Edith Roller – March 25, 1976 – Thursday

Transcript | Annotation | Source: 89-4286-C-2-A-7-87-90 (PDF) | Month Index


We were quite busy today, partly because one secretary was out with the flu, and I had to do some more of the work I had done work for Charles Smith, whose secretary Nissi, had been down with the flu last week.  I spent all afternoon on a long memo for Steve Butler, putting it on MagCard.  It involved technical problems which I have still not completely mastered. Dor worked on the computer and also had to type a contract.

I planned my expenditures for the rest of the month and at noon after eating my lunch I went to the bank and deposited my check and got cash.

Took Magnolia’s cart back to her.  She was not at home yet but Christians were just finishing their dinner.  They offered me a hamburger, a Pepsi Cola and a dish of pudding.

I started my packing for tomorrow night.  Brother Farris picked me up at 7.00 to go to the meeting at Roosevelt Junior High School on Arguello off Geary which Jim had asked us to attend.  It was a discussion meeting held by Mayor Moscone on the proposed city budget, the first of two meeting he planned to hold in the neighborhoods.

A large number of Temple people attended.

Moscone in the chair attended explained that items in the budget would be discussed in turn.  Anyone who wished could address himself to any item,  Afterwards, comments on the budget as a whole could be heard.

At this point 2 men seized the microphone and insisted on expressing their point of view on the process as a whole, insisting the procedure was a farce.  They represented the Labor Party and denounced the mayor and his colleagues as exploiters of the people.  Some shouted at them angrily, more clapped their hands to drive them out and Moscone advocated ignoring them, saying they would get tired and leave.  This they did fairly soon.

As there is a deficit of $62,000.00, Moscone is proposing that all departments cut back.  Arguments as the discussion proceeded were on behalf of increases for each office.  When the assessor’s office was considered, feeling was high as homeowners assessments were increased last year.  One woman said: “Take the rich off welfare.”  She wanted a higher payroll tax, municipalization of PG&E and to tax banks and insurance companies now illegal.  Another woman proposed a service tax on high-rise buildings.  One man proposed a variation of a commuter tax.

A member of the Civil Service Commission, when that office was discussed, wanted more jobs for minorities.

When the District Attorney’s office came up, our reason for being there was evident, as several of our people lined up at the microphones.  Each presented a particular point of view based on his or her profession, advocating more funds for the DA’s office. Those who spoke were Carolyn Looman, CJ Jackson, Lee Ingram, Dave Shular, and Jack Beam.  Some people not connected with us also spoke, one saying the problem was not prosecution of crime but jobs for young people, especially minorities.

Shortly after the discussion on the DA’s office was over, word was passed around that we could leave, but not all at once.  And it was about 9.30.

Marshall Farris took us home.  I got home about 10.00.

I had time to do household and personal chores and wash my hair.

Read newspapers for an hour.

Went to bed at 2.30.