Updates from past Akit's Department Posts

It's time to provide some updates to previous blog posts that I've done, so here we go!

--The Chronicle reports that California State Senator Carole Migden will be charged with a misdemeanor for stupid driving. How about a DUI charge?

--The manager at FedEx Kinkos did not call me back yet in regards to the $37 charge for laminates that really costs $20.

--A response back from complaining via e-mail to San Francisco Supervisor Jake McGoldrick:

Dear Mr. Akit:

I have been asked by Supervisor McGoldrick’s office to respond to your email with regards to the San Francisco Marathon.

The San Francisco Marathon site has a lot of very good information on the route with a map and course description. The course description can be found at http://www.runsfm.com/images/PDF%20MARATHON%20ROUTE.pdf and the map can be found at http://www.runsfm.com/course/full.pdf. In addition, they have information on traffic detours which can be found at http://www.runsfm.com/course/traffic-impact-2007.doc. All of these can be found under the heading of Race Info which is on the Marathon Home page. While I do not agree with you on the difficulty of finding this information on the website, I am happy to bring this issue up with the SF Marathon organizers to see if there can be a separate category created on the website which would contain this information.

Both the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner had articles related to the Marathon several days before the event. In addition, they both published a map of the route. This has been a big help in getting information out to the public. The SF Marathon mailed out letters to residents and businesses in the area of the marathon which described the closures in their area and suggested detours several weeks before the event.

I made the decision to refer people to the SF Marathon website for detailed information as the information on their website was more complete than what we would be able to put up on the SFMTA website. It seemed like a waste of time to try to duplicate what they had already done. 311 had been notified of the information and they should have referred people directly to the SF Marathon website rather than to the MTA website.

I can not say why the officer who answered the phone at the Richmond District Police Station did not have information on the Marathon . The SF Police Department is very involved with the planning of this race. However, the information may not filter down to the police officers who answer the phones at the district stations. I will bring up this issue with the police department to ask the Special Events officers from the impacted district stations to be sure the information is available to the station staff.

All street closures for special events are handled by the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT). ISCOTT is a staff level committee made up of representatives of various City departments including The Department of Parking and Traffic; MUNI; SFPD; SFFD; DPW; Taxi Commission; DPH; Port of SF and the Entertainment Commission. There is a lot of coordination which happens between the event producer and the various impacted City agencies. The information on all of the closures are distributed to a wide number of agencies and individuals. We have no control over what other agencies do with the information which we provide.

We are continually looking at ways to improve events in San Francisco. We appreciate your feedback and we will look to improve the communications with the public about the closures.

If you have any further questions, please give me an email or a call.

Regards,

Cindy

Cindy Shamban

Department of Parking & Traffic

1 South Van Ness Ave., 7th Floor

S.F., CA 94103-5417

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AND MY REPLY:

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Ms. Shamban,

I feel that you misunderstood my point about the Marathon's website. The Chronicle and other information sources referred readers to their traffic page that should have included a PDF copy of their full course map, however they failed to include on that specific page on that site. To view what I was referred to from the Chronicle's online website, see this link: http://www.runsfm.com/course/traffic.html There is a simple map on that page of how to get around the short course in downtown (that basically omits Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Richmond, etc.), but no full map. They put the full course map on another page on their site, something that just demonstrates that there was poor oversight by the event organizers. If the average citizen has to look at that specific page, I think they would expect to find all the information without clicking in other regions of the website to learn more.

Also, is there a response from the SFMTA on why some of the event information on the bus lines were incorrect and/or obsolete on their website? Why was the 15 Third still on there?

Also, I disagree that the SFPD are "very involved" in this process. How can the information to the higher ranks not go down to the lower ranks? In the first Nike women's marathon, they didn't know, and for this year's SF Marathon, they did not know either. And just to add insult to injury, they don't even know where to tell me to contact for more information. If a police officer on the phone can agree with me that not knowing information about events happening in their district is "B.S." (and yes, I did say the exact word to the officer), this is just a flat-out embarrassment.

Citizens of this city expect clear and concise information; consider how many constituents of Supervisor McGoldrick complained about the first Nike Marathon, and how much improvement came after that. I always expect that our city leaders and officials will always make an effort in the best interest of its citizens to provide fun events for everyone and making the impact on citizens as minimal as possible.

--Akit

FedEx Kinkos - RIPOFF Prices & Poor Customer Service

Let's put another store on my blacklist. Today's addition is FedEx Kinko's located on 25 Stanyan Street in San Francisco.

Today, I went down to that FedEx Kinko's location so that I can get a couple of signs laminated for an event coming up. Since I knew Kinko's had a bad reputation for higher prices than their competitors, I had no choice but to visit them. I went down to Office Depot to take care of a majority of my laminates that were 8 1/2 X 11 inches (like a buck a page) , but the 8 1/2 X 22 documents I had was too big for Office Depot to do, so Kinko's was the only choice.

When I went in, I was waiting for like five minutes while a dumb lady trying to get her FedEx stuff put it in the wrong envelope and had to refill out forms and use another envelope. Another guy named "Ronnie D." (says it on my receipt) came up to me and asked of what I needed. I explained I needed these two 8 1/2 X 22 inch documents laminated.

Behind the counter was a large laminating machine and he laminated both of them. I noticed that he used an enormous waste of laminate when I noticed that the entire laminate was like a yardstick and a half on both length and width. He then had to cut it up, but he had to use the cutting blade device that was for the public's use. After chopping up the oversized laminate and throwing away the excess waste, he started joking with his fellow co-worker (which got me a little more steamed).

At the register, "Ronnie D." had some difficulty ringing up the price of the two laminates. After finding out the price, he charged me $37.00. I immediately turned from mildly upset to full on pissed. I asked him to breakdown the charges for me. He said to me that my laminates used 7 square feet of laminate, and that was $5 per square foot (plus tax is $37).

I said to him, that this is not right. My two laminates are both 8 1/2 X 22 inches, and the maximum use of square footage should only be four square ft. HE WAS TRYING TO CHARGE ME FOR THE EXCESS LAMINATE WASTE!

I told him that the FedEx Kinko's at Lakeshore Plaza in San Francisco doesn't even rip me off this badly. He reduced the price down to four square feet for $20, and I knew in my mind that it was still a rip-off price.

After paying for my charges, I walked-out and said out loud "this place is going on my blacklist."

Sure, I hate Officemax's copy center, but they would only charge me TWO DOLLARS, yes TWO DOLLARS per square foot of laminate. So my total for doing the two small banners there would be a whopping FOUR DOLLARS.

THANKS FOR THE 16 DOLLAR RIP-OFF, FEDEX KINKO'S on Stanyan.

Let's summarize my rants:
I've already lodged a complaint to FedEx Kinko's main customer support line, and I hope the manager calls me back within 48 hours.
I aint' happy.
Why do laminates cost like five times as much than Office Depot, and Officemax?
Fine, if they were to charge me $37 for the excess laiminate waste, I would say: HEY, WHY NOT GO DIG IN THE TRASH CAN AND GIVE ME THE EXCESS LAMINATE WASTE I'M ABOUT TO PAY FOR!

Lighters allowed on planes?

Is our government really that stupid?

Starting now, you are allowed to bring on your possession, a lighter on your person when going through security screening.

The question I'm wondering... WHY?

Sure, the government says that they collect 20,000+ cheap-o lighters every day and it costs them $4,000,000 a year to dispose, but isn't it just a good idea?

I'm not a smoker, but it seems to just be simple common sense to ban all lighters from your carry-on, but it is OK to put in your check-in baggage, which they have looser restrictions on items like pocket knives.

Now, if you are a smoker, why doesn't our government give $4 million dollars a year's worth of nicotine gum for those who got the cravin' but are not allowed to smoke?

Anyway, it's just simple common sense. Eliminate fire, eliminate the risk of a nasty fire by using hard liquor they sell on-board.

Sometimes it is worth asking yourself, is $4 million worth saving people's lives, I say it is.

TapiocaGate - Ed Jew is going to Trial

Hot breaking news from the folks from the Chronicle, Ed Jew is going to trial.

Word around is that during the preliminary, the judge decided that there is enough evidence to go forward with a trial on nine (yes nine!) felony counts about lying on his residency to be able to be eligible to be a candidate on the ballot.

What do we have? Two sides:
Prosecution is saying that Ed lied about his residency eligibility. Uses evidence such as testimony from neighbors, officials from the post office, and officials from numerous utility companies on the house's usage.

Defense is saying that Ed is eligible to be a resident, yet Fazio (the lawyer) says that his wife "owns" the property in Burlingame and Ed must sleep there on "occasion."

What's my point of view on this case? Ed is just putting another nail in the coffin of his political career. Why not just plead guilty, and quit your supervisor job? Ever heard of saving face dude? I wonder how he takes showers in his sunset district home, oh wait, the waterman says that very little water is used, so he goes to his flowershop to do the damn job. Oh come on, everyone knows that we want to sniff and vomit to body odor!

Here's some great ways to make Ed Jew embarrassed in public or pissed-off:

• Go to a Board of Supervisors meeting (full board) and when it is public comment time, just laugh and point your finger at him for the entire two minutes.
• Send the Supervisor a penny for his legal fund. The idiot is actually begging for money! Why give him nothing when you just piss him off by making an effort to send him a penny taped onto a piece of paper! Send it here.
• Make your own "RESIGN: Supervisor ED JEW" bumper sticker here.
• Attend a pro rally, be the lone counter-protester, and be on a bullhorn laughing out loud at Ed supporters.
• Did you know that it is legal to protest in front of his house(s)? Why not do it? He's at 2450 28th Avenue, in San Francisco's Sunset. Or even more embarrassing, why not do it in front of his Burlingame house?

Let's summarize my rants:
I'll be on a microphone going haa haa ha aaahhhaaa hahaha hahahahahahahaaaaahhhhaaaa!

Why I hate the SF Marathon in San Francsico

I'm really getting fed-up with the SF Marathon and other major marathons that come through San Francisco. When you want to get information, you receive a bunch of crappy information from numerous sources, and you really expect that you can get the same information if you contacted different people or resources.

For example: I contacted my local police station in the Richmond district, and inquired about the SF Marathon, their response, THEY DIDN'T KNOW! How can your local police station DON'T KNOW about events that will directly impact the citizens' quality of life when they don't know shit?

To just add insult to injury, I complained to my district supervisor (Jake McGoldrick) TWICE BEFORE, and I clearly said that the neighborhood police station and its cops should know what is going on, but after calling the cops last Saturday, this is just getting stupid.

Also, lets add some salt to the wound: I called the non-emergency police number Saturday afternoon to request for someone to remove the barricades blocking the entrance to Golden Gate Park at the intersection of Lincoln Blvd. and La Playa St. The reason behind this is that the event was WAY OVER, like at least a few hours over, all the barricades were moved off the street, and this one was just blocking cars to go in the park, but not out. At other entrances to the park, barricades were already moved-away.

The dispatcher said to me that she would not do the request (WHAT THE HELL?), and said to contact either the Richmond or the Park Station. I said to the dispatcher that the Richmond Station doesn't know shit (I didn't really say "shit," but something close enough), and she save me the number to the Park station. I called the Park station, talked to a female officer who listened to the problem, and just referred it to her Sergeant. This morning (Monday morning) the problem barricade was already moved away.

I believe that calling 911 or the non-emergency police number gets recorded, so if you want to request for a recording, ask for Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 4:26PM (Nextel time), and the length of the call is 2 minutes, and 45 seconds.

So here we go... I'm pasting an unedited copy of the e-mail I recently sent to Jake McGoldrick and past e-mails I've sent to his office, and replies from his assistants.

Note: In order to secure my privacy, the only edits include changing my actual name to "Akit," removing my job titles, and removing my e-mail address to stop the spammers.

Since this communication had no specific request for privacy, unlike some of my lawyer friends to contact me, citing confidentiality; since I sent it to a public government official, the following is going public, and on the record.

----- Start of message -----

Supervisor McGoldrick,

As a resident of district 1, I am particularly disturbed by the lack and difficulty to research information on the impact of the San Francisco Marathon that will affect the Richmond. Although this marathon has not happened yet, this is just an information nightmare.

Here is a brief summary of the lack of information available:
1) SFgate, also known as the SF Chronicle online gave a brief article, and referred readers to the marathon's website for more information. Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/27/BAG1CR84UK1.DTL&hw=marathon&sn=003&sc=173

2) The Marathon's "traffic" page has lacking information, including to not include a map of the marathon route. The details of the marathon is difficult to understand without knowing every street in the city and using your imagination because the information is in text, and they called our avenues "streets," which confuses the heck out of me because the term "street" on roads with digits are mostly in downtown. Source: "traffic page" http://www.runsfm.com/course/traffic.html

Eventually, I found a map, but it was on a DIFFERENT page on their website, in which the average citizen might not be able to find it without looking at the page that the Chronicle and others are referring people to look at. Source: "course map" http://www.runsfm.com/course/map.html

3) I called 311 and received no information other than to visit the SFMTA website.

4) The SFMTA website referred me to the "hidden" map page on the marathon's website, but the bus information is out of date. We still have a "15 third?" And why does our neighborhood's 18 line on the page says "18-48th avenue" and when you scroll down for details: "18-28th avenue?" I believe the correct bus line info is: "18 46th avenue." Source: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/malerts/SanFranciscoMarathon.htm

5) I called the Richmond district police station at 6th avenue (Saturday evening), and asked them for information, they didn't have any.

I'm satisfied that there is a map available, but it is difficult to find online. Also, the lack of information from the sources above is just not good. How can our government representatives from 311 and our local police station DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, especially the neighborhood cops? I've spoke to the local police station numerous times on similar events, and they don't know a thing. How can this police station represent the people and its neighborhood when they can't even refer you on who to call for more info?

Overall, this is my third complaint about marathon events coming through this district. The first one was the first annual Nike Women's marathon, in which things drastically improved the year after because of a hearing established by you, in which I attended. I testified that the lack of information, including our local police officers, plus making the route to practically "choke" our neighborhood from getting in or out was an embarrassment. Second was last year's SF Marathon when my parents were stuck for nearly 30 minutes to get out of the Richmond by being stuck in a "traffic valve." If you would like to read the two previous complaints and their responses, feel free to read them below my signature.

I don't understand why this city does not create straightforward rules and standards in regards to all large events happening in this city. Particularly good examples of getting the information to people is the recent All-Star Game and the favorite Bay to Breakers. By keeping the same standards for every event, it makes it easier for residents to easily find a reliable source for information. Easy examples: all operators at 311 are provided the same detailed information, the impacted police station neighborhoods, and a centralized website like the SFMTA. It may be also useful to set a policy that in order to get a permit, the particular event's website always has all the information available at a centralized location, including a map, text directions, and contact information to government services to learn more.

Thanks for your time, and expect to see a reply within a week.

Sincerely,
"Akit"

------Copies of past e-mails on events-------------------------
Dear Supervisor McGoldrick:

Once again, the City of San Francisco failed to satisfy the citizens of the Richmond district with the recent San Francisco Marathon that went through 26th and 27th avenues. My parents were victims of extremely heavy traffic on Geary Blvd. where the marathon organizers were supposed to make their runners switch back and forth from 26th to 27th so that traffic going east/west can be a little smoother.

My parents were waiting 20 minutes to get through 27th avenue, then were stopped again to be stuck at 26th avenue for an additional 15 minutes. Wait times this long is very very poor!

I thought that this city's DPT fixed this problem when the 1st annual Nike Marathon had the same problems and basically "choked-off" the whole outer Richmond district. After the Nike Marathon failed to satisfy the residents of our neighborhood, a hearing was established by you, and I spoke-out saying that this did not have to happen if planned right. It seems that there needs to be a better route for the SF Marathon too.

Sincerely,
"Akit"

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Hello Cindy Shamban,

I was referred to you by Janet Michaelson, DPT Director of Constituent Services, I understand that you are in charge of coordinating large events, including the "Nike Run." I am writing to follow up on the City's notification procedures regarding street closures, alternate routes, and traffic calming for large events. Neither our office nor Richmond residents were ever notified about this event. We only found out after the fact.

Our office has received a continuous stream of complaints over the weekend until today. The event impacted our constituents enormously. Folks were unable to get in and out of the Richmond and their "quality of life" was dramatically impacted. Here are just a few examples,

• An elderly couple on foot could not catch the MUNI to return home.
• A mother could not take her daughter to swim practice nor could she get to her own appointment. She still had to pay the babysitter.
• People woke up to loud noise from a steady stream of big vehicles rolling down Cabrillo street at 5 a.m..
• Traffic was gridlocked causing road rage and heavy noise.
• Driveways were blocked.
• A woman could not get to her Macy's job downtown.....
• and more.

As I understand, the Richmond District was cordoned off on all three sides: south, north and east. Our office would like to know the following:

• Which department issued the event permits?
• Who is responsible for planning the marathon course?
• How was the event coordination done between your department, other city departments (e.g, SFPD) and Nike?
• What are the notification procedures for large events like this?
• Were Richmond residents notified of the street closures, alternate traffic routes, bus routes, etc.? How?
• Is it protocol to also notify our office?
• What amounts to a street closure? What are the procedures for a street closure?
• Do large vehicles including trucks and tour buses need permits to drive through residential areas?

I am Ccing this email to Bond Yee and our constituents. Thank you for your time and help.

Regards,
Betty
_________________________________________
Betty Chan
Legislative Assistant
Supervisor Jake McGoldrick
San Francisco, District 1
Phone: (415) 554-7413
Fax: (415) 554-7415
www.sfgov.org

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Thank you for contacting our office. Supervisor McGoldrick may not be able to reply to your email personally due to the high volume of letters, emails, and phone calls he receives everyday. However, he will review and consider your correspondence closely. He values your input and ideas.

Thank you again for your email. If we can help in any other way, please feel free to contact our office by telephone at (415) 554-7410.

Akit To Jake.McGoldrick@sfgov.org
cc
10/23/2004 04:25 PM

bcc

Subject
Please respond to [BLOGGER REMOVED THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR PRIVACY REASONS]

Dear Supervisor McGoldrick,

I have serious concerns over the City of San Francisco's handling over the "Nike 26.2 Marathon" event being primarily held in District 1 this Sunday. I live on Geary and 47th Avenue, and there is not any CLEAR notice to any resident that their nearby streets are being blocked off, preventing access to our homes, and there is NO NOTICE in the Saturday's Chronicle. Many of our parades and other running events, such as the Bay To Breakers, always has a map of street closures in the local paper.

I've called my local Police station, was told to call the Park station, then the Park captain in charge told me to call another official at the Department of Parking and Traffic. But hey... it's Saturday, nobody works! I called my local cop station again today (Saturday) and they say that these permits were issued by someone at City Hall, and the cops are just putting no stopping signs all over the area. The officer agreed with me when I said that this event is total "bullshit" because nether he or I can get any clear-cut info. Not even Muni has the correct info (the "18" line has to drive 30 blocks to get around the event by going to Park Presidio via Crossover drive to get back to 46th avenue, south of GG park).

I'm contacting you because as my supervisor, it should be known that residents must have the right to know of what's going on around our neighborhood! Many residents don't know that Fulton is blocked off, and the only way to get to the southern region of SF is to go through crossover drive in GG park.

I would like to suggest that the Board of Supervisors make certain rules (resolution) to major events, such as this Nike 26.2 like, required public notice to the mass media (similar to how court settlements always make the Chronicle's Parade section), Police stations should have a copy of all street closures and alternate access with the public to freely visit the police station and get a copy of that for themselves, and a number that any resident can call for answers, not being shoved around to different departments.

I personally hate any major event that does not give clear notice to its residents of how to get around this. I work at SF State on most weekends, and I don't ever want to get caught in traffic just because some lazy city official gave the OK to give a permit for a large event without public notice. I nearly yelled at a cop on the phone one day for some Dave Matthew's band concert because some stupid idiot just blocked off the access road on 47th and Fulton and just said that nobody can drive through without giving drivers a reason why.

Sincerely,
"Akit"

----- End of E-mail -----

Let's summarize my rants:
Seems like citizens just can't get straightforward information.
I won't promote a recall of McGoldrick, but be aware that this counts as a strike, and may change my decision on re-electing you, if possible.
How many more complaints do I need to file to get major events to fix the problems?
Hopefully this blog will bring attention to this issues.

Witness Barry Bonds' 754th Home Run

On Friday, July 27, 2007, I was able to get this for your viewing pleasure!

It's Barry's 754th home run, now just one away from tying Hank Aaron's record.


It was also "Until there's a cure day" at the park, and a fireworks tribute was also there too.
RIP Rob Beck, the Giants player that pushed for this to continue for years to come.


Rob's family throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

For more photos of the event and fireworks, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agentakit/sets/72157600812633931/

Drunk Lohan, now drunk NASA pilots...

As we all know, Lindsay Lohan was nailed for drunk driving and possessing some very ugly ass drugs, but the fun drunk news of the day comes from NASA, where some of our astronauts were advised to not fly because they drank before being launched out of space.

Makes me wonder, do they serve alcohol at the international space station?