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Casey
12-13-2002, 12:01 PM
December 13, 2002 - San Francisco Chronicle - The board was set to give final consideration this week of a proposal to ban Segway's high-tech scooters from San Francisco sidewalks. Full Article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/12/13/WB134795.DTL)




Casey
12-13-2002, 12:03 PM
quote:
Rachel Gordon Friday, December 13, 2002

Next month the Board of Supervisors will make one of its important votes - - deciding who should serve as board president. When supervisors were elected citywide, it was the voters who made the pick, with the high-profile job going to the top vote-getter. But now, under district elections, the 11 supervisors choose.

Early bets were on Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, the low-key supervisor representing District 10 with a calming presence who has steered clear of the political fray and made no enemies on the board. But in recent weeks, two other names have emerged at top contenders: Aaron Peskin and Matt Gonzalez.

Peskin, the District 3 supervisor, has a reputation as the consummate dealmaker who knows the ins-and-outs of legislation and the legislative process. That said, not all his colleagues like him. But Peskin has been working behind the scenes lining up votes and says he's close to having the six needed to make him board prexy.

Gonzalez, who represents District 5, known as the smartest supervisor, enjoys the debate and dissecting legislation. He is solidly on the board's left. Supervisor Tony Hall, arguably the most conservative member of the board,

is backing Gonzalez, a buddy whom he considers a straight shooter. Gonzalez also has been feeling out his chances.

At City Hall, the board president is second in power only to the mayor. The president makes committee assignments, runs the board's weekly meeting and determines the timing of legislative hearings.

Board of Supervisors President Tom Ammiano, who has decided not to try for another term at the helm, is backing Peskin. .

GUARDIAN ANGELS: Supervisors gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would add the word "guardian" whenever the term "pet owner" is used in city regulations.

The legislation came at the request of the Animal Welfare and Control Commission and was carried at the board by Supervisor Gonzalez.

The idea behind the policy change is to get people to start thinking differently about their relationship with their pets. Berkeley made a similar change in its regulations last year. West Hollywood wiped out the term "owner" altogether.

San Francisco's measure passed on first reading by a 6-3 vote, the bare minimum needed for approval. Joining Gonzalez in voting in favor were Supervisors Hall, Chris Daly, Maxwell, Jake McGoldrick and Gerardo Sandoval. Opposed were Supervisors Ammiano, Peskin and Gavin Newsom. The board is scheduled to take a final vote next week.

ROLLING RIGHT ALONG: The board was set to give final consideration this week of a proposal to ban Segway's high-tech scooters from San Francisco sidewalks. But fearing a veto from Mayor Willie Brown, the board put the vote off for another week.

If the board approved the prohibition this week and Brown vetoed it, the supervisors wouldn't be around to attempt an override because they'll be on winter break. By waiting a week, they can take up the anticipated veto at its Jan. 13 meeting because they have 30 days to act on the mayor's action.