SAN FRANCISCO: Residents think city's deteriorating, survey says

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/22/5 | Ilene Lelchuk, Charlie Goodyear and Rachel Gordon

[SmithL]

Infrastructure seen as worsening since Newsom took over.

San Francisco parks, recreation programs, streets, bus service and libraries are all in worse shape than they were before Mayor Gavin Newsom took office, according to a state of the city resident survey released Thursday.

It's the first comprehensive public measure of how the city is faring now that Newsom has spent a full year in office. The more than 3,700 residents polled gave San Francisco a C+ for how it provides basic services. And about the only positive note was that residents said they felt the city was safer.

Only 37 percent said the city was doing a good or very good job, according to the 10th annual survey by city Controller Ed Harrington's office. Parents, who might spend more time at playgrounds and recreation centers, had a worse opinion of life in the city.

On the southeast side of town, despite Newsom's efforts to address gang violence and decrepit conditions at aging public housing projects there, residents gave city services even worse ratings.

Some of the dissatisfaction can be attributed to the city's money troubles. To close budget gaps, Muni riders were hit with a 25 cent fare increase last year, grants for street resurfacing dropped sharply in the last three years, a hiring freeze has meant fewer gardeners at the parks, and recreation centers started closing one day a week in December.

[sarasotarepublican]

Yeah, you got that right. The gutless Republicans will pull their tails between their legs and run! I am becoming more and more disgusted about this entire election progress. We support our party, and then the party doesn't support us..There are a handful that can take the charge forward, there just isn't enough of them to make a difference. How in the "H" did Frist get to be Majority Leader?

When the democrats feared Dan Quayle, they got rid of him, with the help of the media, same with Newt, and now DeLay. And what are the spineless doing? Very little....

There, I feel better.

[painter]

My sister inlaw and her husband live in Glen Ellen.As you know right in the middle of wine country.They have a small vinyard in their yard.Beautiful place.

You are right about the place being full of lefties.

[csvset]

to look at the new cars at the dealerships on Van Ness

See Ellis Brooks today~
For your Chevrolet~
Corner of Bush & Van Ness~

A jingle from years past.