Instructions:
1. There are 10 sections to this questionnaire. Each section
corresponds with the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.
2. Each section begins with a written question and ends with several
multiple-choice questions. Please don't skip the written question.
3. The multiple-choice questions are answered by checking the box in the
appropriate column to indicate which is closest to your position
+ = Support / Agree / Yes
- = Oppose / Disagree / No
? = Undecided / Don't know / No opinion
4. The world is too complex to always break down neatly into
yes/no/maybe choices, so feel free to clarify any answers to multiple
choice questions with a few words.
Candidate Name: Ellen Lee Zhou
Phone Number: 415-205-9132
Web site: www.ellenleezhouformayor2018.com
E-mail: Ellen@ EllenLeeZhouformayor2018.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Audrey Leong
Are you receiving public financing: No. Not yet. Still working on fundraising.
Signed voluntary spending limit: No. I am not a career politician who waste public money!
Campaign Manager: Audrey Leong (you asked above already)
Major Endorsements: Coalition of Good Neighborhood from 11 districts throughout S.F.
Your 2nd, 3rd choices for Mayor: Richie Greenberg, Amy Farah Weiss.
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2015 (all 3 choices, if applicable): Mayor Ed Lee.
Who did you endorse for Sheriff in 2015: I forgot.
Thank you for outreaching to me. I am a City and County Employee and I have been fighting for justice for all residents and visitors. I am being bullied by the four “known” career politicians that I was banned to join the Mayor debate organized by “them”! I have been discriminated by main stream American media that my name is hardly mentioned. I was not invited to Mayoral debate candidate organized by Democratic clubs. Maybe, your party can protest on us, the non-democratic mayoral candidates. We, the three were no part of the public debate. Democracy is dead in San Francisco if Democratic party continued to violate human rights by using public spaces, open to public debate, but not included all eight candidates! What a shame!
1) Grassroots Democracy: What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff
Voting, and District Elections? How have they worked to date? What
would you change in the future?
Answer: I am Grassroots with nothing to get in the Mayor’s race! I live my life paycheck to paycheck! Who can afford to pay $6,500.00 for application form? Within such short time? This whole special Mayor election is a joke! It is a biased, money controlled and bullying new candidates! Look are who are the people always on the news? Who can really make changes if politicians continue to fight for themselves, among themselves? I am a Social Worker. I am tired of our current Administrators. I am running for better S.F., so we can all have a happier, healthier, safer city! I was dominated by our community for a better San Francisco!
For the future election, no big money allowed! No Independent account! No corporate sponsored! No career politicians abuse public money for their own gain! It has to be faired and transparent! Only participate by individuals who care about our quality of life!
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Some commissions should be democratically elected
[ ] [ x ] [ ] The Mayor should appoint all commissioners
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Residency requirements for elected officials should be strictly enforced
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded (It is unethical to have such name but not doing their job like it should! I have been dealing with them! Waste public resources!
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised ( It has ben televised)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns (101% agree).
[ ] [ x ] [ ] My campaign accepts corporate contributions
[ ] [ x ] [ ] My campaign accepts contributions from paid lobbyists or related entities having any interest in City and County of San Francisco
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major
environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your
proposed policies to address them.
Answer: I believe our current practices are manageable in this area. The city is working on to improve, but still a working progress issue.
+ - ?
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel buses (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Public Power
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Community Choice Energy should be rolled out to all SF customers this year
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Install local/regional clean energy, efficiency, and battery storage to supply 50% of our electricity by 2030
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[ x ] [ ] [ ] As in Bayview, halt all US Navy Treasure Island transfers of lands tested by Tetra Tech, to private developers
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Natural Areas Program
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Mass Tree Removals & Tier One herbicides should not be used in public parks
[x ] [ ] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
3) Social Justice:
A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what
solutions do you propose?
Answer: I am a Provider myself. No one can solve this “crisis” on homeless unless you know what the root causes. I am a Social Worker for Public Health. We work with different departments and community organizations to do our best. But our homeless grow bigger each time we solve or house some homeless. We need stronger regulations to isolate homeless for health treatment such issues with drug rehab, mental health, alcohol abuse, etc. professional homeless and other homeless keep coming to S.F. I will share my plan during debate on the solution. I hope I am able to share with the public with absolute elimination our homeless from all streets, creating a role model for other cities too!
+ - ?
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Care Not Cash
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Community courts
[x ] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[ x ] [ ] [ ] SF's sick leave requirements
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Law against sitting down on SF sidewalks
[ ] [ x ] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my neighborhood
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector
strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
Answer: It is ashamed for our current politicians to create unfair housing policies causing many small property owners to withhold their housing for rent. I believe we have about 40,000 to 50,000 empty units available for rent to help workers, teachers and families. Many landlords being sued unfairly. From now on, only allow to build more affordable housing for until our housing crisis stable! It is supply and demand. I can share more during our debate. I hope you respect that.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Building more market rate housing will lower housing costs for current SF residents
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Impacts of all new development should be paid for in advance by fees on developers
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Community Land Trusts
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Elected Rent Board
[ ] [ x ] [ ] HOME-SF (density bonus program)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Ban on Airbnb and other short term rentals
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Require full disclosure of all corporate/speculative interests in parties purchasing/developing property
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Vacancy tax on empty homes
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Pied-a-terre Tax on residential property owners who do not reside in SF
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while
making the streets safer?
Answer: Re-train all officers about mental health issues vs criminal behavior. Every life matters. I believe most police with good heart and good intent to be a police to protect our public. I work with many of them. I was a graduate from the Community Police Academy in 2006.
+ - ?
[ ] [x ] [ ] Prioritize SFPD enforcement of moving violations
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Support expansion of foot patrols
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Demand stricter accountability in future MOUs with the SFPD
[ x ] [ ] [ ] The Board of Supervisors should be able to set policies and priorities for the SFPD through legislation
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Support a public safety program modeled after NYC's "Stop and Frisk."
5) Decentralization: What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter
of 1996? Does it need revisiting?
Answer: It has been so long ago which I think it is time to re-evaluate for changes either within the current policies or new add on policies. Programs should be re-evaluate every two to three years for improvement and accountabilities.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Charter amendment allowing voters to choose the replacement of an elected official being recalled on the same ballot as the recall vote
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Immediately implement open-source voting system on the local level
6) Community Based Economics: What economic policies, including
taxation and land use, would you propose that would drive capital into
our communities and keep that capital here for residents?
Answer: We are a world classic City but not with world classic living environment! Our homeless has taking a toll on many of the residents! Our car break ins and property thefts, etc. Create better regulations for criminals to stay away from S.F. Also, we should limited to local people, residents to have priorities for housing, buying homes, keeping working families to afford a home in S.F. We can invite investors to build housing for affordable housing with tax breaks, make it win-win for the City, investors and residents.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Legislation limiting formula retail outlets/chain stores
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Conditional Use permit required for big box stores
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Municipal broadband as a public utility
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Neighborhood cooperatives prioritized as a local supply chain for legalized marijuana
[ ] [ x ] [ ] I support recreational marijuana stores opening in my neighborhood
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Prop 13 limits on tax increases should apply only to residential properties
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Commercial Rent Control
7) Feminism: Do you believe women are underrepresented in city
government? If so, why do you believe this is the case? Is this a
bad thing, and if so, what would you do to remedy the situation?
Answer: Yes and No, depends on which departments. Look, we have six women and two men run this Mayor race.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents
[ x ] [ ] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion
8) Respect for Diversity: Tell us what you believe are the best and the
worst aspects of San Francisco's diversity. How would you try to
protect the best while trying to change the worst?
Answer: Due to our unique population in S.F. that I think we should be reinforced our diversity policies start with language capability for English, Spanish and Chinese. Our current Administrators currently not in agreement with many issues because of political parties and own agenda. How do I know? I am an active member going to different public hearings and getting reports from different city workers. I am a Bargaining Team member for our Public Services Workers.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Multilingual government and public education
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Undocumented immigrants should have equal access to education and health care
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Non-citizen residents should be able to vote in all local elections
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Full rights for transgender persons
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the ethnic diversity of San Francisco
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the political diversity of San Francisco
[ ] [ x ] [ ] My campaign reflects the diversity of San Francisco (Shame on the career politicians that I was not included in many of the Mayoral debate, misleading voters!
9) Global and Personal Responsibility:
A) What are your thoughts on the Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and
international issues?
Answer: In my experience with our current Board of Supervisors, some of them are not working together to serve our residents and our city for a greater good. We, should follow rules and setting good examples for citizens to follow the rules and laws. I believe BOSs are misleading the public about immigrants. I am an immigrant. But I followed the immigration process to come to the USA. It is also a risky decision to protect FBI wanted felons. It is a public risk to shelter criminals! Our sanctuary city and sanctuary state misleading residents and good people who obey the laws!
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] City government cooperating with the PATRIOT Act (yes to protect residents who obey the laws)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] City government cooperating with ICE/Secure Communities (Yes, protect all residents and visitors)
[ ] [ x ] [ ] City government should boycott Israel until it complies with UN resolutions
[ x ] [ ] [ ] SF supervisors should take a position on offshore oil drilling outside CA
B) Please describe how you make your political decisions. What is the
main basis for your decision making (e.g., consultation with your
constituents, political consultants, colleagues, unions, businesses,
donors, or your gut feelings)?
Answer: I have been a Public Worker for more than 13 years and I am Union Rep. for public workers. We solve our issues as a team. We consult and support our common interests and work on our differences. Our goal is to provide the best of best services to our residents and visitors.
+ - ?
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[ ] [ x ] [ ] In a severe recession, environmental regulations should be suspended to create jobs
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Business taxes are too high
10) Sustainability: What does the Transit First City Charter provision
mean to you? How has Transit First fared in recent years, and how would
you enforce that Charter Provision if elected?
Answer: I need more research and more field interview to get hands on experience feedback on this topic. We can always learn from other cities through the world to improve our city transit services.
+ - ?
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Downtown Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ ] [ ] [ ] Citywide Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ ] [ x ] [ ] More weekend closures of streets in/near my neighborhood to cars (e.g., Car-Free GGP)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] State law change that lets bicycles treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs
[ x ] [ ] [ ] I ride Muni, bicycle and/or walk instead of driving on a regular basis
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Bus Rapid Transit expanded to all major transit corridors in SF
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Car hailing services like Uber and Lyft should be regulated as taxis, or banned
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Allow residents to park on the sidewalk without getting a ticket, unless their neighbors complain
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Congestion pricing for parking
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Power more City vehicles using biofuels (e.g., corn-based ethanol)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Residents should be allowed to park in the street in front of their own driveway for free
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Support expanding parking meter hours to include later evening hours and weekends (We want to have our quality life during weekends and off work hours/evenings)
[ ] [ ] [ x ] Remove parking spots and car lanes to create dedicated bike and bus lanes or wider sidewalks (depends on traffic)
Your positions on selected current and past Propositions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ x ] June 2018 Eviction Defense
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Tasers for SFPD
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Neighborhood crime unit
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Nov 2016 Vacancy appointments
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 16-17 y.o. voting, local elections
[ ] [ x ] [ ] Nov 2016 Non-citizen voting, school board
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2016 Prop B (Rec and Park legislation)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] 2015 Prop F (Short Term Rental Regulation)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] 2015 Prop I (Mission Luxury Housing Moratorium)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2014 Prop H (Natural Grass in Parks)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] June 2014 Prop B (Waterfront Height Limits)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] 2011 Prop C (Mayor's Pension measure)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] 2011 Prop D (Adachi's Pension measure)
[ ] [ x ] [ ] 2010 Prop L (Ban on Sitting on Sidewalks)
[ x ] [ ] [ ] 2010 Prop M (Foot Patrols)
Due Date: Wednesday, Feb 21, 11:59 pm.
Please submit by email to cc@sfgreens.org. For more information, call
Erika McDonald at 415-337-1499. Please return your answers in plain
text (not HTML, PDF, or Word format), so that we can post all
candidates' answers in the same format.
The SF Green Party invites all candidates who return completed
questionnaires on time to speak and answer questions at our candidate
forum and endorsement meeting, to be scheduled in late February
or early March. We are currently working on organizing a joint
candidate forum in collaboration with other progressive political
organizations. Although the criteria for participation in such a
forum are still to be determined, completing our questionnaire will
make you eligible for the Green Party's endorsement.
Completed questionnaires will be posted on our website,
http://sfgreenparty.org.