When Streetsblog San Francisco launched last January with a staff of two -- reporter Matthew Roth and me -- we quickly realized that to adequately cover San Francisco's livable streets movement we'd eventually need more full-time reporters. Considering the often difficult time we have getting the MTA to cooperate with our requests, it became crystal clear that the only way we can really cover Muni is to have a full-time Muni reporter. That time has come.
Thanks to a generous donation from software entrepreneur and Muni rider Jonathan Weiner, I'm happy to announce today that Michael Rhodes, who surpassed our greatest expectations in his role as a Streetsblog intern, has become a full-time reporter. Regular Streetsblog readers have already become familiar with Michael's work over the last few months. He's written more than 70 posts on a broad range of livable streets issues. In his new role, Michael will continue to report on an array of topics, but his primary focus will be covering Muni.
Michael became interested in street design and transportation issues after studying abroad at Oxford University and in London, and while living in San Francisco. He's also a University of Minnesota graduate.
Please join me in wishing Michael all the best as he tackles the daily ins and outs of San Francisco's complex transit system. And please send him your story tips and ideas: michael@sf.streetsblog.org.