Government

Eli Ferran Challenges Incumbent Barbara Parker in Oakland City Attorney Election 2020

Published

4 years ago

September 25, 2020

Kiki

There are two candidates running for Oakland City Attorney, the incumbent, Barbara Parker and former Deputy City Attorney Eli Ferran.

Parker has been in the office since 1991 and was elected City Attorney in 2013. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and is a single mother of one, and a grandmother of two. Parker lives in District 2.

Ferran joined the Oakland City Attorney Office in 2008 and left in June of 2020. He is married with three children and attended law school at Loyola University in New Orleans with a brief post-Katrina evacuation stint at the University of San Francisco. Ferran resides in District 6.

The Oakland Post asked both candidates their views on three issues impacting Oakland residents: housing/homelessness, climate change, and predatory lending practices.

In their own words, here are their brief thoughts on the three issues:

Parker on Housing/Homelessness:

City Attorney Barbara Parker

I envision Oakland as a city of progressive neighborhoods, policies, and actions. Since becoming City Attorney, I proved my commitment to housing rights and homelessness prevention by authoring/sponsoring tenant protection legislation, such as the EQUAL, Fair Chance and Eviction Moratorium Ordinances.

I pursue strategic litigation to protect vulnerable tenants from abusive landlords. My commitment led to energizing our community-directed Neighborhood Law Corps (NLC), in part seeking to preserve Oakland’s racial, income, and professional diversity. The NLC has filed lawsuits that resulted in the creation of affordable housing.

In one case of substandard housing and numerous code violations, we secured a $485,000 settlement, the owner was removed and 90 units of affordable housing were created for 55 years.

I believe individuals re-entering from incarceration should not be penalized in housing, so I co-sponsored an ordinance prohibiting consideration of criminal records in rental housing applications. Because aggrieved tenants deserve protection and compensation, I secured over $1 million in various case settlements, successfully intervened in over a dozen cases during the pandemic to immediately protect tenants, allowing them to stay in their homes and stop landlords from removing belongings and changing locks.

My commitment to affordable housing and alleviating homelessness is absolute.

Parker on Climate Change

As a member of the human species, I recognize climate change as our existential challenge. In response, as City Attorney, I have not been afraid of going after the big guys. I have not shied away from suing -and will continue to go after multinational corporations for damaging our environment.

As a lead plaintiff, we have agreed to $550 million to settle a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto for contaminating waterways across the country with toxic chemicals.

I am prosecuting a public nuisance lawsuit against five major, international fossil fuel companies, including Chevron and Exxon Mobil, for their role in global warming.

After hard-fought litigation, Oakland and nine other cities and counties secured a $305 million settlement from lead paint manufacturers to clean up lead paint that poisons tens of thousands of children in California; and I successfully sued a company for discharging massive amounts of dangerous dust potentially containing asbestos or other hazardous materials into West Oakland neighborhoods and the City’s stormwater system. I continue fighting to stop the handling and storage of coal at the former Oakland Army Base. I vow to continue as a relentless protector of our environment.

Parker on Predatory Lending Practices

As City Attorney, I believe in pushing the envelope as far as legally and ethically possible to protect Oaklanders. My actions extend to stepping in when regulatory institutions fail us. It is no secret that the banking industry, including Wells Fargo, has taken advantage – illegally – of low-income and communities of color. In response, I filed a lawsuit against Wells Fargo for predatory and racially discriminatory mortgage-lending practices against African American and Latinx borrowers in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. Wells Fargo fought back with its considerable legal resources and money.

Nonetheless, in our David vs. Goliath story, the Federal Court of Appeals recently upheld Oakland’s right to proceed with our lawsuit. This lawsuit seeks to stop these predatory practices and to compensate Oakland for lost property taxes and other damages the City suffered as a result of the foreclosure crisis that resulted in part due to predatory lending practices.

I will continue to seek ways to protect Oaklanders financially, be it against big banks, payday lenders, or others who try to take undue advantage of our residents.

For more information go to http://www.parkerforoakland.com

Ferran on Housing/Homelessness

Eli Ferran

Many in my generation of Black Oakland residents despite, education and good jobs are not able to purchase property in the City. In addition to dealing with the COVID pandemic, we are still experiencing the consequences of discriminatory policies such as redlining and an affordability crisis. Due to discriminatory lending and housing practices, those who inherit property are unable to benefit from an increase in equity that would allow them to maintain the property. About 70% of homeless people in Oakland are Black residents, and we must work with the unhoused community, homeless advocates, City staff, and councilmembers to provide real solutions to this humanitarian crisis. Those solutions include a range of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing. As City Attorney, I will work with councilmembers and City staff to make sure these policies are legal and enforced. We must also call on Alameda County to play a great role in providing mental health and housing solutions.

The housing affordability crisis is not only an Oakland problem, but it is also a regional problem that requires regional and state-wide cooperation and solutions. The City can, however, improve the elements within its control such as the zoning and permit process. As City Attorney, I would encourage the City Council to implement fair and equitable policies that encourage homeownership within Oakland. This can be accomplished by the following: (1) Establishing a dedicated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) attorney within the City Attorney’s Office; (2) Recommending amendments to the California Building Standards Code to the Building Standards Commission; (3) Reviewing and updating regulations affecting the Planning and Building Dept.; (4) Creating and implementing a faster Planning and Building Dept. permit process; (5) Streamlining the process for building accessory dwelling units (ADU’s); and by (6) Effective use of state density bonus rules for new housing.

Ferran on Climate Change

These are unprecedented times. We are seeing wildfires spread across 3.1 million acres in California thus far, forcing thousands out of their homes. This is in addition to a pandemic with no end in sight that is disproportionately hurting low-income communities of color. Make no mistake, we are seeing the devastating consequence of climate change right before our eyes. We need climate leadership now because the alternative is not an option.

I am running for Oakland City Attorney because I believe that it is incumbent upon every one of us to build a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. We cannot sit idly by when corporations are diminishing the air quality in our neighborhoods. As City Attorney, I will fight to hold accountable industrial polluters and work to equitably reduce Oakland’s climate emissions.

I will actively enforce the City’s Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) to minimize Oakland’s contribution to climate change, focus on creating good green jobs, and improve air quality. I will be a visible, proactive, and progressive City Attorney, who will work to expand our capacity to be more responsive to the needs of our communities, especially those victimized by environmental racism.

Ferran on Predatory Lending Practices

Housing is arguably the greatest civil rights issue of our time. Historically, the government has instituted barriers to homeownership and tenancy for Black families. Neighborhood associations, landlords and financial institutions have all played a role, by promoting racial zoning laws and policies that discriminate against Black and brown homeowners seeking mortgage loans.

It is not acceptable that as recently as the early 2000’s Black communities were targeted with subprime mortgages by financial institutions. The Black community was deeply affected by the economic downturn that displaced many long time Oakland residents. The economic outcome of this pandemic is not certain; however, we must be pro-active and implement policies to prevent the same devastating effects that occurred in the last housing crisis.

As City Attorney, I will review the housing policy and laws that contribute to predatory lending. We must make it easier, not harder, to build more affordable housing. While being mindful of development’s impact on historically Black and Brown neighborhoods, which through the years have faced increasing gentrification, further displacing working-class people of color out of Oakland. As City Attorney, I will create a space for open dialogue and more transparency, where stakeholders such as community leaders and housing advocates can participate in the process.

For more information go to http://www.eliforoakland.com

Kiki

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An Inside Look into How San Francisco Analyzes Homeless Encampments

Dozens of unhoused people are camped at Sixth and Jesse streets in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. Tents made of tarps and blankets, piles of debris, and people lounging alongside the allies and walls of businesses are seen from all angles. These are some of the city’s hotspots. City crews have cleared encampments there over 30 times in the past year, but unhoused people always return.

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Since the ruling of Grants Pass by the US Supreme Court earlier this summer, which allows cities the authority to ban people from camping or sleeping on the streets, San Francisco has been at the head of the conversation to crack down on encampments.

By Magaly Muñoz

These are some of the city’s hotspots. City crews have cleared encampments there over 30 times in the past year, but unhoused people always return.

But it’s normal to have tents set up again within less than 24 hours after an encampment sweep, David Nakanishi, Healthy Streets Operation Center Manager at the Department of Emergency Management, says. Sometimes there’s less people than before but often there is also no change.

“Most of the people that were in the encampments that want to go inside, we’ve gotten the majority of those [into shelter],” Nakanishi says. “Many of the people we encounter now, are those who have various reasons to not accept shelter, and some are already in shelter/housing”.

Where neighboring cities in the Bay Area are clearing encampments a few days a week, San Francisco is sweeping 10 times a week, two per weekday.

David Nakanishi, Healthy Streets Operation Center Manager at the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, makes a 311 report on an encampment in the Mission District. These reports allow smaller city teams to tackle individual spots where unhoused people frequent. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Considering the controversy that plagues the city around its harsh policies, the Post decided to tag along on a ride with Nakanishi to show us how he decides what encampments make it on the city’s sweep list.

Nakanishi, having over 20 years of experience in homelessness management, drives around the busiest parts of the city almost daily. He’s tasked with arranging a weekly sweeping operation schedule for city teams to engage with unhoused folks to help get them off the streets.

So what exactly is he looking out for when deciding what encampments get swept?

It depends, he says.

Locations like schools, recreational centers, senior centers, or businesses are places he tends to want to address quickly, especially schools. These are the places where the complaints are highest and access to facilities is important for residents.

He says he also takes into account 311 calls and reports made to him by city staff. On the date of publication, over 100 calls and reports were made about encampments around the city, according to San Francisco data.

Makeshift structures built from plywood and tarps are starting to pop up more throughout the city. Certain areas under freeways are not under direct authority from San Francisco, making it harder to sweep these encampments. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Nakanishi made a few 311 reports himself on the ride along, pulling over to take photos and describe the encampments into his 311 app. He says it helps him remember where to possibly sweep next or allows smaller teams in the city to engage quicker with individuals on the streets.

Nakanishi also looks at the state of the encampments. Are there a lot of bulky items, such as furniture, or makeshift structures built out of tarps and plywood, blocking areas of traffic? Is trash beginning to pile up and spill into the streets or sidewalks? Sites that meet this criteria tend to be contenders for encampment sweeps, Nakanishi says.

Street by street, he points out individuals he’s interacted with, describing their conditions, habits, and reasons for denying assistance from the city.

One man on 2nd St and Mission, who rolls around a blue recycling bin and often yells at passing pedestrians, has refused shelter several times, Nakanishi says.

People deny shelter for all kinds of reasons, he says. There’s too many rules to follow, people feel unsafe in congregate or shared shelters, or their behavioral and mental health problems make it hard to get them into proper services.

Inside a tent left by an unhoused man on Stevenson and 14th Street in San Francisco. The area smelled of human waste and leftover alcohol. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Nakanishi references another man on South Van Ness under the freeway, who city outreach have attempted to get into shelter, but his screaming outbursts make it difficult to place him without disturbing other people in the same space. Nakanishi says it might be an issue of the man needing resources like medication to alleviate his distress that causes the screaming, but the city behavioral team is in the process of outreaching him to figure that out.

In October, city outreach teams engaged with 495 unhoused people. 377 of those engaged refused shelter and only 118 accepted placements, according to city data. That number of monthly referrals is consistent throughout the entirety of 2024 so far.

Nakanishi has long advocated for the well-being of unhoused people, he explains. In 2004, he was working with the Department of Public Health and told then-Mayor Gavin Newsom that there needed to be more housing for families. Nakinishi was told it was easier to deal with individuals first and the city “will get there eventually.” 20 years later, family housing is still not as extensive as it could be, and the waiting list to get placements for families is a mile long with over 500 names.

In 2020, he was a Senior Behavioral Health Clinician at a hotel in the city during the pandemic. He says in 2021 he collaborated with DPH to provide vaccines to those staying in the makeshift hotel shelters once those became available.

Nakanishi strips apart a solo tent on Stevenson and 14th Street in San Francisco. He discards items, like tarps and cardboard, so that people cannot reuse them to make another sleeping structure. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Despite the constant media attention that city outreach is inhumanely treating homeless people, so much so that it has led to lawsuits against San Francisco from advocates, Nakanishi says not a lot of people are seeing the true conditions of some encampments.

He describes soiled clothing and tents, drenched in urine, and oftentimes rodents or bug infestations in places where people are sleeping. He’s asked homeless advocates- often those who are the most critical about the city’s work- who have shown up to observe the sweeps if those are conditions the city should allow people to be subjected to, but not many have answers for him, Nakanishi says.

The city’s “bag and tag” policy allows city workers to throw away items that are “soiled by infectious materials” such as bodily fluids and waste.

Sweep operations are conducted at 8am and 1pm Monday through Friday. People at the encampments are given 72 hour notice to vacate, but some don’t leave the area until the day of the sweep.

City outreach workers come out the day before and day of to offer resources and shelter to those interested. The Department of Public Works discards any trash that is left over from the sweep and washes down the area.

Nakanishi told the Post that the only time the city takes tents or personal possessions from residents is when folks become physically violent towards workers and police take the items as evidence. Other items taken are bagged and tagged in accordance with city policy.

Stories from local newspapers such as the San Francisco Standard and the Chronicle show instances of SFPD handcuffing residents while their items are thrown in the trash or disposing of personal possessions without reason.

Advocates have long been pushing for a more competent and compassionate process if the city is going to choose to continue sweeping unhouse people.

No matter the lawsuits and constant criticisms from allies, the encampment sweeps are not slowing down, even with the cold weather quickly approaching the coastal city.

Nakanishi says there aren’t a lot of large encampments left in San Francisco so now they do runs of streets in order to stretch out the sweeps as much as possible.

It’s calculated strategies and years of first hand knowledge that make this job work, “It takes dedication to the work, caring for the people and the community, and persistence, patience and sometimes good luck to make the positive changes for the people on the street,” Nakanishi says.

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

Published

5 days ago

November 16, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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