SF's wealthy must step up as leaders to help solve our city's problems.

To expect that SF Gov can handle the influx of dilemmas is pure fantasy.

(1/x) https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/otisrtaylorjr/article/As-wealth-gap-grows-America-s-haves-must-step-15546861.php

When I grew up here there was a political class that funded much of the city.

I won't name names. You can see them all on the signs & walls of our institutions. At the zoo, opera, ballet, hospitals.

(2/x)

You would see the same names everywhere. Some families have funded half the institutions in town.

Many of these people are still giving, but a significant portion are in their last years as major benefactors. Many of their grandchildren have left SF.

(3/x)

These families were close with local politicians.

They would be spotted out at lunch with Mayor Willie Brown.

They hobnobbed at the galas with local officials.

There was a tacit understanding that you need wealth to make SF work.

(4/x)

Part of this tacit understanding was (and still is) problematic.

The streets and sidewalks of Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Sea Cliff, & Noe Valley are spotless. There is little crime.

There is special treatment. We all know this.

(5/x)

But this dynamic helped make SF what it is today.

Much of the city was built by benefactors, patrons & philanthropists.

Today we have a new wealthy class. They are mostly disengaged. You don't see their names on the walls.

(6/x)

IMHO - this is the fault of our local gov.

Our politicians - rather than developing relationships with the new wealthy - have largely ostracized them.

Blamed tech for our problems.

Fueled resentment towards those coming here to make a living in a growing industry.

(7/x)

This comes through in the rhetoric.

Whether it's Hilary Ronen blaming tech for our homeless encampments (majority of homeless are from out of state)...

or Mayor Breed saying "I don't need a slave owner telling me what to do!"

https://twitter.com/SFPublicPress/status/1270914820213104640?s=20

(8/x)

The message is clear. It's "we don't want you".

"You are driving up prices" (which is true)

"You are ruining SF" (subjective)

"You are pushing out "real" SF residents"

(9/x)

It is worth noting that the original residents were the Ohlone tribe. This group included the Chochenyo and the Karkin in East Bay, & the Ramaytush in SF.

Many have come through SF over our history. The Spanish, the Italians, the Chinese & Japanese, the hippies.

(10/x)

Each group was unwelcome at first, but then made their home here.

Today we have the Mission, North Beach, Chinatown, Japantown, the Haight.

All of these gems in our city were created by "outsiders."

(11/x)

Blaming the new people (tech) is not going to fix our problems.

We're facing a $2B deficit (at least) and our problems are getting worse, not better.



(12/x)

We have serious issues brewing in the city - putting us at risk of a downward spiral.

Our streets are crumbling & filled with trash.

People are flocking here from all over the state for cheap & easy access to hard drugs.

(13/x)

After months of study of our local government, I am currently of the opinion that they are not capable of solving most of our issues.

They are a dysfunctional, primarily radical body that moves slowly.

Their answers are focused around more taxes & debate.

(14/x)

There is little appetite for transparency, accountability, or performance evaluation.

Few of our leaders have P&L experience or have managed a large group.

Many are young, inexperienced, and politically ambitious to a fault. Some have national audiences.

(15/x)

Basic concepts in Economics are ignored. There is a lack of metrics orientation. Little use of data to back up ideas & proposals.

The results are obvious. There's a mass exodus underway. People were here for their commutes. And now they're voting with their feet.

(16/x)

If the goal was to get rents & real estate prices to go down - congratulations. This is happening fast & will continue.

I believe there is a silver lining here. Many of those who stay will rebuild.

(17/x)

For those that stay - I believe there will be great sacrifice -- yet also great opportunity.

This city is going to look different in the coming years than it did before.

You can already see the "For Lease" signs all over town. The dark skyline.

(18/x)

This weekend I watched The Dark Knight.

I wanted to be inspired by Batman. He cared so much about Gotham he risked his life regularly to fight for what's right.

Cities are communities of obligation.

For those of us staying, we must fight for what we believe in.

(19/x)

I hope and pray that the newcomers to SF from this past period of growth & wealth generation will stick around to give back.

Let's get some new names on the walls.

If you are reading this and are in a position to give, feel free to DM me. I have some ideas.

(20/20)