An Open Letter About The District 5 Supervisor Appointment
A Job Well Done
Supervisor Mirikarimi has done an excellent job for district 5. From crime reduction initiatives to leadership on the Divisadero Corridor, his efforts have transformed District 5 into a better place to live, work and play. Thank you Supervisor Mirikarimi for a job well done. Good luck as Sheriff.
Reaching Out Matters
We would like to thank Mayor Lee and his staff for reaching out to the D5NAC and other District 5 groups. It's important that this appointment take into consideration the unique and diverse set of opportunities and challenges that District 5 has.
Leadership Matters
District 5 needs a supervisor that has a long term vision for what the city and District 5 need to achieve by 2020. That's why the D5NAC has put together a list of traits we would like to see in our next supervisor. These include:
- Well respected for building community and working for the common good
- Experience dealing with City bureaucracy
- A consensus builder who listens to all sides
- Someone who strives for the “triple win” – neighborhood, district and city
- Stands up for what is right and just even when it's unpopular
- Practical and Pragmatic with a strong sense of justice and fair play
- A doer more than a talker
District 5 needs a leader who can build on Supervisor Mirikarimi's legacy to fully realize our potential. Our new supervisor needs to listen and internalize the diverse needs of the district and then act.
Strategies to Get There
The main focus of the next District 5 supervisor must be to maintain the successes of the past, push the district forward and to develop the Western Addition. Some of the suggested strategies to get there include:
- Create Sustainable Employment
◦ Teach lasting life skills
◦ Bring back the trades
◦ Diversify the business base
- Opportunity Drives Improvement
◦ Take a chance on radical ideas
◦ Show up and lend a hand
◦ Teach, mentor and coach community leaders
- Leverage Community Investment
◦ Public/Private investment partnerships driven by residents
◦ Think sustainable and modest profit instead of maximizing profit
◦ Build on the rich heritage
- Targeted, Real and Sustained Economic Development
◦ Expand commercial corridors and recruit anchor businesses
◦ Embrace sustainable practices
◦ Work for predictable small business start process in City agencies
- Celebrate Achievement
◦ Look for the small wins
◦ Be present
◦ Build buzz
- Improve The Quality of Life
◦ More Assistance for the Mentally Ill, Homeless and chronic substance abusers
◦ Rigorously enforce anti-graffiti laws
◦ Consistent implementation of Civil Sidewalks
Lets Get Going
The neighborhoods in the D5NAC are excited about the future of District 5. We have seen first hand how a dedicated group of community leaders, businesses, our supervisor, the mayor and city hall staff can transform neighborhoods into great places to work, live and play. All of us play a critical role in improving our district and the D5NAC looks forward to realizing our potential.
Our next supervisor needs continue the momentum. They need to continue the strong leadership that Supervisor Mirikarimi brought to our district, push us forward and take the lead in restoring the Western Addition.
About D5NAC
Although I could not attend meeting, D-5 also includes Japantown which has been impacted by wartime relocation of Japanese/Japanese Americans and redevelopment. Our concerns are to preserve and sustain the cultural integrity of this historic community which is the oldest of the three remaining Japantowns in the United States.
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