Local Highway Spurs Controversy for Upcoming Local Elections

Asha Ingram, Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - This upcoming November, the city will have the vote to decide the fate of a local coastal highway. The Great Highway, located near ocean beach on the westside of San Francisco has been the center of debate for years and will be one of the more prominent decisions made during the 2024 elections in Proposition K. If the Proposition passes the Upper Great Highway will be permanently closed to private vehicles.

Supporters of Prop K include Sunset District Supervisor Joel Engardio and Mayor London Breed. Originally the one who brought this to ballot, Engardio, thinks that the highway's closure could benefit the local community. He has also proposed building a public park in place of the highway.

Proposition K was brought up to permanently close the highway to private vehicles and make it open to bikers and pedestrians instead. Since the pandemic, the city has had a hybrid program with the highway, with it being open to cars during the week and closed during the weekends. However, many people have wanted to see it permanently closed for years.

In addition to supporting the closure of the highway, Engardio has also proposed building a public park, called the Ocean Beach Park, in place of the highway.

“Ocean Beach Park will help the environment, boost local merchants, and bring people joy. It’s good for the environment as we face coastal erosion and climate change. Small businesses throughout the Sunset district will benefit.” he said.

While any plans for the park are hypothetical right now, he thinks that it will create a recreation space available to everyone and will save the city money by reducing the need and cost for sand removal. He hopes to acquire funding for it through state and federal grants, a future park bond, and public-private partnerships.

“In the short term, the ballot measure will close the road between Lincoln and Sloat to allow for a full-time coastal park promenade. It will look like what it already does on the weekends when the road is closed to traffic. This is already a success with 9,400 people on average visiting each weekend, making the promenade San Francisco’s third most popular park. Data show that 4,000 people visit on Saturdays, 4,000 on Sundays, and 1,400 on Friday afternoons.” Engardio said.

Many people are skeptical of this plan for a park on the highway. Paul Kosakowiecz, Sunset resident and former editor/owner of the local Richmond Review newspaper, who has been outspoken about this particular issue for years, views this ocean beach park as not having a concrete enough plan.

“The forces pushing for the closure of the UGH claim Prop. K will create a great, world-class park. But there is no plan. Prop. K is just a road closure – an injustice forced on Sunset and Richmond district residents.” he said in his OP-ED for the Richmond Review titled ¨There is no Plan for the UGH Park.¨

Kosakowiecz has been very outspoken on this issue for years. Arguing that the closure of the Great Highway “Diverts more than 14,000 vehicles a day, a number that has been increasing over the last four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closure will also likely move traffic in that area mainly to Sunset Boulevard and Lincoln Way. Which he describes as “a high-risk injury corridor”, and “is in direct conflict with the City’s Vision Zero plan,” he said

According to the Great Highway Pilot Visitacion and Traffic Data collected by SF Park and Recreation, in 2023, 14,471 cars were recorded daily driving across the Upper Great Highway. However, it was also found that commute times only increased by an average of three minutes being redirected. Still delays were observed in areas like Great Highway at Lincoln, Chain of Lakes and MLK drive.

Others against Prop K include District One Supervisor Connie Chan and mayoral candidates Daniel Lurie, Mark Farell and Aaron Peskin.

As passionate as both arguments can be for the highway, Kathy Zhao, a student at Washington High School, sees both sides to the debate.

¨I think that fundamentally it is a good idea, it creates more recreational space that hopefully pushes people to use public transit in lieu of personal vehicles. I get why people oppose it though.” she said.

Zhao lives in Oceanside and uses the highway to commute to school everyday, which on average takes her about 25 minutes. While she doesnt expect her commute to change massively if the highway closes, there are times when she still would rather use it to get to school.

¨It will maybe increase by a few minutes. I don't go to school during the morning rush so Sunset Boulevard isn't that bad,¨ she explained ¨Though with all the construction and lane closures in that area though I´d rather take the Great Highway.¨

As nice as Ocean Park may sound, with the school closers happening for 2026, it is certain that many students will be commuting farther to get to school next year. The Great Highway could play a beneficial role in helping make this long commute a little easier. As for other everyday commuters and local residents, the Great Highway still remains critical for everyday use. Residents will have to make the choice between a closure with non definite plans for a park, or keeping a highway that will remain controversial to many.

Beloved teacher, Mr. Jackson, remembered

In Memoriam: Mr. Virgil Jackson

Nov. 15, 2024 By Thao Le and Sophia Manuel

The George Washington High School community mourns the loss of beloved teacher Mr. Virgil Jackson, who passed away after a courageous battle with several health issues and various knee surgeries. For more than 20 years, Mr. Jackson served as a dedicated science teacher, touching countless lives through his unwavering commitment to education and student success.

Washington's Chinese teacher, Ms. Ching-Fen Huang, remembers his boundless passion for teaching: "Students if they need personal help or academic help, he always welcomed them." She adds warmly, "And lunchtime he opened his classroom for students to come to have a safe place to eat at for their lunch and socialize."

"When I first started here, he and I would go for lunch," reflects Ms. Clinton, who worked alongside him for 20 years. "And people thought we had a thing going," she recalls with a fond smile, "but it wasn't that at all. We were just friends, and we would go and talk, and it was nice to have someone who was kind and experienced and kinda gave me some tips on how to survive."

Ms. Clinton adds softly, "It was getting kind of tough for him in the end, but he loved teaching, and he loved being a science teacher."

Principal Schlauraff speaks to Mr. Jackson's lasting impact on the Washington community, particularly "highlighted by their time as an active sponsor of the Eagle Service Society, and their organization of the blood drive each year, with students."

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Jackson's compassion knew no bounds. He devoted years to helping students find foster families, and his love for family led him to adopt his daughter Tina, a George Washington High School alumna, after her university graduation. Outside of teaching, Mr. Jackson pursued his passions for guitar, music, and writing short stories, several of which were published.

The school honored Mr. Jackson's memory with a memorial service at Simple Pleasures, the cafe on Balboa where he frequently performed. He is survived by his daughter, family, friends, students, and colleagues. The cafe hosted a special tribute open mic on Thursday, Nov. 14, with an open invitation to all who wished to remember him.

Mr. Jackson’s impact continues to resonate throughout our community, living on in the cherished memories of the countless lives he touched as a teacher, mentor, performer, writer, and friend.

Harris Image Credit: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson; Trump Image Credit: Official Wh

Politics Today

Election Day 2024

Thao Le

It's November's most significant day—and no, it's not Black Friday. The 2024 presidential election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Former President Donald Trump will run against Vice President Kamala Harris.

The winner will begin their four-year term in January 2025.

Presidential Qualifications

The Constitution requires presidential candidates to:

Be U.S. citizens
Be at least 35 years old
Have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years

Democrats vs. Republicans

The Democratic Party advocates for equality, government stability, civil rights, and freedom of speech. The Republican Party favors limited government intervention and traditional values, including support for industrial jobs.

Harris is running as the Democratic nominee, while Trump represents the Republican Party.

California Voter Requirements

To vote in California, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be a California resident
Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
Not be currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction
Not be found mentally incompetent to vote by a court

Voting Methods

California offers multiple ways to vote:

Mail-in ballots: Registered voters receive mail ballots several weeks before the election. Completed ballots must be returned by mail or dropped off in person no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.

In-person voting: First-time voters must provide identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license number, California ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

First-time voters should register online before Election Day.

Mayoral Candidates Discuss Future of SFUSD

By Lillian Hannan, Langston Montgomery

GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL - On Monday, Sept. 16, the San Francisco Parent Coalition hosted a mayoral forum inside Washington’s auditorium. The mayoral hopefuls showcased their plans for the future of public schools, and the key policy differences voters should remember on election day in less than 5 weeks. The candidates include current mayor London Breed, District Two Supervisor Ahsha Safari, District Three Supervisor Aaron Peskin, non-profit founder and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, and former Mayor Mark Farrell.

The forum was hosted by the San Francisco Parent Coalition, an organization created during 2020 to advocate for students getting back into in-person school. When answering questions about their motive to host this event, a volunteer explains they wanted to address and raise awareness for education-related issues. Their audience being parents and anyone willing to listen and help promote change.

While San Francisco's Mayor does not have direct control over the school board or district, they make decisions that directly impact SFUSD students such as delegating fund money, providing affordable housing for families, and working to improve buses and student transportation. Alexis Madrigal, the forum host made sure to touch on all these subjects, questioning each candidate on how they will use the platform of mayor to improve the school district.

London Breed

Current Mayor London Breed joins the moderator first, she promptly brought up her childhood and attended Galileo HS, making the public school system something she has a personal investment in. When responding to questions regarding whether she is satisfied with the way the district has been run during her time as mayor, Breed responds no. She acknowledges COVID made schooling extremely difficult for students and teachers alike, but pointed out that as mayor, she had sent in resources to the superintendent and worked to get homeless students and families into homes. She also brought up the school system pre-COVID explaining how she worked to fund wellness centers and mental health resources for students across the city, explaining, “I gave additional money to the school district to add more [wellness resources]... before the pandemic,” emphasizing how important it is to her personally that students have a safe place to go, stating she went, “went above and beyond.”

The conversation turned towards teacher shortages, with Breed addressing the main challenge as the cost of living in San Francisco, explaining, “all roads lead to housing.” She further explains how she is very aggressive about housing and building homes for the youth and the future of the city. Overall, Breed seemed comfortable and confident, answering questions highlighting her success with mental health facilities and the desire to prioritize the youth, but recognizing that the school system needs structural change.

Ahsha Safari

District Two supervisor Ahsha Safari comes out with enthusiastic energy, sitting on the edge of his seat and using large hand movements to accompany his points. The conversation began with Safari talking about how his kids attend a Spanish immersion school, stating his proudest achievement as supervisor is ensuring quality education. He talked passionately about transit, explaining that access to muni is extremely important for kids getting to school. The moderator addressed a comment Safari made earlier in his campaign, regarding firing the Head of the MTA. He dived into this topic, explaining how transit operators don’t feel they are being heard and the department needs a change in leadership.

When asked about school closures, Safari states, “We have to do everything we can to avoid school closures.” Explaining how much “disruption” they will create. The list of schools closing being postponed has only created more chaos and anxiety among school communities.

This diverged into a question about transparency the school should provide regarding school closures. Safari did not answer this directly; instead, he shifted his response to focus on how much money the mayor had access to. The moderator calls him for this and restates the question. This time Safari answers briefly, saying there needs to be, “robust community outreach conversations,” however he directs quickly back to the present mayor, criticizing her for eliminating the, “Mayor's office and neighborhood services,” a program Safari would bring back as mayor. Ending his segment by explaining how he wants SF to be a city for all, including middle and working-class families.

Aaron Peskin

District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin takes the stage, focusing on his experience, past accomplishments, and future aspirations for our city and school district. Notably, the laid-back Peskin honed in on his commitment to affordable housing, saying he’s approved more housing developments than all the other candidates combined. The discussion then centered on housing for teachers, “Our challenge is around affordability.” This challenge has been a priority of not just the city, but of the state, as back in 2020, Gavin Newsom signed a bill that made it easier to create affordable housing for teachers.

Distinctly, while other candidates faced questions about their pasts in the private education sector, Peskin has direct ties to the public school system. His father taught at San Francisco State University and he's a child of educators. Growing up in Alameda County, east of San Francisco, he tied his past to the Vice President and Candidate for President of the United States. He mentioned his first-grade class with Vice President Harris and his connections with public school.

A major topic that every candidate faced in the short sit-down interviews was the topic of school closures. Peskin argued against the closure of schools, saying, “Once they’re closed, they will never be reopened.” The issues of school closures and mergers have been divisive, with some saying they are necessary to uphold the district in the best way possible, while others say it will disproportionately affect the most marginalized communities and cause more harm than good.

Daniel Lurie

Daniel Lurie was up next, and began with a strong message about his commitment to teachers and how we need to pay them and, “pay them well.” He came out of the gate strongly advocating for a “student-centered district” and “We can always, always do better.”

Lurie begins to stumble, however, when the topic of his past and current involvement in private schools is addressed. Lurie attended Town School for Boys, an independent, boys-only school for kindergarten to 8th grade students. Afterward, he attended University High School, another private school in Presidio Heights. Furthermore, his children currently attend private school while he runs for SF mayor. Lurie is also the heir to Levi’s, the infamous clothing company based in San Francisco, and according to The San Francisco Standard, is, “one of the wealthiest people to ever run a campaign to become mayor of San Francisco.” Daniel Lurie is extraordinarily wealthy, coupled with his message to rid City Hall of “insiders” and paint the other politicians as established elites falls particularly flat coming from an actual San Francisco elite.

Despite this, Lurie seemed the most engaged with the moderator and the audience. He typically leans forward, attentive, and addresses the audience more directly as opposed to the leaned-back and relaxed posture that was standard amongst the other candidates.

Mark Farrell

Mark Farrell, a former supervisor of District Two, was elected acting Mayor for seven months in 2018 after the tragic passing of Late Mayor Ed Lee. He was the last candidate to be interviewed, passionately starting his segment with a conversation on being proactive. Including the importance of leadership and how there is currently no, “conversation on what it is like to be a student,” which he believes takes initiative from the mayor and a shift in priorities.

This conversation then changed to a topic repeatedly discussed that night, homelessness. Farrell is blatant about how there is, “no silver solution to homelessness,” but there are ways to manage the issue humanely. Including treating people and families with compassion and offering them housing before tearing down encampments. He also explains the desperate need for more shelters and to simply get people off the streets as quickly as possible, an opinion that differs from incumbent London Breed who stated in her interview that building housing is the most important aspect of resolving the homelessness crisis.

In addition, Farrell also differs in that, if appointed Mayor he will declare a federal state of emergency due to the extremity of the Homelessness disaster. This would automatically get San Francisco more funding and law enforcement which he believes is necessary as the current harm reduction strategies are not working.

The conversation switches to focus on Farrell himself, who has experienced backlash in the past from SFUSD parents for being openly Catholic, with both him and his kids attending private Catholic schools. He shuts down these concerns saying this does not impact his view of public school and can still recognize the importance of the Mayor’s role in the school system. Explaining how he will address issues from transit and getting students to school to school safety concerns. Which he plans to assist by creating an emergency 311 number for students. Farewell ends the night by affirming as mayor he will listen to any additional ideas people have as he wants to be a leader of change through setting new policies.

Closing

After the forum, when the host, Alexis Madrigal responds to whether he thought the night was successful by stating it is, “very difficult to interview politicians,” inferring they either avoid questions or give non answers.