I have been honored to represent and serve Oakland
for more than 20 years – here and in the state Legislature. It’s a great city. But we are on the wrong track. City
Hall is failing us. Oakland has been stigmatized and
defined by those failures; street violence that kills children and cops; restaurant patrons robbed in daylight; bureaucracies that stifle investment and seem indifferent
to basic expectations of residents and small businesses; elected officials that delay and defer rather than
decide.
Oakland can do better. I believe it, I know it. It
is unacceptable to call 911 and get a busy signal, to wait months to fix a pothole
or a street light, to cut library and recreation facilities'
hours. If city hall can’t do the little things, it will never reach heights
equal to Oakland’s magnificent possibilities.
President Obama said “Yes We Can.” So we can in Oakland. It’s the mayor’s job to set the tone, provide the answers and make
city hall work. A mayor doesn’t blame. He listens, assesses and assists. A mayor
doesn’t offer excuses. He makes government work so there
are no excuses needed.
I want to be mayor of Oakland to help get this city
back on track and reach its full potential. If Pittsburgh,
Baltimore, Portland and Houston can, so can Oakland,
with its tremendous natural, cultural and social resources,
and above all, its wonderful, generous people.
