Harold Hoogasian for Mayor of San Francisco

Five basic issues stare us in the face and I will lead the charge to do something about them.

1.  A place to live – Everyone should have an opportunity to own their own home.  The number of people who can afford to do so in San Francisco is well below the national average.  In part, this is due to the development process which favors high-end condominium and office projects that generate big profits for the developers.  This is a large and complex issue, but at the heart of the matter is a system for land development that leaves ordinary citizens out in the cold.  I want to make land development transparent so everyone can know how it works and we can find solutions for affordable living at all income levels.

2.  A place to work – Small businesses are the heart and soul of San Francisco.  The business and tax policies of this city make it very difficult for small business owners to succeed and the result is that good jobs are leaving town for the surrounding Bay Area and beyond.  In the last few years, even large “anchor” businesses have fled San Francisco.   We must promote a vibrant economy by creating policies that encourage businesses to open and remain in the city.

3.  A clean energy plan – San Francisco has not done enough to protect its environment.  We must encourage businesses to use less energy, recycle and conserve resources.  We should also become a leader in the development of environmentally sound buildings and should support the creation of businesses that provide services and products that protect the environment. 

4.  A better public transit system – We need transportation that works.  Why is it that Muni, BART and the Cal Train all converge in San Francisco, yet have such poor linkage?  Why do we continue to rely on automobile based transit when our streets are so clogged with traffic our buses cannot run efficiently? We can bring these systems together and EXPAND them to meet the needs of our residents.  I propose to expand the muni subway system under 19^th Avenue and to add a subterranean highway from the Daly City Bart station to the Golden Gate Bridge.

5.  A stand against violence – Violent crime is out of control.  We cannot tolerate the level of violent crime in San Francisco today.  As Mayor, I will immediately appoint a proactive chief of police with an established track record of combatting with violent crime.  This issue will have my full attention yet I will give my chief the independence essential to be effective.

What makes someone qualified for mayor?  Is it public service?  I have more years of public service than all of the other candidates combined.  For 33 years I have served the city in a wide range of capacities – President of a Citywide merchants association, the Rotary Club of San Francisco, a founding member of OMI Neighbors in Action, and as a member of the UCSF Community Advisory Group that assured expansion of UCSF in San Francisco, rather than in any of the other cities that made overtures for that important biotech hub. 

Beyond public service, what else makes someone qualified?  Is it the ability to lead a complex organization?  For 33 years I have run the largest floral business in the city, driving the shareholder value of my company up by enormous percentages.  I have done that while also investing in real estate, running a coffee farm and staying active in the community.

  What about character?  Is that something you value?  It is easy to claim one has character, but what about one’s actions?  I am a committed family man, with a wonderful wife and marriage of 32 years, two children and a track record of honesty, fair trade and square deals.

Vote For Hoogasian.
It is time to end the nonsense.  Vote for Harold Hoogasian.  Encourage your friends and neighbors to also support my candidacy.  With your help we will unplug the machine that dominates our city politics and build a lasting future for our great city.