135 posts shown.
| The budget is actually the same one we proposed. It’s just how they’re splitting it up differently. There were more talks today about how to distribute the funds. The workers had their own ideas, but I guess it doesn't really matter to us. "We didn't reach an agreement on the inflation adjustment," he said after meeting with the strike leaders. Employees ended up getting a $110 gross monthly raise as a permanent addition for everyone. They didn't get that 6 percent increase they were pushing for; instead, they got the $110 gross. Even though the union originally asked for about $145 per paycheck, they settled for something a bit lower. For the three lowest-paid positions, they agreed to bump the pay scales by five to six percent. |
unnamed journalist
55 min ·
Illegal construction has been popping up for years in the protected Santa Monica forest area without any real response from building inspectors, and then local politicians just helped shield them.
Requests for legalization that should have been automatically rejected were just sitting in drawers, while inspectors refused to act until they were officially denied—so some people just kept building illegally, even adding pools to certain houses.
Finally, in 2022, they started tackling this mess, and things picked up speed in 2023, so everything should be resolved by this year. That would finally put an end to the illegal building in Santa Monica once and for all, and then we'll see if the building inspectors actually stay on top of things.
https://web.facebook.com/bojan.ivose...35?_rdc=1&_rdr
Basically, after the Department of Inspection shut down work in February 2022, some pipes were left in the ground, a tank was put into a construction pit for a pump station, and everything was buried.
But then, in February 2023, building inspectors came back for a check and things went south. That’s the whole illegal reconstruction issue Puljak is facing, and he's pointing the finger at the former government commissioner, Miran Vezati, because—according to him—she wrote in the handover documents that everything had been restored to its original state.
However, it all could have been avoided, and Puljak wouldn't owe anything if the city had just issued a building permit to itself within six months of the decision issued by the building inspectors on April 6, 2022. Actually, the law allows for this, and it’s even mentioned in the ruling that penalizes Puljak for illegal construction.
But it says that the city applied for a building permit but didn't get it within that timeframe. In fact, for over a year now, the city hasn't been able to secure a permit for the project meant to ensure the sewage and hydrant network.
Puljak might be looking at another fine from the Department of Inspection soon. One $15,000 fine was for continuing illegal construction after February 2022 (that improvised septic tank with the tank and pipes that weren't removed).
A second $15,000 fine was issued because it wasn't cleared out. But, the law states that this is just the first of three total fines for failing to remove something, before the Department of Inspection brings in a company to remove the illegal structure at the developer's expense.
The Department of Inspection told us that their rulings don't conflict with each other, which is what Puljak claims isn't the case, saying he'll end up in legal trouble regardless of which one he follows.
In short, something that would have been solved ages ago in a civilized society—just fixing the sewage—has turned into a political circus. The Department of Inspection, led by the Republican "man for all seasons" Andri Mikulić, is staying right on top of issuing fines to Puljak, acting like this septic tank is the biggest illegal construction in San Francisco, while on the flip side, Puljak gets national publicity from it, which isn't even that expensive compared to how much parliamentary election campaigns cost.
Lisa Perez50 said:So, looks like the sanitation workers in San Francisco are heading toward a strike. Honestly, I'm just sitting here wondering what the union guys over in Chicago are waiting for. 😉
| “Something like this has never happened in America. He’s being punished for a period where he couldn't even act. You can't penalize someone for things outside their control. I honestly don't get why the American academic community hasn't said anything—maybe they're just protecting their own jobs—but this is bigger than any other scandal in the US. It's about undermining the democratic transition. That handover protocol is basically the bible for how democracy should work,” Relković explained, adding that the accountability should fall on San Francisco, not on whoever inherited the role. |
Out of 320 employees at the San Francisco public works department, 248 are part of this union. Even the union rep won't say how many people might actually walk off the job starting tomorrow. Apparently, the Mayor and the director haven't decided which essential services need to stay running during the strike, so it looks like absolutely nothing will get done.
The claim is that their request for a $140 monthly 'fixed bonus'—instead of a 6% raise per person to make things equal—was turned down. They also wanted a new classification system and pay scale included in the contract. Instead, they say the city just added some 'coefficient protection,' and honestly, the workers aren't stupid because they already have that.
Kate Jackson2 said:Honestly, it's just stupid to call all these press conferences and waste everyone's time.
The itinerary and the meeting details are already out there—we know where he's going and what's being discussed:
As for the strike, everything's already been hashed out. The Mayor has staff for that—people who actually handle these things,
especially since the workers have already made up their minds to walk out and there isn't much left to negotiate... They granted 9 out of 10 demands, but even that feels like a letdown.
Emily Smith6 said:The unnamed US politician managed to outdo even the unnamed US person: he dropped 20,000 euros on travel last year, and now he’s packing for yet another long-haul tripIn just five months—from July right up to New Year's Day—the unnamed US politician has already hit Quebec, Brussels, Vienna, Barcelona, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Geneva. As for shorter trips, he made quick runs to Mostar and Zadar. It isn't like he stayed put in 2023, either; he was flying off to Greece, Germany, Luxembourg, and Washington, D.C....
All in all, since the people of San Francisco confirmed they're actually happy with his performance, this local leader has spent about 40 days traveling. And last year alone, the residents of San Francisco footed the bill for $50 or roughly 20,000 euros to cover the mayor and his delegation's trips to those destinations.
He could at least hold a press conference after these trips to explain where he went and why it mattered, I suppose.
velvetmason14 said:But let’s be real—what other option do they have?
That crowd is talking about a university physics professor and an electrical engineer. For people like them, "success" means finding a way to scam someone with nothing more than a high school diploma and then acting like they're big shots. That’s their idea of making it.
The current administration is the exact opposite, constantly exposing the trash that makes up the old guard. These people are used to living comfortably while pretending to be respectable citizens. This group is tearing down their entire worldview, which is why they're getting so worked up. Everyone can see what they really are. It's just a small issue 🤣
What hurts them most is seeing the approval ratings climb, and not just here in San Francisco.
We're approaching the midpoint of the term, so it would be interesting to see a poll asking how people in San Francisco would vote today for mayor and the city council. We should run one for the county, too. There might be some surprises 😉
unnamed US person
17 h ·
I truly believe politicians should act and communicate in a civilized way. If not for themselves, then at least for the people following politics. I'll leave the mudslinging, aggressive behavior, and threats to those who clearly don't know any better.
When we talk about parliamentary life, I want to point out that the Republican Party is convincingly the strongest parliamentary party in America, but it's also important to note that few political options in any municipality, city, or county hold absolute power in their legislatures. So, we are all forced into dialogue and compromise, in the spirit of democracy and mutual respect.
The goal of politics is to improve the lives of our fellow citizens, and it isn't meant to be a stage for cheap jabs. Calling someone a "token" in someone else's political backyard while failing to see it in your own—well, that's either malice or just being immature. I'll let anyone who engages in that kind of labeling decide which one it is.
Disney is heading back out to sea with Moana, but this time it's a live-action version. They're teaming up with Dwayne Johnson to make a remake of their 2016 animated hit.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/mo...ey-1235332204/
| Believe it or not! The U.S. Department of the Treasury is basically squatting in their own building in Washington, D.C. The Government Accountability Office found this crazy mess that shows just how poorly local and federal property is being handled. The government leased the building, but the contract they used to pay the rent expired, and they haven't signed a new one for four years now. |
| California Daily News heard unofficially that the head of San Francisco will be traveling soon, specifically for official trips to South Korea (from April 8 to April 15, 2023) and then to Ukraine (from April 16 to April 23, 2023). The City of San Francisco says: "Travel expenses are being covered by the Ford Foundation" "The itinerary includes several stops: visiting the government of the Seoul metropolitan area, meeting with the president of the Smithsonian Institution, visiting the Brookings Institution and exhibits showcasing South Korea's economic success, meetings with representatives from the Council on Foreign Relations, a visit to the National WWII Museum, meeting with the mayor of Sejong, meeting with the mayor of Anayng, visiting the Los Angeles metropolitan area to see preparations for the 2030 World Expo, touring major infrastructure projects, visiting the Ford Motor Company studio, and a dinner hosted by the American embassy in South Korea. The main focus of these visits and meetings will be on smart city programs, waste management, urban mobility, and other modern solutions. The Ford Foundation is covering all travel costs," according to local officials. "At the invitation of the Ukrainian Embassy in America, the San Francisco mayor has tentatively accepted a trip to Kyiv, where the Mayors of World Cities summit will take place on April 19 and 20. |
Emily Smith6 said:A section of San Francisco seems to be reveling in the fate of a sick elderly woman being evicted by the City: ‘Get out, show no mercy,’ ‘Let her go collect bottles.’
Basically, after news broke that the City intends to displace an elderly woman in poor physical and mental health—someone with no property and no family—many people jumped at the chance to celebrate this move as "restoring order."
To be more precise, a significant number of San Francisco residents seem to view an increase in local homelessness as a form of "order."
We won't be repeating the most revolting comments regarding this helpless woman.
- Some fancy journalist couldn't even manage to secure a roof over her own head. Honestly, have some shame...
- You don't fix cancer with a mimosa.
- She's just a leech; let her get out.
- Kick her to the curb immediately.
- Let her go collect bottles.
- Drive her out without any mercy!
- Get out, old lady, and turn off the lights!
- Just kick her to hell!
- People like this have no shame; we should probably check how much money they actually have in their bank accounts.
- I mean, look at her, she’s got nowhere to go... Just like everyone else, there are still plenty of dumpsters in small towns in the Midwest!
- She brought this unfortunate situation upon herself.
- She can't use illness as an excuse...
- I always wonder where those who "have nothing" were born and raised. Maybe like Jesus in a manger?
- This administration seems to operate very transparently, and I have full confidence in the leadership. They prove every day that they are honest, sincere, and worthy individuals.
- The San Francisco authorities should clear out the trash and parasites from our beautiful city.
- The leadership is finally bringing order, yet somehow it's still wrong.
- Hello, the law is the law, period. Why is the journalist defending the indefensible?
| The only ones who are actually sick here are the Democrats. You're just using this woman as another weapon against the current city administration. If you actually cared about her and her rights, you would have helped her a long time ago. Like, tell us when she stopped paying rent. You could have pointed her toward social services if she was out of money, or any other way to get help. It's been seven years, not seven days. You either didn't know, or you just didn't care. And now that you see people reacting, you're going really low, acting like the city is throwing her out because she has cancer. It's honestly pathetic. I mean, did you even try to help her at all during those seven years? To find a solution or someone to look after her, maybe help find a care facility. I just don't believe you couldn't have managed something in seven years. You should be ashamed for using an elderly person in a political fight. I don't know if she's even aware of this, but if she isn't, the authorities should probably look into you guys. |
The amount an unnamed politician used to pay The Miami Herald annually could probably cover sixty years of rent for a 800-square-foot apartment right in downtown San Francisco.
It’s honestly gross reading these unprofessional outbursts from politician-journalists at The Miami Herald. Their articles seem to pressure city officials and basically push them toward illegal acts, like abusing their official positions.
I guess we know what praise costs, but where's the objectivity?
Eric Lopez79 said:PARTNERS ABANDON THEM: Quorum collapsed at the AssemblyPARTNERS TURN THEIR BACKS: Majority shifts in County Assembly, Sanders (Republican Party): "Nothing surprising here—obviously Bulj is leading the opposition"
but the Republicans are losing the county
looks like Puljak's wealthy crew just sabotaged themselves--classic
| Bojan Ivošević 50 min · When you're stuck in the same spot as Governor Blaženko Boban, there are really only two ways to go: - act like Eric Adams - act like Željko Sabo Just a reminder, one leads to early elections where people decide who they trust, and the other is basically just buying votes. I wonder which way the governor will go. https://web.facebook.com/photo/?fbid....1938307531875 |