Hi All,
My turn to take the minutes, so here they are. I will post them on the LPSF website on Tuesday 12th.
Minutes of the Libertarian Party of San Francisco, August 9,
2014
Members Present:
Aubrey Freedman (Chair), Marcy Berry (Vice Chair), Les Mangus
(Treasurer), Phil Berg, Starchild.
Guests: Joe Reisinger
and Vicki Reisinger
Activist Reports:
Aubrey obtained a CD from the Department of Elections containing
information on registered Libertarians, and sent out 85 letters informing
newly-registered Libertarians of the LPSF and its work; he read all the ballot
propositions for the November elections in order to present a summary at the
LPSF meeting; he attended the Yolo County Libertarian Party Leadership
Conference on July 19. Marcy also
attended the Yolo County conference; she sent a letter to the San Francisco
Supervisors challenging them on their proposal to form a Joint Power Authority
to implement eminent domain in the seizure of underwater mortgages in San
Francisco; she started posting on the LPSF website articles relating to the
proposals on the November elections; she wrote to Libertarian Party Chair
Nicholas Sarwark regarding the challenge “libertarian” Republicans are posing
to the LP by confusing their brand of libertarianism with Libertarian
principles – Mr. Sarwark responded immediately, indicating he is aware of the
challenge, and plans to respond after the November elections. Starchild is working on a letter that
liberty-leaning organizations could use to obtain supporting signatures on
issues espoused by other organizations in exchange for assurances of
liberty-leaning behavior.
Announcements: Golden
Gate Liberty Revolution Monthly Meeting August 18, Moksha Life Center, 7:00
pm. The Commonwealth Club presentation
of Steve Forbes in “Fighting Threats to Our Money,” August 20, 6:00 pm. Jim Elwood’s Free Exchange, September 6,
Parkmerced. Gun Show, September 13-14, Cow
Palace. For more details on upcoming
events see “Bay Area Events” at www.lpsf.org
Membership Reports:
Has not changed since last month.
Website Reports:
Marcy advised of a schedule to place November elections information on
the website. She reported that although
the campaign contribution button has been up on the website for several months
now, no campaign contributions have come in.
Treasurer’s report: Balance
in operating account $3,273.77. Balance
in Campaign Committee account $149.
Board of Supervisors Eminent Domain Proposal: Marcy reported that none of the Supervisors
responded to the LPSF email sent to them.
There has been no further publicized development on this proposal.
Gun Show: Aubrey
announced that Golden Gate Liberty Revolution will host a display table in
conjunction with the Birch Society.
Volunteers to staff the table are needed. Aubrey will volunteer on Saturday. Marcy indicated she would be available if
more volunteers are needed on Sunday.
November Elections Ballot Measures: Aubrey presented a summary of all the
measures, there was discussion on all of them, and members present voted Yes,
No, or No Recommendation, as follows.
Most “NO” were unanimous, with the exceptions as noted below. Pier 70 “YES” was qualified, since there was
consensus that some development should take place in the area; however, this
development is on government land (Port Authority) and development nowadays
comes burdened with government regulation.
“YES” on Policy Regarding Transportation Priorities reflected LPSF being
one of the endorsers.
A – San Francisco Transportation and Road Improvement
Bond: NO
B – Adjusting Transportation Funding for Population Growth
Charter Amendment: NO
C – Children’s Fund; Public Education and Enrichment Fund
Charter Amendment: Children and Families Council; Rainy Day Reserve: NO
D – Retiree Health Benefits for Former Redevelopment Agency
and Successor Agency Employees Charter Amendment: NO
E – Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Ordinance: NO
F- Pier 70 [Development of residential buildings requiring
voter-approved height limit and adjoining parks] Ordinance: YES
G – Additional Transfer Tax on Residential Property Sold
Within 5 Years of Purchase Ordinance: NO
H – Golden Gate Park Athletic Fields Ordinance: YES (3 yes; 2 abstain)
I – Renovation of Playgrounds, Walking Trails, and Athletic
Fields Ordinance: NO (3 no; 2 no
recommendation).
J – Minimum Wage Increase Ordinance: NO
K – Affordable Housing Declaration of Policy: NO
L – Policy Regarding Transportation Priorities: YES
Ballot Arguments:
Several LPSF members have written ballot arguments, which Aubrey will bring
to the Department of Elections by the due date of Thursday, August 14, noon. If time permits, additional arguments will be
written. Ballot argument writers are as
follow:
A – Aubrey
B – Aubrey if time permits
C – Starchild
D – Les if time permits
E – Francoise
F. No argument
G – Phil if time permits
H – No argument
I – Starchild if time permits
J – Les
K – Aubrey
L – No argument (the Republican Party will submit the
official argument in favor)
Campaign Treasurer Les reported that if no money is
involved, the LPSF can sign its ballot arguments “Libertarian Party of San
Francisco,” rather than “San Francisco Libertarian Campaign Committee.” Therefore, it was decided to sign the
arguments as the LPSF. Starchild
indicated his preference for placing his own name on ballot arguments he writes
in addition to that of LPSF, which is fine with LPSF. He suggested that the more signers on
arguments the better; it was decided that this suggestion would be considered for
future elections, since it was too late to deal with that issue for the November
elections.