Alioto-Pier supporters laud focus
on entire City

Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Pat Murphy

March 25, 2006

District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier distinguishes herself by "putting all districts under a microscope" for benefit of the entire City, her supporters agreed last night at a Pacific Heights fundraiser.

In return, Alioto-Pier recalled San Francisco has never been eleven microcosms.

"District elections are really hard in San Francisco because we do divide this fabulous place into an eleven little microcosmic world," stated Alioto-Pier who seeks re-election in November.

"That's not how San Francisco is or has ever really been.

"We are the City by the Bay. We are a jewel box and it is our culture and our diversity that makes us so unique and so... one.

She spoke in the home of Alioto family matriarch Frances Alioto, flanked by Rodney Fong, president of the Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association and owner of The Wax Museum and Fisherman's Wharf patriarch Alessandro 'Al' Baccari.

Some 250 family, friends, and supporters attended.

Baccari praised Alioto-Pier for her grasp of San Francisco.

Al Baccari has served as director of the Fisherman's Wharf Historical Society, executive secretary of the Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association, and president of the Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel. He also served as chairman of the Mayor's Committee for the Preservation and Beautification of Fisherman's Wharf. Now retired, Baccari serves as an educator, author, economist, artist, and photographer.
SFVistor.org photo

Baccari photography on display at ristaonline

"She's one of those rare people who takes a district and she looks not only just at her district but at each district in the city - which are like little cities within a city - and puts it under a microscope," said Baccari.

"With that vision she began to say 'what are the economic, social, and cultural problems of those areas? What are the demographics of those areas? How old are they? What is the revenue that comes in or out? How do we generate the funds to create the economic vitality and stability?'"

Early service on the San Francisco Port Commission proved Alioto-Pier capable of "understanding the needs of the community, of the whole 7.5 miles of the perimeter of our waterfront," added Baccari.

Her consideration of waterfront needs grew to envision a new Cruise Terminal, Alioto-Pier explained.

"I was truly honored to have served on the Port Commission," said the District 2 supervisor.

"I see the Port as one of the main jewels -- the biggest diamond in the box - because of the opportunity down there.

"What I find really astounding... is that I don't think a lot of other people don't see it that way... at least not people in politics.

"City Hall is a little fishbowl world. In and of itself it does not necessarily represent the City all the time."

Members of her campaign staff questioned whether "cruise ships could impact the City or how people could like them." Poll results came in a week ago, she said, which included voter feeling toward cruise ships.

"When we got this thing back cruise ships had an 85% approval rating citywide.

"And that was a question that was given that had the pros and the cons - cruise ships with the kind of money they generate but also with the energy, and the feel, and everything else they bring to San Francisco versus the types of pollution it can bring in.

"It was a very rough question quite frankly, but it scored fifteen points higher than anything else.

"What it told me... is that there is not only a lot of nostalgia in it but hope and I think that people need to have something to hope for.

"I think they see this area is of potentially great excitement."

The candidate pledged development of a community based plan within the next year to construct a new Cruise Terminal.

"We will be cultivating some kind of agenda that will be reaching out for help... on exactly how we are going to go about doing that and assuring the Cruise Terminal does get built and that it gets built well.

"And then hopefully as soon as that's built we're able to renovate Pier 35. I don't understand why we can't have two, frankly."

Passage of Prop I by City voters last November benefits local economy, Alioto-Pier observed.

"Last November with all of your help you helped us pass something called Proposition I which started an Economic Analysis Office at City Hall, which we had never had.

"So now when we look at legislation that impacts us economically we're adding a little responsibility."

Baccari noted a vision of the whole City is necessary to "preserve our economic, social, and cultural vitality."

"If Hunters Point breaks down... and we cannot create a balance of integrating and bringing some stability of compassion and understanding to that area that can vitally live - we perish.

"So, one area can destroy the other area. It's checkmate," stressed Baccari.

Alioto-Pier leadership at City Hall is needed to steer a "renaissance at Fisherman's Wharf," indicated Rodney Fong, president of the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association.

"Fisherman's Wharf... is going through a renaissance, a transition," said Fong.

"This last summer we passed a Business Improvement District... from Ghirardelli all the way to Pier 39.

"It's going to generate over a half-million dollars a year for the next 15 years for cleaning, beautification, and marketing it's great history.

"With all of these changes blossoming we're going to need more help at City Hall... and we're going to need some logical, sound leadership and I think that's why we're all here for Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier."

####