From: gaymecca Subject: Ballot initiative introduced to rename part of Market Street to Harvey Milk Street in San Francisco, CA. Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 00:35:32 -0700 For Immediate Contact: Jim Buresch 415.934.8222 email to: gaymecca@pacbell.net Queer grassroots movement afoot in San Francisco's Castro District Ballot initiative introduced to rename part of Market Street to Harvey Milk Street San Francisco, CA - Signature gathering will soot start to place before the voters in November an initiative to rename part of Market Street after the slain city Supervisor, Harvey Milk. "On the 22nd, Harvey would have been almost 70 years old. Because he loved this neighborhood so much and helped to develop it into the worlds gay Mecca, it only seems befitting that the street leading up into the heart of our neighborhood be renamed to Harvey Milk Street," said Jim Buresch, sponsor of the initiative. . "We've received the official title and summary back from the city attorney's office and the elections board yesterday, so we expect to be gathering signatures by next week" said Steve Huggins, another of the organizers. The group, Castro Citizens Congress has formed in response to the city's upcoming return to district elections in 2000. "District 8, or the Castro, is home to the majority of San Francisco's gay population and indeed the unofficial home to homosexuals worldwide. We want to celebrate our home and honor one of it's greatest fathers at the same time" said Buresch. The group's ballot initiative directs the Board of Supervisors to rename Market Street from the Octavia St. intersection and southwesterly to the point that Market turns into Portola Drive, to Harvey Milk Street. The initiative also directs the City's Department of Traffic and Parking (and other departments) to replace all street signs and update their maps within 3 months of successful passage of this ordinance. "With the community center going one block up on Gough, this would serve as an entrance into the Castro. The renaming would run the depth of the gay neighborhood", Huggins stated. Buresch said that learning from past mistakes, the group has addressed some of the concerns of local business head on. "Part of the ballot initiative allows for businesses along this stretch of Market Street to use their current address for the purpose of mailing and deliveries." They are also prepared to start a fund that would help off set the cost of businesses that choose to change their stationary, templates and signs. "We want to create a lasting legacy, a statement of pride, not a controversy" stated Huggins. The group has started coalition building not only for endorsements, but for volunteers to gather signatures as well. "This is grassroots organizing at its fundamental level. The citizens of the Castro are enacting legislation to do what all previous Supervisors have failed to do, adequately honor Harvey and his legacy to progressive politics" said Buresch. He went on to add, "we certainly hope that the supervisors step up to the plate and introduce this legislation before we have to take it to the ballot. However; we're prepared to work night and day to get it on the November ballot to be approved successfully by the voters." "This time next year, you will be getting out of your cab at Harvey Milk and Noe", stated Huggins.