“Disappointed.” “Ridiculous.” “Really strange.”
In a district known for strident political debate among neighbors, Sunset residents nevertheless reacted in unison this past week, voicing frustration, disappointment and chagrin at San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s short-lived appointment of Beya Alcaraz to represent the neighborhood on the Board of Supervisors.
Lurie initially appointed Alcaraz to replace then-Supervisor Joel Engardio, recalled in September by voters angry over his support for Proposition K, a ballot measure that permanently closed the Upper Great Highway to cars. But Alcaraz resigned Thursday evening, just a week after Lurie appointed the 29-year-old former owner of the Animal Connection to serve as District 4 supervisor, amid allegations of financial improprieties and other problems at that pet store. The misstep became the biggest blunder of Lurie’s first year, drawing jeers and criticism from all corners.
“It was not a thoughtful decision,” said Suzanne Murphy, a Sunset resident who had opposed the effort to recall Engardio. “I’m sure (Lurie) had his reasons, but he had a lot of people out there he could have tapped. … He didn’t take us seriously.”…