By Jim Rhoads, HANC Board

Cosi“Cosi” Lee Fabian (Harrison) Pavalko passed away on July 21, 2021.   An Ashbury Street resident for 40 years, she was vibrant and multifaceted.  She was, among other things, an artist, activist, dog walker (her dog walking service was called “Mary Poopins”), and friend to many. She was instrumental in saving the 6 Parnassus bus route for our neighborhood a few years ago, led a neighborhood senior discussion group, established her own English garden in the front yard next to her home. Cosi’s life was celebrated at the San Francisco Columbarium on Saturday, September 25th. Her niche there is in the

Aphrodite room. Please go to the obituary link below to read more of the story of her fascinating life:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/cosi-pavalko-obituary?pid=200141477&_ga=2.3738608.116332451.1632849452-1762064631.1632849452

HANC drafted a letter urging SFMTA to restore the #6 and #21 bus lines.  Our letter was supported by Senior Disability Action, SF Gray Panthers SDA Transit Justice, the Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila, Neighbors United, and many individuals. 

The letter was presented at the SFMTA Board meeting on September 21.  In part, the letter states:

"SFMTA Director Jeff Tumlin says that the SFMTA 'cannot afford' to re-open all lines and refuses to say when or if the 6 and 21 will be re-activated.  SFMTA's own figures show that 70% of the riders of these lines are low income people who cannot afford another form of transportation.  Both lines form part of the MUNI 'equity strategy' and are in the top 15 (out of some 95 lines) in providing service to senior and disabled community members.  San Franciscans cannot afford NOT TO re-open the 21 and 6 lines."

The full text of the letter can be downloaded here: https://www.hanc-sf.org/the-voice-and-docs/general-reference/SFMTA---Restore-the-6-and-the-21/ .  We continue to urge the full restoration of these important neighborhood-serving bus lines.

By Christin Evans, HANC Board

At the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council’s September meeting, the first hour centered on the recent appearance of numerous automated vehicles emblazoned with corporate logos.  Representatives of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and the companies Waymo, Cruise and Zoox were on hand to answer our community’s questions about what impact these new vehicles have.

By Calvin Welch, HANC Board

While technophiles eagerly await the full operation of corporate-owned driverless electric taxis, the concern of some that these vehicles may prove an alluring alternative to public transit for cash-strapped urban transit managers and their elected official bosses may be working itself on San Francisco streets.

At the September 9th  HANC general meeting featuring SFMTA, WAYMO and other driverless car companies,  Supervisor Mar’s office has been invited to share with us the background to the recent announcement  by  WAYMO that it  will operate throughout District 4, presented by Mar at the Board of Supervisors. In an August 25th piece appearing on 48 Hills (https://48hills.org/2021/08/waymo-and-the-invasion-of-the-corporate-body-snatchers/), Herb Mintz reports that Mar’s office learned that the area was selected as “a result of an SFMTA study”  of the district .  While the study results were “apparently” shared with WAYMO, SFMTA   “did no outreach.  Not to the residents, and not even to our office,”  Mar staffer Ralph Lane told Mintz.  Mintz asked SFMTA for a comment but none was forthcoming. Perhaps HANC can get some answers.

It is perhaps a coincidence that SFMTA did a study on intersections layout in the Sunset and WAYMO chose the same area to start its driverless operations.  Equally it may also be a coincidence that the three remaining major transit lines still suspended –the 6 the 21 and the L- all serve the same area that WAYMO will begin  its driverless operations. Join us at HANC on Thursday, September 9th, 7 pm to get answers to these and other questions.

Please join us on Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 pm.  Our meeting will focus on the impacts of driverless vehicles on the Haight Ashbury.  We have invited representatives from SFMTA, Supervisor Mar's office, Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox to provide information and to answer your questions.

To join the meeting, copy this link:
https://zoom.us/j/97001985280?pwd=Nkx2UVFPSTRVWGVXUVZEbFRkb0xwQT09


Or, with the Zoom app:

Meeting ID: 970 0198 5280
Passcode: 333544

Zoom also provides telephone numbers.  These are not toll-free numbers.  Check with your phone company before you incur charges.

The closest number is:
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 970 0198 5280
Passcode: 333544


Additional numbers can be found at: https://zoom.us/u/acJ3FRWOWk

By Christin Evans and James Sword, HANC Board

At the end of August, HANC board members Christin Evans and James Sword met with Supervisor Preston to discuss what measures the city could take to improve community safety.

The pandemic has raised the profile of the Department of Public Health (DPH) and its key decision makers.  Everything from guidance on workplace operations, distancing and masking to creating public access to testing and vaccinations is now determined in this City/County department.  But does the Department operate with little oversight? Its officials, for the most part certified medical professionals, report up through to the mayor’s office.  The few hearings held with the full Board of Supervisors in 2020 were contentious, discussing the sometimes arbitrary rules allowing some retailers (mostly corporate chains) to operate freely while many other, smaller retailers were required to fully close. The mayor’s office battled the teachers’ union in the media over school reopening and safety measures to keep both students and staff safe.

During the Delta surge, a realization that the Covid risk persists even for those who have been vaccinated when antibodies wane will likely lead to a CDC recommendation for booster shots for all of us soon.  People once again are being asked to mask up and be aware of the onset of symptoms and quarantine if needed. But the Delta surge also revealed gaps in access.  Testing options that provide immediate results have been challenging for most to obtain.

By Christin Evans, HANC Board

Have you noticed the strange robot cars, sensors whirring on the car rooftop, cameras mounted outwards, driving on our city roads? They are hard to miss, as they are cruising down Haight street nearly every day now.

At our September meeting we will strive to better understand the brave new world of autonomous vehicles (AVs).  The Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council has invited representatives from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the AV companies Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox.

We’ve asked the companies to come prepared to answer these questions:

  • How many vehicles are operating on our city streets?
  • Where are your facilities for vehicle storage and repair located in San Francisco?
  • How many people do you employ locally?
  • What are the safety measures your companies employ to ensure no injuries?
  • What is the climate impact of your company's vehicles driving around what seems to be all day long?
  • What is the congestion impact of your company's vehicles?
  • What can we expect in the months and years ahead?

  1. Got Fruit?
  2. SFUSD Under Covid-19
  3. We Must Fight to Save the 6 and 21 Muni Lines
  4. July at HANC Recap: Haight-Ashbury Emerging From Covid
  5. Park Branh Library's Reopening Plans
  6. Community Ownership of Land Creating Forever Homes