The North Beach Library is more about eminent domain, a playground and expanding the road.

Most everybody know the famous triangle by Columbus Street - land that belonged to Brian O'Flynn and his mother.

Brian is well known in many circles and the man and his mother were targeted by devious political groups and his land taken by Eminent Domain. The novice Supervisor Eric Mar knows less about this fact and so do the others - sitting on the Land Use.

Of course David Chiu want to run for Mayor and will leap over the precipice if he is told to do so by the former Supervisor of District 3 and his wife - who really started all the mess - linked to the Triangle and its evil acquisition via Eminent Domain.

The City and County at one time gave Brian and his mother; the owners of this famous piece of land - all the required building permits to build. Then just like that a weasel living on top of Telegraph Hill and his devious wife - started a campaign to take this land - using Eminent Domain. At first people were shocked - this could not happen in San Francisco but it did.

I testified before the then SF Board of Supervisors and at other meetings - to no avail. The dirty deed was done and the land taken by Eminent Domain - all this in our so called Liberal - San Francisco. So, I understand - unlike some idiots who will testify without gathering the facts and understanding less about - fairness, compassion, and of course plain decency.

Yesterday, April 25, 2011 - before the Land Use Committee - the agenda item would suggest that the actual discussion was about tearing down and building a brand new Library.

Children were brought to display to those gathered to testify on other agenda items but the North Beach Library as well - to show support for the Library. We must be cautious not to display and use our children - when adults with corrupt minds and machinations in mind - have a hidden agenda; our children must NOT be part if that scene.

Our children must always be taught about the TRUTH and never, ever involved in sordid ploys.

Adults who participate in such activities must tell the children the TRUTH and some of them will ask about this nonsense - when the grow up.
Please bring our children to City Hall but for the right reason. Please do not taint their minds with evil designs that may suit the adults but should never be rubbed on the innocent - children.

The North Beach Library is a Landmark that can be rehabilitated. It was designed by a famous architect and there are numerous experts who can testify to that. I worked for the National Park Service and under the higher Department of Interior standards - when it comes to Landmark buildings and what can be upgraded and what exactly can be done to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - I know a lot - since I have in involved in such matter for nearly 30 years.

As the Program Direct for ADA, working for the National Park Service - I took all the required courses and certifications and I am well qualified in this field. And may I add all through the National Park Service and the Department of Interior - the premier Agency and Department that certifies and educates the experts, public and others in this field .

In all the deliberations nothing much was mentioned in detail about taking over 17 feet of land that will be taken by the City and expanded on the Mason Street side.

Nothing much was mentioned about the dangerous particulates - linked to the millions of vehicles that pollute the area. Children will be playing outdoors and the environment is not conducive to a healthy environment for our young children and their tender lungs.

There is NO empirical data on the "air quality" and this area is a "hot spot" and the parents must be aware of this factor.

No one can take over 17 feet of any area to expand a road without first giving the proper notification. Secondly, no transparent deliberation - more without accountability. Tirdly trying to push and conceal facts - using gimmicks. The Chair of the Land Use - Eric Mar is young, naive, and thinks that displaying children is easy enough to sway his inexperienced mind to adjudicate - on such a complex - a sordid deed and illegal in many ways.

Some astute speakers during Public Comment shed some light - but, no enough for those with a low IQ to comprehend on the Land Use Committee.

The North Beach Library must be saved - and it is a waste of money in this dire economy to build a brand new library by demolishing the old Library.

It is illegal to expand the Mason Street using illegal means to justify the end.

The hogwash about a playground is just that - the area is a "hot spot" with very high levels of dangerous particulates. Bad for anyone but more for our children.

The Recreations and Park Department have no credibility in this City and County of San Francisco.

The Friends of the Library when added to this equation - make things even worse.

Howard Wong. a San Franciscan who was sitting by me at the meeting and spoke well is an architect who is taking the matter to court and rightly so.

We have too many astute, fair minded people in San Francisco. Trying to hoodwink so many people in public and think some inexperienced SF Supervisors can go Scott free and not be exposed for his stupidity - is a joke - as is his Mayoral run.

The North Beach Library is being demolished for all the wrong reasons.

This issue is more about the playground.

More about expanding of the Mason Street.

Pushing a hidden agenda by the Friends of the Library, aided by some misinformed supporters - who open their mouths and shove there foot in.

Worse still using our children as pawns and as adults NOT giving a second thought - is a crime.

Here are some photographs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157626582241998/show/


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy