From the March 2008 Newsletter:

A message from our new president
By Noni Richen

The beginning of my term as president of SPOSFI coincides with a year of great opportunity for us. Proposition 98, the ballot initiative that could end the destructive practice of using eminent domain to force private property owners to give up their property for the benefit of other private property owners, is on the June ballot. The rent control ordinance that forces us to give up our properties bit by bit could be phased out as well with Prop 98, releasing properties to the free market as existing renters move on. What a great day it will be for our city when small property owners are able to make a reasonable return on their properties! The thousands of apartments and flats currently sitting vacant—I can count eight from my front window alone—can then return to the city’s rental housing stock.

The November ballot gives us a rare opportunity to replace a number of anti-private property supervisors with moderates who will listen to a spectrum of constituents rather than cave in to the interests of one segment of voters on every issue. I relish the opportunity to work on the campaigns of these candidates, meeting other small property owners at every rally and phone bank.

As the volunteer who has read your comments and answered your questions as I tended our database, I have watched the rise and fall of our membership numbers coincide with the issues at hand. Our membership is now at its highest point in my memory, despite the hundreds who have sold their buildings to free themselves from the stress of having to abide by a constantly-changing ordinance. We are part of the backbone of San Francisco. We are the folks who sweep our sidewalks, remove graffiti, and volunteer to clean up our parks. I am honored to be asked to lead our group and ask for your support and assistance in 2008.

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