The View canvassed its readers to identify individuals who volunteer their time to make a positive difference in their community, some of whom are described in this article. The paper welcomes nominations of others.
Keith Goldstein has served as Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association (PDMA), president for 20 years. PDMA has 106 member companies. Goldstein, a Kansas Street resident, has lived on the Hill for 49 years. He’s retired, but continues to own Everest Waterproofing & Restoration, Inc.
“I enjoy supporting local businesses and hope our community does the same,” said Goldstein. “We held Halloween events in 2021 and 2022, and Celebrate with Santa, which was attended by 600 parents and kids. I continue to co-chair the Potrero Hill Festival.”
In 2021 and 2022, PDMA obtained funding from Amazon to purchase $50,000 of gift certificates from local businesses, which the association distributed during Halloween.
PDMA meets every two months, on the second Tuesday of the month.
“Keith deserves a great deal of appreciation for leading the effort to put on the Potrero Hill Festival,” said Vermont Street resident Paul McDonald. “As a 32-year resident of the Hill, I have been to many past festivals, but this year’s was the best event so far. Great music, food and drink and offerings for the kids, along with a comforting sense of community we’re all provided.”
“I’d love to see more new faces engage with the local community associations,” Goldstein said.
Bruce Agid founded the Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club (ENDC) five years ago, growing it from 25 to 225 members. Agid, a Berry Street resident, is a native San Franciscan, raised principally on 41st and Ortega streets. He’s also lived in the Lakeshore District, Bernal Heights, Visitacion Valley, Daly City, and Foster City. He works in business development for Energy Experts International, an energy services consulting company.
Agid loves San Francisco’s beauty, diversity, culture, and progressive values.
“Our City has provided me with a great sense of pride, and I believe has shaped me to be the person I am today. As always, there are many issues and challenges that impact our quality of life,” said Agid.
ENDC focuses on Districts 3, 6, and 10, which encompasses South-of-Market, the Mission, Showplace Square, Central Waterfront, and Potrero Hill. According to Agid, ENDC’s goal is to provide a Democratic voice to advocate “an urbanist/equity platform” with an emphasis on creating complete communities. The aim is to keep residents and families in the City while welcoming newcomers.
“Complete communities means advocating for public safety, affordable housing, transportation, education, open space, small businesses, the environment, workforce development, and social justice,” said Agid.
According to Agid, the club speaks with a “strong, unified voice.”
ENDC endorses candidates and propositions that match with the club’s values, and has held forums on police reform, health justice inequities, in-person learning for public schools, congestion pricing, and Downtown’s future. It’s organized voter registration drives and community cleanups.
Recent ENDC meetings focused on implementation of the 2023-2031 San Francisco Housing Element, public safety, accountability and criminal justice reform, and public schools in the southeast communities.
In 2022, ENDC hosted or co-hosted candidate debates for California Assemblymember for District 17, the San Francisco District Attorney recall, the San Francisco District 6 Supervisor seat, as well as the November 2022 Proposition Education forum. ENDC organized a slate mail program to reach more than 26,000 frequent voters living in Fishermen’s Wharf, the Eastern Waterfront, Visitacion Valley, and areas in between.
Agid said it’s concerning that Districts 3, 6, and 10 consistently have low voter turnout, which is why ENDC organizes programs that center on important quality-of-life issues.
“Our neighbors care about the quality-of-life issues for themselves, their families, neighbors, and communities. Our programs provide us with opportunities to provide relevant information on issues, organize, and communicate the importance of voting. Our elected officials and results of propositions truly influence and impact these issues,” said Agid.
Agid added that the City’s eastern neighborhoods have absorbed significant population growth over the past two decades.
“The East Cut Community Benefit District is amazing. They have recruited many new community leaders to serve on their board,” said Agid.
Agid also extolls Ideate SF, a coalition of residents and businesses in the East Cut.
“Across our side of the City many neighborhood associations are doing wonderful work educating and organizing neighbors, businesses, and merchants,” said Agid.
