From: cablader@ix.netcom.com (D Miles) Subject: [sfskaters] C.O.R.A. Takes Position on Propositions A and J Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 19:48:17 -0500 (CDT) PROPOSITION A AND J - C.O.R.A. TAKES A POSITION David G. Miles Jr. For the most part, the skaters who roll through Golden Gate Park don't get involved in political issues. We get enough of that in our everyday lives. Skaters, cyclists and many others come to Golden Gate Park to get away from that very type of pressure and negativity that has been building between the forces who are for and against Propositions A and J. The Alliance for Golden Gate Park is the group that is spearheading the No On J campaign. The skate area at 6th Ave. and Kennedy Drive is the place where the Alliance has set up shop to discuss the issues to the public. Although some people have stopped and chatted with them, there wasn't much interest or passion on the part of skaters in this situation until April 19. The Alliance held a demonstration where they marched from 6th Ave. and Kennedy Drive to the Music Concourse and held a news conference explaining their position. Before the Alliance began their march, Harry Parker, Connie Goodyear, Dennis Antenore and others from the Yes on A committee were in the crowd of No On A and J folks carrying their Yes On A signs. They were talking to the skaters and others about their side of the issues. This was the first time that many of the skaters and others had ever really discussed these issues with people who could actually answer the many questions that the public has about the museum, the garage, Saturday closures and other facts. Now skaters, cyclists and people just there to enjoy a good time began gathering together when someone would talk about the propositions. There were many skaters who drove from as far as Sacramento, Santa Cruz and other closer Bay Area communities that would really like to be able to park in an underground garage instead of circling the neighborhoods every Sunday. Still others enjoyed walking or skating through the park on their way to the attractions, including the DeYoung and the Academy of Sciences. David Miles is Founder and President of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association. He has lead two petition drives to close Golden Gate Park to traffic on Saturdays. One drive resulted in the Monday holiday closures. Another led to an extension of the Sunday closure time by one hour. He participated on the steering committee for the Alliance in the early stages of this issue, but stopped attending the meetings when the group took it's official position against Prop A and J. C.O.R.A. members were all over the map with their opinions. There were many C.O.R.A. skaters for propositions. Most were very confused on the issues and needed time to decide. One skater had made up computer enhanced images of the underground garage entrance as it would look at 10th Ave. and Fulton. There was another image of the museum that had the garage featured under the structure with the caption, "DIG IT DEEP" inscribed in the DeYoung tower. David Miles enlisted the help of Alan Tower. They both were involved in forming the Free The Park Coalition. This group organized to discuss park user issues involved in Prop B in 1996. We created a public forum where both sides of the propositions would debate their positions to people who use Golden Gate Park on Sundays. The Yes On A and J group was represented by Margaret Brodkin, Coleman Advocates for Children, Jill Wynns, San Francisco Board of Education and Jon Rizzo. The No On A and J group was represented by Jennifer Clary, San Francisco Tomorrow, David Powers, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and John Rainwater, San Francisco League of Conservation Voters. The discussion went extremely well. A list of questions was developed and both sides gave a response. Both sides presented compelling reasons to take sides in the issues, but as the discussion continued everyone could see that the No on A and J side was winning the war of words. The tide began to turn when Chris Duderstat asked about the tunnels in the Music Concourse and what would happen to them. That led to a discussion that showed that the plans are not clear or even drawn up at all. Jennifer Clary pointed out the promises made in these propositions. She also pointed the promises that were made to San Francisco Tomorrow that caused her group to go neutral on Prop B in 1996 that never happened. Nearly 70% of the skaters and park users went into this discussion expressing a Yes or neutral A and J position . The next day, the nine members of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association Steering Committee voted to take an official position on both propositions. The vote was 9 to 0 yes on A. The vote was 7 to 2 against the garage with the 2 votes neutral. The C.O.R.A. official position is Yes on A and No On J. The Yes on A position shows a love fot the DeYoung Muesum. It is one of the Crown Jewels of San Francisco. C.O.R.A. recognizes the fact that it has been a part of the Golden Gate Park experience for over 100 years and deserves to stay in the park if that is what the Trustees want to do. It was expressed, however, that the Park was here first. The DeYoung needs to comform to the park, not the park conform to the mseum. There were several reasons express for the no position on Prop J. When you look at the issues from both sides. it is clear that the garage plans are too unclear and incomplete. Many members feel the ordinance was being pushed through the system too fast, avoiding the type of public scrutiny other issues normally go through. Members were also concerned about the Golden Gate Park Master Plan and power of the Public Benefit Authority. Nearly all felt that the idea of the "G" line from Fisherman's Wharf to Golden Gate Park is a great idea that should be explored regardless of the outcome of A and J. The committee is not totally against a garage, but after listening to both sides in a fair and open forum, C.O.R.A. will stand by the vote of the steering committee. Are you trying to make you decision? You can read the text on Prop J and other information posted on these issues on the C.O.R.A. website. The address is: http://www.cora.org http://www.bayinsider.com/getout/skating See pictures of the DeYoung garage at: http://www.sfpix.com http://www.sfpix.com/dees For "Keep The DeYoung In The Park" go to: http://www.rebuilddeyoung.com For the Alliance For Golden Gate Park go to: http://www.goldengatepark.org