Instructions:
1. There are 10 sections to this questionnaire. Each section
corresponds to the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.
2. Each section contains one or more written questions and ends with
several multiple-choice questions. Please don't skip the written
questions.
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: Adlah Chisti
Phone Number: 415-359-4472
Web site: www.adlahchisti.com
E-mail: adlahc.sf@gmail.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Ben Gonzales
Are you receiving public financing: YES
Signed voluntary spending limit: Yes
2nd, 3rd endorsements in District: Still in the process.
Major Endorsements: We are currently in the process of completing endorsement questionnaires, but have received the community support and public endorsements of many District 11 residents and the United Educators of San Francisco. I have several community support from DIstrict 11 residents
Michele Cody District 11 Teacher Willie Brown Middle School
Dr. James Taylor Urban Studies University of San Francisco
Dr. Patrick Murphy Urban Studies University of San Francisco
Nadia Conrad Parent District 11
Maia Piccagli Parent District 11
Geri De Anda Parent District 11
Alec Lee Founder of Aim High and Former Teacher at Lick Wilmerding High School
Richard Lautze Founder of Aim High Headlands and Former Teacher at Urban High School
Veronica Fregoso Executive Director Birth Companion Community Center District 11
Alondra Esquivel District 11 Resident
Richard Cuadra District 11 Resident
Sarah Shannon District 11 Resident
Maria Dominguez
Malalai Anbari
Sammy Wong District 11 Resident
Aimee Zawitz
Olivia Franco and so many more.
Incumbent Supervisor whose votes are most similar to the way you would vote: John Avalos, Myrna Melgar, Shammon Walton
Incumbent who votes least similarly to the way you would vote: Joel Engardio
If the election were held today, who would you support as Board President: Aaron Peskin
Who would be your second and third choices: Hillary Ronen and Shammon Walton
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable): London Breed
1) Grassroots Democracy:
A) What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff Voting, and District
Elections?
Ranked Choice voting this the closest we will ever get to a multiparty system. For local politics this is very important and the basis for civic engagement and collegialism in democracy. Voters have the ability to make sound decisions on who they think is the best representation.
Instant runoff requires the top 51% of the vote. However this makes it difficult for candidates who have 48% of the vote or 45% or the vote to remain competitive. This is not proportional.
How have they worked to date? yes
What would you change in the future? I would not
What about Proportional Representation?
The electoral college for single office races like the presidency is the biggest issue. And is a
misrepresentation of the people's voice.
+ - ?
[ +] [ ] [ ] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[ +] [ ] [ ] Residency requirements for elected officials should be strictly enforced
B) What strategies would you employ to reduce corruption in San
Francisco government?
Reducing corruption in the San Francisco government requires a multi-faceted approach. My strategies would emphasize transparency, accountability, and public engagement. To enhance transparency, the government should implement robust data initiatives and detailed public disclosures of finances, strengthening budget oversight. Public engagement should be encouraged via forums and town hall meetings through real-time technology.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded
[ +] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign is supported or promoted by a Super PAC
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign has attended events sponsored by "Neighbors for a Better SF", "TogetherSF", "GrowSF" and/or "YIMBY"
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Remote public comment at board and committee meetings
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major
environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your
proposed policies to address them.
There are many environmental issues facing San Francisco including, air quality, energy consumption, sea level rising, high carbon emissions. My strategies for addressing these issues include creating a SF Public Bank that will divest our public money from Wall Street in order to finance a climate-resilient, sustainable, and equitable recovery, including affordable housing, small business investments, and a just transition to a zero-emissions renewable energy system
Champion a Green New Deal that uplifts workers and communities, through strong community partnerships with industry and City College, to implement projects that expand apprenticeship, training, and good-paying jobs for our local workforce and create healthy environments.
Renew climate justice advocates' work to get the SF Employees Retirement System Board to divest from fossil fuel corporations and the military industrial complex, the single greatest carbon emitting industry that contributes to the United States' overall addition to fossil fuels.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel and biodiesel transit (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Public Power with 100% local/regional clean energy mandate and elected utility board
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Install local/regional clean energy, efficiency, and battery storage and microgrids to supply 100% of our electricity by 2035
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[ + ] [ ] [ ] In the Bayview and on Treasure Island, halt all US Navy land transfers to the city or developers, and halt all development, until all sites are retested and cleaned to Residential Standards
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Non-native Tree Removals
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Use of herbicides in public parks
[ ] [- ] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
[ +] [ ] [ ] Managed retreat, Coastal Zone protection, and restoring wetlands in response to Global Warming
3) Social Justice:
A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what
solutions do you propose?
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.
San Francisco is facing a housing affordability crisis and this includes homelessness. We need people housed quickly and support legislation to do this quickly. Some solutions to address homelessness in SF include, streamlining services is essential to prevent individuals with severe mental health and substance use disorders from occupying public spaces. Directing them to treatment centers is vital, requiring secure spaces for adequate care. Innovative approaches, like community-rooted co-ops, can help. Repurposing empty office spaces into housing is crucial, complemented by wraparound services and Street Crisis Response team training.
Homelessness is multifaceted and we need to address systemic social economic disparities as well as post pandemic homelessness. We have to really look at the whole issue surrounding the root causes of homelessness. Post pandemic the most vulnerable became the most apparent. Drug addiction, mental health and homelessness need both direct services and direct support from city government. We shouldn't just hand the keys over we need oversight on these services.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[ ] [ ] [? ] Care Not Cash
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Housing As A Right
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Housing First for Homeless, Addiction, Mental Health
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Law against sitting or camping on SF sidewalks
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my district
It's important to understand that District 11 is the beacon of the working class. We have multiple jobs, and are enrolled in continuing education and lifelong learning. We are 67% homeowners in D11, many from multigenerational homes. Some of the questions presented above do not necessarily reflect the needs of the District.
I do believe that we need precautions in place to ensure that our working class remain housed and do not lose their homes because the cost of living in San Francisco is astronomical. We need homeownership education so that we don't lose our homes to probate and city liens. We need mental health support for the low to middle income earners of District 11, we need quality health coverage and adequate retirement pensions. Navigation centers are important in D9, D5 and D6 and the other districts as well as housing for the homeless, addiction and mental health.
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector
strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
We all care about affordable housing and housing choice. We also care about our infrastructure. We need to make smart decisions for every city and we can do this together. First and foremost, we need to protect our stock of rent controlled housing. Of the City's 377,000 housing units, 170,000 are rent controlled (almost half). It is imperative that we keep these units under rent control. Community land trusts and co-ops are important.
Second, we need to greatly expand the construction and financing of affordable housing. And development is always on the forefront but we don't consider the money or funding aspect, both for construction but also for acquisition of buildings and individual units.
Affordable housing is a crucial obligation for market-rate developers to mitigate the impact of new development. This approach should be more targeted to address the effects of racial segregation in different communities. Implementing an impact score as part of the approval process for projects in underinvested and excluded communities can help ensure equitable development.
I would ensure adequate funding for long-term planning processes, especially in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Consistent investment in these areas is essential to address historical underinvestment and to promote sustainable growth. We need to greatly expand the construction and financing of affordable housing. And development is always on the forefront but we don't consider the money or funding aspect, both for construction but also for acquisition of buildings and individual units.
Supporting the work of the Office of Racial Equity within the Planning Department is vital. This will help ensure that planning and development processes are equitable, addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by different communities.
Together, we seek unanimous consensus for the Democratic Party Governing Board to encourage the passage of the $20 Billion Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) affordable housing bond that will add 47,000 new affordable homes. Most importantly, it sends a signal to any potential candidates on the November ballot that this is important for the Democratic Party endorsement.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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, Housing Co-ops
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Waive Environmental Review to build Moderate and Low Income Housing
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Social Housing (similar to https://www.sfcommunityhousingact.com/)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ban on Airbnb and other short term rentals
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Vacancy tax on residential property and "pied-a-terre" homes
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Flipping taxes on housing speculation
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] 10-year waiting period before corporate and nonresident owners can sell purchased housing properties
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while
making the streets safer?
Public safety is a basic necessity for families, children and seniors to feel safe. Post pandemic I support all public safety work staff including firefighters, operators and other emergency service administrative staff. Community policing, community ambassadors and police ambassadors are important for San Francisco and for our marginalized communities in addition to the Street Crisis response team and empowered with de-escalation training and officer safety.
A comprehensive public safety plan to keep SFPD accountable and make the community safer is important to vibrancy.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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" (corrected by candidate)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prosecution of SFPD officers involved in violent attacks on, and fatal shooting deaths of, SF residents and visitors
[ + ] [ ] [ ] End cash bail for nonviolent crimes
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Cut police funding and increase social program spending, and establish community control of neighborhood policing
5) Decentralization:
A) What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter of 1996? Does it need revisiting? Would you support replacing the Strong Mayor system with commissions where the majority of members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, or directly elected?
I believe it should be revisited and a fully enclosed language for redistricting lines for representation and separation of powers including checks and balances.
Also not all commissions are equal. Some are advisory, where the city stands to gain valuable knowledge, but others have serious power over department budget and decision making; for those I think we need more oversight.
I believe there's always going to be a tension between efficiency and oversight in government. This conflict arises from the need to balance the desire to achieve results quickly with the necessity of ensuring accountability and transparency in decision-making processes.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Elected Rent Board
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Elected Public Utility Board
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Will you create formal district councils to advise you?
B) The city currently uses non-profits to provide social services. Do
you think this is an appropriate model? Why or why not?
Many nonprofits play a crucial role in supporting children and families, especially those from working-class backgrounds. Additionally, programs supporting seniors are essential for safeguarding their livelihoods and addressing housing insecurities. By ensuring continued access to healthcare and housing resources, we can prevent homelessness and uplift our community. As a candidate for Supervisor, I would support measures such as Supervisor Catherine Stefani's legislation to enhance oversight of nonprofit spending of city funds. Additionally, I advocate for allowing non-profit employees to work as city employees, streamlining services to efficiently address social issues.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Expand Participatory Budgeting to at least 5% of the District Budget
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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 for SF elections
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?
Local hire programs, pre-apprentice and apprentice jobs, and career technical education are vital to District 11. City College courses are essential for preparing residents for technical jobs, while Free City and educational pathways at SFSU are equally important for our local economic policies. Education is the cornerstone of local economic stability.
I support new revenue measures. In this unprecedented financial crisis, we must do everything we can in the short term to protect small businesses, prevent layoffs, and invest in public safety and schools. I support school parcel taxes, gross receipts taxes, and Supervisor Dean Preston's property transfer tax. Additionally, I strongly support increasing taxes on big businesses that aren't paying their fair share.
By focusing on education and implementing these revenue measures, we can build a stronger, more resilient economy in District 11 that benefits everyone, especially our local workforce and educational institutions.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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
[ +] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Strong preference for union jobs
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into wild open space
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prop 13 limits on tax increases should apply only to residential properties
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Commercial Rent Control
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Transition all residential and small business rental properties into not-for-profit trusts and co-ops
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy and flipping taxes on local small business property
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Transaction/Flipping taxes on all asset speculation to increase city budget
[ +] [ ] [ ] San Francisco Public Bank by 2027
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?
I believe women are underrepresented in the city government. District 11 recently had a debate for the candidates for Supervisor and I was the only woman present on the panel out of six. District 11 has never had a woman in the Supervisor seat and I believe that a woman in that position would be beneficial for our community. Women should always have a seat at the table. We are strong advocates of education for our children and safety for our children.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services to both residents and visitors
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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?
Diversity is the beacon and soul of San Francisco. We are the pioneers of supporting everyone and their well being which is a model for others to follow. Diversity should be celebrated and not punished. Often I was the only Indian in my class growing up in San Francisco and that was hard. This is much different now. My parents were street vendors who eventually started their own business. They came here and purchased their first home which I live in with them now as their caregiver. And I live there now with my 2 year old. We are an exemplary family of a multigenerational home.
Everyone has different tolerances and I believe that if you don't like diversity then you should not surround yourself in that environment. Most recently we were celebrating Eid ul Adha and a man started shouting at the people doing prayers and calling us horrific things in front of my 2 year old and my parents and many others. This was so hurtful that this can still exist.
Tolerance of each other is important and tolerance of differences is also important and in San Francisco that's all we should be striving for. But we will not tolerate pain or hurtful words. We need love and we need to heal.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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 and non-gender-binary 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
[ ] [ - ] [ ] End Drag Queen Story Hour and K-12 School Education on Gender Spectrum Differences
9) Global and Personal Responsibility:
A) What are your thoughts on the Board of Supervisors taking positions
on state, national and international issues?
International issues are difficult because on one hand you have these important issues that matter to you and to your constituents. On the other hand the issue of how impactful your decision making will be. Will it be impactful for your constituents, yes. Will it have an impact globally, probably not. Then we also have to consider how much resources we should spend on deliberating these issues. If its more than a week then we need to move on. These decisions need to be made swiftly especially since they have indirect impacts.
State issues and national issues are of high importance and we should always set precedent as a world class city for the nation and for the state.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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 and international law
[ + ] [ ] [ ] SF supervisors should take a position on offshore oil drilling outside CA
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] SF should refuse to purchase PG&E's nuclear power
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)?
Community. Weekly and monthly meetings with all the community members, town halls with the community and having an open door policy is vital to an effective Supervisor. The role of the supervisor is to listen to everyone, this includes unions, businesses and communities. And if we are not listening to them we are not doing our jobs as Supervisor.
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] JROTC in the public schools
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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?
I have always been a strong advocate of equity in transit and making San Francisco liveable for working class and underrepresented classes. As I have mentioned transit is vital to District 11. Often we are a forgotten District and transit accessibility and reliability are not prioritized in our district as it is for example in District 3. We want to be a car free district if seniors continue to have their independence to get groceries that are easily accessible for them. If we improve transit and improve it quickly we will have a transit first district.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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 GGP)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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) on selected current and past Propositions
(skip any for which you didn't live or vote in SF, or didn't take
a position at the time):
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] March 2024 Prop E (More Police Chases)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] March 2024 Prop F (Drug Test Poor People)
[ ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop C (Recall Reform)
[ ] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop H (Boudin Recall)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop G (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop I (Real Estate Transfer Tax)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
Due Date: Friday, June 21, 11:59 pm
Please submit by email to cc@sfgreens.org. For more information, call
Barry Hermanson at 415-255-9494. 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 will invite selected candidates who return
completed questionnaires on time to speak and answer questions at our
candidate forum and endorsement meeting. To be given time on our
agenda, each candidate needs at least three active Green Party members
to request their invitation. This will be a hybrid meeting, so
invited candidates may also speak with us via Zoom.
Our endorsement meeting is scheduled for Wed, June 26 from 6:30-9:30
pm at our office, 2973 16th St, #300, SF - note that this is across
the street from our old office in the Redstone Building. The first
two hours will be for interviews of selected candidates, and the last
hour will be for decision making.
Completed questionnaires will be posted on our website,
https://sfgreenparty.org.