Candidate for
Board of Supervisors; San Francisco County; District 9

Here's where Eric stands on the issues facing District 9 and what he proposes to tackle them.

Safety is my number one issue I am already attending monthly community meetings in the Mission and Ingleside Districts. I support hiring more police officers and I back the city attorney's civil gang injunction. Once elected, I will work with local law enforcement and encourage citizens to take ownership of the safety problems that plague our district. It's our neighborhood. Let's take it back and make it safer for our families, friends, and businesses.

Public Transportation It's no secret that public transportation is a daily problem throughout San Francisco, but it's even more so in District 9. For example, Bernal Heights lacks an efficient public transportation corridor. The Mission is inundated with double parked cars and trucks. To help Bernal residents get to work easier, I propose an express shuttle bus from Bernal to the 24th Street Bart Station. I also support the Mayor's transit lane parking enforcement pilot project and citywide bicycle network. If elected, I'll work with Muni to establish safer and cleaner buses.

Beautification In my opinion, San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the nation. But litter, graffiti, and illegal dumping continues to erode our cherished neighborhood, and the city at large. Keeping our neighborhood beautiful and clean isn't just important --it is our duty, and it contributes to our quality of life. Not to mention property values and attracting commerce to our neighborhood. If elected, I will work with the Department of Public Works to ensure cleaner streets in our neighborhoods, and to fill in the potholes and cracks that plague our streets. It's important to point out that I support most activities that make San Francisco a "green city." In addition, I will also work to bring the under grounding project back to District 9 where it is so desperately needed.

Homelessness I support innovative and compassionate ways of helping our homeless citizens off the streets and into treatment and halfway homes. I also support passing Laura's Law for San Francisco County.

Drugs It's obvious that the prevalence of street drugs only leads to more crime. The cycle seems endless and our neighbors have had enough. Gang activity is often to blame, but until we get serious about cracking down on them and making it harder for them to operate on our block, nothing is going to change. All of us need to work with local law enforcement to target known areas where drugs are bought and sold, so we can prosecute the offenders. When the entire neighborhood is mobilized and in sync with law enforcement, we can truly clamp down on the gangs and the drugs they peddle to our children. That said, while I do not endorse drug use, I do support the decriminalization of marijuana. Why? Because I believe that law enforcement needs to have the bandwidth both time wise and financially to focus on more serious drugs such as crystal meth, heroin, cocaine, and the related crimes, gang activity, and human suffering that surrounds them.

Small Business If elected, I will commit myself to repeal the numerous, burdensome, and unjust mandates that have driven our small businesses out of our city. I absolutely support assisting small businesses in order to keep them competitive and successful and in our community. To this end, I would also propose a citywide advertising campaign to encourage residents and tourists to patronize small, local businesses.

Healthcare I support every San Franciscan's right in San Francisco to have access to healthcare. However, this cost should not be entirely carried on the backs of our small businesses. I believe that this issue should be handled at the state and federal level, not local.

Housing I support the current mandate in San Francisco that states 15% of new residential construction is to be allocated for below market rate housing. I will not accept any change from this percentage. I also support more middle-class housing in the Inner Mission and at the Bayview/Hunter's Point project.

Day Labors I do support the day laborers, but I believe they should be restricted to solicit their services in designated locations only. These areas should have shelter and restrooms. The designated locations would be best placed near industrial and lumber areas. If I elected, I will support laws that would keep the day laborers at least 300 yards away from residential districts.

Same Sex Marriage I support same sex marriage and equal rights for gays, lesbians, and transgendered people.

Junior ROTC I support keeping the JROTC, because it's about choice and opportunity for our children.