OCO rejects mayor's Measure P
But health-care based Measure A has strong following
By William Brand, STAFF WRITER, The Oakland Tribune
Article Last Updated: Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 3:55:36 AM PST

OAKLAND -- Despite a strong pitch by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown on Saturday morning, members of Oakland Community Organizations turned thumbs down on Measure P -- the measure on the March 2 ballot that would make Oakland's strong mayor system permanent.

In a straw vote of about 50 people present -- representatives of civic and religious groups from throughout the city, not a single person raised a hand in favor. A majority voted no and few said they were undecided.

Before the poll, one OCO participant, Hiba Sherry, compared the relationship of voters with Mayor Brown -- Oakland's first strong mayor -- to a marriage.

"If you have marriage and the husband is absent, then what kind of marriage is that?" We don't see you at City Council meetings. You're the guest speaker at the opening of a school computer system and you came in and said 'hi' and walked off.

"Why should we continue a strong mayor program if the first marriage is not working?" she asked.

Mayor Brown pointed out that he spends more time at City Hall than any other employee. "I should get out more. I'm sorry about that," he said. But, he said, there's been a real investment in Oakland in housing and jobs in recent years.

A lot more people are moving in than are moving out, Brown said.

Earlier during a morning discussion at Brookins AME Church about coming ballot issues, a majority present strongly favored Measure A, the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in Alameda County for health care.

It would raise $90 million a year and support Highland and Fairmont Hospitals, John George Psychiatric Facility and clinics throughout the county -- all threatened by county and state budget shortfalls.

Both Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and Oakland City Council President Ignacio de la Fuente urged support for Measure A.

Oakland City Councilmember Nancy Nadel (Downtown, West Oakland) and Police Chief Richard Word urged support for Measure R -- the family youth and violence measure that would place a $90 tax a year on single family parcels in Oakland, and a tax up to $180 on other properties.

It would raise about $11 million a year, 40 percent to hire more officers and expand drug abatement task forces; 40 percent for services and programs for youth and 20 percent for job training for parolees and for young adults.

About half of the people present supported P. But many opposed it.

No straw vote was taken on Measure E -- which would assess Oakland property owners another $125 -- $195 per year to pay Oakland teachers, buy textbooks and maintain school libraries, music and arts programs, got a mixed response.

The vote wasn't taken because state-appointed Oakland schools administrator Randolph Ward was unable to attend. Ward has promised to meet with OCO members at OCO headquarters in Eastmont Mall at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

School board president Dan Siegel and school board member Noel Gallo (District 5) appeared and spoke on opposite sides of the issue.

"After much soul searching, I have decided to oppose Measure E," Siegel said. He said Ward is accountable to no one in Oakland. His decision to close five schools demonstrates that lack of accountability, Siegel said.

But board member Gallo said he strongly supports Measure E. "The kids in our schools need all they help they can get," Gallo said.

"I know times are real hard. We've even had to lay off (school) gardeners. And we do have a budget shortfall, some of which I'm guilty of helping create," he said.

"I'm here to plead with you. If I have to beg you to support Measure E and the schools, I will," Gallo said.