SF Department of Elections ups percentage on the eve of 100% Initiative - petition count.

I have been in touch with the Secretary of State Debra Bowen - and at any time because of the mixed signals sent by the San Francisco Department of Election - we can at a moment's notice have a Judge issue a Court Order and have the Secretary of State conduct a 100% validation count - linked to both parties our Initiative and The Bayview, Jobs, Parks and Housing Initiative.

This is no bluff - because I have been contacted by the Secretary of State to do just that.

Surprisingly, on the even of the 100% validation count which start tomorrow at 9 a.m. - we hear that our Random Count is now 107% and not the 97% that was the standard reply given to us by the SF Department of the Elections.

This Random Sampling must put in writing and this talk of some one stating one thing and then another on such an important matter - does NO justice to such a noble cause.

In 10 days - in very inclement weather - decent, hard working, honest women and men collected 11,811 signatures.

I think - the SF Department of Elections is NOT taking this feat as very serious and important to all of us - involved.

Of course Lennar does not give a hoot because they have the borrowed money and have spent over $ 1 million on paid signature collectors and consultants.

Now, that the SF Department has upped our tally to 107% - our chances of winning are as high as 4 to one in our favor.

From the inception - I did not trust the SF Department of Elections.

There is no Standard Operating System and NO sound check list - linked to any validation of signatures linked to any Initiative by the SF Department of Election.

The booklet given to us with some general rules - were those printed for the Primary Elections.
I understand that issue to be very different from our Initiative and dealing with a Rogue Company like Lennar Corporation - makes the matter all the more difficult - with No enforcement of rules and regulations and lack of supervising by those in authority.

We look forward to a good count tomorrow and to victory as soon as this episode passed away.

As the chief proponent of the Initiative it has not been easy for me to deal with authorities that have to be above shady deals and have embraced - corruption.

Having served in the military and understanding standards - I do not take it slightly when some one messes with our Rights and our Freedom. I understand license and I understand freedom - abuse of freedom is license.

The SF Department of Elections has NOT been forthright - and in the days coming - until the count is done - I will not rest.

The job of an Observer is just that. One has to keep at arm's length. One cannot talk, eat, drink or use the cell phone.

One cannot touch any equipment nor interfere with the SF Department Election workers - as they input the information as part of the validation process.

In all my years as an Observer - I have NOT seen such a faulty process - with Supervisors NOT doing their job. Talking, wasting their time - and whiling away their time on the job.

While our Observers fulfilled their duties diligently - the Observer from Lennar made as ASS of himself. Looking over the shoulder in very close proximity - looking at the screen - and so on and so forth.

I brought this to the attention of the Supervisor. Bishop Ernest Jackson saw what I saw as an Observer and put the matter in writing.

We are now on the verge of victory but this victory will NOT come easy.

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy