City Government

Candidates For Oakland’s District 7 Share Their Platforms

Published

4 years ago

September 25, 2020

Aaron Clay

Clay is the CEO of renewable energy solar company Sunswarm Community Solar, and a teacher for the Oakland Unified School District. He believes Oakland and District 7 needs to be a more healthy and sustainable community that provides affordable housing for everyone.

“A healthy community is a place where residents can afford to live, be comfortable and be safe in their home,” said Clay. “Instead, we see garbage on the ground, abandoned cars, and their community deteriorating. More attention needs to focus on eradicating the blight in our community.”

“I’ve taught in East Oakland’s public schools and I’ve seen what those kids go through. Let’s get them on board and allow them to create a different vision for the community. I will also be a champion to our youth and seniors,” said Clay.

“We also need jobs in East Oakland,” added Clay. “Establishing an economic-based green economy would be ideal because this area is the perfect place for it. Light industrial, clean tech manufacturing in East Oakland makes sense because we already have the available warehouses zoned for light industrial which can be used for investments in creating local new jobs.“

For more information on Clay’s campaign, contact www.clay4d7.com.

_____________

Marcie Hodge

A former two-term Peralta Community College Trustee, and current executive director of the nonprofit, St. John’s Boys Home and St John Corinthian Care, Hodge noted that District 7 “doesn’t need a transfer of leadership, we need new leadership.”

“I’m in the residential care business and many residential program owners like me want to expand their businesses because we are interested in serving different populations,” said Hodge.

“The unhoused includes many subgroups that must be considered for intensive support. We have a large population of individuals who have been released from state hospitals and many of them have mental disorders and need medical support.”

“When elected as District 7’s City Council person, my first priority is to address the issue of blight,” said Hodge. “We need to clean up the streets and identify areas that are frequently used as dumping grounds. The issue of dumping needs to be eradicated and cameras should be installed”.

“District 7 (residents) deserve to have an ability to work and play in a community where we don’t have to worry about always looking over our shoulder. I want our community to thrive.”

For more information about the Hodge campaign, go to www.hodge4oakland2020.com.

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Bishop Robert (Bob) Jackson

Pastor of Acts Full Gospel Church in Oakland for more than 36 years, Jackson stressed his ideas for District 7 are based on what he has already been doing.

“I have lived in East Oakland for more than 43 years working for the betterment of the community,” said Jackson. “I started the Men of Valor Academy which has helped thousands of formerly incarcerated men become successful and away from crime.”

“I started the OK Program for boys 12 to18 years old; a food program, which feeds 300 individuals each week; the Acts Community Development Corporation, and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce.”

“First and foremost, I believe City Hall should address the issue of blight and illegal dumping in our community,” said Jackson. “The trash, debris and garbage in this community have been neglected far too long. It’s like a Third World country out here and the problem needs to be abated now.

“I will also address the ‘drug stores’ we have in the community. I’m not talking about Walgreens or CVS; I’m talking about the young men who are selling drugs on our corners and streets. We need more police presence in our community to address these types of problems and we need faster response times from the police instead of two or three days later. The safety of our community is paramount.”

To learn more about Bishop Jackson’s campaign, visit www.jacksonforeastoakland.com.

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Treva Reid

Reid is the daughter of 24-year incumbent Larry Reid but her passion to serve is solely-based on her commitment and leadership experience to move East Oakland Forward.

“I’ve only known my father’s career to be working and leading in service to others. I commend him for the years he’s served,” she said. “It is paramount that District 7 goes through a philosophical, practical and strategic process to benefit us all.”

“Our community must be heard. I believe it is prudent that you proactively meet them where they are in your approach to championing equitable outcomes,” she added.

Reid’s campaign platform focuses on community vitality, ensuring housing stability, increasing career opportunities, economic development and ending gun violence. She says she’s ready to tackle the city’s most challenging issues with sound judgment, strategic planning and collaborative execution.

Reid’s numerous endorsements include State Senator Nancy Skinner, Oakland Firefighters, Pastor Michael McBride of The Way Church and BWOPA. She is the only candidate endorsed by the Alameda County Democratic Party.

To learn more about Reid’s campaign, go to www.reidforoakland.com.

______________

Marchon Tatmon

Government Affairs Manager for the San Francisco Marin Food Bank, Tatmon said that there are a multitude of important issues facing residents in District 7 and Oakland.

Regarding COVID-19 Tatmon said, “In the midst of all of this, residents have also had to deal with finding and acquiring affordable housing; pushing for police reform; obtaining employment and sustaining equitable economic development,” said Tatmon.

“I used to house our homeless neighbors and ran a winter shelter program,” Tatmon said. “I know what the unhoused people in this city have to go through. We need to find housing for the 4,000+ people who are currently living on the streets.”

“We will also need to work with developers to ensure there’s enough affordable housing being constructed. There needs to be a healthy stock of affordable housing, while also providing wrap-around services including mental health, drug addiction and information on financial literacy.”

Tatmon also believes there needs to be a focus on police reform. “The Police Dept. needs to be defunded and the budget should be scrutinized by every line item so we can know where to pull monies from,” said Tatmon. “Presently, more that 20% of the city’s budget goes to the police but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s helping to reduce crime.”

For more information on the Tatmon campaign, contact votemarchon@gmail.com.

Michelle Snider

Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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Michelle Snider

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Bay Area

Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)

By Oakland Post Staff

The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).

In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”

“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”

Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.

In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.

The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.

“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.

“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.

“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

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City Government

Vallejo Continues to Accept Applications for Boards, Committees and Commissions

The City of Vallejo is requesting applications to serve on a number of the City’s boards and commissions. Vallejo residents who are interested in serving on an advisory body are invited to submit an application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Courtesy City of Vallejo.

By City of Vallejo

There are currently openings on the following boards, commissions, and committees:

Beautification Commission(2) terms expire 6/30/28
Civil Service Commission(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
Design Review Board(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
Housing & Community Development Commission(1) term to expire 6/30/28
Housing Authority(1) tenant commissioner term to expire 12/31/24
McCune Collection Commission(3) terms to expire 6/30/28
Participatory Budget Steering Committee(6 members & 3 alternates) terms expire 6/30/25
Planning Commission(2) terms to expire 6/30/28
Surveillance Advisory Board – Districts 1, 2, and 3 Members OnlyDistricts 1 & 3 terms to expire 1/2/25 and District 2 term to expire 1/5/27
Sister City Commission(1) term to expire 6/30/27
Solano Commission for Women & Girls(1) Vallejo representative can be youth or adult. Term to expire 4 years from date of appointment

For City Boards and Commissions, except for the Civil Service, McCune Collection, and Sister City Commissions, the Surveillance Advisory Board, and the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, all appointed members must complete and file a Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700, within 30 days of appointment.

All City Board and Commission members must complete AB 1234 Ethics training and file a Certificate of Completion within 30 days of appointment.

In most instances, to be eligible for appointment, applicants must be residents of the City of Vallejo. Information regarding the duties of each board and commission and specific criteria for appointment may be found within each application. With some exceptions, appointments are typically for a term of four years.

The application period will remain open until a sufficient number have been received in the City Clerk’s Office

Interviews with the City Council are tentatively scheduled for the evenings of June 3 and 10. Applicants must attend the interview to be considered for appointment on a board or commission.

Application forms and supplemental questionnaires are accessible in several ways:

The City’s website, located on the Boards and Commissions page
At City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 555 Santa Clara Street, 3rd Floor, Vallejo, CA
By Email at abrahamson@cityofvallejo.net, or by phone at (707) 648-4527

By U.S. Mail: City of Vallejo, C/O City Clerk, PO Box 3068, Vallejo, CA 94590