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Oakland On the Rise
My first post also appeared as a letter in the San Francisco Chronicle. One point that should be emphasized is that the curfew is imposed only on those who are convicted of a serious night-time crime in Oakland and who are released from jail under set conditions of probation.
This curfew has drawn the ire of some prison activists, but I think it has saved lives. By this time last year, 17 people had been murdered in Oakland. This year that number is down to four. That’s a 76 percent reduction.
I’m glad to see all the lively responses to my entry into the blogosphere. I welcome the robust debate. And, I will say that Oakland’s doing great. Crime is down, new housing is springing up all over town, the bar scene is coming alive and the arts are thriving. The new Oakland School for the Arts has taken up residence right behind the old Fox Theatre in downtown.
February 17, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
Jerry,
Great to have you blogging! This is a great opportunity for you to communicate to your constituency and advocate for issues that affect Oakland.
Posted by: John | Feb 17, 2005 2:27:07 PM
Mr. Brown, it is nice to see you in the blogosphere. I've never been to Oakland (I've seen it from across the Bay many times) and have heard the usual horror stories. It is good to know that Oakland isn't as bad as its detractors say it is.
Posted by: Lou Minatti | Feb 17, 2005 2:31:38 PM
Mr. Brown, it is nice to see you in the blogosphere. I've never been to Oakland (I've seen it from across the Bay many times) and have heard the usual horror stories. It is good to know that Oakland isn't as bad as its detractors say it is.
Posted by: Lou Minatti | Feb 17, 2005 2:32:25 PM
Hey Jerry,
Yes, crime is down and there are two bars in Oakland! Wow! There are many new condos going up... let's hope they don't turm Oakland into one big Jack London Square!
Posted by: Laura | Feb 17, 2005 2:34:06 PM
Great to say a politician dipping a toe into turbulent waters of the blogosphere. SFist will be watching!
Posted by: Jackson West | Feb 17, 2005 2:53:09 PM
Mayor Brown -
Welcome. I always enjoy hearing you speak on KGO during the morning news, and it's great to see you'll be sharing more of your opinions and insights with us here.
I am moving to Oakland in just over a month, and I look forward to living in your jurisdiction!
Posted by: Formica | Feb 17, 2005 2:58:05 PM
Wow - you're tough on crime and making sense.
Keep up the good work!
You'll have to consider becoming a Republican.
Posted by: Stephen A. | Feb 17, 2005 3:03:59 PM
Since I made mention of your blog appearance in the other thread, allow me to congratulate you on the design and presentation of this new, improved version.
I am also diggin' the photo. Very Kojak, very sexy.
Good luck with your endeavours, Mr. Brown, since being tough-on-crime is something for which all your constituents will thank you.
Cheers,
Victoria
Posted by: Victoria | Feb 17, 2005 3:47:43 PM
Jerry,
My partner and I moved out of Oakland last year (we lived @ Ellita and Grand Ave, behing the store on the corner in the fourplex).
The only real reason we moved was because of the nightly goings-on in that area - unsavory characters up and down the street all night, every night. We never really felt safe and that is why we left.
Unfortunately, a lot of Oakland, despite the progress you have made in areas during daylight hours, is still "under seige" at night. You cannot go out and feel safe.
WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS WITH THIS LAW!!!
Count us back in as possible Oakland residents if you can get it passed.
Best of luck!
Posted by: Robert | Feb 17, 2005 4:25:38 PM
Mayor Brown welcome to the blogosphere. I saw you speak about 13 years ago at CSU, Fresno and was extremely impressed by your knowledge and insight. While we differ politically on some issues, I know I will enjoy your thoughts concerning the world of politics. Now that I've buttered you up with compliments, would it be OK to put your link on my blog?
Posted by: sonicfrog | Feb 17, 2005 4:27:43 PM
Welcome to the blogosphere, Mayor Brown. Strap in, as it will no doubt get rough now and again. I hope that you stick around and have lots to say about Oakland and anything else that comes to mind.
Oh, a question: What do you think the chances of the A's still being in Oakland 5 years from now are?
Posted by: Jheka | Feb 17, 2005 4:51:50 PM
I love Oakland.
Jerry, I sent you a separate note via email. I work for the Mozilla Foundation and would love to talk to you more about open source.
-Rafael
Posted by: Rafael Ebron | Feb 17, 2005 4:53:26 PM
Jerry, I too welcome you to blogging and by the way - thanks for the "disneyification" speech all those years ago. At the time I was really feelin you - if you catch my drift.
Posted by: Zed | Feb 17, 2005 4:54:29 PM
>>One point that should be emphasized is that the curfew is imposed only on those who are convicted of a serious night-time crime in Oakland and who are released from jail under set conditions of probation.
<<
Point taken. And all the better for proving your 'nexus' if it gets challenged.
However it happens, reduction in crime at those levels is inspiring.
Welcome to the blogworld.
Posted by: D LiberalButNotStupid | Feb 17, 2005 5:02:02 PM
Years ago my uncle, Paul Saunders, was a mechanic on your dad's plane when he was govenor. Your dad came out of his plane with my uncle one day in Concord many years ago and met my family and I. I think I was about 7 or 8 years old at the time and I was struck by your dad's friendly demeanor. I have thought about this meeting many times over the years,and how times have changed. Afterall my uncle was just an airplane mechanic, and politicians today probably don't even know most of the people who work for them. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the affect a small act of kindness can have on someone.
Posted by: robert | Feb 17, 2005 5:12:19 PM
Congrats on jumping into the blogosphere, Mayor Brown. Keep up the good work for Oakland
By the way, over at the conservative blog Little Green Footballs, it looks like you've become the right's favorite leftie:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14738#comments
Posted by: Steve Cusick | Feb 17, 2005 5:50:36 PM
Good work, Mr. Mayor. I always enjoy seeing you on Fox News. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Dale | Feb 17, 2005 6:09:08 PM
Great that you are doing such a good job in Oakland, but, I really think you are needed back in Sacramento.
Posted by: James | Feb 17, 2005 6:41:30 PM
Among the highest taxes in the region.
Among the highest crime rates in the region.
Among the worst schools in the region.
A ruined infrastructure and a wasteland for business and jobs.
All those new houses are being thrown up at the expense of the environment (go look at the hills and see how much planning is involved in paving over a hill and littering it with massive houses)
Oakland is doing great?
Moonbeam, you're still hitting the pot pretty hard, aren't you?
Posted by: Brown is Delusional | Feb 17, 2005 8:28:47 PM
Dear Mr. Brown:
Thanks for creating a forum.
"Where you wanted to go
to the sun
I have love
in the dark."
Posted by: Jesse King | Feb 17, 2005 10:08:01 PM
Okay, so now you're not sounding like a press release, but you're linking to your city's own website...not exactly independent corroboration.
Your picture's better, but not much. You need to take the time to have a photographer get a better head shot.
You need more content and you need to sound like you. Don't you have staff that can do that?
Posted by: nora | Feb 17, 2005 10:18:28 PM
Welcome to the blogosphere! Your combination of iconoclasm and engagement is just what our country needs at this time.
Posted by: Rep. Mark B. Cohen | Feb 17, 2005 10:25:22 PM
As a Republican from the southern half of the state, I certainly would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Mayor to the blogosphere. I was never particularly enamored of your governorship of the state, but I do believe you've done a bangup job as Mayor of Oakland. Kudos sir!
Mr. Mayor, I am hoping you will use this blog for something a bit beyond a medium to tout your successes in and desires for Oakland. In truth, your punditry and analyses of all things political is well worth the price of admission and I am hoping to see some of this as your blog matures.
Again, welcome sir and I'll be adding you to my blog rolls.
Posted by: Lee | Feb 17, 2005 10:48:21 PM
Glad to see a veteran politician hitting the Internet. Hope more follow suit!
I visited Oakland this past summer and found it to be a lot nicer and a lot safer than rumour had. You can't be doing bad work. Keep it up!
Posted by: alexwcovington | Feb 18, 2005 3:43:15 AM
I love your picture too, but maybe you could rotate other ones in from time to time. I personally lover your official portrait: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/govsgallery/h/biography/governor_34.html
Posted by: mark | Feb 18, 2005 6:25:43 AM
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