castro community as possible.”

One of the advantages of the school, especially when compared with its public counterparts, is the student-teacher ratio in the classroom, which is 5:1 at Marin Preparatory. There are currently two teachers in classroom and this will continue next year as well.
“Private schools in general have smaller class sizes, so our teachers can be more engaged with the students,” Walters said.

Walters said that parents have been very involved in the school although most enrolled students live outside of the neighborhood. However, he hopes to bolster local enrollment for next year with three full classes of 18 students each.

“We’ve had very good interest for families residing in the Castro for enrollment next year,” he said. “Would like to have a junior kindergarten next year, a full kindergarten and full first grade.”
The school boasts the name Marin in its title though none exists in Marin County, according to Walters, making the Castro campus the only one. Tuition costs $18,000 per year.

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