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Challenges await new Muni chief Ed Reiskin

VIDEO: Muni board chairman Tom  Nolan introduces new director Ed Reiskin.
A new manager is taking over the city’s transportation agency. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation agency board chose Edward D. Reiskin, currently San Francisco’s public works director, to oversee the agency’s programs including the city’s transit system, Muni. » Read more

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War of words over Fair Shelter Initiative

From the moment a measure to amend San Francisco’s Care Not Cash law was placed on the November ballot last month, the proposition has come under fire from politicians.
Now the proposal has become a hot issue in the lead-up to this fall’s mayoral race. » Read more

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San Francisco catches on to bulk solar purchasing by using Groupon model

 In an effort to boost the city’s solar energy use, San Francisco officials have launched a pioneering program keying in on a simple model: group discounts.
Solar@Work, developed by the city’s Department of the Environment and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, encourages commercial business owners to join together to create one solar purchasing group. » Read more

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State bill would make open carry of handguns a misdemeanor

By Kristine Magnuson, SF Public Press
 
A bill to prohibit people from openly carrying unloaded handguns in California, AB 144, heads for a vote in the state Senate soon, following its passage in May by the state Assembly and approval by the Senate Public Safety Committee. The bill, co-authored by assemblymen Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada, Flintridge) and Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) is again going before the Senate for a vote.  
The bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a steep fine, to openly carry an unloaded handgun “on one’s person or in a vehicle.”
 
The California Police Chiefs Association, the Police Officers Research Association of California and other advocates for AB 144 contend that a loophole in the current concealed gun law creates a nuisance for the public and for police.  
To protest restrictions on carrying a concealed firearm, a number of gun proponents identifying with the national “open carry” movement publicly carry or display unloaded handguns on their belts and sometimes display ammunition.  
“Existing law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon, loaded or unloaded, unless granted a permit to do so,” according to the California Police Chiefs Association.

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San Francisco shifting tree care onto property owners

Arborist Chris Altman recently had a job to remove a beautiful 15-year-old ash tree from its sidewalk-bound home. The tree appeared healthy at first glance, but it had lacked proper pruning and care from the start due to owner and city neglect, leaving its branches unstable and hazardous to unsuspecting passersby. » Read more

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Supervisor wants to see results of new Muni contract

 An arbitrator-imposed labor contract for the city’s Muni operators went into effect on Friday and is expected to save the city $41 million over the next three years. One city supervisor wants the transit agency to show where those savings are coming from. » Read more