San Francisco Board of Supervisors Swears In Five Members; Aaron Peskin Elected President Unanimously

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8 administered the oath of office to five newly elected or reelected supervisors and elected Supervisor Aaron Peskin president of the board by a unanimous roll call vote.

Judge David Bellotti of the San Francisco Superior Court administered the oath to the five members certified as elected following the Nov. 7, 2006 election. The supervisors sworn in were Michela Alioto-Pier (District 2), Chris Daly (District 6), Bevan Dufty (District 8), Ed Jew (District 4) and Sophie Maxwell (District 10). Gloria Young, the board clerk, confirmed a quorum before proceedings began.

The election of the president came during the board’s organizational session. Supervisor Chris Daly nominated Aaron Peskin for president, saying in support of the nomination, "I move the nomination of Aaron Peskin for president of the board of supervisors." The nomination was seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call that resulted in a unanimous vote for Peskin; the clerk then declared, by unanimous vote, that "Supervisor Aaron Peskin has been elected to the office of president." Peskin accepted the appointment, telling colleagues, "I accept your appointment as the president of the board of supervisors, and I commit to work each and every day."

Mayor Gavin Newsom, who addressed the chamber after the swearing-in, urged cooperation between the city and its federal delegation and described the new year as an opportunity for the city to press shared priorities. "I have great expectations for 2007," Newsom said, noting the chance to work with newly empowered members of Congress on city priorities.

Several newly seated supervisors used their inaugural remarks to outline early priorities. Michela Alioto-Pier emphasized constituent service and affordable housing; Chris Daly framed his remarks around economic disparity and said the board must confront racial and class inequities in schools, jails and neighborhoods; Bevan Dufty highlighted city services and the needs of families and public employees; Ed Jew said he would oppose legislation that he said unduly burdens small businesses and urged efficiency in city government; and Sophie Maxwell called attention to growing income disparity, public housing conditions and public safety.

The session also included introductions of other elected city officials and department leaders who attended, among them City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Controller Ed Harrington, Treasurer Jose Cisneros, Assessor Phil Ting, District Attorney Kamala Harris, Public Defender Jeff Adachi, Sheriff Mike Hennessy and City Administrator Ed Lee.

With the organizational business complete, President Peskin called for cooperation between the board and the mayor’s office to address the list of priorities raised during remarks. The board adjourned by unanimous vote.