After 16 years, District 5 needs new leadership that will be committed to the needs, challenges and people in the district. Our issues of crime, youth, and broad-based community development have taken a distant back seat to interests and initiatives elsewhere in the city.

I am running for City Council because we need a new generation of community-based leaders to bring fresh ideas and new energy to solve our problems and get Oakland back on track. I will work with everyone to get results for you. I’ll work to decrease crime through my Safety First Plan; a special homeownership program for lower-income employees like teachers; better utilization of job development programs; and economic growth that benefits us all, not just a few politically connected developers.

I’ll work for an Oakland that we are all proud to call home. I bring a proven record as a compassionate, community-oriented small businessperson with experience getting results from City Hall. I pledge to be honest, principled and open as your Councilperson.