Supervisor Eric Mar: Meeting, budget cuts

District One Town Hall Meeting for a Thriving and Livable Richmond
Please join me for a Town Hall Meeting on traffic, pedestrian safety and street improvements on Saturday, May 30. Our office is committed to working with you to ensure a thriving and livable Richmond District for everyone. I will be joined by staff from the Richmond Police Station, SF Planning Department and Municipal Transportation Agency staff.

We will be updated on new traffic-calming proposals, pedestrian safety and street improvements in the Richmond District. We invite you to share your suggestions for better streets, transportation and neighborhood improvements at the meeting, which will be held at the Richmond Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Light refreshments will be served.

Proposed Cuts to the Recreation and Park Department
As the SF Recreation and Park Department tries to close its $11.4 million budget deficit, I am continuing our work to ensure that our public facilities remain accessible to all and that the proposed cuts have minimal impact on our neighborhoods and the people who use these public resources. I am particularly concerned with a proposal to charge a fee to the San Francisco Strybing Arboretum. This facility is a wonderful public asset that should remain free to all San Franciscans.

I have called for a hearing on this proposal at the Board of Supervisors to be scheduled in the next month. Contact my office for additional details and please plan on coming to give your input.

Also, please continue sending your thoughts about budget cut proposals for all city agencies, from Muni and health and human services, to issues at the Recreation and Park Department. I will do my best to work with the members of the budget and finance committee, city departments and the mayor to help come up with solutions that retain essential services and minimize the impact on our neighborhoods and the people who live in them.

Celebrate APA Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month, a celebration recognizing the contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Asian Pacific Americans represent more than a third of San Francisco's population. The APA community represents the diversity of many ethnic groups, each with its own unique history and rich culture. Please join me in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at these events:

• On Monday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m., SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Committee host the Mayor's Proclamation Signing Ceremony, with a reception to follow. For more details, e-mail us at Marstaff@sfgov.org.

• On Saturday, May 16, the Asian Week Foundation's fifth annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration will take place in front of the Asian Art Museum, located on Larkin and McAllister streets. For more information, go to the Web site at www.asianfairsf.com.

Lastly, if you would like to receive our monthly e-newsletter, please e-mail Marstaff@sfgov.org. As always, feel free to call my office any time to make a comment or receive information about what is happening at City Hall.

Eric Mar is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 1.