Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf

Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf's District 4 Newsletter - June 13, 2013


Dear (Contact First Name),

 

As the City puts together our budget, the resounding message I've been hearing from Oakland's residents is that we love our town. I'm also hearing-and it should come as no surprise-that crime and City finances are the greatest challenges to maintaining the city we love.

 

Oakland is worth fighting for. But how exactly should we fight for it?

 

Here are my priorities:

 

#1 Focus on the immediate reduction of crime.

 

We must support rebuilding sworn and civilian staffing in Oakland's police department and support reforms to improve policing, as well as maintain successful prevention and intervention strategies. Also, we know that per-employee benefit costs are rising steeply over the next five years, so even if we can afford increased spending on non-public-safety positions today, it will seriously jeopardize our ability to continue increasing or even maintaining public safety funding in the future.

 

These threats still exist in the proposal from Councilmembers Brooks, Reid, and Gallo, which I strongly oppose. That proposal would create a $9 million deficit, cut ALL new civilian positions proposed for the Oakland Police Department, and end ALL assistance from California Highway Patrol, and it would dramatically increase permanent funding for non-public safety staff. 

 

Instead, I support Council President Kernighan's proposal, which balances our need to increase public safety, stabilize other critical services, and maintain some fiscal discipline.

 

#2 Admit we are in a fiscal hole and don't dig it any deeper.

 

I would love to give city workers raises - I unequivocally believe they deserve them, particularly our lowest-wage temporary workers. But how can we take on new compensation obligations when we haven't figured out how to pay for the obligations we already have? Oakland has $1.5 BILLION in unfunded benefit liabilities. The proposal discussed above doesn't put a single dollar towards paying this down. 

 

Our five-year financial forecast shows that if even if we resume our actuarially required payments for these benefits, along with necessary capital spending in our next budget, Oakland will still be $200 million over-budget in five years. We can't ignore this threat any longer. Our predecessors did, and look where it's gotten us.

 

As with raises, we must also exercise extreme caution in adding new permanent City positions. Oakland is continuing to pay for on-going expenses with one-time revenues. It might look balanced this year, but it's not sustainable.

 

Despite our differences, I believe all of Oakland's officials are in public service with a sincere commitment to doing what's best for our communities. Please appreciate how hard it is to say "no" when every advocacy group is begging you to say "yes", and when the needs are very real and pressing. Please urge Oakland's Council to face-up to Oakland's fiscal stability right now, or else ALL the services we value could be even further decimated in the future.

 

A CALL TO ACTION: BE HEARD TONIGHT & JUNE 27th!

 

Our Oakland is worth fighting for. Arm yourself with information and come fight for your priorities TONIGHT at 6:30pm and again on Thursday, June 27th at 6:30pm. There's an excellent comprehensive link to budget materials and press coverage at http://oaklandwiki.org/2013_Budget_Discussion and great in-depth analysis at http://oaktalk.com/ . You may email all Councilmembers your thoughts at DL-Councilmembers@oaklandnet.com.

 

Our Oakland is worth fighting for. Thanks for being in the fight with me. 

 

With Oakland-love,

Libby

IN THIS ISSUE
District 4 News and Community Events
Libby's Upcoming Events
District 4 Local Heroes



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 Caf�, 3728 MacArthur Blvd

Woodminster: 3rd Saturdays, 10-12 pm at Woodminster Caf�, 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)   

 

 

  

 

 

    

Find us on Facebook   

 

 

  

Visit SafeOakland.com 

 

The Dish

Luis' Coffee Shop  

You can't beat friendly service and breakfast all day!  Check out Luis' Coffee on the corner of Bancroft and Fairfax, situated at the foot of the former antique row.  Lunch specialties are the pork chops or club sandwich.  Take a moment to stop by this Melrose treat! A family-owned eatery that feels like home.

5390 Bancroft Avenue at Fairfax
Oakland, CA  94602
(510) 261-7880
Mon - Fri 6a-3p;  Sat 7a-3p  

  

 

Shop D4

Hills Copy & Mail Center -                    Need a notary? Copies? FedEx shipment location? Mailbox rental? Many people have home-businesses these days, so it's important to have a place that helps you take care of business. Super friendly service!


Lincoln Square - 4100 Redwood Rd, Suite 10 (across from CVS, next to Hunan Yuan Restaurant), 94619

(510) 531-0210

Mon - Fri 10a - 6p;  Sat 10a - 2p

 



District 4 News & Events 

  

 

Safe Oakland Speaker Series

  

7 to 9 pm at Holy Names University,

Valley Center for the Performing Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, 94619.

 

CAN CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING MAKE SAFER STREETS?
Wednesday, June 19th, 7 - 9pm

Civil Rights Attorney and Los Angeles Police Department Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing Gerald Chaleff explains why constitutional policing matters and how it helped, not hindered, reducing crime in tough cities like LA.

 

CRIME & PUNISHMENT: HOW TO HAVE LESS OF BOTH
Wednesday, June 26th, 7 - 9pm

UCLA public policy professor Mark Kleiman discusses how clear rules and credible sanctions could control crime without crowding the prisons.

 

Parking will be available on campus.

 

Councilmember Schaaf's office will be live-streaming the event online at www.ustream.tv/channel/safe-oakland-speaker-series. A recording of the event can also be viewed afterwards at the same site.

 

Visit www.SafeOakland.com, email LSchaaf@oaklandnet.com, or call 238-7004 for details.

 

Farmer Joe's (Dimond) 6th Anniversary!

Join the celebration! Come for the party, stay for the produce! FREE barbeque, live music, and lots of fun! Raffle at 4:15pm; no purchase necessary, but winners need to be present.  Saturday, June 23, 1p-4p, 3426 Fruitvale Ave.  

http://www.farmerjoesmarketplace.com/  

 

Burglary Lesson 

Officer Belote on Beat 22x shared how a burglarized couple got all their stuff back because they had model/serial numbers of all electronics written down. They searched Craig's List for days, thought they found the thief trying to fence their electronics, called OPD, and a sting was set up. Officer Manny could see the serial # on the laptop, the arrest team came in, and bam! Suspect is a wanted parolee w/ a significant record. In his house they found all the rest of the stolen stuff. Citizens were very happy.

Lesson to community:  Record all your serial #s/model #s for electronics, etc.  

 

Laurel Street Fair - Call for Vendors It's that time again!  The Fair will take place Saturday, August 10, 11am-6pm between 35th and 38th Avenues.  The Laurel would love vendors from the Laurel, Dimond, Maxwell Park and Allendale to shine! Vendor application: here  

 

LaurelStreetCallVendors  

 

Laurel Business Start-ups  

We're all excited about recent

activity and brewing interest in business start-ups and renovations in the Laurel!  Because of the hard work of many entreprenuers as well as support from Laurel Village Association, existing merchants, NCPCs, neighborhood groups and supporters, we now have: 

 

Anasa Yoga Studio, opening in the Fall - 4232 MacArthur Blvd. 

Ladybug Nail and Hair, open - 4120 MacArthur Blvd. 510-531-8227

Supreme MMA Gear, open  - 4118 MacArthur Blvd.     

Movement Ink Screenprinting and Retail Store, opening in the Fall - 3832 MacArthur Blvd.    

The Shoe Store, opening in the Fall- 3827 MacArthur Blvd.  

La Plazita Preschool, open - 3625 MacArthur Blvd. 

Goodwill, opening in the Fall - 3533 MacArthur Blvd. Goodwill.org 

Bigfoot Portable Electronics Repair, 3514 MacArthur Blvd. 925-252-514

 

Vacancies still exist. Please direct your favorite existing businesses here  

 

Laurel Outdoor Movie Series! 

Last Saturday of the month - June to October - 8pm
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and warm clothes, held in the Ace Hardware Parking Lot (4024 MacArthur Blvd). Sponsored by Movement Ink (new Laurel business), Ace Hardware, the LDA and various Laurel merchants each month:
  • June 29- Life of Pi (PG-13)
  • July 27- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13)
  • August 31-Good Hair w/ Chris Rock (PG-13)
  • September 28 - Wall-E (PG)
  • October 26 - Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) and Shaun of the Dead (R for adults only)
 


City Council News 

 

Transparency Hearing - Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m  

Oakland's Public Ethics Commission will hold this important Transparency Hearing at City Hall on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. This discussion that aims to assess Oakland City government's current openness and recommend actions to enhance City government transparency.  Speakers include: Tim O'Reilly, of O'Reilly Media, individuals from the Sunlight Foundation, California Forward, New America Foundation, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, OpenOakland, and the Oakland City Administrator's Office. Info here

You may also register for the event (optional) here

 

 



Catch Your Councilmember  

Where To Join Me Over the Next 2 Weeks

6/13 (Thur) - Special Budget Meeting, City Hall Council Chambers, 6:30p.

6/14 (Fri) Final City of Oakland Furlough Day, City Hall, District 4 closed.

6/15 (Sat) Woodminster Office Hours, Woodminster Cafe, 5020 Woodminster Lane, 10:00-noon.

 

6/17 (Mon) Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Assoc., 7:30 - 8:30p.

 

6/18 (Tues) City Council Meeting, City Hall, Chambers, 5:30p

 

6/19 (Wed) Safe Oakland Speaker Series -- Gerald Chaleff: Can Constitutional Policing Make Safer Streets?, Holy Names Univ - Valley Theater, 7:00-9:00p

 

6/20 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, City Hall, 10:45-noon 

 

6/20 (Thur) ABAG's Executive Board Mtg, MetroCenter Auditorium, 101 8th Street, 7:00 - 9:00p.  

   

6/22 (Sat) Mosaic work and celebration at Maxwell Park, 4503 Fleming, 11:00a - 1:00p.     

 

6/23 (Sun) Montclair Farmers Market Office Hours, 9:30-11:30.

 

6/24 (Mon) Boys & Girls Club Talent Contest Fundraiser, Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Sq., 7:30 - 9:00p. 

 

6/25 (Tues) Finance Committee, City Hall, HR3, 9:30-12:30p

 

6/25 (Tues) CED Committee, City Hall, HR3, 2:00 - 4:00p

 

6/25 (Tues) Public Safety Committee, City Hall, HR3, 6:00 - 8:00p

 

6/26 (Wed) FINAL Safe Oakland Speaker Series -- Mark Kleiman: Decision Making, Punishment & Crime, Holy Names Univ - Valley Theater, 7:00-9:00p  

 

6/27 (Thur) Rules & Legislation Committee, City Hall, 10:45-noon

  

6/27 (Thur) Beat 13Y North Hills NCPC, Fire Station #7, 1006 Amito Drive, Berkeley 94705, 6:30p.

 

 


         Onions & Orchids  
 

An Orchid to . . .       

       

Anne Campbell-Washington, the new OUSD D4 School Board Member! The OUSD school board just voted to appoint Anne, given former board member Gary Yee's appointment as Acting Superintendent. Anne is the mother of two OUSD (Montclair ES) kids, a longtime Oakland public servant, a close friend, and someone in whom I have deep faith and confidence. Anne is incredibly dedicated to serving Oakland and making our schools great. Congratulations Anne! 



Anne Campbell-Washington and her beautiful family



 Alex Kaplan, our enthusiastic May intern!

Intern Alex with D4
Intern Alex Kaplan with D4 Staff:
Lisa Ruhland, Bruce Stoffmacher and Lili Mano

Alex just graduated from Bentley High School, and will be attending Tufts University in Boston. Bright, loud, and willing, Alex finished tasks so fast we couldn't keep him from his Facebook page for long!

Good luck in your new collegiate career Alex!

An Onion to . . .   

The driver who hit Vern Vinella while walking by Montana/Fruitvale, long-time Dimond neighbor and civic / DIA leader. We wish you a speedy and full recovery Vern! Drivers - please be mindful of pedestrians. 




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