THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Last month when we reported on the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the underlying service contract for the RESET sobering center project aimed at curbing open-air drug use, we noted that members Connie Chan and Jackie Fielder voiced high-profile objections to the plan, likely based on a memorandum from the city attorney’s office that highlighted some caveats about it. The confidential memo was leaked to Mission Local, which published a story about it the same day.
One thing we noted was that the city attorney advised that “no Supervisor is authorized to disclose or discuss the memo, and any city employee who shares the memo is violating the law.” Sources inside City Hall tell us the office has been actively investigating how the leak happened and who did it.
This week, we received a tip that Fielder may be “lying low” due to her being suspected of the leak, that she was “not returning calls” to her office, and had been absent from recent board meetings. Fielder has been absent from the last two board meetings, and according to sources, she requested to be excused without providing a reason. We’ve reached out to her office for answers, but have not heard back.
Mission Local’s story about the memo came out the same day that Chan switched her position on the RESET center, calling its implications “troublesome and problematic” and saying it should have been provided to the Budget Committee before its vote.
Fielder then moved to return the item to the Budget Committee, but then withdrew the motion when she was advised that it would delay consideration beyond the 45 day timeline for oversight action established under the Fentanyl State of Emergency ordinance.
Meanwhile, people are still talking about the March 5 incident in which Mayor Daniel Lurie got out of his car to reprove a group of people for blocking an intersection in the Tenderloin, resulting in a scuffle between a member of Lurie’s security detail and Tony Phillips, who was violating a stay-away order from the area. Lurie was outside of his car and exposed to hazard while the scuffle occurred. This week, Susan Dyer Reynolds tells the mayor that he should’ve stayed in the car. That said, Lurie is not the first mayor to perhaps inappropriately step into street issues himself.
When Gavin Newsom was first elected mayor he had developed something of a reputation for occasionally sneaking around city assets and issues incognito, and by 2006, he got into a public squabble with the Transport Workers Union over claiming that cable car operators were embezzling fares due to his repeatedly not receiving receipts when he boarded the cars. The claim made national news, and the union angrily responded that outdated equipment was causing problems with receipts and that nobody was stealing anything. The previous year two gripmen had been fired for allegedly skimming fares, and a wildcat strike on the cable cars ensued. Newsom eventually had to mend fences with the union in a private meeting with cable car operators.
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Top News
REYNOLDS RAP
Mayor Daniel Lurie needs to stay in the car
For his safety and for the city of San Francisco, mayor must respect his role as ‘the asset’
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
I first met citizen Daniel Lurie at Four Barrell Coffee in the Mission District on a rainy November Saturday in 2023. I arrived a few minutes early, and he arrived a few minutes late. Lurie apologized, explaining he fit our coffee date in between dropping his kids off for a school function and picking them up afterward, a perfectly normal thing to do. And that was in fact my first impression of Lurie — normal. He was dressed in a suit with a crisp white shirt, he drove himself to the meeting, he asked if I wanted something to drink. “A latte with soy and no sweetener would be lovely,” I said. He dashed to the counter and waited in the busy weekend line, unrecognized by other patrons.
DRUGS
Magnet for misery: Neighbors want Mission District shelter closed as drug chaos persists
Gubbio Project neighbors regularly experience violence, filth, screaming, drug activity, and more.
by Erica Sandberg
EDUCATION
Superintendent Su lands the big fish
Tuesday night, Superintendent Maria Su is expected to land the big fish of restoring algebra for most eighth-graders in San Francisco public schools.
by John Trasviña
Quote of the week
“Here’s what policymakers need to understand: No clean needle saved me. No harm reduction kit changed my path. I had the supplies, and I still got endocarditis twice.”
—Amber Reid Richmond on how harm reduction efforts enabled her addiction, in “I had clean needles. I still almost died twice.”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
LAW & ORDER
Sentencing of ‘Grandpa’ Vicha’s killer set for today
With only a four-year cap on involuntary manslaughter, he is expected to walk out of court a free man right after sentencing.
by Liz Le
TRANSIT
Supervisors approve Potrero Yard agreement despite concerns over loss of housing units
Project moves forward with completion set for 2031.
by Jerold Chinn
A&E
‘Monet and Venice’ currently on display at the de Young
Don’t miss the first exhibition devoted to Monet’s Venetian paintings since his Paris debut in over a century ago.
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EVENTS
Out and about March 26–April 1, 2026
What to do this week and next.
By Lynette Majer
Managing editor, The Voice of San Francisco
This week offers a variety of activities from volunteering to theater and dance and more like handcrafting, an outdoor moving screening, and … read on.
Thursday, March 26
The City Eats plans to host a family-friendly, all ages Community Assist event (in partnership with Pepsi and the Golden State Warriors), which will provide free food to the community along with surprise guest appearances, giveaways, and more. 3 to 6 p.m. (2 p.m. to 3 p.m. arrival suggested) at 715 Harrison Event Space.
Flex spotlights the Lady Train high school basketball team and the pressures they face being young, Black females in the rural South. Through May 2. 7 p.m. at San Francisco Playhouse. Tickets from $52.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s production of Giselle tells the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a nobleman dressed as a commoner and subsequently dies from a broken heart when she discovers the truth. Argh, but the dancing I’m sure is fantastic from the international cast. 7:30 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets from $44 and change.
Friday, March 27
Grab some blankets and your outdoor chairs and head to Proxy for a screening of Marty Supreme. Go early to nab a good spot and sip on Fort Point Beer (or nonalcoholic beverages), wine from Fig & Thistle, and sake. Free admission.
Saturday, March 28
It’s time for the spring version of the Renegade Craft Fair, where you can browse over 250 artists offering ceramics, glass art, apparel, textiles, leather goods, and more, including hands-on workshops. Enjoy local cuisine and music and wander with your pup while enjoying your favorite libation. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday in Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion. Free admission.
Howell Mountain will bring its wines to you in the Howell Mountain Bud Break Celebration where you can taste over 100 world-class wines from over 30 wineries plus enjoy nibbles from McCall’s and a silent auction. 1 p.m. at Fort Mason’s Gateway Pavillion. Tickets: $137.
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