Mayor candidates on City College issues: Michela Alioto-Pier

September 12, 2011February 25, 2020 The Guardsman

Michela_Alioto_Online_Article — San Francisco’s ex-District 2 Supervisor and mayoral hopeful, Michela Alioto-Pier, speaks about the changes upgrades around the city for people with disabilities at the Potrero Hill Mayoral Debate on Aug. 30, 2011 in San Francisco. CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN

By Valerie Demicheva
The Guardsman

Michela Alioto-Pier is nationally recognized, and locally grown. Her grandfather is former San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto. After a skiing accident left her unable to walk, she decided on a life of public service. At age 17, President Ronald Reagan appointed her to the National Council on Disabilities Advisory Board.

Michela Alioto-Pier was appointed to represent District 2 on the Board of Supervisors in January 2004 by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Since becoming a Supervisor, she’s championed issues such as women’s rights, the economy, and the environment. Michela lives with her husband Tom and their three children in the Cow Hollow neighborhood.

What is it like being a female politician in San Francisco?
It’s really hard, you can’t imagine. People are so patronizing. I’ve never felt that whole “I’m woman, hear me roar” thing. People can be so vulgar. You know, 51% of the voters in this City are women, and we shouldn’t expect all of them to act like men in order to be successful in their careers.

If elected, what will you do to elevate the status of women in San Francisco?
This is an issue I’ve been working on, namely with a charter amendment. The amendment made it possible for women on the Board to attend meetings and vote via teleconference if they’re having complications in pregnancy or are in childbirth.
The Board of Supervisors didn’t have a maternity leave policy, and I got nailed for that. The press nailed me because I missed a few committee meetings, but they never mentioned that I was there for every single Board meeting, sitting there with my 52-inch pregnant waist. They never mentioned that I was actually in a meeting when I went into labor. Women will never be able to reach the highest echelons if they’re not allowed to go for careers in politics in their 20’s, just like men.

What role can CCSF play in revitalizing the City’s economy?
City College can be a pathway for education in the developing sectors in our City. The biotech tech credit I sponsored has attracted over 70 biotech companies to San Francisco. Nothing should stop us from getting biotech companies to invest in City College. Also, culinary and hospitality education could dovetail with City College. We have some of the best chefs in Napa who would be happy to help us create a branch culinary school through City College.

In the recent budget passed by Mayor Lee, only $250,000 of the $2.1 dollars requested by CCSF was approved. CCSF continues to need aid from the City in order to pay for basic utilities and keep its classes open. If elected mayor, what kind of monetary commitment will you make to CCSF?

Education is an honest-to-god investment in our City. Our education is the engine behind job growth and job creation. We shouldn’t be a 4-cylinder engine. We should be an 8-cylinder engine, or a 16-cylinder engine. We need to invest in our youth!