Fishbowl Politics
by Samson Wong

GENETIC WAR CEASEFIRE: Mayor Willie Brown might be, as his slogan goes, “one of a kind.” Unlike his one-term predecessors, Frank Jordan and Art Agnos, he reins in Chinese American community factions.

Doing so isn’t easy for anyone, including Supervisor Leland Yee, should he choose to enter the race by Friday. Yee’s own ally on the Central Freeway fights, Julie Lee, officially supports Brown.

Lee’s appointment this year to the Housing Commission, however, has exemplified that Brown has done more than any other mayor in widening his political universe of appointees, bringing these fighting fish together into San Francisco politics without killing each other.

The mayor made it very clear at a July 21 AsianWeek editorial board meeting that he would stick to carrying his agenda and wouldn’t put up with the factionalism that had plagued his Chinatown Economic Development Group.

“I don’t think it’s my responsibility at all to try to police people ... You’re asking me to solve what basically are almost genetic wars. I don’t propose to waste any of my time trying to solve those wars. I want to produce results for people ...

“And those who want to participate in this agenda, I welcome it. But if participating in that agenda I have to take somebody’s little narrow agenda, I won’t do that,” Brown emphasized.

At a July 26 Chinese American community meeting, Brown proceeded to spin off the results of his agenda and promises to leaders known for both their diversity and divisiveness in a community that represents 15 percent of the vote. In the midst of a tough re-election campaign, that divisiveness may be restrained.

On one side, Chinese Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Rose Pak was present with allies Gordon Chin of the Recreation and Park Commission, Sidney Chan of the Police Department, and Port Director Doug Wong.

Rivaling Pak were Housing Commissioner and S.F. Neighbors Association board member Julie Lee, Chairman of Redevelopment Benny Yee, former CEDG co-chair and Port Commissioner Pius Lee, Ben Hom of Public Utilities and City Administrator Bill Lee. The city administrator served as Brown’s emcee for this recent Chinatown meeting and a previous one on May 21 at City Hall seeking the advice of issues important to his Chinese American commissioners and department heads.

Last week’s audience heard that Brown was moving to expedite development of the International Hotel site and build a parking garage on Vallejo Street.

Also, the mayor acknowledged a “thorn in my side” -- the matter of thousands of illegal in-law units. He promised to legalize and make safe in-law apartments in his second term, while not supporting Board of Supervisors legislation allowing tenants to sublet to roommates.

The mayor even assigned Bill Lee to work on Pius Lee’s night market idea -- a casualty of the divisiveness on the CEDG between Pak’s and Pius Lee’s allies, seven of whom resigned this summer.

With a budget increase having just passed, Brown emphasized more foot patrols, more Chinese-speaking officers, and a more diverse command staff from Police Chief Fred Lau. The mayor also promised a meeting of all department heads to improve bilingual access.

As the mayor responded to all sides of community politics, some divisiveness strained to show its ugly head.

Before the July 26 Chinatown meeting kicked off at Meriwa Restaurant, commissioners Benny Yee, Pius Lee and Julie Lee were surprised and stirring when the meeting was open at the last minute to Pak and other noncommissioners. It was originally to be a repeat of the Mayor’s May 21 Chinese American commissioners and department heads meeting.

Before settling in, Julie Lee entertained the thought of walking out of the barroom at Meriwa Restaurant, now packed with some of Pak’s allies. But she decided otherwise and stayed to press the mayor on a west side community center, which the mayor said a site had been identified. She even voiced “agreement” with Pak on some issues.

Pak, on the other hand, showed her hot, hung up, and blistery side. She was uncomplimentary of the mayor and his emcee, Bill Lee, who has traveled frequently with and advised the mayor on Chinese American affairs.

Before the floor was opened for a Q & A with Brown, the city administrator was stopped in midcourse of ticking off an agenda of 13 citywide projects listed in the Chronicle’s July 25 editorial.

“Can we ask questions instead of listening to you?,” interrupted Pak, who also didn’t hold back for the mayor, who irked her for referring to Chinatown as the center of the Chinese community.

“Don’t divide us that way,” roasted Pak, who “bristled” at Brown and others who think of only one or two traditional Chinatowns when there are many in San Francisco’s Sunset, Parkside, Excelsior and Visitacion Valley districts.

Contrary to what Pak said, the mayor is no novice to the Chinese community. Days before at the AsianWeek meeting, he said, “I don’t think San Franciscans are fully aware ... There are five or six distinctive Chinese communities.”

ROSE TINTED SHADES?: Once and future district attorney candidate Bill Fazio was looking very incognito at Stars restaurant during one recent lunch hour, waiting and sipping alone at the bar behind a pair of dark sunglasses.

Unfortunately for Fazio, his Stars encounter never panned out. Only minutes after he left, Pak came rushing in like the harried hare of Alice in Wonderland fame. Pak walked through the eatery twice, muttering that she was late again, and then rushed out without making her connection. Has Pak suddenly gained an interest in the DA’s race, or is Fazio just trying to get into somebody’s “fanny pak?”

FRY BOTH SIDES: E-mail me at samson@sfindependent.com or potsticker@prodigy.net.