RESIDENTS BELIEVE SAN FRANCISCO ON RIGHT TRACK
19 March 2007By Elizabeth Daley
According to an opinion poll to be released today by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, of 500 voters surveyed, 56 percent think San Francisco is “on the right track,” and 30 percent said they predict the quality of life in San Francisco will only get better.
“That same percentage looked forward to a better future when asked in 2003 - of course, they were right,” said Steven B. Falk, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce reported San Franciscans’ satisfaction with the city had to do both with the economy and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s performance.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, 41 percent of CityBeat Poll respondents reported they were more confident in their own employment prospects and ability to earn good wages, and 72 percent reported they were pleased with Newsom’s leadership.
However, among the list of things city officials could improve, housing issues and crime struck a major chord.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, the most significant jump in respondent concern was crime, drugs and gang violence.
“When the Chamber polled voters in 2003, crime was hardly on the radar,” said Falk, “Today, 24 percent say it is a major issue.”
Homelessness and panhandling concerned 41 percent of respondents, as it has for several years, according to the chamber, and 25 percent of those surveyed were concerned with the high cost of homeownership.
Public education was also an issue of concern for 24 percent of those surveyed, up from 9 percent in 2003. While those surveyed did not say they thought education was getting worse, they said.
They were more concerned with its quality than ever before, according to the chamber.
The performance of the San Francisco Municipal Railway concerned 11 percent of respondents, according to the Chamber.
“The bottom line is that all of these issues have one thing in common: they all rely on a healthy local economy that can provide the resources, not just in tax dollars, but in talent and time, leadership and know-how to make a positive difference. If our businesses are to keep growing, to continue to create new jobs, this city has to take into account those actions that threaten growth and hamper job creation,” said Falk in a statement.
Among issues that may impact commerce, the Chamber reports 63 percent of San Franciscans surveyed want the San Francisco 49ers to remain in San Francisco.
“Let’s hope we can get a deal on the table that is good for the ‘niners and good for the city,” said Falk.
Fifty-one percent of those surveyed support a public-private wireless Internet network, such as the proposal on the table to partner with EarthLink/Google, with over 19 percent of those surveyed believing universal wireless Internet should be city owned and operated, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber of commerce will present the complete results of the CityBeat Poll today at an event in the San Francisco Marriot Hotel.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, Newsom will discuss his long-term economic strategy for the city at the event to take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 55 Fourth St. in San Francisco.
Bay City News
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