I've been commissioned

On Tuesday afternooon, Mayor Gavin Newsom swore me in to the MTA Citiczen Advisory Council. Our transit agency, Muni, does not have the best reputation (the Metro stopped running again this week, a computer problem this time) nor does the Dept. of Parking and Traffic which many don't think does enough (unless you're on the wrong end of a parking ticket). The MTA was created a few years back to oversee and reform both organizations and the CAC is there to give the voice of the public, or the what the voice of the public would probably be if they knew all the little details.

My districts supervisor, Bevan Dufty, recommended me to the Mayor after a few conversations about Muni problems. With an interaction design background, I view Muni's biggest problem (and I mean that in the sense of being very visible, there are operational and financial problems less obvious) is that of signs, maps and other information. Bevan got there would be a lot of benefit for little costs. Take a look at The Wayfinding Project to see what can be done by just changing the signs.

I was surprised when I got a call one morning from the Mayor's office, after just one meeting, letting me know it was pretty much a done deal and he was appointing to the CAC.

Gavin Newsom had some kind words for me at the swearing in ceremony and Bevan has reminded me more than once that Gavin himself started his career with an appointment to the DPT CAC.