Make Oakland Better Now! would like to extend a big, hearty congratulations to two recent appointees to Oakland’s city government:
Barbara Parker – Acting City Attorney Outgoing City Attorney John Russo recently appointed Ms. Parker to the position of Acting City Attorney. She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge that the Office of the City Attorney vitally needs. Ms. Parker graduated from Harvard Law School in 1975, was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 5.5 years and served a 3-year term on the California Judicial Council. More importantly, she has served more than 20 years in the Oakland City Attorney’s office and has been Chief Assistant City Attorney since 2000, overseeing a division of 25 attorneys in 5 units. She oversaw all advice to the mayor, city council and city boards, commissions and departments.
MOBN! is heartened by this appointment, which we believe is a positive step toward retaining a strong and effective City Attorney’s office.
Deanna Santana – City Administrator The Mayor and City Council announced Ms. Santana as Oakland’s pick for the position of City Administrator at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. She is currently the Deputy City Manager in San Jose, and will start her new position on August 1. She holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and received her Masters degree from M.I.T. She received a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in Public Policy and International Affairs at the Goldman School of Public Policy. .In addition to her credentials, she worked in the former City Manager’s office from 1995 to 1999. We are impressed by how highly interim City Administrator Lamont Ewell speaks of her, and are pleased that she identifies the city’s fiscal stability as her top priority.
MOBN! wishes Barbara Parker and Deanna Santana the best of luck in dealing with Oakland’s unique challenges now and in the years to come.
