Yes, seven months is a really long time from now, but the race seems to be underway already.
Make Oakland Better Now! was originally formed to try to force an issues based-election for mayor in 2010. And while mayoral candidates don’t have to pull papers until August, we have six such candidates already. A Better Oakland has an introduction to the six here. Living In The O promises descriptions of each of their blogs, and so far has covered the on-line postings from the Green Party candidate, Don Macleay and those of Don Perata.
OakTalk is going to try to keep you up to date on mayoral candidate events. Make Oakland Better Now! is going to try to send representatives to as many of these as possible to ask respectful but pointed and specific policy questions in the areas of public safety, public works, transparency/accountability and the city’s budget crisis. According to the candidates’ web sites, the following events are presently scheduled:
Don Perata: Mr. Perata has so far scheduled three “community conversations,” to which Oaklanders are invited to “Please bring your questions and ideas.” Here’s the schedule (the first one is tomorrow evening, and we’ll have several members there asking questions):
Don Macleay: Mr. Macleay has two events posted to his web site that seem to relate to his candidacy (a third, for which information is available here, is billed as a discussion by him and Arthur Lipow on their international experiences and electoral systems). The two campaign events are these:
- Thursday, April 15, 1:00 p.m., Providence House, 540 23rd St.
- Sunday, April 25, 1:00 p.m., The Book Zoo, at Telegraph and Alcatraz.
Jean Quan: Ms. Quan presently has one event posted to her web site, described as “Education Forum: Building Strong City-School Partnerships.” It is scheduled for Monday April 19, 7:00 p.m., Redwood Heights Elementary Auditorium, 4401 39th Avenue.
Greg Harland: Mr. Harland advises he has a block party scheduled for May 1, 2010 at “Alpha Omega Worship Center located at8627 International Blvd. (11am until 5pm). “There will be live music and a $10 steak dinner that includes a raffle ticket for a $100 cash prize. There will also be bags of free food for needy families. This is a free event but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will go to Haiti relief effort.”
Terence Candell’s web site does not list any future events. Maya Dillard Smith has a Face Book page but no web site, and her Face Book page does not list any future events.
April 13 update: City Council member at large Rebecca Kaplan announced today that she is forming an exploratory committee, and will be hosting a reception and fundraiser party on Wednesday May 12, 2010 at the historic Cathedral Building in Uptown Oakland located at 1615 Broadway Ave., from 5:30 — 7:00pm.
We’ll be contacting all candidates and asking them to let us know when they schedule additional events so we can keep you posted.
Terence Candell’s upcoming events are posted on Facebook. There is a link on candellformayor.com. Thanks for allowing us to clarify!
Thus far, we only have some 50,000+ commitments from registered voters. Better get back to work. Ciau for now!
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