Mark Farrell

Penny for Your Votes: Supervisors Lend Funds to Curious Causes

Scott Wiener Will Be Next Land-Use Chair, Mark Farrell to Head Budget

SF Weekly has learned that Board President David Chiu will award both of the city's most influential committee chairmanships to his moderate colleagues. Supervisor Scott Wiener will be the chairman of the land-use committee. Supervisor Mark Farrell will be named the chair of the budget committee.&nb ... More >>

Board of Supervisors: Get Used to Muddle in the Middle

By this time next week, barring an event recalling a Strom Thurmond phone book-reading filibuster, San Francisco will have a newly minted Board of Supervisors president. Incumbent David Chiu is in a solid position, but others, including Scott Wiener, are making plays of their own. It'll be intriguin ... More >>

Supervisor Sean Elsbernd Doles Out Advice for Newcomers on the Board

When Sean Elsbernd first took his seat on the Board of Supervisors to represent District 7, he was 28-years-old, single, and just a few years removed from Claremont McKenna, where he considered himself a dutiful San Francisco liberal on a campus filled with Goldwater Republicans. Now, he's 36, marri ... More >>

Super Friends: Overworked S.F. Reps Hire Extra Aides

Public Power: CleanPowerSF Approved By Board of Supervisors

After decades of wrangling, a controversial $19.5 million contract with Shell was moments ago approved by the Board of Supervisors to inaugurate the city's "CleanPowerSF" program. The final vote was 8-3, with only Supervisors Carmen Chu, Sean Eslbernd, and Mark Farrell dissenting. That, incidentally ... More >>

Mark Farrell Loosens Screws Holding Ranked-Choice Voting Together

​Supervisor Mark Farrell wins points for honesty. He doesn't bother trying to argue that there's some sort of ideological or logistical reason why it makes sense to elect district supervisors via ranked-choice voting but use the traditional runoff system in citywide races. He doesn't argue it beca ... More >>

America's Cup: Rollout of the "We Screwed Up!" Storyline Under Way

​The San Francisco Chronicle today continued to thump the tub Supervisor Mark Farrell and others wheeled out last week. It's the "San Francisco and its Board of Supervisors screwed up the America's Cup deal because we're an insufferable, NIMBY city that ruins everything" tub.Well, we are pretty in ... More >>

America's Cup: Rancor Over Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Easier than Real Analysis

​With the pricey former America's Cup deal now residing in the vicinity of Davy Jones' Locker, it's high time for the types of folks who comment frequently on the SFGate webpage to decry San Francisco blowing a "golden opportunity" for some "economic revitalization." Supervisor Mark Farrell -- als ... More >>

Map Game: Redistricting May Make Neighbors of Voters

List: What's the Best Voting System for San Francisco?

​Supervisors Sean Elsbernd and Mark Farrell have proposed measures ending Ranked Choice Voting in San Francisco, while David Campos and John Avalos have proposed allowing even more ranked choices on the ballot. What is the best voting system for San Francisco? Whoever raises the most awareness ... More >>

List: Another Year, Another Board of Supervisors

​Supervisor David Chiu, president of the Board of Supervisors, this week announced the new committee assignments for the Board this year. What's different this year? Nobody actually cares what David Chiu does anymore Eric Mar has to sit in the back Mark Farrell is the new chair of the Government ... More >>

Ranked-Choice Voting Hasn't Helped Progressives

Is ranked-choice a rank choice? ​It's not a surprise that progressive and moderate supervisors are readying to cross swords on whether to continue San Francisco's ongoing dalliance with ranked-choice voting. What is a bit surprising is who's on which side. Moderates are out to dismantle a system t ... More >>

Election Money -- Who Gave What in San Francisco

Invest, young man. Invest in politics! ​As of last night, San Francisco's election season is all over except for the shoutin' -- and recriminatin' and fulminatin' and tabulatin' who bought what. Assuming Mayor Ed Lee does pull it out, a number of observers will note he did so in spite of the actio ... More >>

San Francisco Offers Rebates To Reality TV and Documentaries

​Reality TV shows like truTV's "Bait Car" - which filmed San Francisco cops arresting San Franciscans last year - and "The Bachelor" will have even more incentive to come film their trash TV in the city.  The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this afternoon to extend the city's "Scene in ... More >>

The Bachelor To Be Filmed in San Francisco All Week

​It looks as if Ben Flajnik didn't have to leave his heart in San Francisco after all.Normally ABC's hit reality TV show The Bachelor is filmed in and around Los Angeles, until the lead narrows his pickings down to just several suitors. Then he and the remaining women take off on a whirlwind trip ... More >>

Pension Reform: Jeff Adachi Says Mayor's Proposal Doesn't Add Up

The new face of pension reform?​Mayor Ed Lee announced his long-awaited pension reform proposal today, partnering with Supervisor Sean Elsbernd to introduce an amendment to the city charter that aims to defray San Francisco's mounting liabilities for employees' retirement benefits. Lee's goal all ... More >>

San Francycle: Did David Chiu Drive on Bike to Work Day?

​Wasn't Bike to Work day fabulous this year? We certainly saw a lot more cyclists out than usual, and we hope to see them out again on the remaining 364 days until next year. Let's do a quick roundup of the best of the bikes. According to the Chron, the mayor and "almost every member of the Bo ... More >>

Board of Supervisors: What Kind of Dog Would They Be?

This took us literally all afternoon to make.​Earlier this week, city supervisors voted 10 to 1 to oppose the Golden Gate National Recreational Area's proposal to severely restrict dog owners from walking their pups off-leash in certain parts of San Francisco, namely Fort Funston and Ocean Beach. ... More >>

Japan Relief Auction Stunts We'd Like to See

We'd buy that for a dollar...​As reported earlier on this page, our Board of Supervisors raised $11,000 for Japan -- and did so by doing what it would do anyway. David Chiu was going to ride his bike. Now he gets some company, and $250 goes to disaster relief. Eric Mar was going to go to the Acade ... More >>

Ranked-Choice Voting Ain't Rocket Science

You needn't possess the brilliance of a former patent clerk to comprehend ranked-choice voting​We wrote earlier today about the headline-grabbing Chamber of Commerce poll that indicates San Francisco voters can't figure out how ranked-choice voting works.It's an interesting survey. Somehow, the 50 ... More >>

David Chiu Makes Committee Assignments That 'Complete the Coup'

Is the Coup Complete?​Former supervisor Chris Daly noted on his Facebook page that the "coup is complete," referring to the new committee appointments for the Board of Supervisors.Board president David Chiu on Tuesday afternoon announced the new sitting members of the seven Board committees, makin ... More >>

David Chiu Is Board President Again -- No Conspiracy Necessary

Joe EskenaziThe new supes are sworn in. Everyone cheers. The knives come out for presidential voting. Then everyone makes a poignant speech. And everyone cries. ​You can add another adjective to describe Supervisor David Chiu, the once and future president of the Board of Supervisors: Survivor. Ch ... More >>

Gavin Newsom Could Delay Swearing-In. But Why?

Should he stay or should he go? ​The Chron this morning summarized a legal memo that backs up Mayor Gavin Newsom's oft-repeated threat of delaying his exit as San Francisco mayor if he's not satisfied with the Board of Supervisors' choice for his successor. The "Will he or won't he?" makes for gre ... More >>

San Francisco's Political Winners and Losers

Once again, San Francicans gave Gavin what he wanted...​With all of San Francisco's races decided, there's no excuse to not weigh in on who shat and who was shat upon in this electoral season. Other than the fact that San Francisco politics, like radium, slowly kills you over time by rotting your ... More >>

Supe Races Over: Tony Kelly Concedes to Malia Cohen in District 10

Quelle désastre!​With yesterday's concessions by District 2 candidate Janet Reilly and District 10's Tony Kelly, the San Francisco supervisorial races are, at long last, kaput. The new supervisors on the 2011 board will be Jane Kim, Scott Wiener, Mark Farrell, and Malia Cohen. As for how this wil ... More >>

Mark Farrell Declares Victory in District 2

Mark Farrell says he's won. Does Janet Reilly concur? ​Update: Janet Reilly ConcedesMark Farrell -- who didn't have very many endorsements but did end up with more ranked-choice votes than favorite Janet Reilly -- has declared victory. "As of this evening, all the votes have been counted in Distr ... More >>

Elections Overtime: The Races That Haven't Finished

...And we're counting​Funny thing about Instant-Runoff Voting: The results often aren't so instant. A number of elections around the state are still undetermined. What does the future hold? Gnashing of teeth, threats of litigation, and, of course, counting, counting, and recounting. In an Instant- ... More >>

San Franscisco Voting: All Leaders Expand Margins

​Earlier today, city election chief John Arntz told us that today's most recent round of ranked-choice voting tabulations determine "nothing." Fair enough. But it's better to win than to lose, and it's better to be ahead than behind. You can bet that all the politicos involved and their supporters ... More >>

Ranked-Choice Voting Totals For San Francisco -- Are These Our Next Supervisors?

She's ranked Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in our voting​San Francisco's Department of Elections moments ago released its most up-to-date voting data yet -- and Mark Farrell, Jane Kim, Scott Wiener, and Malia Cohen are all smiling. Smiling nervously, but smiling.  Today is the first tally using ranked-cho ... More >>

Supes Races Too Close to Call

Four supes-to-be will be 'crowned' on Friday, leading to a memorable weekend. Their identities are not so clear. ​It's going to be a hell of a weekend for a quartet of San Franciscans. While the vast majority of San Francisco votes have been counted, late absentees and others will keep the city fr ... More >>

Tens of Thousands of Uncounted Ballots in San Francisco

Count 'em all...​Earlier today, we noted that only several hundred votes separated the thrill of victory from the agony of defeat in all four contested supervisorial races. It requires an astoundingly small number of votes to become a supervisor in this city. But you can count on it requiring quit ... More >>

Michela Alioto-Pier Picks a Successor. Do Voters Care?

Michela Alioto-Pier's a Mark Farrell fan. Will voters follow?​The Chronicle is reporting that termed-out Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier will throw her support to would-be successor Mark Farrell. This confirms what we'd heard, too. The question is -- do voters give a damn? It's a legitimate questio ... More >>

City Attorney Dennis Herrera Appeals Ruling, Fights to Keep Michela Alioto-Pier off Ballot

Luke Thomas, Fog City JournalIt's not over yet, Michela...​City Attorney Dennis Herrera will this morning file an appeal of Judge Peter Busch's ruling that Michela Alioto-Pier is eligible to run again for District 2 supervisor. Herrera told KTVU-TV he was compelled to make this move on behalf of " ... More >>

Michela Alioto-Pier's $50,000 Legal Bill May Be Paid By City

Luke Thomas, Fog City Journal Michela Alioto-Pier: This won't be cheap, Mr. Herrera...​After beating the city in court yesterday to win the right to run again as District 2 supervisor, Michela Alioto-Pier treated her staff and supporters to a nice lunch. The city isn't on the hook&nbs ... More >>

Michela Alioto-Pier Wins Term Limits Suit, Will Run Again for District 2 Supervisor

Michela beat the city -- but can she beat her District 2 rivals? ​Staffers for Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier tell SF Weekly that the District 2 supe has won her suit vs. the city and will be allowed to run again. Judge Peter Busch this morning ordered her name be placed on the ballot. A 2 ... More >>

Alioto-Pier: Not Progressive, Thus Termed Out?

Can't Stop, Won't Stop​Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier just doesn't understand. Tom Ammiano served fourteen years on the Board of Supervisors, Chris Daly ten. So why, then, is City Attorney Dennis Herrera insisting that Alioto-Pier -- who's been on the Board since 2004, when she was appointed to fi ... More >>

Encore

Our critics weigh in on local theatre

Encore

Our critics weigh in on local theatre

Encore

Our critics weigh in on local theatre

Encore

Our critics weigh in on local theatre

The Fantasticks

The longest-running play in American history gives off an unfresh odor

Sir Vidia's Shadow

Superb acting and careful directing draw out a play about sex and socialism

Stage