continued strong leadership he has been demonstrating from day one that he took office in representing this part of san francisco. thank you very much. i am very grateful. [applause] and one thing he didn't do this time was he didn't go down the long list of folks to thank so i'm going to run through them quickly and share brief remarks. he did acknowledge the vision that lieutenant governor gavin newsom had for this organization. he also acknowledged carlos garcia and our partners at the san francisco unified school district. we could not do this without our educators by our side. also, he acknowledged the college track bayview council. thank you very much, i'm going to name them out. we have the wonderful, not the late, sorry, wilkes, not the late, but the great wilkes bashford. we have cofi bonner headlining.

i have a long list and i'm going to take a minute of your time to show my gratitude because if it were not for the community partners, none of us would be here and i wouldn't be able to capitalize on the success these young people will have. cofi bonner, chris boskin, ron conway, hydra mendoza, mr. carmen policy and of course the lovely lauren dove, and david singer. i just want to acknowledge you for your profound work. thank you very much. and a special note to mr. fred blackwell. sir, thank you. without the head of the redevelopment agency, without the leadership of our redevelopment commissioners, this city would be in probably a perilous state. would you agree? we need every single leader we have and i look forward to cultivating new talent to come back and continue to serve

san francisco because that is exactly why we're here. i started my public service journey when i was 8 years old. 8 years old, i met the then dine feinstein who was mayor and she took the moment to talk about the importance of public service and it was in a brief two-minute exchange that she planted a seed in me that has come to bear fruit which is why i'm here today. ever since i was in the third grade, i've been walking down this path of public service. so to my future senators and business men and women and doctors and entrepreneurs and engineers and architects, i welcome you to the table, to the -- what is it, the hundred million club? the one million dollar? i've increased the vision. 100 million sounds better to me.

that's the ron conway club. sign me up. i welcome you to the club because we have a lot of work that needs to be done. we won't be able to get it all done in our lifetime and we must continue to pass on this torch to continue to move things forward and mr. omar, where you are? come join me up here, please, sir. i want to present -- this is one of the best parts of the job. you get to present certificates of honor to recognize outstanding leaders and sove lia certificate of honor but i want you to know that i'm stingy with my certificates. everyone may request, but few get them. ladies and gentlemen, if you will bear with me, i'm going to share with you the words i have more college track. in honor of college track bayview ground breaking celebration and in honor of college track's commitment to educating our youth and in recognition of welcoming college track to the bayview, the city and county of san francisco

board of supervisors hereby extends their highest commendation for your dedication to san francisco communities and sends their best wishes to you on this day. thank you so much. [applause] i am just going to have, in my closing remarks, many of you have been probably watching the news and we have challenges when it comes to public safety and i want to let you know that this building is the step in the right direction because block by block we'll take back the bayview. this neighborhood will be safe for everyone. thank you. [applause] every member in this community is going to be able to walk up and down the third street corridor and be able to shop and spend all their money on the merchant corridor and feel safe and confident. not only will you be safe but

we'll do a better job of educating our kids right here. we are on the track to close the achievement gap and i'm here to reafirm my ghoiment you as a public -- commitment to you as a public service that i am on the job and on the track and paying attention. thank you. [applause] >> last, but certainly not least -- i met randy when he was a senior in high school before i came to college track, san francisco, i was with college track, oakland, and randy exemplifies why college track is in existence so i would love for randy to share his story with us. [applause] >> thanks, omar. trust in the lord with all its hine heart and lean not on to thine own understanding. my great grandparents raised me with these words in east oakland. my great grandparents raised me.

i went to sleep with nightly gunshots and found drugs in my backyard discarded by dealers on the run. my great grandfather was my father figure. he gave me my motivation and college track helped me harness it. as a child, i wanted to be an architect. i was amazed by cranes, erecting skyscrapers. in the sixth grade, i was diagnosed with dyslexia. i thought i could only be a construction worker. my grandfather taught me carpentry skills in middle school but one day while we built a fence together, he talked to me about college and inspired me to be more than a carpenter. when i joined college track, i slowly overcame my learning disability. i had one-on-one daily tutoring and high expectations from people like omar. i took school more seriously and pulled my g.p.a. from a 2.5 to a 3.5 by my senior year, around the time that omar came and

joined us. my outlook changed and optioned opened up. i realized they loved the sciences and my wood shop instructor encouraged me to be an engineer. during my senior year, my great grandfather gave me the college talk. i remember him looking away from me when he started off by saying, i don't want you to be like the rest of the -- out there. i told him i wanted to be an engineer and a smile grew across his face. he said, that's all right, too. his encouragement meant so much to me but sadly during my freshman year at san francisco state university, he passed away at 89 years old. the morning before the funeral, our old next door neighbor told me he was glad i was in college and he said that in their time you didn't need a college education to be successful, you just had to be smart and follow

instructions. he went on to say that young people today do not realize how important it is to get a college education. through the rest of college, i faced challenges such as being homeless. the house i was raised in in oakland was foreclosed on and my father was -- i stayed with my father for a while and that didn't work out but college track was there for me in my time of need, not only helping me get into college, but helping me graduate from college. they offered me a hardship scholarship which allowsed me to live on campus. college track has helped fill the void of my great grandparents and they have become my family. i originally got the email to come here from david and i was busy putting together a bid for the presidio, helping out one of my co-workers. and then i was thinking about it while i was at my desk and

julian text messaged me, are you coming? and i thought about it, and i thought, i will have to make time to go. i'll have to talk to my boss and negotiate something to be there tonight because college track has been there so much for me, i can't let them down when they're asking me to spend a little bit of time. i want to emphasize to people here tonight, we talk about students, but i also want to emphasize that looking beyond statistics, looking at the individual students, the impact you'll make with their lives, they're building relationships with college track staff like omar. i ran into marshall's daughters last week in san francisco. they remember the days in college track oakland when i used to babysit them while marshall handled stuff at college track. it's those moments that just by providing a center in san francisco, you're providing memories and not only that, you're not only providing memorying for them, you're

providing a foundation for these students to grow build on as they grow to have families of their own, not just careers. another thing i thought about is that i want to leave this world better than what i started when i first got here so to do that, i have to come to events like this. i have to encourage people to give to programs like college track and think about the impact you're having on individual students' lives. i still talk to my trends that were in the program -- friends that were in the program and college track has made such a big impact. even for the ones that didn't complete college, they realize they have positive. they don't want their kids to grow up the same way they did. they want to tell the person that might be breaking into somebody's car, you don't have break into somebody's car, i'll help you. that's the type of community we need and that's the type of community college track builds everywhere they go. thank you.

>> and so i would now like to introduce david silver, the c.u.a. of college track national. >> good evening. today is a historic day, a day in which the community puts a stake in the ground, literally, for equity, so that all students in the bayview will truly have the opportunity to go to college and pursue their dreams. look around the room. this doesn't happen every day. this is an incredible coalition from across the city and across the bayview and think about what we are creating together. college track can't reach our vision alone. but together, we can, and today, thanks to many of you, we are one step closer. i'd like to thank many of the

people here, starting with supervisor cohen, mayor lee and mr. caranza from mr. garcia's office. if we can give them a round of applause. [applause] second, fred blackwell, and the staff at the san francisco redevelopment agency for your support and partnership to make this day possible. to president swig, rick swig and the other members of the sfra board of commissioners, thank you. to the college track bayview council, and hydra mendoza, ron conway, cofi bonner, and to the college track board who believed in us and believed in our students and this dream. and another group that i would like to thank is the bayview larger community. the p.a.c. and k.a.c. members

for all the work you did, the u.s. bank, the other members of the community and community based organizations. you and your ongoing partnership are critical for us as we aim to empower students and families. [applause] thank you to the community and thank you also to the college track staff who has and will continue to work tirelessly to make sure that we reach our vision. i want to also thank a couple of people individually. in addition to omar and the san francisco staff who will be here in this building, raise your hands, if you would, as well as marshall lott, brian gadson and julie lawyer who helped make this day possible. if we being give the college track staff a round of applause. and the most important people in this room are college track students. if we could bring up the students and if you could come on over here, that would be great. [applause] these students -- come on up --

as they're coming out, they work day in and day out to pursue their dreams. go all the way across. they defy stereotypes, they inspire with us our dedication. they are living proof that college is not an exception but one day it will be an expectation for all students in this community. students, you are the heroes. as we applaud your work, i also would like to have an opportunity here to have mayor lee, supervisor cohen, everyone that is up here, if you could please come up here, we're going to pause for a picture in a moment. if you can get together. we're going to need more students gathered up in the front.

[applause] >> welcome to sf votes 2011. we've collaborating with the league of women voters to bring you statements by all five candidates for district attorney. let's get started with sharmin bock. >> i'm a veteran prosecutor and lifelong san franciscan. i'm committed to keeping you say

that getting back to the city i have loved for over 40 years. san francisco has been my home since i was for and i am 49 now. i attended sacred heart and worked in the city after college. after graduating from georgetown law school, i came home and lived in the mission district. my daughter wants to start walking home from school. as a mother and prosecutor, i want to make sure she gets home safely. i have been prosecuting cases and putting criminals behind bars as an assistant district attorney for more than two decades. i've made more than 1000 or appearances representing the people of california on cases ranging from misdemeanors to murder. on felony cases, have taken to trial, conviction rate is over 95%. with 22 years on the job, not only prosecute cases, i set policy for my entire office, which is recognized as one of the best in the country.

i also oversee the many lawyers on the special operations unit, including cold cases, the violent predator unit, the sexual assault unit, the public integrity and corruption unit. one of my highest priorities has been crimes against women and children and i am a national leader in the fight against the sex trafficking of girls, a rapidly growing epidemic right here in the bay area. the voters deserve the choice of an independent and experienced prosecutor as district attorney to ensure trust and fairness in our criminal justice system. we need a d.a. who can work with police, but who at the same time is completely independent of them. that is the only way to ensure checks and balances are in place. being a d.a. is not just about having great ideas, it's also about having the right experience to implement them. but me give you a sense of where

i stand on some issues. i oppose the death penalty. i have zero tolerance for gun violence and will make it a priority to keep guns out of the hands of gangs and kids. i will vigorously prosecute consumer fraud, environmental polluters and political corruption. the job of da is not just banned. it's not a police officer's job and it is not just a job for a good lawyer. it is a job for an independent and experienced prosecutor with a passion for justice. my name is sharmin bock and as your next the a, i will help to keep you safe. i'm honored to have your vote. thank you. >> election day is november 8th, 2011. that is the last day to vote in person and a deadline to receive a vote by mail ballot. >> my name is bill fabio and i am running for district attorney. experience is the difference

that distinguishes me from the other candidates. i will tell you i am, what i have done and what i will do as district attorney. i was born and raised in san francisco, attended public school, graduated lincoln high school, city college of san francisco, san francisco state and i became masters of communications there. i received my doctors of jurisprudence in 1974. i put myself through school by selling see to torres at san francisco is fisherman's wharf. i became a juryman -- german printing press man. i was hired as a assistant district attorney and during the next 20 years, successfully prosecuted cases in san francisco. i tried every case from from driving to petty theft, child molestation, sexual assault and homicide. for the last 14 years as assistant d.a., i tried homicide cases exclusively. i successfully prosecuted some

of the most dangerous and violent criminals in san francisco's recent history. i was a trailblazer in the successful prosecution of domestic violence and hate crimes. my experience was both real and intense. i was and am passionate about the job. for more than 15 years, i've been a prominent and successful defense attorney in san francisco. experience is the difference. i'm the only candidate who has prosecuted a case in the san francisco court room. having experience as a successful attorney allows me to bring a well and balanced approach to the administration of justice. by san francisco background allows me to honor, understand and respect san francisco values. i know when to file charges, how to prepare and present a case to the jury and how to obtain a conviction. experience is the difference. as district attorney, i will lead and inspire the office to become the best in the country. i will direct my energy to remake the juvenile division.

i will replace district attorneys in schools as they have done in brooklyn, new york and illegalize program. i will work toward education and prevention rather than incarceration. i will focus on the successful prosecution of violent and serious offenders and rapidly move time-consuming misdemeanors through the system. i will expand and develop programs and i will not seek the death penalty under any circumstance and it will effectively utilize the three strikes law. i will integrate the office with the community by placing an assistant district attorney in each of its stations to act as ombudsmen to both the police and community. experience is the difference. i'm the only candidate with the background, skills, and on experience to effectively discharge the duties of the office. i want to return to the office i started in 21 against serve the citizens of san francisco. please honor me with your support and vote for me for

district attorney. thank you. >> the lead of women voters and paul currier -- and [unintelligible] -- >> i am the san francisco district attorney george gascón . i was born in havana, cuba. my uncle was detained as a political prisoner and i father was fired from a job for allegedly speaking out against the government. my family integrated to -- immigrated to los angeles when i was 13. i dropped out of high-school, and what the support of mentors, i was able to get my diploma. i join the army and later the los angeles police department where rose to the ranks to become assistant chief. at lapd -- at lapd, i oversaw reform in the wake of police misconduct.

i served in mesa, ariz., where i spoke out against anti-immigrant use of the local share. i showed that police could more effectively reduce crime by working with immigrant communities rather than scapegoating them. during my tenure in mesa, ariz., crime drop by approximately 30%. i also created the first lgbt community advisory group to make sure their concerns were being heard and addressed. as san francisco police chief, i would work to reduce crime to its lowest levels since the 1960's. as the district attorney, have strengthened coordination between the district and at least apartment to make the community safer. i believe we must aggressively prosecute violent crimes and make sure that those who remain a threat to society remain behind bars. we must work to prevent crime by working with our youth and providing alternatives to incarceration for adults. i am a diverting low-level

offenses to new records to make sure victims are made whole and perpetrators face appropriate consequences well being given an opportunity to choose a different path by receiving the services necessary to do so. i am preventing and reducing juvenile crime by working with the ymca to keep kids in school and on track to graduate. keeping kids in school is key to reducing overall crime. i'm proud to announce that for the fourth consecutive year, our efforts have kept more kids in school and on track to graduate by successfully reducing truancy rates in san francisco schools. i have raised public awareness and provide resources for victims and their advocacies. i've brought victim services -- victims services into neighborhoods and make it easier for most vulnerable systems, including victims of domestic violence and recent immigrants, to get services. i'm also working to protect

hardworking san franciscans by prosecuting employers that do not play -- and not pay their employees' wages they are owned. i am proud to have earned the support of senator feinstein, gavin knew some and the san francisco police officers association. and hotel and restaurant employees local. i ask for your support on november 8th. >> election day is november 8th, 2011. that's the last date to vote in person and the last date for receipt of vote 5 -- vote by mail ballots. >> my name is david onek. i'm running for district attorney to make san francisco the safest and tourist district attorney in the country. our criminal dust -- criminal- justice system is completely broken. we're spending so much on our prison system that we have almost bankrupt and our state. seven of 10 people who come out of prison return within 10

years. we need to dramatically overhaul the system to make our communities safer. we need a d.a. who knows how to reform the system so works more fairly and effectively and that is exactly what i have been doing for the past 20 years. i started my career at walden house, counseling delinquent kids and helping them turn their lives around. i helped to write the book for the clinton justice department on alternatives to incarceration. after graduating from stanford law school, worked at legal services for children, providing free legal services to low-income kids. i worked to reduce racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. at the mayor's office of criminal justice and the san francisco please commission, helped bring national best practices to san francisco law enforcement. i thought of the berkeley center for criminal justice to bring law enforcement and community get rid build collaboration around pragmatic criminal justice reform. that's what my whole career has been about and that's what this whole campaign is about. i have been reforming the system

from the outside for the past 20 years and now i want to keep reforming the system as your next district attorney. i will do that by focusing on what prevent crimes, intervening with you to keep them out of the criminal-justice system, never seeking the death penalty under any circumstances because data shows it does not make a safer. reforms -- reforming three strikes so it keeps offenders off the streets. i have been endorsed by over 2000 supporters, including their share of, former police chiefs, the california police chiefs association and over 30 current and former members of the san francisco police department. education leaders like united to cater leaders of san francisco and the vast majority of the school board. community near the -- community leaders from every neighborhood and a san francisco democratic party, the harvey milk club and many others. this the worst group has come together to support my campaign

because they all know our criminal justice -- this diversified group has come together because they know my record of reform. i'm running for district attorney. please join us and learn more at my website. thank you. >> the league of women voters and sfgov.tv to have collaborated to bring you these statements. >> hello. i received my dress doctor from uc hastings here in san francisco where i live in the tenderloin. experienced the world series earthquake of 1989 and fell in love with this city and its values. i'm a state bar certified criminal law specialist and the current commissioner to the state bar of california criminal

law advisory commission. i have spent the last 22 years working in the criminal justice system and i have vast experience and knowledge in the area of criminal law and the criminal element. the district attorney must concentrate on public safety, not politics. department of justice statistics show pouring more funds into the system to create a larger police force drives marginal benefits. innovative plans and policies must be put into motion. i believe children are inherently innocent and should be educated and enlightened about our constitutional values. the sick should be healed and those that are starving should be fed. my san francisco safety zone program will be a strategic collaborative effort between the district attorney's