In What Appears to be Ploy to Keep SF Rent-Controlled Apartment,
Bukowski, 57, Enters Into Domestic Partnership
by Tracy Schroth
Emeryville City Councilman Ken Bukowski and boyfriend Michael Grimes registered as domestic partners in San Francisco Nov. 20. The two tied the knot less than two weeks after the landlord of the San Francisco building where Bukowski has a rent-controlled apartment petitioned the city’s Rent Board to raise Bukowski’s rent. The Secret News recently reported that the 22-year veteran of the Emeryville City Council has the apartment, at 798 Post Street, paying just $350 a month.
When previously questioned about the apartment, Bukowski described it as a getaway where he stays only “15 to 20 percent of the time.” This is despite San Francisco law that allows only full-time tenants to qualify for rent control.
Bukowski’s admission to using the apartment part-time prompted his landlord to petition the Rent Board for an increase to market rate, which is estimated at $1,800.
“He is no longer a full-time tenant and thus not covered under rent control statutes,” said Stephen West, resident manager of the apartment building.
West said that a hearing on the landlord’s petition was held Nov. 30.
“I, along with an attorney for the landlord, met with an administrative law judge to request that Mr. Bukowski’s rent be raised to market rate,” West said in a press release emailed to The Secret News on Dec. 2. “Mr. Bukowski appeared along with his partner, Mr. Michael Grimes. … While Grimes admitted he has his own residence, he did say he would like to move into the apartment at 798 Post Street with Mr. Bukowski.”
Grimes’ statement appears to contradict Bukowski’s claim that he does not actually live at 798 Post Street.
Wikepedia describes domestic partnership as “a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life … ”
West said a decision on the landlord’s petition is expected Dec. 10.
This is f****** hilarious! What next from this ass clown?
Ken Bukowski: conniving, scheming, lying, conceited… what a great person to have as your councilman.
May you and your husband have many happy years of marital bliss together, Ken!
Don't you guys do any stories other than Ken Bukowski put downs? He's not perfect but he's made some pretty good votes. He's pro-development but he also looks out for the little guy.
Ah, this is where I finally have a difference of opinion with you, SN. I find it frankly offensive that you titled this article, "Ken Bukowski 'Weds'" Despite Ken's misbehavior on countless fronts, it's not a foregone conclusion that he formalized his relationship just for this rental. Damn that Prop H8! I wish him well with his relationship.
It may not be forgone but it's pretty darn clear. Remember, just because he's gay, that doesn't give him a free pass to be a corrupt politician.
Hey, SN, just admit you are out for blood and will use anything that you think will arouse the public against the council to prove your point! How about the fact that in your masthead you dropped the name of Reem Assil (EBASE) BEFORE the recent election and have now put it again in the 'news staff' listing as a 'Contributor'. The evaluation of the SN, and the group called RULE, should be of considerable interest to the readers if the truth was known. My only hope is that Jennifer West will not become a tool for any group and will not perform for any particular special interest but rather in the overall well being of the city of Emeryville!
Nice comments and reasoning there, Mr. anonymous from Dec 7 at 8:44 p.m.
Let's test your reasoning skills:
1. Guilt by association (check)
2. Unproven allegation (check)
3. False Syllogism (Check)
4. Red Herring (Check)
5. Smear disguised as backhanded complement.
Congratulations, you've just won the Joe McCarthy/Lush Dimbulb award for excellence in debating skills. You Rock!
Anybody else get the feeling that Ken Bukowski has been commenting here?
Ah, a Bukowski defender. This 12/7 8:44 guy would have you believe the problem is not that Bukowski didn't pay his Emeryville business taxes, it's not that Bukowski has been taking money from developers all over town, developers with proposed construction projects in town. The problem is not that Bukowski has continually violated election law and used campaign funds for personal uses or that Bukowski ignored a City order to clean up his property with its rodent harborage. This guy thinks the problem is not that Bukowski has engaged in non-permitted illegal construction work on his rental property and disobeyed a City order to not rent an illegal unit deemed unfit for habitation by the City. The problem is not that Bukowski has disobeyed a City directive to not disclose the content of sensitive and court recognized City Executive Sessions or that Bukowski hit and killed a pedestrian or that every person that has any kind of personal relationship will testify that the Councilman is a drug addict and that it has negatively effected his job as our council member. No the problem doesn't lie with any of this; the problem is the Secret News and the fact that it has been reporting all this. That's what this 8:44 commenter cannot abide.
It is extremely interesting for me to read this blog. Thank author for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.
Alex
Cell phone blockers
What about all the money Bukowski has cost the taxpayers? The guy with the Bukowski litany forgot to mention that Bukowski has cost us more than a million dollars in lawsuits due to his screwups. Think about THAT the next time you want to go to a proposed park that we're still waiting for due to lack of funds. The Secret News should do a story on all the money Bukowski has cost us and what we could have bought with it.
How are the council members compensated? How mush is Bukowski costing us (besides lawsuits)? Is it possible to cut his pay for bad behavior or low quality work performed?
Follow up lease! What's happening with this? Is he going to get away with this?
Follow up please! Is he going to get away with this?