The Race for Mayor Is On

by Toni Locke

On Saturday, March 18, neighbors flocked to St. Lawrence O'Toole church on High Street for a Mayoral Candidates Town Hall sponsored by community groups from District 4. Blue skies, balloons, and a welcoming committee at the doors greeted the crowd that came to hear Nancy Nadel, Ronald Dellums, and Ignacio De La Fuente in a debate moderated by Cy Musiker of KQED radio. The candidates made their appeals to voters and answered prepared questions from the community, read by Skyline High School students Katie Hauser, Angela Nelson, Jacob Cowan, and Spencer Feng.

Nadel spoke as a hands-on, nuts-and-bolts problem solver. De La Fuente spoke as an energetic master of local politics. Dellums spoke as a unifier of the city toward broad reforms. A resident commented afterward that we were lucky to have three such dedicated people running for mayor, and wouldn't it be great if we could roll their varied talents into one super candidate.

Questions not answered in this debate were forwarded to the candidates and to the League of Women Voters to consider for a forum at Holy Names University on April 19. Another debate is scheduled at Merritt College on Saturday morning, April 20.

In 1998 Oakland voters opted for a strong mayor, able to hire and fire the City Manager, and more. The strong-mayor form of government was confirmed in a 2004 election. The mayor governs Oakland in cooperation with the City Manager, the City Council members from seven districts, and City Staff. The mayor sets priorities and interacts with the voters on the issues of urban life: education, jobs, healthcare, crime, poverty, housing, etc. The mayor represents the city in Sacramento and Washington.

Today, crime and public safety are on Oakland's front burner. Residents are crying out for comprehensive solutions. An important choice lies in voters' hands in the June 6 primary.