Supervisor Ed Jew: Representing You at City Hall

Allow me to begin my first official communication to the people of my district by sincerely thanking the Sunset Beacon for offering this monthly opportunity. I don't know where we'd be without our neighborhood paper, and I know that I will do everything possible in my new capacity to pass on newsworthy items.

Most of you know that I was appointed to fill the remainder of Fiona Ma's term by Mayor Gavin Newsom on Dec. 5; my own term officially begins with another oath of office on Jan. 8, along with the recently-elected supervisors of districts 2, 6, 8 and 10.

Upon taking office at the SF Board of Supervisors, I was appointed to Ma's former seat on the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee, where I will serve until the newly-elected president of the board makes committee appointments in January.

My legislative assistants are Barbara Meskunas and Hazel Lee. We occupy Fiona Ma's old office -Room 260. My office number is 554-7460. We are looking for volunteers to help with office tasks, particularly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you like to talk on the telephone and have some computer skills, perhaps you'll consider volunteering a few hours every week to help me solve the problems of your neighbors who call my office for assistance.

If you read any of my campaign material, then you already know what I plan to do. My agenda is simple: fiscal accountability, supporting small business, and doing everything I can to keep families in San Francisco. Everything that I do, every piece of legislation I introduce, and every vote I cast will be consistent with those objectives.

Memorial for Slain Officer
It was my sad task over the holidays to attend the funeral of Officer Bryan Tuvera of Taraval Station, who was gunned down by an escaped felon in the 25th Avenue garage of two unsuspecting senior citizens on the Friday before Christmas. Officer Tuvera's service to the people of the Sunset District and San Francisco will never be forgotten.

We all too often take our police officers for granted - until we need them. We must always remember that the SF Police Department (SFPD) is our only protection as a civilized society, from criminals who prey on families and vulnerable seniors and children. When we read sensational newspaper accounts designed to cast doubt on our fine men and women in uniform, or hear irresponsible reports deliberately based on questionable data, or when the standards of political correctness are unfairly applied in order to advance the careers of certain elected officials, keep in mind that public safety is not a priority of these naysayers - far from it.

My family and I appreciate the dedication and sacrifices of the SFPD, as do most residents of the Sunset. In the coming months, I will do my best to identify a proper memorial in the district to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Officer Tuvera.

And, in the coming years, I will do my best to support the recruitment efforts, staffing requests and operational needs of Taraval Station and the SFPD, and defend the department against all its detractors, within and outside City Hall. Public safety takes other forms, such as everyday pedestrian and auto safety.

One of the first things I did after taking office was walk around the district with Police Chief Heather Fong and Taraval Station Capt. Keith Stanford, identifying problem areas of particular concern to merchants and district schools. I did another walking tour a week later with SF Department of Public Works' directors Mohammed Nuru and Fred Abadi.

As an immediate result, a stop sign is going up at 42nd Avenue and Lawton Street, a four-way stop sign has been ordered for 45th Avenue and Noriega Street, and several potholes have been fixed. Many more pedestrian and traffic improvements are planned, and I will keep you informed of our progress.

Finally, my office has received a number of calls reporting the presence of coyotes near the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. This paper first alerted Sunset residents to this danger, which was no more than a rumor at the time.

But evidence of their presence in the park is building, and my office is making official inquiries to determine responsibility and a remedy. In the meantime, please understand that coyotes are wild animals that should not be approached or fed by people. Coyotes can inflict great harm on you and your pets. Please report any sightings and notify my office.

Have a happy, safe and healthy New Year!

Ed Jew is a San Francisco Supervisor representing District 4.