From the January 2006 Newsletter:

Challenging year ahead for SPOSF
By Ted Loewenberg

December was an eventful month for SPOSF. Members went to City Hall to speak out against the latest legislative proposal of Sup. Chris Daly. Others were doing the work necessary to switch over to our new website. Our Board also met to revisit the mission and strategies of Small Property Owners. A busy month in all, which raised the question in my mind, what is SPOSF all about?

We have two primary goals: roll back and undo property controls for small property landlords, and promote home ownership in San Francisco. With our limited resources and time, together we've been effective in the past, and will continue to be so. Even if the majority of Supervisors fails to listen to what we say, we will see the results in changes in the laws as well as in the make-up of the Board of Supervisors. Our legal actions will result in relief for small property owners. It takes time to see those results, but I am confident that we will succeed.

SPOSF is an association of people who seek political change at City Hall. Not everyone can attend every hearing, or make every meeting, or contribute at each call for contributions. But, acting together, we can make a difference at City Hall hearings, at meetings we attend and participate in throughout the city and in Sacramento. We can contribute to candidates whose electoral success will help protect our property's earning power from those who seek to take it away. Together, we can each take turns when we can afford to take the time and give money to improve our lot. That's the level of support I hope each member gives to SPOSF.

SPOSF cannot do it alone. We have much in common with other moderate groups in San Francisco, and we must constantly work together. On the issue of increasing home ownership, especially for TIC and condo owners, we work closely with the SF-TIC Coalition and Plan C. SFSOS works with us in support of our position on housing issues. And there are many other organizations with whom we collaborate to bring about change.

2006 will be a particularly challenging year, with two election cycles, in June and November. Supervisors in even-numbered districts will be up for election in the Fall. It will take a great deal of time, effort and, of course, money to change one or two seats on the Board. Also, we must defend the seats of those Supervisors with whom we agree.

What would a California election year be like without a bevy of state and local ballot initiatives? Talk of some prospective measures suggests that this year will bring forth a wide range of issues for voters to decide. SPOSF deals with political issues and candidates on the matter of housing and property rights. The 2006 elections challenge us to promote common-sense solutions to housing and to work on behalf of candidates committed to implementing them. Your time to volunteer is very important to that success.

At a working session of the SPOSF Board of Directors, we discussed the purposes and direction of the organization. We agreed that our mission is to "defend the property rights of San Francisco's small property owners." We do that through:

• political action
• legal action
• education through the media, community outreach, public relations campaigns, events and seminars
• lobbying at City Hall and Sacramento

All these activities and efforts rely upon volunteers contributing their time to lead the planning and execution of each of these programs. At its heart, SPOSF is an all-volunteer, grass-roots organization that is effective because we speak from real experience. In 2006, I look forward to seeing more members come forward to take on the responsibility for each of the above programs. A year from now, we should be able to look back at some tangible results for 2006. Please let us know what you can do to make a difference, because one thing is for sure: We can't do it without you!

Ted Loewenberg is President of SPOSF. He may be reached by email at: tedlsf@sbclgobal.net

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