Make Oakland Better Now! is proud and pleased to endorse Lynette McElhaney for City Council District 3. We urge Oaklanders to join us in working for Lynette and contributing to the success of her campaign. In reviewing her responses to our questionnaire and observing her presentations at candidate forums, we were impressed by:
- Her commitment to and understanding of public safety strategies that work. Nearly all city council candidates express a commitment to Cease Fire, a long-time MOBN! priority. But as a founding member of the Richmond Ceasefire / Lifelines to Healing strategy Work Group, Lynette has been an integral part of Cease Fire in Richmond, which has experienced a significant reduction in violent crime. She clearly understands the importance of real, Boston / Cincinnati Cease Fire programs.
- In a district where it can be hard to advocate for more police, she makes it clear that a fully restored police force must be an essential element of Oakland’s public safety plan. Lynette is in full agreement with MOBN!’s public safety plan, including agreement that restoring the Oakland Police Department to 900 sworn officers must be our highest priority.
- She understands the need for significant change to Measure Y if it is to be resubmitted to the voters.
- She has experience in working closely with a broad range of faith-based, governmental and non-governmental agencies on complex problems in difficult economic environments which we think will bode well in her ability to achieve essential goals on the often dysfunctional Oakland City Council.
Aside from her public appearances and responses to our questionnaire, there is one more factor that was important to our endorsement. Lynette has shown a strong capacity to listen. She has quietly reached out to a broad range of community leaders to get their views and experience on a variety of critical city issues. We find this rare and refreshing in a candidate.
We urge District 3 voters who hope for a better Oakland to support Lynette McElhaney for City Council.