Not sure if anyone watched the public forum at the University Center that the AL put on the other day, but it’s a hoot. Especially when Public Works director Galen Huber says he doesn’t want to make any conclusions about snowgates until they collect all the data from the season, but then shit talks them the entire time, claiming they narrow streets (even though every street in SF gets narrower during the winter, especially in the older neighborhoods where a lot of people park on both sides). What I have often wondered is why these forums are not very well attended (besides the fact that the AL is putting them on) it may have to do with the parking situation as this South DaCola foot soldier explained to me in an email;
I’m e-mailing you my “public forum/parking ticket experience”.
I attended the Argus Leader’s public forum on roads last Thursday at University Center. When I arrived the visitor’s lot was full, so I parked out in one of the far lots.
Much to my dismay, I rec’d a $25 parking ticket!
I stopped in at the Argus office the next day, thinking that they would be willing to give the University Center a call to explain that I had been there attending the public forum. First the receptionist called MariCarol (Editor) her response was that she had also gotten a ticket. I told the receptionist that I wanted to talk to her, but when she called her back she was suddenly unavailable. Randall Beck (Publisher) and Yvonne Hawkins (Queen of Community convos) were also at the forum, so I asked to speak to Randall – he would not talk to me either.  I don’t know if he also got a ticket, but I was right behind him when he walked out and he was parked in a faculty spot. So, I asked to speak to Yvonne, she came out, I explained the situation and told her that I did not expect the Argus to pay the ticket, but that I would like them to give the University Center a call. She told me,
“We don’t do that kind of thing, this is your personal issue, you’re going to have to take care of it on your own.”
I was PO’d  I drove out to the Center and once I explained the situation they voided the ticket and apologized.
So much for public forums!
This comes as no surprise to me. They ask the public to attend, but do they really want them there since they ask most of the questions? I only heard questions from two attendees. One guy wondered if he could get permission to fill potholes on his street, since the city isn’t getting around to it. And another lady cornered Huber about the time allotted to clean the streets (48 Hours) but it has only been taking them 36 hours, in other words, what’s all the hub bub about snowgates taking longer?