Adventures in Oakland Politics: The Others!

So, I have been slacking a bit. I have been to three Oakland Mayoral Debates and have not reported on any of them. It’s because it is just too much! There is a limited amount of questions asked, but to report on each and every response would require a lot of note-taking (on my part) and a lot of reading (on your part).

I am trying to reduce the amount of words in my articles, and this blog is my practice. So, I have made a decision not to write about the forums.

HOWEVER, there is no reason why I can’t share with you what happened via video, right?

I went to the Mayoral Forum at Holy Names and was able to take some video. Since I have written about the candidates whose meet and greets I attended, I decided to post the videos of “The Others” : Don Macleay, Larry Lionel Young Jr, George Harland, Arnold Fields and Don Perata. They each gave closing remarks which are considered “stump speeches”. I am going to let their own words speak for themselves.

Also, the Chronicle conveniently wrote an article on “The Others” (yes, I was a ‘Lost’ fan) this week. You can read about them by clicking here: The Others

Enjoy!

Arnold Fields ( 1:45) :

Don MaCleay (1: 49) :

Larry Lionel Young, Jr (2:07.3) :

Don Perata (1: 51) :

George Harland (1:57) :

OH..I was interviewed by KQED afterward. Like to hear it? Hear it goes! : “KQED – Oakland Mayor Debate..”

Ranked Choice Voting: WTH?

So we have heard this term a couple of times and I have even thrown it out there. Well the blogger from “A Better Oakland” took the time to do an in depth explanation (complete with Youtube video!) for us!

Check it out! “A Better Oakland- Ranked Choice Voting“

Adventures in Oakland Politics: Joe Tuman!

Still no t-shirt. This is what happens when you don't have unions in your back pockets. Maybe candidates should look for sponsorship from Fruit of the Loom. No..BeBe!

When I was a younger, my mother used to take us on house tours. We would go around to really upper class homes that would open it’s doors to those of us who were curious about how the rich live. I used to be embarrassed to do this. Twenty years later I am at it again. This time, I have a different purpose. (I do like looking at the houses though..)

Today, I went to a meet and greet for Joe Tuman, and the owners of the house weren’t shy about letting it be known that I had not been personally invited, not in a mean way, but in a “Wow, this young black lady is quite industrious!” kind of way.

Yes, I am industrious. (and a little nosy)

However, so is Joe Tuman (not nosy) and I must say, he has made a believer out of me!

Joe Tuman is the candidate with no government experience, but he has done a lot. Broadcast Journalist, Political Analyst, Small Businessman, and Professor. All of these jobs have informed him and has given him the kind of experience needed to successfully be Oakland’s next mayor.

As a professor he also has experience lecturing, and spent an hour and a half doing just that. As a former Cal student, I took good notes! I won’t recount it all here (do your homework- check out his website!). However, I will share the answer to a question that a friend had wanted me to ask.

One of the biggest issues in Oakland this year is the need to bring more jobs to the city. According to Joe, Oakland’s unemployment rate is close to 20%, double the national average. This is not because of the economy, but because Oakland is not business friendly.

Our business taxes are too high and crime is a problem. For big business the mere perception of crime is a problem, it’s not something they want to expose their employees to. For small business, crime is something they have to live with. The Mesherle trial had a huge impact on small businesses who had to shut their doors early or board up their windows. Finally, parking is ridiculous. The risk of having a 60-80 dollar parking ticket for being a minute or two late in feeding the meter is not worth it to many shoppers who end up taking their business else where, like Walnut Creek (which has free parking for it’s customers).

All of these issues need to be addressed. But once that is done (which will take some time) Mr. Tuman, wants to focus on building our retail climate here in Oakland. He suggests a detailed plan for different areas of the city to bring business, for instance he would try to lure big department stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, JC Penny, and Kohls to Broadway near 27th. Instead of sending a city flunky over to the retailers he would approach them all himself- offering solutions to parking, guaranteeing reduced crime and blight, offering tax incentives and making Oakland an attractive area for them to invest in. Once big stores like these are established, they become an anchor for small businesses who want to appeal to the big four’s customers. Finally, he would also work to build free parking!

His plan would bring more jobs, more revenue from the business tax, more traffic to our city and a way to collect more sales tax. A win-win for everyone!

I love this idea..and the rest that he had to offer during the meet and greet. Joe Tuman was also very approachable (He introduced himself to me and shook my hand!) and he has a mean Don Corrleone impression. (You had to be there). Joe Tuman is definitely going to be amongst my top three. 🙂

For an article on Joe Tuman’s plan for retail development read Chip Johnson’s Sept 28’th article here on SF GATE.

Also for more information on Joe Tuman’s economic redevelopment plan and other issues visit Joe Tuman’s website!

Adventures in Oakland Politics: Rebecca Kaplan!

She is friendly with other candidates. Works well with others..sounds good to me! (Ya'll should come to the forums to hear LL..he is HILARIOUS!)

Oakland Tribune endorses Rebecca Kaplan.

I like her, too. She is well spoken, experienced, has knowledge about the issues and great ideas!

I have yet to go to a meet and greet with her. I haven’t found one that is free. It’s understandable, a candidate needs to raise money and I am just not in that tax bracket yet.

However, she seems really approachable and I bet if I wanted to flag her down on the street and ask her a question she wouldn’t spray me with mace.

The Tribune goes into great detail about her plans for the city so I won’t do so here. However, I liked what she had to say in general about making Oakland more marketable.

During the Mayoral Forum at the Kaiser Center, when asked what she would do to attract more jobs, in addition to listing her concrete ideas, she commented that the general public feels that Oakland is to San Francisco what New Jersey is to New York..and that we need a mayor who is willing to talk up Oakland! We have the best food, best weather, and the best people…(WORD)

During the Oakland Cultural and Trust Forum on October 7th, she stated that she would work to get more films being produced in our city. She stated that we are in a great location, with great scenery, a variety of people and all the extra’s you could want! (side-eye to Larry Lionel Young, Jr – you had to be there)

I love that she has great pride in our city and is actually willing to REPRESENT our city to the fullest. I am personally sick of Oakland being California’s red-headed step child. There is more to our city than the high crime rate. I am looking for a mayor who will not only work on fixing it’s problems but will highlight what is GOOD about our hood!

She doesn’t get my “official” endorsement just yet, but with Ranked-Choice Voting, she is definitely in my top three.

So if you haven’t yet..read what the Tribune has to say about Rebecca Kaplan. Read the comments, too. They are very informative.

Finally, if you get a chance, attend the Oakland Mayor Forums! Visit Rebecca’s website look under “Events” for dates and times.

ps..no t-shirt from her either. However if she wins, I might send her a I Hella [Heart] Oakland t-shirt. Do you think she would wear it?

Adventures in Oakland Politics: Marcie Hodge!

Darn..no t-shirt!

2 Points for good manners!

This weekend I went to a Marcie Hodge meet and greet at her aunt’s house in Upper Rockridge.

After trudging up a street called Ocean View (foresight not really kicking in) on a warm Saturday afternoon, once I got to the destination all I saw was a standard Marcie Hodge lawn sign. No indication that an important informational was going to occur.

Glad for the opportunity to breathe and wipe copious amounts of sweat off my brow, I paused to text a friend to see what I should do. This was a really NICE neighborhood, which would probably not look kindly on a sweaty Black person knocking on doors.

When out comes Marcie Hodge in comfortable jeans and sneakers to shake my hand and direct me inside!! 🙂 (+1)

Her aunt directed me to refreshments while the three of us engaged in idle chatter until other neighbors and guests arrived. There was only 4 other people, which made it hard for me to blend in with the furniture.

Hodge immediately went into her speech. She decided to run for Mayor of Oakland because she knows that the city can do better than it has been. As mayor her focus would be on Jobs, Education, Crime and promoting the Health Initiative.

1. Jobs: In order to attract jobs, she would focus on the Port of Oakland- which she considers a missed opportunity for economic development. She would work to continue the dredging that is currently underway and look to appoint a someone who specializes in International Business to attract foreign companies to do business along the port.

2. Crime and Safety: Her solution to increasing safety in Oakland is to place precincts in different areas of the city- those that need it most. She would also encourage officers to work the streets and participate in community policing programs. She is very disappointed in the laying off of young officers and would work to negotiate with the Police to get them to contribute to their pensions.

3. Education: This one she was a little vague on. However, she mentioned that as mayor there is little influence that her office could exert. She would like to re-establish a Job Center in Oakland that would help to increase students skills.

4. Health Initiative: Here she was a little vague as well. She said she would do what she could to support Obama’s Health Care plan to make sure that residents have adequate health care. Although her website asserts that she would promote healthy eating and active living.

Of course, as a health advocate I could not let a vague answer pass. I had to get concrete ideas!!! So I asked her a specific question.

I mentioned that there was a study that indicates that a person who lives in West Oakland is expected to live 15 years less than a person who lives in the Oakland Hills. (At the time I said 7..but I was going off of memory so sue me –you can find the study by downloading the “Unnatural Causes of Death” pdf summary from the Alameda County Health Department.

I said that this was mainly due to the different built environments that contributes to the resident’s health: walkable neighborhoods, relative safety of the two environments, and access to healthy foods. I mentioned that the closest grocery store in West Oakland is in Emeryville (Pak N Save) or in Downtown Oakland (Smart and Final).

So I asked her: What would you do to bring more grocery stores to areas like West Oakland or East Oakland that so desperately need them?

Crime, she says! We must do something about the crime in the neighborhood so that major grocery chains can feel it is safe enough to establish stores. She would also encourage neighborhood schools to build local gardens with sustainable produce to share with the community. She would also reach out to alternative food stores..it doesn’t have to be Safeway, it could be Food Co.!

She would also do more to support local clinics and see about having the same sort of health care system as cities such as San Francisco which has it’s own health insurance plan for residents.

[Update: Googling West Oakland and Grocery stores will result in articles about the City Council voting to use eminent domain to get grocery stores to West Oakland: Here]

After this other questions were asked in which I tuned out. During this period I reflected that these were the most concrete answers that I have heard from Hodge. Her performance at the debates were non-memorable at best. There was even a not too friendly article about her purpose in this campaign from the East Bay Express.

I wanted to ask her about it, but decided not to make her uncomfortable in her aunt’s home. Overall I was satisfied with her performance. And I was hungry.

[Update: On Oct. 6th Marcie responded to the East Bay Express article! Click above and read the comment section. :)]

After taking a few strawberries, I took my leave and started my journey on foot towards home. While floating down Broadway and gossiping on the phone with my great-cousin Richard, guess who pulls a U-turn and asks me if I want a ride? Marcie Hodge, that’s who! (+1)

I politely decline professing the need for exercise.

Such a nice young lady! I don’t know if this will help her become Mayor, but I wish her the best of luck. 🙂

Adventures in Oakland Politics: District 2!

Tonight I went to a forum between District 2 City Council candidates Pat Kernighan and Jennifer Pae held at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church.

I enjoyed every minute. The church was very nice inside.

Pat Kernighan is the incumbent and has been in the Council for 5 years. I had been part of the Grand Lake Neighborhood group for a couple of weeks. Our neighborhood has suffered from a couple of power outages and Pat Kernighan has been emailing us offering support in working with PG&E. I was all for offering Pat my support on the outset. I had never heard of Jennifer Pae.

However, Jennifer held her own and gave me something to think about. She gave clear solutions to various questions highlighting the problems that Oakland and District Two is facing.

Truancy in Schools: Programs are understaffed and under-resourced.
Work with the community and link it to the school system. Ask
non-profits and local businesses to participate in programs that would
hire students.

Measure BB (continue funding the police and other programs to reduce
violence in Oakland- via measure Y): Sad that this issue has to be taken to
the voters, but she does support it. If the measure fails, then she would
support a program to civilianize police positions to support community
policing.

Reducing Crime: Let’s look at the root causes for the increase in crime.
Lack of jobs and good opportunities and a school system that needs work.
We need to think about crime in different ways. While Measure Y worked in
some neighborhoods- others like East Oakland and West Oakland find it
difficult to work with the police out of fear of retribution. We need to work
together to empower the people of Oakland to act on their own behalf.

Pat Kernighan defended her seat and also made some good points as well!

Maintenance of Lake Merritt: She worked hard to make sure that renovation
of Lake Merritt started in the first place, however she realizes that continued
maintenance will be difficult because of funding. Work is being done to put
together a possible Lake Merritt Conservancy, to support the day to day
maintenance of the Lake.

Jennifer mentioned we need to look at safety as well, but I liked Pat’s answer best!

Oakland Army Base: A wonderful opportunity to build our local economy.
The council sent requests for developers of the Army Base and got a couple
of responses. The one they accepted was from a developer who is interested
in making good use of the Port of Oakland, creating jobs and developing
the area near the port. However, it will take a while because the Army Base
infrastructure needs to be worked on.

So who to choose? I have made my decision. You should make yours. Visit each candidates website to get more information. 🙂

To see the debate on video.. join the Grand Lake Neighborhood yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrandLakeNCPC/

Tomorrow: Oakland Mayoral Debate at City Hall
6-8 pm.

ps I know I was supposed to write about the one two weeks ago, but I was busy. Sorry! I will combine my report on tomorrow’s debate with last weeks.

toodles!

“When I was youngun I used to walk 10 miles to school!”

When I was a kid, my brother and I did walk miles in order to get to school. My mother didn’t have a car. I’m still walking to this day..carrying on my mother’s tradition of not driving..33 years and counting!

Anyway..

According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, 30 years ago “nearly 90% of children who lived within a mile of school used active transportation (i.e., walking or bicycling) as their primary mode of travel (USDOT, 1972).” Today, you don’t see many kids making the journey to school on their own two legs anymore.

Let’s Move.org, Michelle Obama’s initiative to reduce childhood obesity, is promoting International Walk to School Day and have written about it on their blog.

Check it out here: “Walk to School Day”

Afterward, pick your child up from school today and walk them home. 🙂

San Francisco to ban toys in Happy Meals..wha??

Heard on the radio this morning that San Francisco is moving to ban placement of toys in unhealthy Happy Meals from McDonald’s.

Here is the MSNBC article.

As someone who works for an organization to reduce childhood obesity– this is GREAT NEWS. California is always the leader in progressive ideas that concerns our health and our environment. San Francisco is the most famous- however they weren’t the first. Santa Clara County did it earlier this year. However, San Francisco will bring all sorts of media attention to this issue.

There will also be a lot of controversy and complaints. Looking up this article I saw a lot of negative comments from those who are concerned with ‘the man’ telling people what they should be eating.

That’s all well and good for those who have a choice. Many low-income families go to places like McDonald’s for convenience and affordability. They are heavily marketed to and often come to the quick conclusion that a Happy Meal is one of the best options to feeding their hungry child.

This sets a bad precedent. As the child grows to a teen then young adult, when confronted with the same decisions (where should I eat..what would be the most filling and the most affordable?) they will go back to McDonald’s. Yet instead of the Happy Meal..they go to the Double Cheeseburger..the Quarter Pounder..then on to the Big Mac.

I am speaking from experience. I remember as a child going to McDonald’s and then feeling pride when I was able to graduate from Happy Meal to eventually the Quarter Pounder. What if my single, low-income mother had healthier and more affordable choices? I could have been celebrating going from baby carrots to ..Beets! (I hate Beets.)

This ordinance is trying to stop obesity in it’s tracks. Making healthy choices available to young kids is a great way to make sure that they make the same healthy choices as an adult. Kids are conditioned through heavy marketing by the food industry to choose foods that aren’t good for them. What if instead of enticing them with a reward for eating a burger and fries- we reward them for eating apple slices? McDonald’s will still get their money..and the movie industry can still promote their movies.

A complainer asked if SF has more pressing things to worry about then telling people what they should be eating. One of the biggest current issues in this country is affordable health care. It is costing this country millions of dollars trying to treat or manage chronic diseases that are linked to unhealthy eating. Countless numbers of Americans are dying because they can’t afford treatment.

I think preventing chronic disease, and preventing the need for costly medical care, is pretty important.