Leland Yee: Thanks to You, Sunset a Better Place to Live

The holiday season is a time to be thankful for the achievements of the year, the appreciation of family and friends and the prospects of the coming year.

The tragic events of Sept. 11, the ensuing biological scare and the nerve-rattling threats against our buildings and bridges have marred this year. Throughout all of this the American people have banded together to combat our adversaries and resist the desire to retreat to safe havens.

San Franciscans in particular have shown enormous resolve by donating time, money and blood to the relief efforts in New York. We are supporting our neighborhood businesses, visiting our cultural attractions and displaying stability in these times of uncertainty. This is my opportunity to thank my fellow San Franciscans and my fellow countrymen and women for being strong and courageous in the face of adversity.

It is also important to recognize and congratulate those closer to home and thank the volunteers living and working in the Sunset District and their City employee counterparts for their extraordinary efforts during the year.

At the beginning of the year, we embarked on significant graffiti clean up. During the summer we began to spruce up the walkway and make Sunset Boulevard more secure. In October and November we held our ECO Blitzes, Great Highway promenade clean up and the Sustainability Fair.

I am particularly thankful for the many hours of participation our neighborhood organizations and individuals devote to making the Sunset a better place for us all. The Irving Street and Parkside/Taraval Merchants Associations, Sunset Parkside Education and Action Committee, Sunset Residents Association, the Sunset, Westside, Chinese Westside and 12th A.D. Democratic clubs, Sunset Parkside United Neighbors, Crestlake Property Owners Association, Sunset District Neighborhood Council, Ocean Beach Task Force, Friends of Stern Grove, Stern Grove Guardians and Parkside 4 Kids all contributed their time and energy so we can all enjoy a better quality of life.

The coming year will bring new challenges and an increased need for cooperation. I know that my neighbors in the Sunset are ready to forge ahead, meet new obstacles head-on and make the Sunset an even better place in 2002.

I wish you all the very best this holiday season and may your New Year bring joy and peace.

Leland Yee is a SF supervisor representing the Sunset District.