Sam Spade's San Francisco

Just about everybody knows how to reach Mayor Gavin Newsom's Office at City Hall. Mind you, there won't be much of a chance that you actually talk to the mayor, but you will be able to talk to somebody who works for the Mayor's Office. That's about as close as you are likely to get.

There are better ways, of course. Sometimes the Mayor rides in the back of a Lincoln Town Car the City owns. Unless you can talk fast while waiting at a red light, there's not much opportunity for dialogue when you encounter the Mayor in his car.

Another option is to catch the Mayor when he's riding to or from work on MUNI. Yes, Gavin Newsom really does ride MUNI. He doesn't ride MUNI all the time, of course, but when time permits he boards public transportation. That's him in the photo riding the MUNI underground.

A conversation with the Mayor on a crowded MUNI streetcar might not be the optimal setting for you to pitch your favorite cause. There is a much better way.

Are you familiar with Act Locally SF?

Act Locally SF is your best chance at getting through to Mayor Newsom directly. It is also the place to answer questions the Mayor is asking. Here, by example, are the questions currently being asked by Mayor Newsom on ActLocallySF.org:

Do you support crime surveillance cameras in your neighborhood?

Do you support the creation of a small business assistance center in San Francisco?

Do you support a code of conduct for the Board of Supervisors and other city officials to prohibit personal attacks?

Do you support Community Benefit Districts that assess local businesses to fund services like street cleaning and greening?

If the city has extra money left over from this fiscal year, should the funds be used for new programs that need ongoing funding or one-time capital projects like street repaving and park improvements?

Do you support a state wide ballot measure to get us out of Iraq?

Should the Mayor have the authority to open charter schools?

Do you support the institution of a community court in Union Square to address quality of life concerns?

Does SF need more taxicabs?

Should SF invest $100 million as part of a program to rehab / rebuild every public housing project?

Should the Board of Supervisors approve free universal wireless internet access for SF?

Do you support construction of a bus rapid transit lane on Geary Boulevard?

Cast your vote by visiting ActLocallySF.org

And when it comes time for you to pitch your favorite good cause to the Mayor, follow this link to get in touch with him.