patrick.net

A very odd dynamic. The city collects an extreme amount of dollars from property and sales taxes . That they can't own maintain and operate a park for the benefit of its citizens is an outrage BUT indicative of the ineptitude of government, even one with ample funds. It's subject to corruption- why is there a private management company getting paid to maintain the park? Can't they hire a few people to look after the park at $100 K a year?

Two choices, demand public accountability for tax dollars and ensure services like parks are available, or sell them out right to private companies.

Owen Wilson tried to tell me not to stand in my front yard while they were fliming a scene where he drives a car down my street in Marley and Me.
Well not really Owen he was actually pretty cool, it was the producer telling me not wave at Owen and tell him "Don't let the bastards get you down." while he was in 1992 Nissan in street right infront of my house. Then the blowhard producer had the nerve to tell me how much money they gave the city of Hollywood FL and they practically own this street.

Quotes from their website and my interpretations:

"MJMMG provides market proven expertise to transform Public Space into a sustainable asset that delivers long term community value."

By which they mean they transform public space into private space to rent out to the highest bidder for profit.

"As dedicated Public Space stewards, MJMMG’s inclusive approach incorporates the unique needs of all community members."

By which they mean that they exclude community members who do not enhance the profitability of the park.

"MJMMG removes the complex barriers that inhibit the transformation and activation of safe, inviting and sustainable Public Space."

By which they mean that they remove the meth-heads, and that they can remove you too if you complain about them.

Seems like this company needs less visibility not more. You wouldn't have a complaint if the guy stood back and didn't interfere with an obviously decent citizen while scanning the area for any encroaching human detritus. Can you imagine how awful the thousands of bums would make the park if left to their own devices? Tragedy of the commons indeed.

But aren't the bums the public, too?

I actually agree with this concept. Keep the scum out while letting the good people in. We just have to be able to draw the line between scum and good. If they want to decide you're scum, out you go.

It is actually nice that they keep the park pretty safe, but just glancing at people and deciding who to kick out of a public park seems wrong.

Apparently you missed the Married With Children episode about 20 years ago where the Bundy's day at the park was confined to a tiny roped off area due to some rich guy buying out most of the park for the day.

Yeah for Democrat run cities!

It seems as if the management company has been deputized in some manner. Perhaps a wall around the park could help.

Quotes from their website and my interpretations

Who in SF determined that the park should be run this way and that MJMMG would get this contract?

If you can't do the hippie boogie nude, have public sex, defecate where you want, approach mothers and children wagging your willie/boobs/etc., and stagger about screaming, stoned and slobbering, what are public parks for? These management companies are also making it really hard to operate small, discrete drug sales operations.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. MLK Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens

A SF Park Patrol Officer can make $61,398.00 a year. Add in overtime and benefits and you get $96,294.72. I'm guessing the guy who rousted Patrick makes less than half of that.

EBGuy says

I'm guessing the guy who rousted Patrick makes less than half of that.

to be fair, he didn't roust me, he just wanted me to be grateful to the private management company for the "gracious" tolerance of my presence at a picnic table in a public park.

to be fair, he didn't roust me, he just wanted me to be grateful to the private management company for the "gracious" tolerance of my presence at a picnic table in a public park.

That insufferable prick!

San Francisco is funny sometimes-I do love the city. I do love people watching though. There was a seating area near my office, so would just get a cup of coffee and sit for 15-20 min every day. The usual homeless bums, pigeons, two gay men passionately making out, a fat white bald dude in an Indian sari with a "dot" in his head, a giant black tranny holding hands with an old mustachioed Mexican dude and of course the usual frenzied people on their phones rushing to and fro to whatever they are doing! very interesting group of people!

Yes, that's exactly what I like to do too. Used to sit outside every morning at La Boulange at 3rd and Market, but they closed on Friday, so need a new place for people watching.

smaulgld says

A very odd dynamic. The city collects an extreme amount of dollars from property and sales taxes . That they can't own maintain and operate a park for the benefit of its citizens is an outrage

It's because all that money goes to pay pension benefits, bloated salaries, and for overpriced contracts to people who made campaign contributions.

Wait a second... I thought it was good to privatize government services. Help me here, which is it?

Ah, Private Public Partnerships!

Landru3000 says

Wait a second... I thought it was good to privatize government services. Help me here, which is it?

It is good, since you get rid of the pension obligations that often come with employing union thugs.

That sounds like someone gave a buddy-buddy deal where management company gets to rip off taxpayers.