The GrowSF Report: Corrupt Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru sentenced to 7 years in prison
The GrowSF Report: Corrupt Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru sentenced to 7 years in prison
PLUS: Castro merchants threaten to stop paying taxes
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of August 22, 2022:
- Corrupt former Public Works Director sentenced to 7 years in prison
- High-speed rail finally approved
- Safe consumption sites move forward, despite Governor’s veto
- Two fires at the same time
- San Rafael dumps homeless man in SF
- Castro merchants threaten to stop paying taxes
Corrupt former Public Works Director sentenced to 7 years in prison
We must hold corrupt public officials like Mohammed Nuru accountable. We must also reform the system that allows corrupt officials to operate. When the city makes it too difficult to become a city contractor or too difficult to build housing, it leads to the question “who do I have to bribe around here to get this done?” Let’s eliminate that question.
Thank you to FBI San Francisco for watching out for San Franciscos. GrowSF is working hard to get officials elected who are willing to change the system and fix San Francisco. Please join us!
High-speed rail finally approved
The California High-speed Rail Authority Board of Directors has certified the Final Environmental Impact Report and approved the approximately 43-mile project for the San Francisco to San Jose section of the California high-speed rail system.
It’s taken way too long to get here, and one wonders why a high speed train needs environmental review at all. California’s addiction to studies, and the ability for anyone to sue the state to block public infrastructure on “environmental” grounds, leads to extremely slow progress.
GrowSF is working to get San Francisco, and California at large, to a place where we can say “yes, obviously, high speed rail is better for the environment than driving or flying” without a 10 year long study.
Safe consumption sites move forward, despite Governor’s veto
Despite Governor Newsom vetoing the bill that would have legalized safe consumption sites and protected the doctors who would staff them, San Francisco is moving forward with its own safe consumption program.
“San Francisco must continue to work to address our opioid overdose crisis. To save lives, I fully support a non-profit moving forward now with New York’s model of overdose prevention programs,” said City Attorney David Chiu.
Safe consumption sites help people
Safe consumption sites are controversial, but a properly run site ensures people do not die of overdoses and are connected to medical and psychiatric care to help them escape addiction. Rather than enabling users, safe consumption sites help people:
Best evidence from cohort and modeling studies suggests that SISs [Safe Injection Sites] are associated with lower overdose mortality (88 fewer overdose deaths per 100 000 person-years), 67% fewer ambulance calls for treating overdoses, and a decrease in HIV infections.
They also don’t increase crime:
For people who inject drugs, supervised injection facilities may reduce the risk of overdose morbidity and mortality and improve access to care while not increasing crime or public nuisance to the surrounding community.
Two fires at the same time
GrowSF extends a big thank you to our local firefighters for fighting two big blazes at the same time on Tuesday.
San Rafael dumps homeless man in SF
San Francisco's City Attorney David Chiu said he's now investigating the San Rafael Police Department for dropping off a homeless man in the city without providing him help. San Rafael police have apologized for the incident, but it may not prevent legal action.
It is illegal for cities to move homeless people to other cities (called “dumping”), and City Attorney Chiu has pledged to enforce the law against dumping.
Castro merchants threaten to stop paying taxes
The members of the Castro Merchants Association have complained to city officials that homeless people struggling with mental illness and drug addiction have wreaked havoc on the neighborhood. Merchants say the situation has gotten so bad that they may stop paying city taxes and fees in protest.
“They need shelter and/or services and they need them immediately,” the merchants said. “Our community is struggling to recover from lost business revenue, from burglaries and never-ending vandalism/graffiti (often committed by unhoused persons) and we implore you to take action.”
We’re stuck in this mess because we don’t allow enough housing to be built, so thousands of people end up homeless. A solution must be reached, and Supervisor Mandelman, who represents the Castro, agrees with the Castro Merchants Association that the city must solve this problem.
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Free Ice Cream!
WHEN
Sunday, August 28th - 11:00am-1:00pm
WHERE
West Sunset Playground Picnic Area, 3223 Ortega Street
Vote J for JFK!
Prop J: Campaign to keep the car-free JFK Promenade with Safe Parks for All kickoff
WHEN
Saturday, August 27th - 10:00am-12:00pm
WHERE
JFK Promenade by the Conservatory of Flowers
Join a neighborhood trash cleanup
Want to cleanup your neighborhood? Join one of this week’s “Refuse Refuse” neighborhood trash cleanups. Tell us what the weirdest (not the grossest) thing you find. One volunteer in Hayes Valley found a dozen coconuts—not just one, a dozen!
Celebrate San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city. Here’s what makes it great:
Dance ‘til you drop on car-free JFK Promenade
Get ready to swing in Golden Gate Park every sunny Sunday at “Lindy in the Park,” a weekly free event on car-free JFK Promenade near the de Young Museum, when the streets of Golden Gate Park are closed to traffic and the dancers take over.
Free concert series at McClaren Park starts Saturday
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Topical Tweets
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