In this November's election, there are two charter amendments, one huge and complicated (budget process) and one tiny and simple (number of aides for Supervisors). Then there are three ordinances, all having to do with what kind of commercial advertising should be allowed in various parts of The City. Also, candidates for City Attorney and City Treasurer, both unopposed, will nevertheless seek the Club's endorsement.

What is open-source voting software? It's the opposite of the secret, proprietary property used by Diebold, Sequoia, et al. Alan Dechert, founder and President of Open Voting Consortium, will explain what it is, the problems it solves, and how it can be implemented.

WHERE:  Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St
WHEN:  Tuesday, September 1st, at 7PM

50 people showed up, for another great meeting. First topic on the agenda was national: Afghanistan exit strategy. Members passed a resolution, presented by antiwar activist Tom Gallagher, urging Speaker Pelosi to co-sponsor an exit strategy bill, and our Senators to file similar legislations. Letters and copies of the resolution were sent to all three leaders.

The statewide issue, the disastrous economic legacy of Proposition 13, was addressed by SF Assessor-Controller Phil Ting, describing his campaign to "Close the Loophole" that enables large corporations to escape paying the property taxes they rightfully owe.

On the local front, the District 10 Supervisor race is heating up already with the election more than a year away. This was the first of several open mics for candidates: Six of them introduced themselves in random order, with distinct, though equally heartfelt presentations. For more details of the meeting, click here.

The Club will again have a table at this annual community event, but this year, instead of in front of the Neighborhood House, the street fair will be on 20th Street between Missouri and Arkansas. Here we are last year, hawking t-shirts, registering voters and relentlessly pushing our progressive agenda.