"The law can and should be used as a tool to help our citizens. I'll create a Neighborhoods Law Corps to Fight Blight."

By John Russo

I started my careet as a Legal Aid lawyer specializing in consumer fraud. I believed then, as I do now, that attorneys have an obligation to use their expertise and training to serve the public.

Neighborhodd Law Corps attorneys will be asked to live in the districts they serve. Their offices will be housed in schools, churches or community centers and I will personally hold regular office hours at every location. To underwrite the costs of this program, I will approach the private sector as well as implement efficiencies within the mismanaged City Attorney's Office.

By tackling severe code violations on private property, as well as severely blighted conditions on Caltrans and railroad rights of ways, we can turn our neighborhoods into fully productive, flourishing, healthy communities.

In addition to tackling blight, Neighborhood Law Corps attorneys will conduct educational seminars on consumer protection topics such as how buy a car or shop for a home loan.

These seminars will be conducted in schools, community colleges, churches, youth centers and senior centers, which are centrally located in our neighborhoods.

As your City Attorney, I will not only work to reduce unnecessary legal and financial liability by the City of Oakland. I will also protect Oakland's citizens -- by ensuring that those who are at greatest risk are provided outstanding service and assistance by the City Attorney's Office.