“Sherrill for District 2
District 2 includes some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods: the Marina, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, and Cow Hollow. A straight ally, Stephen Sherrill wrote in his Bay Area Reporter endorsement questionnaire that he's focused on the basics: safe streets, clean neighborhoods, thriving small businesses, and city services that actually work. "That approach matters for LGBTQ residents across San Francisco," he stated.
Sherrill supports bringing the San Francisco Police Department back to full staffing, including the 30x30 recruitment plan to increase the number of women in the department to 30% by 2030.
He also stated that the city should step in to protect HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care services if the federal government cuts that funding. "San Francisco has led the country in addressing HIV for decades, and we should continue that commitment," Sherrill stated.
Sherrill wrote that he attended the reopening of the Castro Theatre earlier this year and noted that the LGBTQ neighborhood is one of San Francisco's most important. "Across San Francisco, corridors like the Castro face many of the same challenges as those in my district, including Chestnut Street, Union Street, and Sacramento Street," he noted. His focus has been on lowering the cost and complexity of opening and operating a business. "I extended the First Year Free program, which waives initial permitting and licensing fees, and helped eliminate outdated formula retail restrictions on Van Ness to make it easier to fill vacant storefronts," he wrote, adding that the city should continue modernizing zoning. He has conducted more than a dozen merchants corridor walks to hear directly from business owners and address issues in real time.
Likewise, the Tenderloin District and the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in the South of Market neighborhood are important parts of San Francisco's LGBTQ history, he stated, adding he would continue to work closely with Supervisors Bilal Mahmood and Matt Dorsey, a gay man, to support organizations and small businesses there. For Sherrill, it largely comes down to affordability. "Cultural districts survive when the people and institutions that define them can afford to stay," he wrote.
Sherrill was asked about the future of San Francisco Centre, the now-shuttered mall downtown. "I would like to see a mixed-use project that brings housing, neighborhood-serving retail, and community space back to that part of the city," he stated. "The worst outcome would be years of vacancy while approvals drag on. The city should move quickly to support a project that brings people back downtown and creates activity throughout the day, not just during office hours."
We think Sherrill has a solid grasp on issues facing his district and the city as a whole. He has been an ally for the LGBTQ community on myriad issues. Voters in District 2 should elect him on June 2.
Source (https://www.ebar.com/story/165471/Opinion/Editorial/Editorial%3A%20Sherrill%2C%20Wong%20for%20SF%20supervisor)”
Bay Area Reporter