SFist Interview: David Kiddoo
We know the rest of you will be just as shocked as we are to hear of other elections going on besides the District 6 race (except for you, commenter poormojo!). Well, David Kiddoo, the write-in candidate for District 2 (Pac Heights, the Marina) running against incumbent Michela Alioto-Pier, has graciously agreed to submit to an SFist interview and tell us what they're worrying about up there north of Market. Thanks, David!
Who are you, what do you do, and where do you live?
My name is David Kiddoo, and I live in Laurel Heights. I currently work as a project manager for a nonprofit affordable housing developer, and hold a Master's in Regional Planning.
As a progressive, why do you live in District 2? What's it like being a minority viewpoint in that neighborhood?
I know that it's a tried and true San Francisco tradition to move into a district for political purposes, but I really chose to live here because I love being within walking distance of Laurel Village, the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and Clement Street.
As for being a progressive in one of the more 'conservative' neighborhoods in San Francisco, I've never felt out of place here, really. The City is The City, and people have a general respect for progressive thought wherever you go. It's one of the things that makes this the greatest city in the world, in my opinion.
Why are you running as a write-in and not as a regular candidate?
Well, the obvious smart-ass answer to this is because I missed the filing deadline. More specifically, though, I'm not in this race because I have long-term political aspirations. I don't want to be Mayor, Governor, or Senator Kiddoo. I do, however, care deeply about San Francisco, and believe that District 2 deserves a fair, responsive, and progressive supervisor. When it became apparent that nobody matching that description was on the ballot, I made the choice to toss my hat in the ring.
There are more progressive voters in this district than most people would think. Voters deserve a choice, and the folks on the ballot really don't provide a choice of any kind to progressives in our district. I'm running to provide that choice.
David's thoughts on the issues facing District 2 (did you know 75% of District 2 is renters?), progressives who live at Marina and Fillmore, and his Jamba Juice smoothie of choice, after the jump!
What's the progressive community in District 2 like?
I've always had a great deal of respect for folks who can stick to their progressive values even though they may not be in the majority politically. I always admired 'Farm Democrats' in the midwest and the progressives I knew when I was at grad school in North Carolina. When I walk into a house full of progressives on the corner of Marina and Fillmore, the feeling of admiration and respect that I have is a bit stronger than what I get walking into a similar house in the Mission.
What are the biggest issues you see for District 2 in the next four years?
I think that transportation policy is a key issue in our district at the moment, both as it relates to the ability of MUNI to serve some of the most challenging and congested areas in The City and also as it informs the use of open and public space along our waterfront.
There are an awful lot of people who get in and out of the district on the bus or on their bikes, and we need to make sure that MUNI is protected from further service cuts and that plans for dedicated busways on Van Ness and maybe also Geary continue to move forward.
We also need to continue to push for easy and safe access for cyclists coming out of the Marina and the Presidio, and ensure that bikeways are a central part of transportation planning in The City going forward.
We also have to address housing issues in our district. Three-quarters of the residents in District 2 rent their homes, and yet our supervisor has repeatedly voted against pro-tenant legislation. Renters in our district need further protection from eviction under the Ellis Act, and they need to be assured that their parking spaces won't simply be taken away by their landlords for no good cause. Unfortunately, our government is frequently the only protection renters have from the greed of their landlords and of residential property speculators. It is essential that our next supervisor land on the right side of housing issues.
District 2 is totally the Jamba Juice center of San Francisco. Where's your JJ, and what's your smoothie flavor of choice?
Well, I'm actually allergic to bananas, so that typically limits the number of smoothies that I drink. When I am in the mood for three quarts of fruit juice, though, I usually head to the Jamba Juice across from Laurel Village and have an Orange Berry Blitz.
And here's your standard SFist interview questions!
Best Burrito
Gimme a burrito al pastor from El Farolito, 24th and Mission.
Favorite mode of transportation/favorite MUNI line
I'll use my feet to get as many places as I can, but do also ride MUNI when I'm making social calls outside of the neighborhood. I have a love/hate relationship with the 33 Stanyan -- I can do without waiting 45 minutes for the thing to come, but the view as it makes its big turn at Clayton and Market makes it worthwhile.
Favorite local hangout
Cafe Lo Cubano in Laurel Village is probably it -- love to get a cafecito while I do my 'homework,' as our mayor calls it.
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Does Emperor Norton count? I feel like we owe our long tradition of political free spirits in The City to the man.
Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Having me give romantic advice to the Mayor makes about as much sense as me going to him for thoughts on housing policy -- that is, not a hell of a lot. He appears to be doing fine on his own, anyway.
SF would be soooo much better if only ___________
Fewer of our really interesting citizens were driven to Oakland (or further) as a result of condo conversions and rent increases.
Best Restaurant
Brunch at Ella's, corner of California and Presidio. Can't wait to hit dinner there.
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
This is really a battle for second place -- can it be anything other than the chase scene in "Bullitt?" (Side note: I understand that the producers of that movie were considering shooting it in Wichita due to unreasonably high city fees. Thankfully, Peter Yates and Steve McQueen talked them out of it, and McQueen actually had something to jump over. Thanks to Supervisor Alioto-Pier, that'll never be a concern again!) Second place? I love the location shots in "Vertigo" and even "48 Hrs," just to see how much The City has changed.
Favorite Bridge
The Golden Gate, of course -- it's District 2's bridge. (Does anyone ever pick the Dumbarton? It seems like a longshot to me.)