A couple of years ago, Chief Batts gave a stirring speech to our club about his plans for fighting crime in Oakland. To paraphrase, at the end of his talk, he said that he could not succeed without the community getting involved. I think that this is equally true for the next Chief.

But what kind of involvement? For years, the City has been trying to strike some sort of balance between increased law enforcement measures, and measures to encourage young people in Oakland from turning towards crime. Chief Batts left behind three law enforcement proposals that have yet to be endorsed or rejected: 1) Expanding the use of Civil Gang Injunctions; 2) Implementing Youth Curfews; and 3) Beefing up our Loitering Ordinance. These are measures that some categorically reject as violations of civil liberties, and that some accept as a necessary measure to save lives and control crime. Many, though, are unsure, or have yet to be heard from.

Though Chief Batts is gone, the City’s acceptance or rejection of these measures will help determine what kind of Police Chief, or what kind of Police Department that we will have for years to come.

At the next Club Meeting, we will discuss these issues and decide whether MGO wants to take a public position as they will soon go back to the City Council.

The meeting will be at:

Dimond Library
3565 Fruitvale Avenue
Thursday, October 20, 2011
7:30 PM

MGO DEMOCRATIC CLUB

PRESENTS

RECIVIDISM
In the
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
RELATED TO DRUG OFFENDERS

a panel featuring

Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Matt Gaidos

Criminal Attorney Ted Stalcup
(who has extensive experience with drug treatment; his father got drug courts started in Contra Costa County)

Thursday May 19th
7:30 pm
Dimond Library
3565 Fruitvale Avenue
Oakland.

Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club

And the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

 Invite you to a presentation on

THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED TAX EXTENSIONS AND PROGRESSIVE TAX REFORM:  A PRIMER

BY CA TAX REFORM ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LENNY GOLDBERG.

Greenberg has been involved with major tax legislation in CA for 20 years and has directed and worked on a number of statewide tax initiative campaigns.  He was a member of the CA Commission on Tax Policy in the New Economy and is a leading advocate for reform of Prop 13.

APRIL 21, 2011, 7:30 P.M.,

Dimond Library,

3565 Fruitvale Avenue,

Oakland, CA 94619.

•               a fresh look at Oakland;

•             a balanced budget with social responsibility and fiscal responsibility;

•             education and youth;

•              jobs;

•             and public safety

When the rest of the country was turning red, we bucked the national trend and kept California a beautiful shade of blue.

First, I want to thank all of those who attended and voted, and all of the candidates who came to speak.

Five members of our Executive Board met tonight and counted all of the ballots, following our ranked choice voting procedures.

By the Club’s Bylaws, we do not release the actual vote tallies.

Here are the results for September 30th, 2010:

• Oakland Mayor – No candidate received 60% of the votes, therefore no candidate receives the Club endorsement.
• Oakland City Auditor – The Club endorses Courtney Ruby.
• Oakland City Council, District 4 – No candidate received 60% of the votes, therefore no candidate receives the Club endorsement.
• Oakland Unified School District District 4 – The Club endorses Gary Yee.
• Peralta Community College District Trustee District 3 – No candidate received 60% of the votes, therefore no candidate receives the Club endorsement.
• Peralta Community College District Trustee District 5 – The Club endorses Willam Riley.