Six months ago, the annual Halloween gathering in the Castro devolved into a shootout that injured 10 revelers, prompting Mayor Gavin Newsom and District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty to promise they would convene a task force to plan for this year's event.

There are 28 weeks left before revelers once again descend on the city's gay neighborhood, but the task force has yet to meet. Now, Dufty is facing renewed criticism for how he is managing preparations to prevent a repeat of the violence and mayhem that have marred the unsanctioned street parties in recent years.

Many residents and merchants are fed up with the unruly crowds and gay bashings associated with the event. Supporters complain that the lack of entertainment in recent years has led to trouble and advocate for corporate sponsorships to help defray costs.

The issue haunted Dufty throughout his re-election campaign last year and has bedeviled him since he first ran for office five years ago. At first Dufty advocated for having the city take over the annual gatherings, but last summer he suggested that the best solution might be to simply cancel the event.

The city's Web site for this year's event – http://www.halloweeninthecastro.com – directs visitors to a November 2 press release announcing the creation of a task force "to review Castro Halloween planning and execution." The statement says a group had met that day to discuss last year's event, and quotes Newsom as saying, "Our first priority remains the safety of the community and the people attending the festivities – that's [sic] we are convening this task force. We need to carefully consider and review all aspects of this event in partnership with the residents and the city."

Dufty is quoted as saying he "is committed to working with Mayor Newsom, the city family and the greater Castro neighborhood to find a permanent solution" and that the "task force will bring the community fully into the decision making process." The release said the task force would hold its first meeting in late November and then meet on a quarterly basis

For months the Bay Area Reporter has been inquiring about the planning process for this year's Halloween, only to be told by Dufty he would have more information soon. In February, he told Castro business leaders at their monthly meeting that two groups had approached him with plans for moving this year's celebration outside the Castro but would not divulge any more information.

At last week's meeting of the merchants group, Dufty aide Rachelle McManus told the group that she had a "cryptic message about Halloween," saying only that Dufty hoped to have more news by May. The lack of information prompted Castro merchant Patrick Batt to remark that it was "unacceptable unless he is going to micromanage the entire event."

"I am astounded there has been no public meeting. I am astounded there has been no task force convened," said Batt. "Considering it was a thorn in his side during his re-election, I am surprised."

Dufty's opponent in the race last year, Oakland deputy attorney Alix Rosenthal, has also begun questioning why Dufty has failed to hold any meetings. She told the B.A.R. this week that she phoned Dufty's office in early April to inquire about the planning process.

"I am disappointed it has taken this long to get going since last year was such a disaster," said Rosenthal. "Events of that size take at least a year's worth of planning."

Rosenthal said she remains opposed to seeing the event relocated.

"I keep hammering crowd control, crowd control, crowd control. It seems to me that the city government is not getting it," she said.

Despite the lack of community involvement in the plans, there have been internal meetings with city officials about this year's Halloween. According to those involved, the plan calls for moving the event out of the Castro and to the city's waterfront, either to a pier or the parking lot next to the ballpark.

Several factors, though, have impeded the discussions, including the spate last fall between the mayor and Dufty over police policies, causing the two former allies not to speak to each other for months, and doubts by Port officials of having revelers who have proved to be unruly partying on their property, leaving the cash-strapped agency liable if anything were to happen.

Dufty and Newsom did meet Monday, April 9 with various city agencies, police, sheriff, and fire officials about what to do about this year's Halloween, which falls on a Wednesday. A mayoral spokesman did not return a call for comment. In a statement, Dufty said, "When we have something to present we will meet with the community. No one takes this more seriously than me. I talk to constituents about Halloween everyday of the year. I am focused on some meaningful alternatives to be considered."

Alice finalizes its nods

As expected, the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club gave an early endorsement Monday, April 9 to Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) in his June 2008 race against state Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco). The two openly gay, Jewish lawmakers are in a fierce primary battle for Migden's 3rd District seat.

The club was criticized after it voted to leave Migden's name off the ballots, with the senator calling the process undemocratic and a B.A.R. editorial last week calling for members to reconsider its decision.

The club's co-chairs said in an e-mail message after the vote that the members "voted overwhelmingly" to not only grant an early nod to Leno, but also endorse Newsom, District Attorney Kamala Harris and Sheriff Mike Hennessey , who are all up for re-election this November. However, it is unclear how many members actually voted. The co-chairs declined to release the vote tally to the B.A.R.

Leno and Migden, meanwhile, faced off in their first debate Wednesday, April 11. For coverage of the San Francisco Young Democrats' sponsored event, go to www.ebar.com.