by Elisabeth Pinio
State and local governments are launching programs to see if itʼs possible to convert their hybrid cars and trucks into plug-in Cars
Woodfin Suites continues to resist the demands of immigrant workers that were fired in late 2006. The Emeryville, Calif. hotel terminated several employees after they attempted to defend their living wage rights under Measure C.
On May 19, twenty-five students arrived from UC Davis and San Francisco State to oppose the demonstration of Woodfin workers and their supporters. The so-called “College Republicans” caused a major disruption to the workers’ peaceful protesting under the orders of Hugh MacIntosh, Woodfin’s General Manager. The Emeryville police separated the opposing demonstrators to prevent any excessive violence or injury to both parties.
City of Fremont may endorse plug-in vehicles
A resolution was put forth before the Fremont City Council May 22 to endorse the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The mayor and advocates for the resolution appeared with a demonstration vehicle for photographs and questions from the media.
Plug-in vehicles would decrease the United States’ reliance on foreign oil, as well as reduce carbon emissions, which are a factor in global warning.
New immigration deal needs revision
AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney released a statement May 17 analyzing the new legislation introduced by U.S. Congress regarding immigration Sweeney believes there are many issues that Congress should revise.
Sweeney disagrees with the guestworker program this legislation promotes, concerned that employers will take advantage of workers, who will be unable to exercise their workplace rights.
“We intend to work with our allies in Congress and in the immigrant community to pass comprehensive immigration reform that will protect all workers in a humane and just manner,” Sweeney said in his statement.
John J. Sweeney
School Board researching Chinatown campus options
Officials from the San Francisco School Board gathered at City College’s Chinatown/North Beach campus May 17, to discuss the desperate need for a more modern, permanent learning site.
“Chinatown students deserve access to an equal education in an updated and centralized facility that suits their needs,” said San Francisco School Board Commissioner Eric Mar.
The Chinatown/North Beach campus accommodates mostly Asian immigrants who attend classes to learn English, obtain job skills and study for the U.S. citizenship exam. All classes are fully enrolled and there are more than 700 students on waiting lists, due to the limited space available.
Governor appoints new Deputy Director of Alcohol and Drug Programs
Governor Schwarzenegger has announced the appointment of Oscar Villegas, of West Sacramento, Calif., to position of Deputy Director of the Governor’s Mentoring Partnership for the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
Villegas is a West Sacramento City Councilmember since 2000, and currently serves as the city’s vicemayor as well. In addition, he is the project director for the California Access to Recovery Effort (CARE) since 2006 under the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
San Francisco controllers audit parking meters
The Offi ce of the Controller, at the request of Su- pervisor Jake McGoldrick, conducted an indepth review of the parking meters managed by San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The audit determined whether occupied spaces were paid as City regulations required, the impact of each occupied space, and other policy issues on parking meter revenue.
The recommendations listed in the Controller’s report include the following: increasing enforcement for commercial vehicles and ensure that parking pass costs offset the amount of unpaid revenues.
