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: Myrna Melgar
Phone Number: 4156278399
Web site: www.myrnamelgar.com
E-mail: melgar4d7@gmail.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Adlah Chisti 4153594472 adlah.chisti@gmail.com
Are you receiving public financing: Yes
Signed voluntary spending limit: I plan on doing so.
2nd, 3rd endorsements in District: Supervisor Norman Yee AFT 2121 Latino Democratic Club American Federation of Teachers, Local 2121 (City College of San Francisco Faculty Union, #2 endorsement San Francisco Latino Democratic Club, #1 endorsement (sole) San Francisco Tenants Union, #2 endorsement
Major Endorsements: Elected and Appointed Officials
Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee Supervisor Aaron Peskin Supervisor Catherine Stefani Supervisor Hillary Ronen Supervisor Gordon Mar Supervisor Rafael Mandelman Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer Supervisor Shamann Walton City College Board of Trustees President Shanell Williams City College Board of Trustees Brigette Davila City College Board of Trustees Thea Selby Board of Education President Mark Sanchez Board of Education Vice President Gabriela Lopez Board of Education Commissioner Alison Collins Board of Education Commissioner Jenny Lam Board of Education Commissioner Faauuga Moliga Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen Assemblymember David Chiu DCCC Member Jane Kim DCCC Member Suzy Loftus BART President Lateefah Simon BART Director Bevan Dufty Arts Commission Member Debra Walker Balboa Reservoir Community Advisory Council Chair Jon Winston Board of Appeals President Darryl Honda
Incumbent Supervisor whose votes most reflect your values: Shamann Walton, Sandy Lee Fewer and Gordon Mar
Incumbent whose votes least reflect your values: N/A
If the election were held today, who would you support as Board President: Sandy Lee Fewer
Who would be your second and third choices: Shamann Walton and Gordon Mar
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable): London Breed
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2018 (all 3 choices, if applicable): Jane Kim, London Breed
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2015 (all 3 choices, if applicable): None
Who did you endorse for Sheriff in 2015: Ross Mirkarimi
1) Grassroots Democracy: What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff Voting, and District Elections?
Instant run-off voting works for single office races like mayor or governor but for District level and local legislative ranked choice voting is more appropriate.
How have they worked to date?
The electoral college for single office races like presidency is the biggest issue. And is a misrepresentation of the people's voice.
What would you change in the future?
District elections promised greater representation for women and people of color. As our city has become more gentrified, and communities have become more displaced, I question whether that has worked out as intended. We have only one woman of color on the Board of Supervisors out of 11, and only 3 women total. On the Board of Education and the City College Board, both citywide elections, the representation of women of color and women overall is higher. No Latinas have been elected to the Board of Supervisors at all since District elections were implemented 25 years ago.
+ = Support / Agree / Yes
- = Oppose / Disagree / No
? = Undecided / Don't know / No opinion
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Some commissions should be democratically elected
[ ] [ - ] [ ] The Mayor should appoint all commissioners
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Residency requirements for elected officials should be strictly enforced
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts corporate contributions
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts contributions from paid lobbyists or related entities having any interest in City and County of San Francisco
The last two multiple choice questions -- do not reflect San Francisco Supervisor races. Those rules have changed.
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your proposed policies to address them.
Climate change, our jobs/housing imbalance, our inadequate transportation infrastructure. Stabilizing our public transportation budget and adequately funding its operations is a priority for me. I would reduce the carbon footprint of personal cars and advocate for "slow streets" being permanent. I would advocate for halt all US Navy Treasure Island transfers of lands tested by Tetra Tech, to private developers
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel buses (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Public Power
[ + ] [ ] [ ] City should take over PG&E distribution in SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[ + ] [ ] [ ] As in Bayview, halt all US Navy Treasure Island transfers of lands tested by Tetra Tech, to private developers
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Natural Areas Program
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Tree Removals
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Use of Tier One herbicides in public parks
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Addition of SF Groundwater to City's potable supply
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Managed retreat and Coastal Zone protection in response to Global Warming
3) Social Justice: A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what solutions do you propose?
Your response:
1. Build more deeply affordable supportive housing 2. Invest in Mental Health SF 3. Expand shelter beds, lower the entry barriers and provide wrap around navigation center services at congregate shelters.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Care Not Cash
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Community courts
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] SF's sick leave requirements I would go farther with the current proposals and legislation on this and make it universal and extend sick leave and paid family leave.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Law against sitting down on SF sidewalks
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] More frequent homeless counts
[ ] [ - ] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my district
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
Your response:
1. Affordable housing is an obligation market rate developers have to mitigate the impact of development as calculated by a city wide nexus study. This should be more targeted, because racial patterns of segregation and exclusion have affected communities differently. An impact score could be a component of the approval process for projects in communities that have suffered underinvestment and exclusion. 2. I would ensure adequate funding for long term planning processes, particularly in low income neighborhoods and communities of color. 3. Support the work of the Office of Racial Equity with the Planning Department, with the goal of having a staff that reflects the diversity of our city, and has knowledge of our communities.
I have lived in District 7 for a decade and my daughters have all attended school in the district. I was an aide to Supervisors Eric Mar and Jose Medina, and Director of Homeownership Programs during Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration working on affordable housing for frontline workers and teachers.I have worked to expand access to affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for low- and middle-income San Franciscans, improve rent control protections for tenants, provide technical assistance and access to capital for small businesses, support the rights of workers and expand education opportunities for disadvantaged San Francisco youth and families. I was President of the Planning Commission, Vice President of the Building Inspection Commission and have served on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Building more market rate housing will lower housing costs for current SF residents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Impacts of all new development should be paid for in advance by fees on developers
[ +] [ ] [ ] Community Land Trusts
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Elected Rent Board
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] HOME-SF (density bonus program)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Social Housing (similar to https://www.sfcommunityhousingact.com/)
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Ban on Airbnb and other short term rentals This question is a little unclear, but I would support stricter regulations on AirBnb and short term rentals.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Require full disclosure of all corporate/speculative interests in parties purchasing/developing property
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy tax on empty homes
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Pied-a-terre Tax on residential property owners who do not reside in SF
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Eliminating transfer of entitlements in real estate transfers
[ + ] [ ] [ ] #30RightNow - Fully funding direct access to housing for tenants in supportive housing, to lower rents to 30% of their income
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while making the streets safer?
Your response:
I support the Mayor's statement of intent to divert police funding to support Black communities.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Prioritize SFPD enforcement of moving violations
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Support expansion of foot patrols
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Demand stricter accountability in future MOUs with the SFPD
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The Board of Supervisors should be able to set policies and priorities for the SFPD through legislation
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Support a public safety program modeled after NYC's "Stop and Frisk"
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prosecution of SFPD Officers involved in fatal shooting deaths of San Francisco residents
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Demilitarize SFPD - Removal of tactical military weapons (e.g., tear gas, assault rifles) and vehicles from SFPD's arsenal/fleet
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Defund SFPD - Commit to permanent reduction of the number of SFPD officers
5) Decentralization: What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter of 1996? Does it need revisiting?
Your response:
The 1996 charter reform expanded the 1990 charter reform by eliminating sexist language, guaranteeing diversity and inclusion in city government, and protecting civil rights; merging the recorder and assessor functions; increasing government accountability; limiting the chief administrative officer's authority. (http://pdf.oac.cdlib.org/pdf/csf/sfpl/selectcommittee.pdf)
I believe it should be revisited and fully enclosed language for redistricting lines for representation and separation of powers.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Will you create formal district councils to advise you?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Charter amendment allowing voters to choose the replacement of an elected official being recalled on the same ballot as the recall vote
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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?
Your response:
I support new revenue measures. This is an unprecedented financial crisis and we need to do everything we can in the short-term to protect small businesses, stop layoffs, invest in protection and schools. I support school parcel taxes, gross receipts taxes and as well as current Supervisor Dean Preston's property transfer tax. I also vehemently support increasing taxes on big businesses that aren't paying their fair share.
Please see my responses to feminism and diversity below.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Legislation limiting formula retail outlets/chain stores
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Conditional Use permit required for big box stores
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Municipal broadband as a public utility
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Neighborhood cooperatives prioritized as a local supply chain for legalized marijuana
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I support recreational marijuana stores opening in my district
While I am advocate for the two above mentioned questions about marijuana, District 7 and the westside constituents would represent their voice and choice and I would support their decisions.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] 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?
Your response: Yes, women are underrepresented across the City in leadership. London Breed is the first woman of color to be Mayor, and both times we have had a woman ascend to the role of Mayor, it is because a guy died.
I have spent decades hiring, mentoring, and providing professional development opportunities to people who are not White, women and young people. As a manager with the City from 2004 to 2011 I hired women and people of color almost exclusively, while also including professional development and advancement opportunities for staff. During my work with nonprofits: at the Mission Economic Development Agency, I led the creation of the agency's workforce program, that provided entry into the workforce for Latinos, women and youth.
At Jamestown Community Center, I led the expansion of our youth workforce programs, quadrupling the capacity of the agency to provide mentorship and work opportunities for high risk Latino and African American youth. As a 2015 alumna of Emerge, CA, I have stayed active in the network recruiting women to run for office, mentoring and supporting young women to get the support and training they need to run for office and win.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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?
Your response: My family immigrated to San Francisco when I was a child from El Salvador during the civil war. This City gave my family opportunity and the ability to set roots and create community. As income inequality changes our City, I want to put my skills and experience to work to ensure this City will continue to provide the opportunities I was given to the next generation. Please also see my response for feminism.
I have worked for decades to strengthen rent control protections, increase affordable housing, support policies that preserve low income and vulnerable communities, such as Proposition I. I have also worked to preserve community assets that stabilize and provide supports: I was the co-chair of the capital campaign committee that raised the funds to buy Plaza Adelante, which now houses MEDA, Causa Justa/Just Cause and other nonprofits and small/micro businesses in the Mission, as well as a founding member of the 701 Alabama Consortium which purchased the MLVS building as it was threatened with a loss to an investor. That building also houses several nonprofits and is currently serving as the food hub to the Mission during the pandemic. During my time at the planning commission I worked with labor and anti-displacement activists to consistently vote to preserve communities and maximize stabilization and community benefits in individual projects and long term planning.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Multilingual government and public education
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Undocumented immigrants should have equal access to education and health care
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Non-citizen residents should be able to vote in all local elections
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Full rights for transgender persons
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the ethnic diversity of San Francisco
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the political diversity of San Francisco
[ + ] [ ] [ ] My campaign reflects the diversity of San Francisco
9) Global and Personal Responsibility: A) What are your thoughts on the Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and international issues?
Your response:
I support it and believe local legislators should advocate what their communities need.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with the PATRIOT Act
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with ICE/Secure Communities
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] City government should boycott Israel until it complies with UN resolutions
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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)?
Your response:
I believe local legislators should advocate what their communities need in conjunction with the needs of San Franciscans.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[ ] [ - ] [ ] In a severe recession, environmental regulations should be suspended to create jobs
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Business taxes are too high * They are too high for micro and small businesses, not high enough for big corporations.
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?
Your response:
I have always been a strong advocate of equitable transit and making San Francisco liveable for working class and underrepresented classes.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Downtown Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Citywide Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ + ] [ ] [ ] More weekend closures of streets in/near my district to cars (e.g., Car-Free JFK in GGP)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Make "Slow Streets" permanent after the pandemic
[ ] [ - ] [ ] State law change that lets bicycles treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I ride Muni, bicycle and/or walk instead of driving on a regular basis
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Bus Rapid Transit expanded to all major transit corridors in SF
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Car hailing services like Uber and Lyft should be regulated as taxis, or banned
[ ] [ ] [? ] Scooter/similar vehicle rentals should be required to store vehicles on private property
[ ] [ -] [ ] Allow residents to park on the sidewalk without getting a ticket, unless their neighbors complain
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Congestion pricing for parking
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Power more City vehicles using biofuels (e.g., corn-based ethanol)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Residents should be allowed to park in the street in front of their own driveway for free
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Support expanding parking meter hours to include later evening hours and weekends
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Remove parking spots and car lanes to create dedicated bike and bus lanes or wider sidewalks
Your positions (at the time, if you took a position) on selected current and past Propositions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Split roll tax assessment (Prop 13 reform)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] March 2020 Prop E (Office development)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2019 Prop C (Vaping regulations)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2019 Prop D (Uber/Lyft tax)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop F (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[ ] [- ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop R (Neighborhood crime units)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
[ ] [ ] [ ] June 2016 Prop B (Rec and Park legislation)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 2015 Prop F (Short Term Rental Regulation)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 2015 Prop I (Mission Luxury Housing Moratorium)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2014 Prop H (Natural Grass in Parks)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2014 Prop B (Waterfront Height Limits)