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Early Thursday afternoon, Mayor Lee, who is running for mayor and leading in a Bay Citizen/USF Poll, appeared on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall before more than 150 seniors and disabled people and their caregivers protesting the state budget cuts.
The Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) system serves seniors and adults with physical, cognitive and mental disabilities to help them live safely in the community rather than having to move to nursing homes or other institutions.
Mayor Lee did not reveal how much money he’d ask the Supervisors to put towards keeping the city’s nine remaining adult day health care programs open. One closed earlier this year, while St. Mary Medical Center’s program will shutter in November.
Mayor Lee said that eliminating the centers would put “added pressure on working families,” who rely on them to give their elderly relatives a safe and pleasant place to go during the day. “That’s why this decision by the state is so bad,” he said.
Three other politicians who are running for mayor spoke at the event, too: Supervisor David Chiu, Supervisor John Avalos and State Senator Leland Yee. Supervisor Eric Mar and a staffer for Supervisor Jane Kim, who was home sick, also addressed the crowd.
The Mayor encouraged the attendees of the rally to vote in favor Proposition G on this November's ballot, which would increase the city’s sales tax by half a cent to help fund services for seniors among other groups.
“It’s very simple. You worked for us. You paved the way for us,” said Supervisor Avalos. “Now we need to pave the way for you.”
© The Bay Citizen, 2012
Jeremy Pollock
Has Ed Lee done anything to help Prop G? I haven't heard of any fundraisers or seen any mail about it. Considering it needs 2/3rds to pass, I can't imagine it has much of a chance with it's supposed champion not doing much for it.