Joel Ventresca Has The Experience to Get Things Done

Accomplishments:

Saved taxpayers $1 billion by successfully fighting unjustified tax and fee increase proposals.

Helped write the City’s first comprehensive landmark Sustainability Plan and the toughest growth control law in America.

Supported the water and sewer rate freeze that currently is in effect until 2006.

Worked to extend the Children’s Fund until 2016 and the Open Space Fund until 2031.

Pushed successfully to keep every neighborhood library open.

Supported the voter-approved Neighborhood Crime Prevention Program and Neighborhood Beautification Fund.

Helped write the City’s current Sunshine Ordinance that the voters approved in 1999 with 58% of the vote.

Campaigned successfully for good government reforms:

Ban City officials from accepting gifts (2000; 83% electorate support).

$75,000 spending limit for Board of Supervisors candidates (1999; 80%).

Spending limits for candidates for local office (1995; 71%).

Elimination of officeholder slush funds (1993; 68%).

Campaign consultants restrictions (1997; 61%).

Two-term limit for supervisors (1990; 59%).

District elections (1996; 57%).

Public campaign finance (2000; 53%).

Sponsored and passed the City’s current Notification Ordinance that required the City to post a sign informing the public of any proposed City project.

Spearheaded efforts to oppose public subsidies for professional sports teams since 1987.

Helped write and passed the hotel ban on waterfront piers law.

Testified before four congressional committees in Washington, D.C. to preserve the Presidio as a national park.

Helped build the largest community-based recycling center in the region for 15 years.

Set up the first children’s after-school and job placement program in a City branch library.

Founded or led 11 not-for-profit organizations.

Elected an unprecedented four times as president of the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, the oldest and largest citywide assembly of residential neighborhood groups.

Served as a City and County of San Francisco Environmental Commissioner.

Received the most votes citywide for Ward 3 Municipal Utility Director in 2001.

Obtained 43% of the vote in 1997 for San Francisco Treasurer in the Sunset.