P.O. Box 11622
Oakland, CA
94611

Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club

City Council Report Card

Thursday, May 15th, 7:30 p.m.

Panelists include:

Kelly Rayburn (Oakland Tribune) and
Robert Gannon (East Bay Express).
Chip Johnson (Chronicle) has also been invited.

Questions:

What are the strengths of the present City Council group?

What is needed from new council members to make the Council more effective in addressing the complex problems of crime and development in the city?

How has the Council used the voters' mandate on such things as
Measure DD and Measure Y?

Which Council members do the best job of balancing caring for their district and leading the City?

What are the hot issues in each district?

General Meeting Location:
Dimond Library, 3565 FRUITVALE AVENUE, Oakland;
Directions: Take 580 East to the Fruitvale Avenue Exit and exit. Turn left onto Fruitvale Avenue and go two-tenths of a mile to the library, on the left.

Join Us! Go here for a 2008 Membership Form

"The Platform" Newsletter - May 2008

Oakland City Council, with city leadership

President's Message

Just in time for the election, we are doing another of our interesting evaluations of local government in May: we are presenting a panel of journalists to give a "City Council Report Card". On our panel will be Kelly Rayburn (Oakland Tribune), Robert Gannon (East Bay Express), and Chip Johnson (SF Chronicle, invited).

The journalists will assess the strengths and weak areas of the present Oakland City Council, and look at what strengths are needed in the new members who may be coming on board. They will assess the success the Council has had in dealing with crime in Oakland and the myriad problems related to development, as well as the effectiveness of how they have used the voters' mandates for Measure DD, Measure Y and others to improve the City. You will have chances to ask questions and to comment.

This is a crucial evaluation that each of us must make before we cast our votes. Our panelists will help us deepen our understanding, and our questions may help them sharpen theirs.

We are back to our regular meeting time at 7:30--and, sorry, no pizza at this meeting.

If you can give just a little, you can make a lot of difference!

Help Wanted:

MGOer with a very small amount of time to spare, who can hand out club endorsement flyers in his or her neighborhood. No experience necessary, but the rewards are BIG!

Yes, the ad above is for you. We’ve held our endorsement meetings (which were quite well attended by candidates and members alike) and made our votes to select the School Board and City Council candidates we think can best serve Oakland in the years to come, as well as choosing Assembly Representatives, County Supervisors, and party committee members.

However, our endorsements will only matter if the voters know we have made them. That is where all of us members come in. We can all spare a couple of hours in the next month to walk our neighborhoods or precincts, to hand out flyers at BART or farmers’ markets, or just give flyers to friends who are uncertain about whom to support. By leveraging our numbers, we can reach quite a good number of likely voters, and increase the chances that the candidates we think are best are the ones who reach office.

Are you ready to answer that help-wanted ad? If so, call Jean Brown, at 653 3204 or email me at judyacox@comcast.net. - Judy Cox, President

Our Endorsements in the June 2008 Primary

14 AD Assembly Representative
Nancy Skinner

16th AD Assembly Representative
Sandre Swanson

Alameda County Board of Supervisors:
Dist. 4: Nate Miley
Dist. 5: Keith Carson

Superior Court Judge Seat 9
Dennis Hayashi

Oakland City Council
Dist. 1: Jane Brunner
Dist 3: Nancy Nadel
At Large: Rebecca Kaplan

Around the Club

Judy Cox, President

	President's Message April 2008
	March 24 Board Meeting Minutes
	Read "The Platform Newsletter" (April 2008 edition) "The Platform" covers news and information about club and local Democratic meetings, actions and events!

Recent Resolutions and Actions:

	Endorsements in the Feb. 5 Primary!
	Peace Resolution (adopted Jan. 2008)
	Proposition 13 Fairness Resolution (adopted February 15 general meeting)
	Past Resolutions and Actions

The California Progress Report
(by Frank Russo)

Join MGOTalk, our online news & discussion forum

The Club's Goals:

To spread knowledge of candidates, legislation, issues, and other matters of interest to the Democratic Party;

to find, promote and support Democratic candidates;

to provide a forum for Democratic candidates and officials;

to stimulate public interest in governmental affairs;

and to perpetuate the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party.

This site developed and managed by Terry Preston

Last update, Saturday May 10, 2008