Welcome back to the “Meet the Candidates” series for District 11, where we ask each candidate to answer one question every week leading up to the election. They must answer the question in 100 words or less. We will link to longer answers.
With District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí termed out and running for mayor, seven candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to represent the Excelsior, Oceanview and the Outer Mission.
Formed by the intersection of Mission Street, Ocean Avenue and Persia Avenue, the Persia Triangle is at the center of the Excelsior business corridor and the heart of the neighborhood. However, the area has not been safe for pedestrians and hasn’t been fully used by residents.
So this week, we are asking: What do you plan to do to activate the Persia Triangle as district supervisor?
Next week, I will be at Excelsior Coffee (4495 Mission St.) at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31. You can also reach me with questions, comments, and tips at xueer@missionlocal.com
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
- Job: Community advocate
- Age: 38
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since November 1985 and has lived here always, except for time away at college
- Transportation: Public, car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, Dominican University, master’s degree in public administration from University of San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
As the District Supervisor, I plan to activate the Persia Triangle by turning it into a vibrant community hub.
This transformation could involve adding public art representative of our district’s diverse culture, arranging events to honor our heritage, and promoting togetherness and pride. The space should be used for night markets, farmers markets, and monthly resource fairs in collaboration with community and faith-based organizations in District 11. This will ensure that valuable activities and resources are accessible to all residents with language support.
Each of these activities will create a lively atmosphere and improve the area’s appeal. Leveraging the vast … read more here
Endorsed by: Supervisors Shamann Walton and Myrna Melgar, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Former SF mayor Willie Brown Jr., Transit Workers Union Local 250A… read more here
Michael Lai
- Job: Early education director, elected to the San Francisco Democratic Party
- Age: 31
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since February 2024
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in government at Harvard College with coursework at Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Languages: English, Mandarin
Excelsior has the most kids, but has never had a farmer’s market — we should bring it to Persia Triangle!
Short term, we need to bring back more street festivals, regular community events, and a farmer’s market to Persia Triangle on Saturday evenings and Sundays when Unique Auto, the tenant there, is closed. It’s not only important to get more foot traffic but also central to the vibrancy and liveliness to the Mission Terrace, Cayuga and Excelsior neighborhoods that border it. From co-organizing ChowSF, an Asian restaurant tour on Mission, Ocean, and Geneva this March, I’ve experienced just how much this type … read more here
Endorsed by: Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Supervisors Joel Engardio and Matt Dorsey, NorCal Carpenters Union… read more here
Roger Marenco
- Job: Transit operator
- Age: 42
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since May 2014
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability and social justice from San Francisco State University. City College San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
First we need to organize a massive District 11 event on-site so that everyone can see the potential that this site has for immediate development.
Next we need to host neighborhood meetings with community participation to develop a feasible plan that works for District 11.
Finally, we need to eliminate the red tape inside City Hall that hinders development, so that we can then start building up the Persia triangle so that it can become a lively part of District 11 that promotes community growth, that brings in consumer revenue generating resources and that provides more safety measures for our families.
Jose Morales
- Job: Sales professional, small-business owner
- Age: 28
- Residency: Tenant, born in District 11 in 1995 and has lived there since, except for time away in college from 2014 to 2017 and living in Idaho from 2021 to the end of 2022
- Transportation: Car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from Sonoma State University
- Languages: English, Spanish
Jose Morales didn’t submit an answer before the publication of this post.
Chyanne Chen
- Job: Worker organizer, community facilitator and educator
- Age: 39
- Residency: Homeowner, landlord, living in District 11 since August 2000
- Transportation: Walk, public transportation, rideshare, and car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Davis, master’s degree from Cornell University, doctoral degree in education in progress at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
As District Supervisor, my plan to activate the Persia Triangle focuses on creating a vibrant, inclusive community hub. I propose public table seating for lunchtime gatherings, spaces for elders to play chess and mahjongg, and a regular farmers market to promote local produce. We can engage young people through an outdoor cinema for community entertainment, and transform the site into a youth space with outdoor programs and open-mic nights. I will strengthen cultural programming within the Excelsior Community Benefit District, celebrating our diverse cultural communities. We will involve local artists in these initiatives, fostering a multicultural district that honors … read more here
Endorsed by: Assemblymember Phil Ting, former police commissioner Larry Yee, San Francisco Board of Education commissioner Jenny Lam, former supervisors Norman Yee, Sandy Fewer and Mabel Teng.
Adlah Chisti
- Job: Public policy analyst, caregiver
- Age: 40
- Residency: Live with parents and caregive for them, born in District 11 in 1983 and lived there since, moved out in 2013 and back in 2017
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in politics and in environmental science, and master’s degree in education from University of San Francisco, master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, juris doctorate from University of California Law, San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish, Hindi
I think its important to establish a task force that brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local residents, business owners and community members.
The task force will identify key areas of improvement, such as public safety, infrastructure upgrades, and cultural events that reflect the unique character of the Persia Triangle. By working closely with relevant business owners and stakeholders, we can gather valuable feedback and develop initiatives that foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life in the area.
Through transparency and effective communication the task force will ensure regular updates and community forums. This will ensure … read more here
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, Green Party, Run for Something, Police Commissioner Debra Walker, … read more here
District 11 contribution
Money raised and spent in the District 11 supervisor race
Money raised
Money spent
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
$34,342
$70,501
Chyanne Chen
$0
Adlah Chisti
$0
Roger Marenco
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
Money spent
Money raised
Ernest “E.J.” Jones
$70,501
$34,342
Chyanne Chen
$0
Adlah Chisti
$0
Roger Marenco
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Candidates are ordered alphabetically but rotated weekly. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at xueer@missionlocal.com.
Read the rest of the District 11 questions here, and the entire “Meet the Candidates” series here.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
