Hurdles aplenty for new S.F. planning chief {more than the burning mansion}

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 2/27/8 | Robert Selna

[SmithL]

New San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim will make his first appearance Thursday before the City Planning Commission after an unplanned and embarrassing public debut.

But even before his boyfriend reportedly vandalized a city-owned residence where Rahaim was staying until he found permanent housing, he faced a tough job, negotiating his way through the minefield of San Francisco land-use politics.

Current issues revolve around themes that have fueled zoning wars for decades - profits versus affordability and allowing a city to grow from within while not forcing out the working class.

As Rahaim, 52, tries to renew his focus on his new job, the Planning Department he now leads will soon propose controversial plans to transform the city's landscape.

[SmithL]

Transforming the city's landscape, one mansion at a time.

[SmithL]

Follow-up to S.F. planning director's companion held on $1 million bail

[Thebaddog]

My full name is Lance Corey Farber, and I was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. I went to Chiropractic College at the Cleveland College in Los Angeles, and graduated in April 1985. Additionally, I have Post Doctoral Degrees in Orthopedics and Neurology, Acupressure, Bioenergetics and Nutritional Biochemistry. I became a nationally Certified Clinical Nutritionist in December 1996.

I was originally led to be a chiropractor because I was told I had "healing hands" by Dr. Betty Jane McNabb as I massaged her by her pool at a party. Later that day she gave me my first chiropractic adjustment. It was a life-altering experience. Wow!! For the first time, at age 19, I felt alive!!! The power was finally turned on. Betty explained to me that the Power that created the body could heal the body. I chose to devote my life to the healing arts because I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in the quality of people's lives. Now I knew how to do that. I wanted everyone to feel as good, or better, than I did that day and ever since.

Say no more.