A majority of city residents believe San Francisco is headed in the right direction — but at the same time, an increasing number say they believe Muni is getting off track. They appear more than willing to support a huge bond for public schools — but they don’t want to keep increasing taxes on parking and business.And the members of the Board of Supervisors? All in all, they are generally perceived as a highly mediocre bunch.
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ElectionsLeno calls for ‘bringing Democrats home’Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, stood outside the steps of City Hall on Wednesday in hopes of "bringing Democrats back home" in time for the Nov. 7 election, when voters will decide who will be governor: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides or Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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The driver who went on a 14-minute rampage through city streets, hitting at least 18 people with a sport utility vehicle deliberately targeted specific neighborhoods, according to the spokesman for a woman who was rendered a quadriplegic in the spree.Susan Rajic, a 43-year-old massage therapist who has been hospitalized since the Aug. 29 rampage, says she saw Omeed Popal, driving erratically through her Laurel Heights neighborhood a week before he allegedly ran over pedestrians at crosswalks, on sidewalks and curbs throughout The City, according to her guardian, Keith Stoneking.
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Internet discussion board says dirty bombs will explode at seven stadiumsThe Oakland Raiders and security authorities say an Internet threat that seven National Football League stadiums, including the home of the Silver and Black, would be hit with a dirty bomb this weekend is not credible, and fans should feel safe to go to the games.
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Officials say 7.9 temblor would cause 1,400 deaths, destroy 45,000 buildingsThe City’s emergency planners presented an updated earthquake response plan Wednesday that officials say builds on lessons learned from other devastating temblors, including Loma Prieta.The earthquake plan supplements The City’s general "all hazards" emergency operations plan, according to Laura Phillips, executive director of San Francisco’s Emergency Communications Department, which oversees all public safety efforts in the event of an emergency.
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Barry Parker says he and Isaac Espinoza identified themselves to the accusedThe partner of a San Francisco police officer gunned down in the line of duty spoke in low tones but held his voice steady as he described his partner’s death and his own near miss in court Wednesday.Barry Parker, 41, a six-year veteran of the Police Department, occasionally shut his eyes during his nearly four hours of testimony Wednesday as prosecutor Harry Dorfman had him recount the events of April 10, 2004, in minute detail.
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Budget and Finance decides $2.5M mayor asked for to combat violence not a priorityMayor Gavin Newsom’s request for $2.5 million in anti-violence funding will likely be put on hold after a Board of Supervisors committee said Wednesday that there is no urgency for the additional money.The board’s Budget and Finance Committee approved the request Wednesday with the stipulation that the money be put on reserve. The proposal comes before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
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Court rules against store in attempt for refund based on contested tax systemSan Francisco does not owe Macy’s a $13 million refund of taxes paid under The City’s previous business tax system, the state’s Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday.The ruling is expected to reduce the amount The City owes Macy’s to a few hundred dollars, said Matt Dorsey, spokesman for The City Attorney’s Office."We are extremely gratified by the appellate court decision," Dorsey said.
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Bo Derek pushes to lower demand for exotic animalsAmerican consumers contribute more to the global $10 billion to $20 billion illegal wildlife trade than any other nation except China — posing the threat of extinction for some endangered species, actress Bo Derek said in San Francisco on Wednesday.Around the world, tigers, elephants, rhinos and exotic birds are bought and sold as trophies, rare edible delicacies and traditional medicines.
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Although San Francisco is vying against Los Angeles and Chicago to become the nation’s candidate for the 2016 Olympics, city officials have their minds on the rest of the world as they trumpet a new honor bestowed upon The City.While U.S. Olympic Committee officials have spent the last several months questioning officials from the three cities about their ability to logistically coordinate more than 10,000 athletes and several million spectators, they are likely considering each city’s desirability as a destination for international travelers as well.
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