possible if we could have a presentation by our outreach recruitment personnel -- i believe that's keith baraka, and i don't know who's in charge in terms of the administration employee groups, but i would sincerely like to make a request of the asian firefighters about appearing in front of this commission to give us an update on the latest goings on with the a.f.a., particularly since we have some rejuvenation. i would be very curious as to what is going on presently with the a.f.a., for that matter, would just like the employment groups to be more engaged. thank you. >>commissioner cleaveland: thank you, mr. vice president. perhaps we can put all of the employee affinity groups on the agenda so that we can have an update on all of the groups. i would like to have a chief's appraisal, appraisal that needs to be done annually. and i don't know whether we need to think about any sort of strategic plan update or just review the strategic plan and see where any modifications might be made, might be missed or might be needed, so put that on as an overview. okay. moving right along, madam secretary

my name is keith baraka, i'm a member of the san francisco fire department, firefighters local 798 and executive of the san francisco and california democratic party and homeowner here in s.f. i believe my career -- i'm sorry, began my career on july 27, 1997 while the san francisco fire department was under a well-publy soyed ascent decree. as you're aware the department has as long history of discriminatory practices. please, by all means, count up the discrimination lawsuits against administration of joanne haze white alone. i'm certain that there is a seven figure category there. in my years of service with the department, i havensed and been the victim of despair treatment, harassment and homophobia. having the courage to speak out on these matters almost guarantees retaliation. but in ways that are much more subtle than they used to be. the new style of retaliation involved subterfuge and is dramatically more opaque. for example, refusing to fulfill a routine uniform request or creating new work rules to hinder my ability to do my job at the department as a recruiter, case in poi