City Government

Re-elect Desley Brooks

Published

10 years ago

October 17, 2014

Oakland Post

We recommend the re-election Desley Brooks for the City Council District 6 seat.

She has lived in District 6 for more than 20 years and cares deeply about the quality of life for all the residents.

We encourage residents of that district to vote for her because, on balance, she is the strongest and most productive candidate.

Councilmember Brooks has provided leadership on public safety issues. She successfully got the Oakland Police Department’s Shot Spotter program reactivated and then secured funding for the program’s expansion throughout the flatlands of Oakland.

She won widespread support from residents after she initiated a partnership of OPD and the Oakland Housing Authority Police Department on Shot Spotter — the first such partnership in the country.

She led the council to approve the LED Lighting program, which has improved the quality of 30,000 streetlights across the city.

When the stand-alone police radio system was failing, she made sure OPD moved to the Regional EBRCSA system.

Brooks bumps up against City Hall, usually out of frustration with the bone-chilling red tape and bureaucratic delays, and she often wins and delivers for her constituents.

She is the only council member to successfully apply for and bring 6 Kaboom grants to her District building play structures, skateboard parks, football fields and a pocket park.

When she learned that children were going hungry in her district, she started a monthly food distribution program and hosts concerts and events to build her community.

We believe her fighting spirit is a good thing and has served her district well.

As a hands-on advocate, she has fought for adequate recreational and play spaces for the youth and supported the local businesses.

Her policy initiatives have benefitted the entire city.

She has championed the establishment of the Oakland Community Land Trust that provides permanently affordable housing; she helped to establish the Oakland Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which is a matching savings program for housing, educational and transportation goals of low-income residents.

She also authored the Vacant Property Ordinance and the Non-owner Registry Ordinance.

She wrote the city’s Prompt Payment Ordinance and secured funding for the city’s one-stop contracting software. She advocated for the establishment of the city’s Debarment Program, designed to exclude businesses from consideration for city contracts for a range of offenses and conduct.

When it comes to making sure that the city’s economic development programs benefit minorities and women-owned businesses, her advocacy for Hire Oakland policies has been imitated by her colleagues.

She authored the groundbreaking Oakland Army Base $10 Million Remediation program, which specifically provides Oakland contractors the ability to serve as the Prime Contractor on those remediation contracts.

She should also be reelected because of her work with:

The Seminary Point Development project which will bring a Walgreens and more retail to the city in 2015;

The $4-million Foothill Boulevard streetscape project to bring new sidewalks, streetlights, a plaza, new parking, trees and street furniture to the Foothill corridor;

The $25-million utilities undergrounding project on Macarthur Boulevard; and

The $5-million upgrades to Rainbow Recreation Center on International Boulevard.

Her record of accomplishments proves that she is the hardest working and most energetic councilmember, especially when she led most of the city’s efforts in responding to the foreclosure crisis.

She wrote the legislation that held banks accountable and helped to reduce blight, and generated more than $3 million in fees. She authored the plan that set up the fund for counseling and legal assistance for families threatened with foreclosure.

Councilmember Brooks sponsored the bulky dumpster amnesty program, which allowed participants to dispose of their bulky items for free with no questions asked.

She is endorsed by Senator Loni Hancock, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, A.C. Transit Director Elsa Ortiz, County Supervisor Keith Carson, former Council Members Jane Brunner and Ignacio de la Fuente, Rev. Dr. Harold R. Mayberry of First AME Church and more than 30 other clergy leaders.

She is the only candidate endorsed by city employee unions SEIU 1021, Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 55.

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”