|
|
|
|
|
|
Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf's District 4 Newsletter - October 17, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings,
I just got my absentee ballot in the mail. Have you? I'm excited about weighing in on so many critical issues - from America's President, to California's Death Penalty, to Oakland's Zoo. I've publicly endorsed several propositions, measures and candidates - here's why:
YES on Prop 30 Temporary Tax - It would increase income taxes on individuals earning $250,000+ for 7 years and sales taxes by a 1/4 cent for 4 years. Prop 30 is temporary, balanced and will prevent $6 billion in brutal cuts per year to schools and colleges.
NO on Prop 32 Campaign Payroll Deductions - While it says it would prohibit both unions and corporations from using money deducted from an employee's paycheck for political purposes, this deceptive measure would effectively only silence unions, since corporations almost never use payroll deductions and the measure exempts business Super PACs and independent expenditure committees. I'm passionate about campaign finance reform, but this is plain sneaky.
YES on Prop 34 Death Penalty Replacement - It would replace Death Penalty sentences with Life Without Parole and require convicted murderers to work to fund the victims' compensation fund. It would establish a $100 million "Safe California" Grant Fund for local police and district attorneys to solve more homicides and rapes - something Oakland desperately needs. Reduced court and prison costs will save California $130 million a year! Similarly, I support the Prop 36 reforms to Three Strikes.
YES on Prop 35 Human Trafficking Penalties - It enacts new penalties on enslaving girls for prostitution and other sex crimes - a tragic and pervasive problem in Oakland.
YES on Measure J School Facilities - This bond issue would fund upgrades to classrooms, computer systems and science labs in Oakland's public schools. There's no better investment than our schools and kids.
YES on Prop A1 Oakland Zoo - For a modest $1 per month per residential parcel, residents throughout Alameda County will support upgrades to the Oakland Zoo's care for animals, along with its wildlife conservation and education efforts -all while keeping entrance fees affordable. Let's support Oakland's awesome zoo.
YES on Prop B1 Transportation Tax Extension - It would extend an existing County sales tax and increase it by ˝ cent to provide a permanent, local funding source for public transit, road maintenance and bike/ped safety. Specifically, it would give Oakland $8 million for fixing our streets every year. With some of the worst road conditions in the Bay Area and falling fast, Oakland needs this funding to prevent more costly road deterioration. My car's shock absorbers beg you to support B1!
Barbara Parker for Oakland City Attorney - Be sure to go to the bottom of your ballot and vote to keep our current City Attorney who has reduced costs and shut-down prostitution hotels. I've worked closely with Barbara since she became Assistant City Attorney more than a decade ago and I can't say enough about her professionalism and ethics.
Amy Lemley for District 1 City Council & Noel Gallo for District 5 City Council - I've known both these candidates for many years. Amy has won national awards for her policy work with foster youth. She's a practical, hard-working problem-solver. Noel is a passionate Oakland native and has great experience as an OUSD school board member and parks maintenance manager.
The deadline to register to vote for the November 6 election is October 22. Californians can now register to vote online, as long as you have a CA driver's license or ID card with your signature on-file. Click here to register now. Check Voter Registration Status here.
Ballotpedia.org and the League's SmartVoter.org sites are great for more info, including who is really funding each campaign. They say "every election is determined by the people who show up." This understanding is something I hope we all get.
With Oakland-love,
Libby  | | Dominic and Lena helped me mail my absentee ballot two years ago. |
|
|
|
Contact the District 4 Office
City of Oakland, District 4
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
510.238.7004
|
Visit us at our monthly Office Hours!
* Dimond: 1st Thursdays, 9-11 am at Caffe Diem, 2224 MacArthur Blvd
* Laurel: 1st Saturdays, 9-11 am at World Ground Café, 3728 MacArthur Blvd
* Woodminster: 3rd Saturdays, 10-12 pm at Woodminster Café, 5020 Woodminster Ln
* Melrose: 4th Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5 pm at Melrose Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd
* Montclair: 4th Sundays, 9:30 - 11:30am at Montclair Farmers Market (or Colonial Donuts at 6126 La Salle Ave)
|
The Dish
Taqueria La Palma (formally Laurellinos) had it's grand opening a few weeks back. They are still working on the mural inside but it's open and ready for business. The owner, Francisco Gomez, and his family are cooking up your favorites, from the yummy Torta to their shareable Super Nachos. Stop by and support our new taqueria that's open 7 days a week. Shereda
4171 MacArthur Blvd.
Sun-Thur 11-7:00 pm;
Fri & Sat 11-10pm.
|
Shop D4
Pot-Pourri -
A Hidden Gem in Redwood Heights
Looking for high quality jewelry, ceramics, glassware, picture frames, stained glass, casseroles, and much more - from artists from all over the country - from a friendly, family-run Oakland business? It's all here at Pot-Pourri. For 43 years!!! Andy Diez (along with wife, Julia, and more recently son, Max) has created this special place to share his love of ceramics and artisanal products. The 30% off sale is October 19-28; stop by for that special one-of-a-kind hand made gift for that special someone.
Pot-Pourri
4100 Redwood Road (in Lincoln Square - past the CVS), 531-1503
|
|
|
|
City Council News
This Tuesday the Council passed two important initiatives to address the harm that foreclosures cause our neighbors and neighborhoods. First, a Foreclosure Prevention and Mitigation Initiative which will educate homeowners at risk of foreclosures about new modification options, create a one-stop resource center to help owners navigate with their lenders, and a revolving loan fund enabling the City to actually purchase a limited number of homes at high risk of foreclosure with the requirement that the City sells them back to the owner-occupant under new manageable terms. These initiatives are entirely cost-covering or grant-funded and include a partnership with Oakland-based community bank One Pacific Coast Bank.
The new Foreclosure Help Hotline staffed by HERA is 510-271-8443, x 313.
We also introduced a Non-Owner-Occupant-Registration Ordinance aimed at reducing the numb er of blighted and substandard conditions of recently foreclosed homes. A recent report by Urban Strategies Council demonstrated a high correlation between distressed properties in poor repair and purchases of foreclosed properties by non-owner-occupants or investors. This ordinance (if adopted on its second reading November 13th), will require such properties to be registered with the city and subject to inspection for substandard and blight conditions unless the owner takes out permits to rehabilitate the property promptly. Read a detailed story about these initiatives here.
We received an informative report on the Condition of Oakland Streets (and why passage of County Measure B1 is so critical for Oakland). Read it here. We also heard Chief Jordan's progress report on Oakland's Crime Reduction Strategy. Read it here. I commended Chief Jordan and all our officers for their vital and difficult work under such challenging conditions. I praised the Chief's focus on the effective implementation of the Ceasefire violence reduction strategy and better use of technology and data, and urged him to continue improving our use of hot spot policing. I emphasized my continuing belief that potential policies and strategies will not be effective until we increase police staffing to functional levels. I announced a proposal I've begun exploring with Chief Jordan, OPOA, and Sheriff Ahern to supplement Oakland's police manpower with Sheriff and CHP officers as soon as possible and until our newly trained and hired officers are capable of filling beat assignments. Read story here. I believe Oakland can't tolerate the continued shrinking of police manpower while we wait for our training academies to graduate new recruits. Although this will involve additional cost, I believe improving public safety is our most critical priority right now. I'll keep you posted as this proposal progresses.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District 4 News More Artists Among Us I received several responses to my "Artists Among Us" piece last newsletter, including requests to recognize these additional local artists:
Adelle and Jack Foley are Oakland artists among us as they have lived in Maxwell Park since 1974. The current Tower Journal is a webfestschrift - a celebration of Jack's life and work as a poet and critic. He and Adelle often read original haiku poems at various neighborhood celebrations. More information can be found on Jack and Adelle Foley's website www.jack-adellefoley.com. Award-winning artist and Dimond resident Rita Sklar says her paintings "reflect a balance between the reality of representational shapes and forms juxtaposed with abstract backgrounds." She is a member of the California Watercolor Association, East Bay Women Artists and San Francisco Women Artists. Info: http://www.ritasklar.com/
Dr. Debra Koppman is an inspiration to many local fans. Debra has been teaching art to children and adults in Oakland, since 1998, In Dimond, there are two recent art installations which Debra Koppman has designed and installed with community involvement: "Sequoia's Hidden Jewels", the mosaic Sequoia Elementary School and"Dimond's Hidden Jewels", at Farmer Joe's on Fruitvale Avenue. Info on her upcoming art exhibits: http://www.debrakoppman.com/
Michael Grbich is a beloved Montclair artist who can often be found with his coffee klatch at Colonial Donuts and holding court on various benches throughout the Village. Described by Oakland Magazine as "a cross between the Energizer Bunny and Fred Astaire," his paintings have been exhibited at the De Young Museum. But this octogenarian may best be known for his health passions, including tap dancing across the Golden Gate Bridge, tight-rope walking, and a daily climb up and down 1,600 steps on the Merriewood Public Stairs. View his art at http://www.michaelgrbich.com/ .     Artists (l to r): Adelle & Jack Foley, Rita Sklar, Debra Koppman and Michael Grbich. Congratulations Paws & Claws!
Our favorite Dimond pet supply store is now a Certified Bay Area Green Business! Now they are really living up to their "Caring for your Pets and the Earth" motto. You can congratulate them at the upcoming....
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest!!!- Oct 27th at 2pm Paws & Claws (along with Dimond Library) will sponsor its 9th Annual pet & family friendly costume stroll in the in the Dimond District. Dimond Library - 11am - local artist Robin Goodfellow will show kids how to create Halloween themed paper cutouts, Sarah Hodgson will follow with some scary storytelling, then at 2pm folks who want to parade thru the Dimond business district collecting treats will meet in front of Paws & Claws. All welcome - get on your costume! Prizes for Best Human & Pet costume. 
HAUNTING LAUREL BOOKSTORE
The night before Halloween (October 30th) local sci-fi/fhorror author Sumiko Saulson ("Solitude") and Oakland-based sci-fi/dark fantasy writer Serena Toxicat ("Evangeline and the Drama Wheel") will be reading at Laurel Bookstore (http://www.laurelbookstore.com/) at 4100 MacArthur Blvd in the Laurel District at 7pm. Both ladies say they will be happy to sign anything you like after the reading. The bookstore closes at 8pm so be sure to arrive on time, or even a little early so you have time to pick up a good book. Costume Contest: Best costume wins a Frankenzombie t-shirt, a book for best costume (grown up) and school supplies for best costume (child). Visit: http://sumikosaulson.com/events/ "
Site Tour Regarding Tree Removal Permit for the Sausal Creek Restoration Project - this Saturday (Oct 20), 10am - Meet at the Scout Hut in Dimond Park
Sausal creek needs to be stabilized for long-term sustainability. If nothing is done to alleviate erosion and bank instability, creek banks will continue to erode, more trees and creek habitat will be lost, and many home foundations along the creek will be threatened. The projects main goals are: saving as many trees and parkland as possible, flood control, public safety, eliminating invasive species and restoring native plants and habitat, creating fish passage, and restoring the creek to a stable restoration channel.
Our Office and City Staff recognize that this tree removal is controversial and people have questions. City staff and project designers will lead a site tour of the restoration area, explain the restoration design, and answer any questions about the project or tree removal. Project Info: report. More info: (510) 238-7571 or watersheds@oaklandnet.com & oaklandcreeks.org Redwood Heights Carnival - Sat. Oct 20 - 10a-4p The Redwood Heights School Carnival welcomes all. There will be game booths (decorated by students), a giant slide, food, (home-baked goodies), pumpkins - a great chance for parents, neighbors and staff to visit outside of school activity, and build up that community that makes Redwood Heights School a special place that kids love. Sponsored by the Redwood Heights Dads Club. JULIA MORGAN EXHIBIT AT MILLS COLLEGE
Mills invites the public to visit a new exhibit about the work of acclaimed architect Julia Morgan. The exhibit explores the projects that were built on the Mills campus from 1904-1925 with photographs and plans from the Mills archives. Julia Morgan (1872-1957) was a prolific twentieth-century architect in California and beyond having designed more than 700 buildings in her career, she is best known for designing Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Public talk by Karen McNeill, writer, historian and expert on Julia Morgan- October 28th, 2:00 p.m. The exhibit is open to the public on Sundays through November 11, 11am - 4pm. Details here
7th Annual Joaquin Miller Native Plant Sale
Sunday October 21 - 10a-3p @ Joaquin Miller Park/ Friends of Sausal Creek Native Plant Nursery. Native plant experts, workshops and live music throughout the day. Free plant shuttle service from the nursery to your car. Info: http://www.sausalcreek.org/pdf/FOSC_Plant-Sale.pdfConcert @ Lincoln Court Apartments
"Autumn In New York" Concert - Music of the Season - Classic Jazz & Pop - and A Tribute to The Beatles 50th Anniversary - $10 - Benefit Concert for Self-Help for the Elderly. Sunday - Oct 21 - 3p (and every 3rd Sunday) 2400 MacArthur Blvd (@Lincoln). Info: BeverlyK@selfhelpelderly.org.
Mills College Art Museum
Join the Mills College Art Museum and Dance Rehearsal curator Melissa E. Feldman in celebrating the opening of internationally acclaimed artist, Karen Kilimnik's, first one-person museum exhibition on the West Coast. Exhibit runs Sept. 12 - Dec. 9, visit www.mcam.mills.edu for full details. |
Catch Your Councilmember
Where To Join Me Over the Next 2 Weeks
|
|
|
10/18 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, 10:45-noon, City Hall
10/19 (Fri) AASK (Adopt a Special Kid) Fundraiser, 6:30p, Rosenblum Cellars, Alameda
10/20 (Sat) Council Office Hours Woodminster Cafe, 10:00-noon, 5020 Woodminster Lane
10/20 (Sat) Dimond Park Tree Removal Tour, 10:00-noon, Dimond Park Scout Hut
10/20 (Sat) OPL's Youth Leadership Council Main Library's TeenZone, 125 14th Street, 2nd flr, noon-1:00p
10/20 (Sat) Joaquin Miller Elementary School Safety Fair, 1:00-2:00p, 5525 Ascot Drive
10/21 (Sun) Ballot Discussion, 12:30-2:00p, New Revelation Community Church, 2735 MacArthur Blvd 10/23 (Tues) Public Works Committee Meeting, 9:30-11:00a, City Hall
10/23 (Tues) Life Enrichment Committee Meeting, 4:30-6:00p, City Hall
10/24 (Wed) Oakland Police Promotional/Swearing-In Ceremony, 10-11:30, 455 7th St.
|
|
|
|
10/24 (Wed) OakX Speaker Series - digital/visual/data storytelling, Noon-1:30, 200 Frank Ogawa Plaza EB Com Fnd
10/24 (Wed) Melrose Library Office Hours, 3:30-5:00p, 4805 Foothill
10/25 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, 10:45-noon, City Hall
10/28 (Sun) Montclair Farmers Market Office Hours, 9:00-noon
10/29 (Mon) Vincent Academy tour, 1911 Union Street, 11:00-noon
10/29 (Mon) Open House for Oakland Local Contributors, 7-9pm, Tech Liminal 268 14 St.
10/31 (Wed) Joaquin Miller Elementary Parade, then Montclair Village Halloween Parade, 3:00-4:30p
11/1 (Thur) Dimond Office Hours, Caffe Diem, 9:00-11:00a, 2224 MacArthur Blvd.
11/1 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, 10:45-noon, City Hall
11/1 (Thur) Tour of Rubicon Programs, 1:00-2:00p, 241000 Amador St., Hayward
11/1 (Thur) Montclair Safety & Improvement Council Monthly Meeting, 7:00-9:00p, 5701 Thornhill Drive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onions & Orchids 
|
|
An Orchid to . . .
...the 2012 Oakland A's for an amazing season that showed how passion and teamwork are the real makings of champions.
...Oakland A's fans -- including the Port of Oakland who "turned" this crane green -- who powered you through to victories with our resounding faith in your talent and belief that Oakland is your home.
|
|
Helpful Links and Numbers
- District 4 Office: (510) 238-7004
- Public Works Call Center: (510) 615-5566 or pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com
- Neighborhood Service Coordinators (NSC's):
- Hoang Banh (Dimond, Lincoln Highlands, Montera, Oakmore, Woodminster): 510-238-6566 or hbanh@oaklandnet.com
- Patricia Rose (Montclair): 510-238-6822 or prose@oaklandnet.com
- Araina Richards (Allendale, Melrose, Maxwell Park): 510-238-7619 or arichards@oaklandnet.com
- Renee Sykes (Bret Harte, Joaquin Miller, Redwood Heights, Crestmont and Laurel (N. of 35th Ave.): 510-238-7929 or rskyes@oaklandnet.com
- City of Oakland website: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/
To contribute news and events to our newsletter, please email lruhland@oaklandnet.com
|
|
|
|
|
