Candidate for
Council Member; City of Oakland; Council District 5

District 5 deserves innovative yet practical solutions and new leadership that will be committed to our needs and challenges. If Oakland is to ever realize its full potential, our issues of crime, youth, and broad-based community development must be the top priorities.

I am running for City Council because we need a new generation of community-based leaders to bring fresh ideas and new energy to solve our problems and get Oakland back on track. I will work with everyone to get results for you. I'll work to decrease crime through my Safety First Plan; a special homeownership program for lower-income employees like teachers; better utilization of job development programs; and economic growth that benefits us all, not just a few politically connected developers.

I'll work for an Oakland that we are all proud to call home. I bring a proven record as a compassionate, community-oriented small businessperson with experience getting results from City Hall. I pledge to be honest, principled and open as your Councilperson.

Public safety is my top concern. Not all 400,000 plus Oakland residents are criminals, but the few who are affects every aspect of city life and development. Oakland's unacceptably high crime rate has landed us on the nation's top crime cities list, discouraged new business from locating here and has many of us afraid of coming out of our own homes at night + and sometimes during the day. Until our crime numbers decrease dramatically, public safety will be my utmost priority.

Although the Council is not in charge of the school district, we can have an impact on education. We can help retain committed teachers, partner to provide after-school recreational facilities, mobilize external supportive resources and help to impact student retention.

Oakland has many opportunities to positively address today's environmental challenges. In the face of global warming it would be irresponsible to bypass these opportunities.

Oakland's economic development issues cannot be discussed without first addressing Oakland's crime challenges and the perceptions created about our city as a result. My Safety First Plan will be my top priority. Beyond public safety concerns, we must make it easier to do business with the City of Oakland.

Constituent responsiveness is critical. District 5 deserves a Council representative who is available and responsive to constituent issues and concerns. My business is successful because customer service is my hallmark. I will apply my proven expertise and experience with customer service and satisfaction to my District operations.

A clean and well maintained community improves the quality of life and serves as a deterrent to crime.

Cultural arts are the soul of a city and Oakland must invest in promoting local arts and artists. District 5 is particularly rich in artistic diversity and vibrancy.