Welcome back to our weekly “Meet the Candidates” series, where District 1 supervisorial candidates who have filed to run respond to a question in 100 words or fewer.
Answers are published each week, but we are also archiving each answer on this page for District 1, to make it easier for voters to browse.
Next week, I will be at Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Library (351 9th Ave.) at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2. Come by and share your thoughts, or reach me at junyao@missionlocal.com.
This November, voters will again decide on the future of the upper Great Highway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard, and whether it will become an oceanfront park permanently closed to car traffic.
Over the past few years, the stretch of coastline road has been used as a part-time park, closing to car traffic on weekends. But this arrangement is set to expire by the end of 2025.
Although there is no proposal to close the northern part of the road, from Lands End to Lincoln Way, the issue remains a contentious one in the Richmond.
For this week, we asked the candidates: Do you support permanently banning cars on the Great Highway?
remain open
to cars
proposed
oceanfront park
and closure
to cars
already
set to close
due to erosion
remain open
to cars
proposed
oceanfront park
and closure to cars
already set to close
due to erosion
Marjan Philhour
- Job: Business owner, former advisor and fundraiser to London Breed
- Age: 50
- Residency: Homeowner, born in District 1 and moved back in 2006
- Transportation: Biking, walking, driving and public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley
- Languages: English
I talk to hundreds of neighbors every week, from all parts of the Richmond. While public safety is top of mind for most Richmond residents, each area of our neighborhood has its own specific challenges. In the Outer Richmond, one of those challenges is access to the Great Highway.
I live a few short blocks away from the Great Highway and use it every week — sometimes by car, sometimes by bike, and sometimes for a run. We have known for years that the southern span of the Great Highway from Sloat to Lake Merced will be closing permanently. However, the … read more here
Endorsed by: San Francisco Police Officers Association … read more here
Jeremiah Boehner
- Job: Marketing specialist and U.S. Army veteran
- Age: 39
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 1 since 2006
- Transportation: Driving
- Education: University of San Francisco
- Languages: English
No, it’s a bad idea based on bad ideology. Banning cars from a specific roadway doesn’t mean traffic magically goes away.
It will divert that traffic onto more residential streets, increasing pollution and the chance for a pedestrian- or bicycle-involved accident.
There is plenty of space on that stretch of the Great Highway to build a walkway/park without closing it to cars.
Closing it to cars is anti-mobility, anti-family and just plain dumb.
Connie Chan
- Job: Incumbent District 1 Supervisor
- Age: 45
- Residency: Homeowner, living in District 1 since 2011
- Transportation: Driving and walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of California, Davis
- Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
I do not support a winner-takes-all approach to determining critical issues like banning vehicle access to Great Highway, because it presents a false-choice scenario to city planning.
The Great Highway serves as a vital north-south connector for the Westside, providing access to and from the Richmond District for residents and visitors alike. The Ocean Beach Master Plan of 2012 and the SF County Transportation Authority Great Highway Study released in 2021 both proposed solutions that provided both open space and maintained road access. I supported that plan and concept then, and still support it now.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Labor Council, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Local 21, Service Employees International Union 1021 … read more here
Sherman D’Silva
- Job: Owner of a laundromat on Geary Boulevard
- Age: 51
- Residency: Homeowner, living in District 1 since 1973
- Transportation: Driving
- Education: Bachelor’s degrees from San Francisco State University
- Languages: English
Both sides of this issue have a good case to make.
COMPROMISE IS NECESSARY.
Let’s keep the Great Highway open to efficiently and effectively move vehicles crossing San Francisco, while at the same time widening and re-grading the existing Eastside path that runs parallel to the Great Highway to accommodate two-way bike lanes and pedestrian lanes.
Closing and detouring vehicles:
- Increases pollution
- Wastes energy
- Endangers neighborhood pedestrians
- Harms Sunset District residents
- Eliminates a direct north/south corridor
Let’s work together so neighbors on all sides of this issue can use, benefit and enjoy this valuable asset.
Jen Nossokoff
- Job: Vice president of a healthcare company and physician assistant
- Age: 38
- Residency: Homeowner, living in District 1 since 2020
- Transportation: Walking, biking, public transportation, driving
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and master’s degree from Samuel Merritt University
- Languages: English
Yes, I fully support converting the Great Highway into a permanent oceanfront park. Transforming this failing roadway into a community-friendly park offers benefits like enhanced recreational spaces, boosted local tourism, and a stronger sense of community.
Frequent sand accumulation makes it unreliable for vehicular traffic, highlighting the need for a sustainable alternative. This change can help manage stormwater and reduce flooding through natural sand filtration. Our coastline is perfect for parks, demonstrated by the success of the Presidio Tunnel Tops and China Beach projects, which uplift community spirit and enhance environmental stewardship. Efficiently redirecting traffic via Sunset Boulevard will ensure … read more here
Money raised and spent in District 1 supervisor race
For
Money spent
Against
Marjan Philhour
$63,735
$136,064
Connie Chan
$11,806
$101,585
$5,360
$72,021
Jen Nossokoff
$11,653
$3,573
Jeremiah Boehner
$0
Sherman D’Silva
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
For
Money spent
Against
Marjan Philhour
$63,735
$136,064
Connie Chan
$11,806
$101,585
$5,360
$72,021
Jen Nossokoff
$11,653
$3,573
Jeremiah Boehner
$0
Sherman D’Silva
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically and rotated each week. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at junyao@missionlocal.com.
Read the rest of the series here. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
There is no efficient way to divert traffic.The vehicles will not magically find a way to not go on residential streets. Just thinking the cars will magically not be spitting more pollution by stopping and starting every block is absurd.The usage of the Great Highway by bikes is exaggerated. When the weather is not perfect the Great Highway is almost deserted.The sand dunes aredefinitely being destroyed by the people entertaining themselves by sliding and climbing on them.I have pictures.