President's Message

By Peter Albert, DTNA President

A good organization does not need much coddling: it can run itself from time to time. In the case of the DTNA, we are up and running in several directions at once, and they are all the right directions. Consider that our relationship with Friends of Duboce Park (via Mark Scheuer, who is on our board) navigates us through the Harvey Milk Center design process. The removal of ugly light fixtures in the park and replacement with better choices, the installation of the bulletin board - these are Mark's doings as well. Meanwhile, Eric Dupre keeps our good name fresh in the memory of DPW as we make progress getting more of our streets on the underground utility list.

Peter Cohen and Katy Wilcox are almost single-handedly moving the Safeway "Perimeter" project forward, marshalling key support from both the Dept. of the Environment and Supervisor Bevan Dufty's Office, while bringing on board all the stakeholders who should have a say, from Safeway to the Recycling Center to Muni to the Police. Katherine Keon has represented us in the Upper Market Street Merchant's meetings. Ruth Frost keeps us in touch with St. Francis and other local institutions.

In the meantime, Richard Magary, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association President and our neighbor to the West, has worked closely with DTNA member Gregg Wilcox and me to meet with and monitor developments with CPMC and the planned changes to the medical center, offices and hospital. Dr. Bob Bush who works on the CPMC campus, also keeps me in good communication with the CPMC staff, and Peter Cohen will be looking out for design issues that a new office building may present to Noe Street.

The very newsletter that brings you tidings from this hard-working crew is made possible by Dave Paisley's tireless work and Tim Weeg's well-trained distribution squadron. Ben Gardiner keeps our website (DTNA.org) current for even more complete communication with our neighbors. Edd Dundas records our meetings and proceedings for both newsletter and website (and staffed Sup. Dufty's Halloween planning committee) Mark Banta balances the funds and revenues to keep the whole boat floating, and Jahan Raissi keeps us in good standing, legally and procedurally Jennifer Winn, as VP, is the sounding board and security net that assures the DTNA Board is delivering on its promise to better life in our neighborhood.

Please come to our meeting on May 10, 2004 at 7 pm in the Davies Campus of CPMC, Level B Auditorium.

Update: Mayor Newsom had invited three DTNA members to meet with other neighborhood representatives on April 21, but a schedule conflict forced him to postpone the meeting to a date in the near future.