public schools to support teachers and improve student outcomes. i was incredibly fortunate to have a great mentor in my life, a woman named ann richards, the first elected female governor in texas. she instilled in me that i had an obligation to go into public service but she gave me two pieces of advice. she said achieve what i want to achieve professional before i serve so it was really about service and giving back to the community and she said as a mother, it would be easier if the children were older. they are 81022, and that also was a great piece of a device. i would neighborhood by neighborhood to try to understand the issues of san francisco. i always say i discovered the silent majority in the process, but what i heard loud and clear from people is that we need a new approach to some of our long-term systemic challenges. i always say my moment of obligation, when i knew i had to run, was when i became convinced the only way we would significantly impact public education is if the mayor makes it a high level priority.

it is going to take a community- wide effort for us to turn around our public schools, and i believe the mayor has to be the key education advocate for the city. we also have to grow our way out of the cycle of budget deficits, and the way that we're going to do that is keeping jobs in san francisco. we have lost so many over the last decade, and it is compounded by the fact that 25% of our working population commuters out of the city every day. we need to reverse the commute and keep those jobs here to employ our citizens and grow our revenue. we are also really fortunate in san francisco because we have such an engaged community and people are really willing to pay their fair share, but people want to understand where their money goes. the possible -- money going into the budget and where it gets invested is really obscure and opaque for people. i have requested budgets from every city departments i do the process of 0-based or bottom of budgeting where we go department by department to figure out the

investments that we have to make in terms of critical services for the community and some things that are no longer meeting their intended purpose that we should not be funding going forward. we are running an incredibly grass-roots campaign. we have met with 200 -- we have been at $200,000, that with over 1300 merchants and thousands upon thousands of voters at bus stops. we believe the way to win a mayor's race is to engage one- on-one with people. i look forward to getting your support. i look forward to your votes, and a look forward to being your mayor. thank you. >> the league of women voters and sfgovtv have collaborated to bring it statements by 14 candidates for mayor of san francisco. our final two statements. >> i am run for mayor because i believe government works best when you all have more say. we live in a world-class city with world-class people, yet often times, people describe our government has anything but

world class. that is why i started my organization to get your ideas to figure out the best way to solve our problems do with it together account call on you need to figure out what we could do to make it more effective and reliable. what is great is if we could make every single bus line in san francisco go one minute faster -- to think about it -- just one minute faster, we would save $20 million pier that happens to be the exact amount of the new budget deficit. by making unit more efficient and reliable, we could actually save money. we have quadrupled the number of solar roost in san francisco and doubled the number of megawatts from five to 10. lastly, i am car we have created a green economy in san francisco. when we started, we only have to we will solar companies. now, we have 30. that's 450 jobs that were created during the worst economy

since the great depression. small business is the no. 1 driver for jobs in san francisco. that is why i want to create a small business office that will serve the needs of small businesses to help them navigate the city so they do not have to worry about the bureaucratic issues in terms of taxes and they can do what they do best, which is run their business. last, i have proven we can do this by bringing in outside management principles, by making our office more efficient and more accessible. the accessible quarters office brought in over $300 million in the last six years above our budget. that is money that would pay for public transit, public education, and by public safety. by making government more efficient, by getting your ideas, we know that we can make government better. thank you. i hope you will support me, and i hope you will join us again and be part of the dialogue. " then the election day is november 8, 2011. that is the last day to vote in person and the deadline for

receipt of vote by mail ballots. >> my name is leland ye. i am currently a state senator representing california, and now, i am running for mayor. i came with my mother and sister when i was 3 years old. i grew up here. i went to san francisco public schools. i got married here, raised my family here. i sent my four kids to public schools here. this city has given me every opportunity i have had. i am extremely grateful for that, and that is why i have worked my entire adult life to improve san francisco as a member of the school board on the board of supervisors as your state assembly member and senator, and it is why i am running for mayor. i have said from the beginning i was going to run a different campaign for mayor. a campaign that solved the critical issues facing our city and asking you for solutions.

a campaign that approached the city not from the top down but from the bottom of. we went out to meet with small businesses, companies, local unions. we went out to meet san franciscans in their own neighborhoods and coffee shops. we called these meetings 20/20's because we wanted to listen and get from you a clear vision for the future. this city deserves a mayor with a vision of what san francisco should be in 2020. after listening, we have created that vision. we should be a city with public schools that give every student a shot at the future with wraparound services and that also would activity before and after school, a city that rewards teachers with retention bonuses and help with affordable housing, where muni is free for kids who go public school, where we give kids $100 for college savings each year they complete in school.

we should be a city that is open, accessible, and responsive to its people and businesses. i will put caseworkers on every merchant corridor in your city to interface with small businesses, respond to their issues. we should be a city where city hall is independent from undue influence. i will reform the ethics commission to make sure your public officials are held accountable. i will crack down on an registered lobbyists. i will open up all the secrecy information so that the people can see who is making the real decisions. we should be a city that makes it affordable to live here, to work here, to raise a family here, a city where we connect people to jobs and job training, a city with a reliable public transit system that connects every corner of the city, a city that uses 100% renewable energy, a city that provides health care for every san franciscan. i have been representing the

city for over 23 years. i kept my promises, and i have delivered results. i would be honored to be your mayor and honored to have your vote. thank you. >> election day is november 8, 2011. that is the last date to vote in person and the deadline for receipt of vote by mail ballots. for more information about the november 8, 2011 election, this it sfelections.org or >> good evening. welcome to our mission they can

on my way -- mission campus. on my way over here, i heard that steve jobs died today. he was a good friend to the region, the area. i thought it would be nice to have a moment of silence to recognize him and honor what he gave the world. on behalf of ucsf, i would like to welcome you all here. this is our mission day campus that former -- formally opened in 2003. we are proud to be co-host in tonight's forum. we want to thank the beat. i want to thank our moderator. and i want to also thank our journalists panel. [reads names] thank you for donating your time

tonight. in 2014, we will celebrate 115 years in san francisco. we are the second largest employer in san francisco, with nearly 23,000 employees, nearly half of whom live throughout the district. we are about 6% of total city employment. that is no more than the entire financial services industry. san francisco is, needless to say, invested in who the next mayor will be. one of our largest and most successful partnerships is with san francisco general hospital. we partner with the city for doctors in health-care providers at san francisco general here --

general. we also partner with the school district to support quality science education. we touch about 90% of the schools in the city. finally, the campus here has blossomed into a vibrant campus. before mission bay was opened, it was over 1% in the bay area. today it is over 6%. coincidentally, that was the year that apple computer was founded. many of you have noticed the current construction under way across the street. that will be home to our new cancer women and children's hospital expected to open in 2014. we will have two hospitals.

as i said, we are an integral part of the city. we love the city. it has been part of the very fabric of ucsf for years. it is with great pride that i welcome the candidates. with that, i would like to introduce the president of the san francisco beat of voters, patricia mcgovern. [applause] >> good evening. welcome. my name is patricia mcgovern. we are dedicated to the active and informed participation of all citizens and government. we take stands on issues. our work is made possible by its members and volunteers.

for more information, visit our website. for further information about candidates and election issues, visit the web site, www.smartvoter.org. we want to thank our co- sponsors, 87, but this government television, kqed, and cincar daily. we are being screened live and will be broadcast tomorrow evening, october 6, at 8:00 p.m. on it -- public radio. it will be also repeated numerous times on san francisco government television, cable channel 78. tonight you will hear from candidates for mayor.

[trsfreads names] they will have a chance to present their views on issues affecting the city and to answer your questions and those of our journalists panel on those issues. each candidate will have one minute to answer each question. to submit questions for the candidates, look for the volunteers that will be handing out index cards around the room. we will collect all questions by 6:45 p.m.. i wish to remind you of our crown group -- ground rules. no literature, campaign signs, or buttons may be distributed or posted inside of the living room. candidates and supporters are expected to be respectful and to help maintain quiet.

candidates are asked to make no personal attacks on other individuals. no flash photography is allowed. this forum is being taped for broadcast. these new or turn off yourself phones. i am pleased to introduce our moderator this evening. cheryl jennings anchored the 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. newscast on abc 7, monday through friday. additionally, she is the host of "beyond the headlines," which takes an in-depth look at issues. a longtime volunteer for the san francisco beat of voters, she is a past recipient of our "women who could be president" award. we are honored to welcome cheryl jennings. [applause]

>> good evening, everyone. thank you for this great turnout. you have such an impressive turnout. we have 12 candidates in the form that we are going to use, for those of you who are familiar with the league, we have a one minute opening statement from each candidate, then questions from each journalist. raise your hand to let people know where you are sitting. the journalists are going to ask questions of the candidates, questions of their choice. they may ask follow-up questions. it bit different, we may have a lightning round within this section. this is confusing to me, so if i get confused, they will

straighten me out. this will entail cancers, a simple yes or no, with follow-up questions. not everyone will be included. we apologize for that ahead of time. all candidates will be timed with a maximum of one minute for questions. following questions by journalists, candidates will have questions from those of you in the audience who are submitting your views right now. take advantage, this is your chance. candidates will each have one minute to answer questions. because of the number of candidates that we have, there is no time for rebuttal. we do have timekeepers. if you have been to one of our events before, this is fun for me.

this is the only time i get to tell a politician to stop talking. [laughter] it is not me, actually. it is the timekeepers. it is their fault. what will happen is they will signify to the candidates that they have 30 seconds remaining. then they will hold up by red card. there you go. to indicate that it is time to stop. before we begin, i would like to introduce to you francis matthew, from the department of election, to talk about right choice of voting. francis? [applause] >> fenty. i am here from the department of elections to give you a quick review of how to market right choice ballot. starting on friday, -- how to

mark a wink choice ballot -- rank choice ballot. it has three columns. all candidates running for the office are listed in all three columns. mark one choice in the first column, a different choice in the second column, and an even more different choice in the third column. make sure that you only mark 1 selection in a column. if there is only one, we cannot count that or anyone after it. also, do not mark the same candidate for all of your choices. your vote will count for your first choice as long as your candidate is not eliminated. if the candidate is eliminated, then no vote can be counted for you. mark it different second and

third, so that your boat can go to your next favorite candidate. if you have questions, i will be available after words. or you can visit our website. click on the voting tool kit that has all of the information needed for this election. thank you, we will see what the polls. [applause] >> alright, we are ready to begin. i am now turning off by phone. let's all turnoff ourself phones. all right, let's begin with opening statements. we will start in alphabetical order. >> good evening, everyone. my name is jeff adachi. i am running for mayor because

san francisco megan meier that will stand up and fight for what is right. something i have done my entire career as a public defender. making sure that every day people receive fair treatment in the courts. today, san franciscans need fair treatment in city government. too many people do not have jobs. too many services are being cut. we need a leader that will stand up and do the right thing for the people. in that man. i am that candidate. you can count on me to stand up for you as mayor. thank you. [applause] >> ms. alioto-ier? >> thank you. i look forward to tonight's

debate in the short time that i have is an opening, it is wonderful to be here. in 1981, i broke my back in a ski lift accident. my parents started an organization to help to fund neurological degeneration and stem cell research. it is apropos for me to be here. as a member of the board of supervisors, one of the first things that i did was ask biotech tax exemptions. we have seen them leaving san francisco, and we had to find a way to bring them back. i bring this up because it is such an important job growth mechanism for us. it is important that research and development is at the forefront of what we do and accomplish. it should be a hallmark of san francisco. when we find a cure for aids, and other uses for stem cell research, it should happen in

your. thank you for having us here tonight. [applause] >> good evening. it is great to be here. my name is john of a los. i am running for mayor of san francisco. -- john avalos. i am running for mayor of san francisco. we are the people who are desperately trying to cling to a living wage here in san francisco. we are middle-class, working class people. i am raising two kids here. i am not your typical politician. social worker, community organizer, a part of working with people to create solutions for san francisco. i would be delighted to have your support. a want to make sure that our economy works at all levels of the community, making sure that our neighborhoods are livable

and schools are fully funded, transparent and welcoming input of every day systems. thank you. [applause] >> hello,- my name is terry joan bon. i began as a personal aide to the legendary balla absed in her first run for congress in new york city in the 1970's. i am a green party activist. i am running because i have become incredibly concerned about what is going on in the world in this country. it seems that we have gone so far to the right. i believe that the values of the green party would make an enormous difference. the values of grass-roots democracy, environmental

wisdom, and nonviolence. i feel that the election of a green mayor in san francisco would have an enormous effect. not only on some francisco, but the entire country. it would open political discourse at a time when the fate of our planet is hanging in the balance. thank you. [applause] >> good evening. my name is david schiu. we are going to spend a lot of time talking about what we believe in. i want to talk about who i am a little bit. raised in boston, born in cleveland by immigrant parents, we can to some francisco 15 years ago for what we all love about the city. our commitment to diversity and social justice and innovation. i have been fortunate to work as a civil rights attorney, the

founder of a technology company, prosecuting attorney, and president of the san francisco board of supervisors. i think that meeting new generation of leadership. one that is focused on delivering results. one that is ready to move beyond the dysfunctional politics of the past. i am proud of my record, helping to create thousands of jobs in units for new housing. i look forward to a conversation. thank you. [applause] >> great to see you, everyone. my name is dvin dunfy. i served eight years on the board of supervisors and five years for mayer brown. i ran the complaint department. my approach to running for mayor is a look at the big picture by making the things that we rely upon every day better, serving

the interests of the people that live here and work here. school is important as well. i am a public school parent. for the future of san francisco, we have to have great schools for the children of today and the workers of tomorrow. i was proud to work on a by attacks credit, creating synergy. thank you. [applause] >> mr. hall? >> good evening, folks. i assume you are here to see the different candidates. by m. tony hall. i am not a member of a political party. i am running to be a working mayor offering serious solutions. fraught with programs that will cost the taxpayer down the road

, we all need a serious solution to pension reform to bring all of these pension benefits. i am talking about keeping expenditures in line with revenues, cutting special- interest deals. we are talking about a san francisco income-tax. city hall does not need a blank check, it needs a reality check. enough of the sanctuary city. that is a program and policy that endangers public safety -- safety. changing the culture of city hall will take determination, leadership, and it will take you to help me. join me. [applause] >> my name is city attorney, dennis herrera. i wanted to thank the house for

giving me the opportunity to have a conversation with you all about what is at stake in this election. you clearly recognize that this is a seminal collection. this is the most important race we have had in and what years, because of the unique challenges we have found, 50,000 san franciscans moved here over the course of the last 10 years. we have to make sure that we are creating socioeconomic opportunities for all levels of income scale. a government needs to work to meet the challenges of the people, particularly important when we are facing realignment to demonstrate that we can create economic opportunity and create economic opportunity and have a government that works.