Tag Archives: SFO International Airport

Campos Compromises-Terminal Not SFO to be Renamed in Milk’s Memory

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Harvey Milk stencil by SF artist Jeremy Novy

Harvey Milk stencil by SF artist Jeremy Novy

As the Biscuit has reported several times since January, Supervisor David Campos (District 9), introduced the idea of renaming SFO in honor of slain civil rights leader and Castro icon, Harvey Milk. Now it seems the powers that be have come up with a compromise solution-a terminal within the airport to bear his name instead of the entire facility.

There have been heated debates, rallies and an outpouring of community support for the idea alongside some very organized opposition to Campos’ plan.

While the late Supervisor Milk and his legacy are revered in some circles others felt he didn’t deserve such a magnanimous gesture of having the airport re-tagged in his honor. Campos’ had five votes sewn up from fellow Supervisors to move forward with his rebranding bid but the all important sixth deciding vote eluded him. That vote would have to be supplied by one of the freshmen Supervisors and none seemed convinced it was in their constituents (or perhaps theirs political) best interest.

Note Terminal 1 the unofficial selection to be renamed for Harvey Milk. Photo: FlySFO.

Note Terminal 1 the unofficial selection to be renamed for Harvey Milk. Photo: FlySFO.

Becoming convinced the job would be a raucous, uphill battle where the final decision for the name change would be placed before City voters in an off-year November ballot initiative Campos worked with Mayor Ed Lee to find a compromise-renaming one of SFO’s terminals in Harvey’s memory.

The plan now stands a committee composed of members hand-picked by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s camps representing both of their interests would put together a proposal for how to make this all happen and come back with solid plans and goals within the next three months.

Supervisor Campos’ dream of having visitors to our City pass through Harvey Milk Airport has been whittled down, but, he believes his main goal-of teaching and honoring Harvey’s dream of equality and hope for all-can still be realized via the terminals prominence and position.

Which terminal is to be selected still remains to be seen. Currently Terminal One is amidst a remodeled and may be the easiest to transition in signage and other alterations to carry the late Supervisors moniker.

-Reminder the State of California’s official Harvey Milk holiday is May 22nd. Local celebrations are planned. Click the link to see what’s happening locally in the Castro.

The beautiful shrine to Harvey Milk assembled by members of the SF political club named in his honor-Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club

The beautiful shrine to Harvey Milk assembled by members of the SF Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club at the 2012 Milk/Moscone Anniversary March at Castro and Market. Photo: Waiyde Palmer

End of Week Updates: Nude Activists Convicted, Castro’s New Bulging Baskets (of Flowers) & More

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This week has raced by and April is nearly at an end. Summer is looming as spring draws to a close and we find ourselves checking back in on a  number of posts to find out what their status is. In no particular order or level of import here goes:

Trey Allen at SF City Hall protesting the new nudity ban on 2/1. (Photo: Justin Sullivan)

Trey Allen at SF City Hall protesting the new nudity ban on 2/1. (Photo: Justin Sullivan)

Nude activists, Russell ‘Trey’ Allen, Oxane ‘Gypsy’ Taub and Dist. 8 Supervisor candidate, George Davis were arrested and cited for violating the brand new nudity ban when they showed the full monty at a rally outside City Hall on Feb. 1 that we posted on, the day the ordinance went into effect. On Tues. the 23rd all were found guilty. They now hold the double honor of first arrested and first convicted under the Wiener Nudity Ban. They were each ordered to pay a $100 fine and $92 in court fees. Their Defense attorney Christina DiEdoardo plans to appeal in 30 days. Miss Taub and Mr. Stevens will be facing the judge again following a second arrest for dancing nude at Jane Warner Plaza.

flowers-one-castroThe 3rd Annual Flowers on Castro Benefit sponsored by the Castro Community Business District (CBD) and Herth Realty on April 18th that we posted about was a smashing success according to all who attended and CBD Exec Director, Andrea Aiello raising 2,000 more than the previous year. The event held at Herth Realty’s office on Castro St.  brought in over 10,334 dollars toward their 15,000 dollar goal in donations and art sales that will be used to replace and maintain the neighborhoods hanging baskets of flora. On Tuesday ten new baskets were installed along the village’s main strip. Art is still available for purchase at Herth’s office and you can peruse it as you will or donations can be made directly here. Special thanks to all the artists whose work was used, restaurants  Pica Pica, Fable and Poesia for providing the food and Swirl who supplied wine for the event. Pix from the event here.

SF State Sen. Mark Leno

SF State Sen. Mark Leno

Early this week we posted Sen. Mark Leno had introduced a bill, SB 635, that would allow individual communities to decide to extend their bar and clubs last calls from the current California limit of 2 AM to 4 AM. Despite a large push for the bill from within the Entertainment and Nightlife Industry the bill was rejected in committee. This is the second time our Senator has introduced this legislation. It has the ability to be brought back again before committee but not this year. It will have to go back and start its upstream swim again through political shark infested waters.  Mr. Leno has made noise that he believes that with the growing number of constituents in favor of the bill the next time up will see a different result. Who knows-maybe three times the charm?

Rally at City Hall in favor of changing SFO to Harvey Milk International Airport. (Photo; SJ Mercury News)

Rally at City Hall in favor of changing SFO to Harvey Milk International Airport. (Photo; SJ Mercury News)

And finally, Dist. 9 Supervisor David Campos’ push to rename SFO for Harvey Milk continues to seek its last supporter from among the other members of the Board of Supervisors so it can move forward. We’ve been posting on this issue since it broke. So far he has five out of the six co-sponsors from his fellows to go forward. Where the elusive sixth nod will come from has proven difficult. The freshmen members of the BOS-Norman Yee, London Breed and recent Mayor Lee appointee for Dist 4 Katy Tang-have been reluctant to sign on. Citing a variety of concerns from cost of the name change to the City or constituent balking at the idea-many think other titans of SF politics and civic duty are equally deserving as Milk have been used by the new Supes to withhold sponsorship. Campos remains undeterred and believes that in the end he will be triumphant.

UPDATE: Renaming SFO for Harvey Milk Could Cost Less Than Projected

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Harvey Milk Int'l AirportNew development in the Biscuit’s ongoing coverage of Dist. 9, Sup. David Campos quest to rename SFO in honor of slain civil rights leader and LGBT icon, Harvey Milk. SF Examiner has revealed a reports been released dispelling opponents worries that the name change would cost millions-instead-the estimated figure to accomplish the project is closer to 350K-500K.

Originally, based on what kind of bucks it cost other municipalities like Baltimore who renamed their airport for the late, groundbreaking, SCOTUS Justice, Thurgood Marshall.  the estimated figure of  $4.2 million dollars was bandied about by SFO officials who’ve made no secret they’re against the re-christening.

This new, lowered, cost report compiled by the SF Budget and Legislative Analysis Department states that while high costs could be a later factor, initially, changing the big kahuna of the SFO signage, the massive one splayed across the front of SFO would run about $355K.

Other signage-highway and freeway signs that direct traffic guiding drivers could, in theory, be allowed to remain labeled the generic variations for ‘SF International Airport’-keeping the budget from ballooning.

Each large freeway sign change is estimated to cost $20K to amend. Multiply that by the thirty-six signs CalTran would have to repurpose with the new Milk moniker and you see the cost of the rename skyrocketing.

Sup. David Campos (Photo: SF Democratic Party Website)

Sup. David Campos (Photo: SF Democratic Party Website)

Campos expressed confusion as to why SFO officials had floated out such inflated numbers regarding the name change beyond the obvious reasons of stirring up opposition from fiscally concerned members of the voting public.

He also remains confident he can drum up corporate and private donor funds to make the name change a reality so no money would have to be suctioned out of the San Francisco’s treasury.

Campos has secured five of the six votes needed from his fellow Supes-including Dist. 8 Scott Wiener-to bring the issue before the voters as a ballot measure in November. He feels confident he can secure the sixth co-sponsoring nod on the issue from either Malia Cohen, Dist. 10, or Dist. 5′s newly elected London Breed.

If the Milk name change reaches the ballot and is approved by SF voters our City would become the first in the world to name an internationally recognized airport in honor of one of its LGBT citizens.

Supervisor Campos as one of two out and proud Gay men on the board believe that this gesture can translate into an international message of ‘hope and equality’ that Harvey famously championed to everyone who pass through the airports doors.

 

 

 

 

The Latest Skinny on Past Posts of Neighborhood News

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We’ve posted a great deal in the past month or so about a myriad of stories  in the Castro that have generated quite a bit of interest. This week the follow-up news has been a hot and heavy maelstrom resolving at least one issue that’s been festering since 2009.

Cafe Flore (credit: Eric Nielson)

Cafe Flore (credit: Eric Nielson)

Cafe Flore restaurant in jeopardy: As our Editor in Chief, Roy,  posted last week, Cafe Flore had run afoul of a organzied effort by members of the community and two neighborhood associations over their off site kitchen use.

Sup. Wiener had proposed a targeted code variance which would allow the venerable and much beloved icon of the Castro to continue using the off site, code compliant, food prep site its had functioning for the last two decades. Many of the opposition thought this was unfair and that all businesses should be held to the exact same standards no matter what.

We’re happy to report that the Oversight Committee in charge of the issue via Board of Supervisors approved the change this week and now Cafe Flore is free of threats to its continued operation. The off site kitchen will continue to be used keeping Flore up and running without hiccups.

fitness-sf-expansionSF Fitness seeks to expand and remodel building: In October the Biscuit posted that LA based Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was hoping to expand into the Castro with a new store opening in the old Vibrant Health Vitamin Center.

This new addition to the Castro was contingent on a couple of issues-the biggest-wether or not SF Fitness could get a zone variance to enlarge the building on the corner of Market and Noe St. Their goal since 2009 has been to add several floors which would include much-needed rental units as well as expanding the gym to accommodate an ever-growing clientel.

Working with the Board of Supes, under the guidance of Supervisor Wiener, the remodel has received the go ahead. Mr. Wiener piggybacked the zone change for SF Fitness onto the same multi-faceted legislation that included Cafe Flore’s off site kitchen issue.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf signed a lease with the owners of SF Fitness, the Jackovics family, following the approval. Coffee Bean will still have to get approval to open which may prove to be a daunting task considering how corporate chain stores are received and disliked in the neighborhood.

milk-sfo-rallyRally for renaming SFO for Harvey Milk: We’ve posted three times about the battle heating up to rename SFO.

Friday saw a huge coalition of supporters rally at City Hall in favor of changing the name of SFO to honor the late, Castro Supervisor and civil rights leader, Harvey Milk.

Led by chief proponents Sup. David Campos who introduced the resolution to the Board, and Stuart Milk, Harvey’s nephew and Milk Foundation head, about a hundred people took part from a wide swath of San Francisco political organizations and citizenry. Kicking off the rally with chants and speeches of support media from throughout the Bay Area was on hand to cover and help get out the word that the battle is on to make this idea a reality.

Friday Sup. Campos said 80 airports are named after people across the U.S. but there is no representation from the LGBT community.

“Why shouldn’t San Francisco be that City?” Campos asked those gathered at the rally.

Campos isn’t alone in this quest he’s enlisted the support of four other supervisors, including John Avalos, Scott Wiener, Jane Kim and Eric Mar. One more supervisor will be needed to get the issue on a City ballot.

Campos goal is to have this issue on the agenda by Fall of 2013.

 

 

Grassroot Push Underway to Rename SFO Harvey Milk Int’l: Website/Petition Launched, Rally Friday at City Hall

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Image by JR Church

Image by JR Church

As the Biscuit’s posted Sup. David Campos wants to rename SFO for slain, civil rights leader, LGBT legend and Castro resident/business man, Harvey Milk.

Resistance to the plan has been vocal and from a variety of SF political corners hoping to quash the proposal.

Friday, Supervisor Campos and supporters in favor of amending the City Charter allowing the name change to occur, are holding a rally at City Hall.

The goal: bring the cause to the people. Let a Harvey Milk styled, grassroots, multi-community, populace based movement drive the campaign so the  dream of many becomes a reality.

According to the newly launched support blog, HarveyMilkSFO, organizations and political individuals of all walks of life have endorsed the name change. Groups like NoH8 Campaign, EQCA, and the National Lesbian Gay Task Force have been enlisted. To date twenty local, state and national groups have signed on and the list grows daily.

Some heavy hitters from the political world have added fame, name and historical klout as well: Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers, Cleve Jones, Names Project Founder, Troy Perry founder of Metropolitan Community Churches. Additionally most current SF Supervisors including Dist. 8′s Scott Wiener, former Supes, CA politico powerhouses, Carol Migden and Tom Ammiano and a string of who’s who amongst the City’s movers and shakers.

The Harvey Milk Foundation helmed by Stuart Milk, Harvey’s nephew, and Anne Kronenberg, Milk’s campaign manager from his world changing, successful bid to become the country’s first out politician elected to major office are also enthusiastic supporters.

“My uncle gave everything to the cause of civil rights. Now he needs your help.” Stuart Milk  was quoted as saying in regard to Friday’s rally and the grassroot effort currently underway.

The Rally’s event page on Facebook further fleshes out the reasoning behind the name change:

80 airports in the United States are named after individuals; not one is named after a LGBT leader. Airport naming is a common honor, and has been used extensively to identify values and leaders important to a region. Yet the LGBT community is currently excluded.

 

Harvey Milk is the most important figure in San Francisco’s LGBT history and deserves an honor of this magnitude. He was the first Gay man to win elective office in San Francisco, an authentic political hero, and world-renowned leader for civil rights. Adding Harvey’s name to the airport is a fitting honor. It will forward the civil rights cause for which he lived and died.

 

Being Gay is illegal in 77 countries, and Gay youth continue to be bullied, discriminated against and excluded. Adding Harvey Milk’s name to SFO will send a national and international message about the struggle for equality. With Gay rights on the national agenda and before the Supreme Court, this is the right time and place to educate the 40 million passengers a year who fly through SFO.

The rally is set for Friday, February 22nd at noon on the Polk Street side steps of City Hall.

Interested parties may also sign the Change.org petition thats been drafted by Stuart Milk in favor of the name change. At post time the petition had garnered nearly 20K signatures.

You can also keep abreast of the campaign as events unfold by following Sup. Campos’ Twitter feed or adding your ‘like’ on his Facebook page.

UPDATE: Renaming SFO for Harvey Milk Hitting Serious Turbulence

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San Francisco Int'l Airport

Dist. 9 Supervisor David Campos initiative to rename San Francisco International Airport for the Castro’s slain, LGBT, political icon, Harvey Milk, has hit some serious resistance on its attempted take off.

As we posted mid month in January, David Campos announced he was going to introduce an initiative to honor Harvey Milk by recasting our City’s well used international airport in his name.

Under great fanfare Campos raised the issue with the Board of Supervisors knowing he had the support of five Supervisors John Avalos-Dist. 11, Jane Kim-Dist. 4, Eric Mar-Dist. 1 and Scott Wiener-Dist. 8 who currently occupies Harvey’s historic seat on the Board.

The all important sixth vote from a Supervisor to make the issue move forward on to a Citywide ballot measure hasn’t been secured leaving the whole proposal on shaky ground.

Resistance has come from several directions. One of the most surprising coming from the Bay Area Reporter (B.A.R.), SF’s largest and oldest LGBT newspaper, who called the proposed name change, ‘a bad idea’.

SF Mayor Ed Lee

SF Mayor Ed Lee

According to SF Gate’s, City Insider blog, Mayor Ed Lee told the Chronicle editorial board that he found Campos’ process of announcing the legislation before building consensus to be disrespectful.

“Naming rights of areas also have to be respectful of other people who also have equally huge contributions to the City’s legacy and history,” the City Insider reported Mayor Ed Lee saying. “I just don’t believe that level of respect was reflected in the announcement of renaming the airport.”

Its obvious this suggestion to rename SFO for Harvey Milk by Supervisor Camps is akin to stirring a political hornets nest and many worry how this will reflect on the memory of the slain civil rights leader if it’s put up for popular vote as it most likely will turn ugly.

Larry Mazzola, Sr-Pres. of Airport Com.

Larry Mazzola, Sr-Pres. of Airport Com.

SFO Airport Commissioner president, Larry Mazzola Sr, appointed to the Airport Commission by Mayor Frank Jordan on February 14, 1994, believes the airport shouldn’t be named after anyone.

Castro resident, Cleve Jones, former legislative aide to Harvey Milk, Names Project Quilt founder, currently working as union organizer for UNITE HERE! was quoted in the B.A.R. saying, “I am supportive of the idea, but people need to understand this isn’t necessarily a slam dunk-powerful forces, I suspect, will attempt to derail this.”

Campos remains undeterred.

He believes Harvey was all about sending people a message of hope and equality as he historically stated in many campaign stumps and in his infamous ‘Gotta Give ‘Em Hope’ speech.

Campos concludes the City has a rare opportunity to broadcast these core beliefs as its own to 40 million visitors who cross through SFO every year simply by being the first major international airport ever to honor the pride and worth of one it’s LGBT citizens with this renaming distinction.

 

Sup. Campos to Board of Supes: Consider Renaming SFO for Harvey Milk

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Harvey Milk Int'l Airport

It’s being widely reported in USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle and other sources that District Nine Sup., David Campos, wants the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to consider renaming SFO International Airport in honor of slain LGBT civil rights pioneer, Castro resident and businessman, Harvey Milk.

USA Today writes, “San Francisco city supervisor David Campos says he plans to introduce legislation today that could let voters vote on whether to rename the West Coast gateway the “Harvey Milk-San Francisco International Airport.”

SF Chronicle has the full story. In part they write, “Campos said about 80 other U.S. airports are already named for individuals, none of whom are Gay, and that SFO — which moves 40 million passengers annually, including 9 million international travelers — has a particularly high profile. He believes it would cost between $50,000 and $250,000 to implement, citing the cost other cities have incurred to do the same, but said he hopes to attract private donations to fund the change.”

“I like this idea. It would almost make up for naming DC’s National Airport after a certain Republican former President..”, posted long time Milk ally, LGBT activist and AIDS Quilt founder, Cleve Jones on his Facebook page.

We couldn’t agree more Cleve! We think this is a great idea and fully support it. Even better if the City can manage the name change through donations as our SF budget is already strapped. Google? Twitter? Other bustling corps flush with the new found gold of the City’s second tech rush in twenty years care to step up to the plate?

*****

UPDATE: The Chronicle is running a poll asking readers if this name change should happen. Right now it stands with over 74% responding ‘NO’.

I realize this is might be outside the bounds of good reporting, but, we’re a blog and that gives us a bit of a wiggle when it comes to strict adherence to the ideas of ‘proper’ journalism practices. That high of a percentage of my fellow San Franciscans voting ‘no’ on this issue seems highly unlikely and smacks of homophobic manipulations by outside forces to me. Perhaps the poll is being subverted by individuals or groups  from beyond our City who find Harvey Milk and what he stood for unseemly?

If you have an opinion please follow the link and vote: http://www.sfgate.com/news/