Michael Petrelis and long-time partner Mike Merrigan outside Department of Elections office (photo: LEAAPS, Let's Elect AIDS Activist Petrelis Supervisor)
Michael Petrelis and long-time partner Mike Merrigan outside Department of Elections office (photo: LEAAPS, Let's Elect AIDS Activist Petrelis Supervisor)
It's official, Supervisor Wiener will have some competition next year when the District 8 Supervisor seat is up for grabs again. Long-time AIDS activist and transparency advocate, Michael Petrelis, announced on his blog yesterday that on November 21st, he officially filed papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections to run for "Supervisor of the Castro."
In the spirit of neighborhood politicians like Harvey Milk and Sister Boom-Boom, I am tossing my hat into the ring. Specifically, I have filed papers to run for Supervisor for the Castro. Will the backbiting political machines be able to deal with me? Will they strive to again smear my reputation? Puh-leeze!
My goal is to help my neighbors, inspire like-minded lefty liberals and wage a fun and political campaign. Please join me in my quest to spread sunshine throughout the sometimes murky state of San Francisco politics! Michael Petrelis for Supervisor!!!
Petrelis noted in his blog post a laundry list of concerns and goals he would like to address and accomplish should he best Wiener in 2014 including:
Sunshine Laws/Transparency
increasing public comment availability at Board of Supervisor meetings
increasing transparency around non-profits receiving more than $100,000 in municipal funds
establishing websites to provides access to elected officials expenses and calendars
allow voters to choose "None of the above" in races for city office
Public Spaces
repeal of the nudity ban
reopen parks 24/7
create a new public organization to administer the flag pole at Harvey Milk Plaza
HIV/AIDS
consolidate HIV Prevention Planning Council and HIV CARE Services Council
develop campaigns that recognize and celebrate long-term survival of HIV positive and negative men over 50
reopen bath houses to include plenty of lube, condoms and on-site STD testing (and performance spaces á la Bette Midler)
convene an AIDS Accountability summit to examine non-profit HIV agency salaries, staff, overhead, and effectiveness
Petrelis did not indicated whether or not he has any fundraisers coming up, but he has an uphill battle to fight if he is to win the seat from the controversial Wiener. Supervisor Wiener has already had a campaign fundraiser at the Castro's newest bar Beaux. Hosts of the $250 per person event included many people in the entertainment industry (a major focus and beneficiary of Scott Wiener's legislative career) including Jesse Woodard, owner of gay sports bar Hi Tops; Lookout owner Chris Hastings; Larry Metzger, owner of the Mix; and Tim Eicher, one of the co-owners of Beaux.
District 8 includes the neighborhoods of The Castro, Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, Glen Park, Corona Heights, Eureka Valley, Dolores Heights, Mission Dolores, Duboce Triangle, and Buena Vista Park.
via Petrelis Files
