MossForDistrict10.com
"District 10 residents love their neighborhoods. They want a supervisor who is going to listen to their concerns, and fight for what they need."
—Steve Moss
On behalf of the U.S. Treasury Department, between '07 and '08 Steve traveled to Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, eight times, to consult with Ministry of Finance officials, hold workshops with governmental staff, and collaborate with other international financing agencies on policy reform efforts.
Viewpoints
+Full List of Publisher's View
Publisher’s View: SupervisorSeptember Issue, 2009, Potrero View
Last month I filed the necessary state and local papers to launch a campaign for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, representing District 10. In doing so I joined upwards of two dozen candidates, likely including Potrero Neighborhood Boosters president Tony Kelly, and Potrero Hill Democratic Club vice president DeWitt Lacy, in what’s evolving into a crowded field of earnest do-gooders looking to do right by their community. Upon announcing their decision to run, these citizen-politicians were probably greeted with a mix of enthusiasm – “Good for you” – incredulity – “Really, you?” – and, perhaps hostility towards local politics – “Why would you want to be on the Board of Stupid-visors?”
Though a few of the candidates are poised to quit their day jobs to pursue the seat full-time, most need to continue to work to pay rent or support families. One of my responsibilities, albeit mostly unpaid, is to publish and edit the View. Running for office and running a paper aren’t necessarily incompatible, but the two activities, undertaken simultaneously, prompts the need to adhere to ethical and legal standards.
As a neighborhood newspaper, the View provides a service that’s more akin to a municipal utility than a business; the paper’s feeble revenues and cadre of un- or under-paid staff reflect a charity rather than a for-profit enterprise. Yet building off almost four decades of dedication by Ruth Passen, Lester Zeidman, Abigail Johnston, Judy Baston, and many others, the paper, like the Potrero Hill Parents Association listserv and other village assets, provides essential glue to a strikingly tight community. As the View’s publisher I have a responsibility to safeguard this asset.
According to the Fair Political Practices Commission, a newspaper columnist seeking political office can continue to write columns, in the same fashion as they’ve always done. What they can’t do is advocate for their election, denigrate other candidates, or engage in direct politicking. Since taking over the View four years ago I’ve written this “Publisher’s View” column every month the paper has been issued, save one. I’ll continue to do so throughout the campaign period, while steadfastly refraining from asking readers to “vote for me.”
The View will cover the District 10 election from a fact-based perspective, providing periodic opportunities for “in your own words” statements by the candidates. The paper will not endorse any of the contenders. And we’ll offer all who’ve filed for the race a 50 percent discount on print and online advertisements – a fee my campaign committee will similarly have to pay.
Although District 10 sprawls across what may be San Francisco’s most economically and demographically diverse areas, Dogpatch and Potrero Hill are notable for their community cohesion. As neighbors, many of us already know one or more of the candidates and their supporters. We’ll get to know them differently over the next year. And, when it’s all over, we’ll still be neighbors. And the View will continue to serve as the City’s longest-running community newspaper.
Publisher’s View: Conflict August Issue, 2009
More open space would help solve conflicts over how best to use our parks
Publisher’s View: Dead Plant Walking May Issue, 2009
It's not needed, we don't want it: close the Potrero Power Plant now.
Publisher’s View: Yes We CanDecember Issue, 2008
Obama has made community organizing cool. What are you going to do about it?
Publisher’s View: Focused EnergyAugust Issue, 2008
Let's create a new, community-based energy system: organic energy.