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.
Last week, we asked the District 11 supervisor candidates to point out the top issues affecting the OMI, which is short for Oceanview, Merced Heights, Ingleside, and sits on the southern border of the city.
This week, we will focus on the Excelsior, the other prominent neighborhood of District 11, located along Mission Street. It borders John McLaren Park on its east side
Our question for the contenders: Name one specific issue affecting residents in the Excelsior. How would you address it as their supervisor?
Next week, I will be at Excelsior Coffee at 4495 Mission St. on Friday at 11 a.m. You can also reach me with questions, comments, and tips at xueer@missionlocal.com.
Jose Morales
- Job: Sales professional, small-business owner
- Age: 29
- 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
One specific issue affecting residents in the Excelsior is the persistent problem of public dumping. As supervisor, I would tackle this issue by increasing regular cleanups, placing more trash bins in key areas, and implementing stricter fines for offenders. Additionally, I would explore the possibility of setting up public dumping stations, such as placing a public Dumpster in Crocker Park’s parking lot and other, similar locations, to make proper disposal more accessible for residents. This initiative, along with community awareness campaigns and free bulk-pickup days, would help keep our neighborhoods clean and reduce illegal dumping.
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 I speak to residents in the Excelsior, I hear a lot of concerns regarding street safety. Residents are concerned about parking issues, car break-ins, street cleanliness/illegal dumping, pedestrian safety, sideshows and fireworks. In order to create more parking in existing footprints, I would initiate a process with the MTA to map out streets that are wide enough for conversion to 90-degree and 45-degree parking. I have heard the enthusiasm for neighborhood watch programs and would like to build these connections with neighbors. The remaining issues of pedestrian safety, speed limits and dangerous activity on our streets … 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
Our community in District 11 is often overlooked when it comes to resources, and we need to fight for our fair share. Unlike other candidates, I will not use my position as a stepping stone for my career. In the Excelsior, particularly at intersections for streets crossing Brazil and Russia, respectively, we need better lighting, speed bumps, and traffic calming measures like bulb-outs, along with stricter enforcement of stop signs to ensure safety for families and children. With over seven schools and multiple childcare centers from Geneva Avenue to Silver Avenue/Cambridge Street, safety and accessibility are critical. Parking is … read more here
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, Green Party, Run for Something, Police Commissioner Debra Walker, … read more here
Oscar Flores
- Job: Project engineer
- Age: 29
- Residency: Tenant, born in District 11 in 1995 and has lived here continuously, except for the time away in college
- Transportation: Car
- Education: Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Portsmouth in United Kingdom, and a master’s (postgraduate certificate) in Space Engineering from the University of Surrey in United Kingdom
- Languages: Spanish, French, English
Parking. Anyone living in the Excelsior has likely experienced the frustration of coming home late, whether from work or a night out, only to face the struggle of finding parking. By the time everyone is home, parking spaces are scarce. Many residents have to park far from their homes and walk late at night, which can be risky, especially for our working mothers and women. Others park on the sidewalk, risking traffic citations.
The challenge is similar on our main streets with businesses. Whether people are running quick errands or picking up takeout, finding parking can be nearly impossible, leading … read more here
Endorsed by: The Republican Club of San Francisco, San Francisco Republican Party, San Francisco Briones Society, San Francisco Young Republicans.
Ernest “EJ” 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
One of the biggest issues affecting Excelsior residents is parking. I would create a working group to survey the possibility of diagonal parking in some areas with wider streets and curb cuts, while also working to reform the cost structure of the parking-permit system.
Endorsed by: Supervisors Shamann Walton and Myrna Melgar, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Former SF mayor Willie Brown Jr., Transit Workers Union Local 250A, San Francisco Chronicle… read more here
Michael Lai
- Job: Early education director, elected to the San Francisco Democratic Party
- Age: 32
- 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
Trash and illegal dumping is a huge issue in the Excelsior, where I live. Oftentimes, you see whole mattresses and items dropped on street corners. First, I would enforce fines for illegal dumping, and increase education of bulky pickup and free dump days, such as the recent one at Balboa High School. For day-to-day trash, we need more public trash cans on Mission, Geneva, and at the parks (Excelsior, McLaren) that can’t be tampered with, and more power washing of commercial corridors on Mission and Geneva. We also need to audit Recology for why it keeps getting more expensive with … 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
Lack of communication from City Hall. Residents in District 11 are not being informed on what City Hall is doing for improvements to D11. As Supervisor, I would host monthly community meetings on-site in D11 venues, so that the residents do not have to travel all the way to City Hall. Although it would still be broadcast online, attendees would feel more included if they were able to attend meetings in their own neighborhood. I would also organize what I am referring to as “Worker Wednesday,” where I would meet with workers the first Wednesday every month to address their issues.
Campaign finance
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.
Parking? Are they serious?
The bigger issue is that Excelsior is a relative transit desert with low frequency, and few routes.
As a resident, I don’t want more cars on the street, I want enforcement of double parking, cars blocking the sidewalks, and to not have to wait more than 10 minutes to catch MUNI without having to walk a long distance.
As a resident I’m concerned with the number of area schools closing despite having some of the highest SFUSD student density in the city.
I’m concerned with the frequency of PG&E-caused power outages.
Not the lack of street parking.