The Nation of Islam school in Hunters Point stands near the building site.
Posted on 08/19/2007 11:52:51 AM PDT by SmithL
The Nation of Islam school in San Francisco's Hunters Point, now at the center of a controversy over whether asbestos-laden dust from a neighboring development is sickening residents, has quite a history - not to mention a curious lease arrangement with the city.
It sits on city land, and the school was supposed to pay rent - but in the five years since it opened, it hasn't been billed a dime.
It's a classic example of how the patronage politics that defined the Willie Brown era at San Francisco City Hall still rattle around to this day.
The Nation of Islam and its local leader, Minister Christopher Muhammad, are demanding that Lennar Corp. hit the brakes on its huge housing development under way at the old Hunters Point Naval Shipyard until the company keeps the naturally occurring asbestos dust at the site from floating over the neighborhood - particularly over the Nation's school on Kiska Road, just opposite the development.
Muhammad says some of the 90 students at the school are among people who have suffered nosebleeds, bronchitis, headaches and other health problems since Lennar began construction last year. City health officials insist they're making sure the dust is controlled and that the neighborhood is safe.
While the health debate rages, the story of how Muhammad's school wound up on public land next door to the Lennar project in the first place has been largely overlooked. As has the tale of how the group has managed to keep the land for five years without ever paying its $2,000-a-month rent.
The story goes back to 1997 when the San Francisco 49ers, who wanted a new stadium at nearby Candlestick Point, and the San Francisco school district, which wanted community help with a bond proposal, joined forces...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Looks like the midnight basketball/crime prevention program is still in effect. LOL!
All this for free for years and these (censored) want MORE?
Kick them out and put the cops in!
The only reason it was reported is because of the reporters Matier and Ross. Without them there would be no check on San Francisco’s vast corruption and incompetence. Where is the ACLU?
From what I've seen of them, the NOI is the left-wing equivalent of the KKK. The NOI says that Islam is for blacks only, and if they even TRIED to collect rent, they would scream "racism" and Calypso Louie, Jesse Jackass, and Al Sharptoes would be all over the racist bigots.....
It’s in San Francisco. Doesn’t that say it all?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.