Why You Should Join Black Women Organized For Political Action
October 31, 2008
By Brigette R. LeBlanc
My name is Brigette R. LeBlanc, and I am President of Black Women Organized For Political Action San Francisco-Peninsula Chapter. I invite you to consider joining BWOPA and to also extend that same invitation to your colleagues and family members. BWOPA is a state organization with seven chapters throughout the state of California with 1600 plus members. BWOPA is the oldest and most prestigious Black Woman’s Political organization of its kind in the state of California. We have now enjoyed over 35 years of activism, political action, leadership training and mentorship; with seven active chapters statewide. In addition to this, as a BWOPA member you join a network of professionals, grass roots organizers, Civil Rights activists, and community organizers who are unified in ensuring that issues that impact Black Women and their communities are identified and addressed in the political forum. [Read more]
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi Deserves A Second Term
October 31, 2008
By Wade Woods
During his tenure as Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi has proved to be the most accessible public servant in the city. A graduate of the San Francisco Police academy, Ross worked as an investigator for the District Attorney’s Office, pursuing white-collar criminals before running successfully for District 5 (Western Addition/Haight) in 2004
Markarimi has been a fixture at Western Addition Community Advisory Council meetings, was the driving force behind bringing a One Stop Shop employment program to the Western Addition and has been of the community in it’s fights with the Redevelopment Agency. Some of Mirkarimi’s accomplishments during the last four years as District 5 Supervisors have been; Decline in violent crime by adding more foot patrols and community policing. Closed stagnant workforce programs and added new job programs. Passed legislation to increase affordable housing. Stopped unjust school closures and revived parent teacher associations. Defended against the closure of mental health bead at San Francisco General Hospital. [Read more]
Dellums Urges Yes Vote on Measure NN
October 31, 2008
By Post Staff
Mayor Ron Dellums this week urged local voters to pass Measure NN, a property tax that would increase the size of the Oakland Police Department by 35 officers and 25 technicians a year for the next three years.
“I think this community does want more police officers,” Dellums said at a press briefing Wednesday, explaining that the 105 officers and 75 technicians are what OPD says it needs. “At some point you’ve got to pay for it. Nothing comes for free.”
Pointing out that the Oakland police force is smaller than most cities of similar size, he said that increased staffing would put more officers on the streets, increase the number of homicide and robbery investigators and hire additional technicians to takeover civilian functions that are now must be handled by covered by sworn officers. [Read more]
Fire Chief Farrell Retires Simon Says Yes to Mayor
October 31, 2008
By Ken A. Epstein
The orientation and family day for Oakland Fire Department recruits had a bitter sweet flavor – a new generation of firefighters was preparing to put on uniforms as an experienced leader was stepping down.
Eighteen enthusiastic trainees, along with their family members, came to the orientation last Saturday morning at the Fire Training Division near downtown Oakland to learn what do expect from the grueling 26-week training academy that will start Nov. 3
They were welcomed by Fire Chief Dan Farrell, a 28-year OFD veteran, who said he was retiring that day after he finished speaking to them.
“This is not about you; it’s about providing a stellar level of service to the citizens of Oakland,” Farrell said. Though he was retiring, he said, “After you finish your training, I’ll be there to congratulate you.”
The theme of service to community was repeated in presentations, where recruits learned they would be facing hard tests, both physical and academic. [Read more]
Principled Academy Celebrates International Peace Day
October 31, 2008
By 8th Graders Kristin Art and Rebecca Zinke
Children’s imaginations came to life during the annual International Peace Day celebration at the Principled Academy, a nondenominational religious school in San Leandro.
Kicking off the celebration was a heart-touching prayer for peace by Dr. Mose Durst, a founder of the school. Uniquely decorated river rocks, a huge “globe” drawn on the playground with sidewalk chalk and yoyo balloons filled the school with movement, laughter, and color.
As part of the program, the school sang in harmony to the song “Run, River Run”. Eighth-graders Michelle Thompson and Kristin Art, the MCs, explained the origins at the United Nations of International Peace Day in 1982 and then led a silent prayer for peace, ending with “Let Peace Prevail on Earth.” [Read more]
Dellums Wants Brown To Investigate Police
October 30, 2008
Burris sues Police for Misconduct Again
By Post Staff
In the wake of news reports uncovering failures of the Oakland Police Department to fully investigate the killing of Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey, Mayor Ron Dellums is asking Attorney General Jerry Brown to conduct an independent probe of the department’s handling of the case.
“I have asked the California State Attorney General to conduct an independent investigation into the Oakland Police Department’s handling of the Chauncey Bailey murder investigation,” Dellums said in a news release Tuesday.
In addition, Dellums requested that a retired judge or expert in criminal investigations be assigned to participate in the process to “further enhance the objectivity of this investigation,” he said.
A series of news reports were published in the Oakland Tribune Saturday, Sunday and Monday, produced by a team of reporters called The Chauncey Bailey Project. In the series, the project reported that lead detective Derwin Longmire, had failed to document in his notes evidence that linked Yusuf Bey IV, leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery, to the slaying.
The evidence includes a tracking device that shows Bey IV stalked Bailey seven hours before the killing, According to the project, Longmire’s case notes do not document any analysis of Bey IV’s cell pone records, which were obtained with a warrant. They also show a series of calls within minutes of the killing. [Read more]
Post News Group Endorsements
October 30, 2008
President/Vice President
Barack Obama
Joseph Biden
EBMUD Director
William Patterson
Peralta College Board
Marlon McWilson
Oakland City Council
Rebecca Kaplan
BART Board
Lynette Sweet
Alameda County Judge
Phil Daly
State Assembly
Sandre Swanson
State Senate
Loni Hancock
US Congress
Barbara Lee
Vote No on Proposition 8
October 30, 2008
By Alice A. Huffman
President, California NAACP
There comes a time when society’s values and mores are called into question and we must sort out what is important to the well being of humanity. Proposition 8 brings us to just such cross roads where we must cast a vote on November 4, on one side or the other. In arriving at our position we analyzed the issue from several angles and realized that there is no need for Proposition 8.
First we addressed the issue of “Marriage.” As we know, not everyone in our diverse community practice the same brand of religion and not all of us who profess faith in one denomination interpret the bible in the same way. The proponents will have us believe that marriage is a sacred union between a man and woman and they will use biblical quotes to back them up. The truth is, the sacred union of marriage is one performed in the church with believers in the doctrine of that church and practices its faith. Thus, the transference of the license to the sanctity of the church is a Christian choice made post the granting of the marriage license by the government. [Read more]
Top Volunteer
October 30, 2008
Barbara Tengeri is a top 100 volunteer with the Barack Obama Campaign. Barbara has made over 10,000 phone calls for the campaign. Barbara is very enthusiastic about the prospect of a Black President. Photo by Ace Washington.
91-Year-Old, Blind Author Comes to the Bay Area
October 30, 2008
Eva Rutland, a 91-year-old blind author, will be coming to Oakland Nov. 1 to sign copies of her book, “When We Were Colored, a Mother’s Story,” at the African American Museum & Library, 659 14th St., Oakland.
Eva Rutland’s memoir chronicles her life as a black mother raising four children in the 1950s and 1960s during the early days of integration.
Rutland went blind in her fifties, but she continues to write and has published more than 20 novels, mostly Harlequin romances.
Her first book “When We Were Colored” was originally published in 1964 and tells the story of a middle class black family living in Sacramento, California in the 1950’s and 1960’s, before civil rights when segregation was legal and discrimination was the norm. [Read more]
