S2 Episode 1: Greenberg & Sandberg: Introduction, Recalls and London Breed

In this Season 2 inaugural episode, Richie Greenberg and Erica Sandberg join forces to ask, "Really, San Francisco?" . Topics include a brief introduction by Richie and Erica, the overall San Francisco political scene, the looming recall of City Supervisor Joel Engardio, and the legacy of previous Mayor London Breed, leaving the dirty work to our new mayor Daniel Lurie. 

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Transcript

Local News and Community Issues

Richie and Erica, both long-time San Francisco residents and journalists, discussed their focus on local politics and community issues. They emphasized the importance of local news, highlighting the constant stream of events in the city and the need for accountability in addressing issues like homelessness and public safety. Erica shared her personal experience with activism and journalism, tracing her interest back to frustration with city inefficiencies and the lack of response to basic problems. They also recalled the Occupy Wall Street protests and their impact on San Francisco, reflecting on the challenges of managing public spaces and maintaining order.

San Francisco Governance Challenges

Richie and Erica discussed the current state of San Francisco's governance, expressing frustration with elected officials who prioritize personal interests over the city's well-being. They highlighted the potential recall of Supervisor Joel and Guardio, noting that past recall elections in the Bay Area have succeeded, and discussed the upcoming budget deadline for Mayor Daniel Lurie, who faces a significant shortfall. The conversation also touched on the challenges of addressing public dissatisfaction with elected officials and the importance of action over emotional change.

San Francisco's Financial and Policy Challenges

Richie and Erica discussed the financial and administrative challenges faced by San Francisco under Mayor London Breed, highlighting a significant increase in the city budget from 7-8 billion to 16 billion dollars over six years, despite a stable population and unchanged homelessness rates. They criticized Breed's leadership for excessive COVID-19 lockdowns, defunding the police, and inefficient spending on homelessness, which they argued worsened the issues rather than solving them. The discussion also touched on the negative impact of Breed's policies on businesses, tourism, and the city's overall economic recovery, setting the context for the current administration under Mayor Daniel Lurie.

San Francisco Mayor's Leadership Challenges

Erica and Richie discussed the challenges facing new San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who inherited a complex situation from his predecessor London Breed. They highlighted Breed's controversial decisions, including budget cuts to the police department and the creation of race-based programs, which Lurie now needs to address. The conversation emphasized that Lurie's background and identity are irrelevant to his ability to perform his job, focusing instead on his ability to manage the city's finances and reverse some of Breed's policies. They noted that Lurie's budget proposal is imminent, and the city is awaiting its details.

Gubio Project Closure Challenges

Erica and Richie discussed the Gubio Project, a facility on 16th and Julian Street that has become a disaster and is harmful to the community. They agreed that it should be shut down, but noted that political and jurisdictional barriers might prevent this. Richie suggested that Mayor Daniel Lurie could use his bully pulpit to highlight the issue and explain why he cannot close the facility, despite being self-funded and not needing campaign donations.

Truth-Telling for San Francisco's Future

Erica and Richie discussed their commitment to telling the truth about San Francisco, regardless of potential backlash or promises from influential figures. They emphasized the importance of taking ownership of the city and highlighted the need for a homeward bound program to address homelessness. The two agreed to collaborate on a podcast to explore various issues affecting San Francisco, inviting diverse voices for a civil and honest exchange.