THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2026
To view in browser, get past issues, or subscribe, CLICK HERE
by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
MOORE OF THE SAME: Recently exited Planning Commissioner Kathrin Moore is unhappy with the recent pro-housing political shift in the city, as evidenced by a presentation she made during a virtual meeting of the Coalition on San Francisco Neighborhoods in July, which surfaced in their newsletter last month.
Moore, an architect with ended her 27-year commercial career as director of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill’s San Francisco urban design studio in 1999, served on the Planning Commission for 20 years, appointed by then–Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin in 2006 after having served on a number of boards and committees previously. Once described by the San Francisco Chronicle as the body’s “most acerbic member,” she consistently criticized and opposed market-rate housing projects with a repetitive battery of technical objections based on issues such as massing, height, architecture, streetscape, views and how a project fit into its surroundings. As such, she was a favorite of Peskin and the city’s NIMBY pressure groups.
During her presentation, Moore described the new more pro-housing climate at City Hall, characterized by a regime of ministerial approvals forced by recent state laws, the ousting of progressives and preservationists at the Board of Supervisors and on commissions, as creating a space where “money is the only language that matters in decision making” and as a long-term assault on the city’s planning principles of the 1970s and ’80s, which she described as being based on “common interest values” and which others blame, along with high demand and high building costs, for San Francisco’s unaffordable housing market.
Moore’s self-portrait as a bulwark against money-grubbing developers deserves to be viewed in the rather less flattering light of her $12,000 Ethics Commission fine shortly before leaving office. The commission found that she failed to recuse herself from four votes involving projects by Skidmore, while still receiving retirement income from the firm. Against that backdrop, her vaunted prescience on development begins to look less like foresight than a remarkable capacity for selective blindness — particularly when the conflict was sitting right in front of her.
BELLE RINGER: If you’ve followed East Bay politics you may remember Jeff Belle, a Republican who served one four-year term on the Contra Costa County Board of Education, winning a narrowly divided 2014 race and becoming its vice president. His tenure was overshadowed by a series of controversies over his résumé and professional credentials, including his false claim of a college degree and an $8,200 state fine for practicing respiratory care without a license. Meanwhile, his substantive record included participation in the county’s charter school and education governance battles. He also had a turbulent personal life characterized by run-ins with authorities over spousal abuse, rubber checks, and other issues. Predictably, he was defeated in a 2018 reelection bid.
Never rule out a second act in politics. Belle moved to the San Diego area and he’s now the Republican nominee in the Congressional race for District 52, which includes Chula Vista, National City, and parts of San Diego County on the southern border. This after settling in and apparently rebuilding a career for himself as a venture capitalist, lobbyist, and community leader. (Amazingly, he claims credit for getting part of the Bay Bridge named after Willie Brown during this chapter in his life.)
The problem is that the San Diego Union-Tribune (link to repub in the Mercury News) reports that this more recent personal history is also largely unsubstantiated. The article also details accusations of abuse and financial fraud from at least five of Belle’s eight former wives. Belle’s response? He characterized the accusations as “what most women do.”
According to the Union-Tribune, Belle easily advanced from the Republican primary with 42,000 votes. He’s not endorsed by the party, however, and a statewide anti-abortion group apparently withdrew its endorsement.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
CRIME
‘If you come to San Francisco to steal, we will arrest you’
Mayor Lurie, city leaders tout heavy retail theft crackdown
by Erica Sandberg
Despite, or perhaps because of, unrelenting social media evidence of rampant shoplifting and stolen-goods markets in San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie held a press conference on the city’s robust efforts to stem retail theft.
EDUCATION
SFUSD’s best choice for legal counsel may be City Attorney David Chiu
At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, San Francisco Superintendent of Schools Maria Su is seeking approval of a $90,000 contract with a global lawyer search firm to start the process to find a new general counsel. San Francisco taxpayers, the school district, and the board members themselves would be well served if the school district looked to City Hall instead.
by John Trasviña
ELECTIONS 2026
He called on the PAC to pivot the funds from cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen toward Bayview-Hunters Point churches and community groups, asking that the money be used to buy groceries and household supplies for struggling families, at a City Hall news conference Sunday.
by Mike Ege
Quote of the week
“Hey Siri. Why am I crying right now?”
— Liliana Messinger, relating how she and other teens have taken to AI chatbots for emotional support, in ‘I’m listening hard’: Teens increasingly turn to AI chatbots for mental health support
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
OPINION
The best of us: Joshua Wong versus the CCP
From Hong Kong comes the news that pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to further political charges and is facing anywhere from three to 10 additional years — and possibly life.
by John Zipperer
TRANSIT
SFMTA seeks five-year exemption from zero-bus emission state requirements
Board Director Steve Heminger questioned whether SFMTA could instead replace some of Muni’s fleet with trolley buses as an alternative option.
by Jerold Chinn
A&E
Dakota Fanning rises in ‘The Sun Never Sets‘
She not only provides someone for the audience to care about; she offers a shining example of an actress who has honed her craft since childhood, and brought more complex shadings to her performances.
by Michael Snyder
Like what you see? Support us | Subscribe to this newsletter
EVENTS
Out and about Sept. 10–16, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Enjoy outdoor events from a night market to art and cultural festivals, music, and more, including how to honor 9/11. Here are my picks for the next few days.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Flower Piano is of my all-time favorites. The Botanical Garden places pianos throughout its 55 acres and schedules performances throughout the day at each location, and during the unscheduled times the public is invited to play. The event has expanded over the years and now includes special events in the Zoox Lounge at Flower Piano and other venues, so be sure to check those out, too. Daily through Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission for S.F. residents (excluding select special events); tickets for others here.
The storyline of African Stew recalls Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner: An African American woman and a Nigerian man announce their engagement after a short courtship and gather with their families for a celebratory meal. Then tensions arise: cultural differences, familial expectations, and identity issues in this “poignant exploration of love, class, culture, and the Black Diaspora.” Previews tonight and Friday; opening night is Saturday. 7:30 p.m. at the Magic Theatre in Fort Mason through Sept. 27. Preview Tickets: $37
Friday, Sept. 11
The San Francisco Interfaith Council will have a 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony hosted by veterans to honor those lost and those served. 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Presidio’s Main Post. Free admission.
Be one of the 5,000 volunteers to provide 20 million meals for families facing hunger in 50-plus cities as part of a national day of service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. San Francisco State will host a meal-packing event; find details here. 9 to 11 a.m. at San Francisco State University. Free admission.
For the USA Today number one-ranked night market in the country, head to the BeChinatown Night Market for food from over two dozen vendors, arts and crafts, live music, and more. 5 to 9 p.m. on Grant Avenue (California to Pacific streets). Free admission.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Emmy, Grammy winner, and best-selling author (and so much more) Kathy Griffin has come to make you laugh in her “New Face, New Tour.” 7 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets from $30.
Head to Fisherman’s Wharf for the Pier Party, featuring craft cocktails, bistro-style seating, dancing, and more. D.J. JP Breganza starts the party at 2 p.m., and Magic Nostalgia keeps it going from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every second Saturday through September at Crab Wheel Plaza. Free admission.
Parsons Dance Company, a New York-based contemporary dance company world-renowned for its energized, athletic ensemble work, was last in San Francisco in 1992, so here’s your chance to see what looks to be some amazing dance. 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Presidio Theatre. Tickets from $50.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Twenty-seven artists will display photographs, drawings, paintings, jewelry, and more at the 5th annual Noe Valley Art Festival. Also enjoy music, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and more. 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. at the Noe Valley Town Square. Free admission.
Enjoy live music and dance, delicious Turkish food, and art and culture at the Turkish Festival where six nations will be represented. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Embarcadero Plaza. Free admission.
Opera in the Park is one of my absolute not-to-ever-miss favorites. Pack a picnic and get there early to stake out your spot and listen to the rehearsal. 1:30 p.m., Robin Williams Meadow. Free admission.
Listen to our podcasts
- City workers get a pay increase. New building in S.F. Let’s have debates between Chan and Wiener.
- The first gubernatorial debate is Sept. 30 on CNN. Will you vote by mail or drop box?
- Money, The Voice and the politics of San Francisco
- Labor Day, corruption at Yosemite, proposed condo development at 3300 Geary Street and a citywide $27.5B subway system
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
Support our newsroom
With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtful articles and media for a better San Francisco. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. Please join us!
