Nancy Sidebotham

As a 50 year resident of Oakland, I have seen changes that have brought this beautiful City to where it is  today.  It is a city on the verge of bankruptcy, and lacks true leadership.  Our city runs on rhetoric sustained by statistics that are manipulated and have residents believe they are better off.  City council members are constantly asking for money from property owners and yet there is not any staff to perform the jobs that Oakland residents are already paying for.

 

I have run for office in District 6 six times; I never lost the race. I say this with pride because I am still here after 32 years of activism and fighting for my neighborhood, community and the City of Oakland.  Individuals new to Oakland are constantly tossing their hat in the ring to run for office but in most cases have lived in Oakland less than 20 years. They run because they believe they can make a difference but have never been active in their neighborhood/community and have limited knowledge of Oakland and what makes it tick.

 

Oakland is a unique city when it comes to politics, economics and fiscal responsibility, but yet and still, residents continue to elect the same individuals to office based on the “likeability factor.”  It’s the” likeability factor” that continuously places Oakland in the international spotlight and not in a favorable way. Promises to Oakland constituents have born no fruit; well in a way they have with the constant raising of taxes for services that barely exist. Because most Oaklanders are naïve about how the City operates, elected officials take advantage and propose ideas that have experienced political pundits confused, puzzled and frustrated.

 

Ask yourselves if Oakland has so much history and is the transportation hub of the East Bay, why is it that we behind other jurisdictions in the Bay Area? 

 

In the 1980's, San Jose was a sleepy farming community with the most fertile land in the Bay Area.  Now it is the largest city in the Bay Area with a very sophisticated tech industry, flush with money and using every effort to take the A’s to the South Bay where they would be loved and appreciated. San Jose's success came from learning “what not to do” from former Oakland City employees when running and building a successful foundation.  San Jose is not the only Bay Area city that grew at Oakland's expense…..Walnut Creek, Emeryville, Pleasanton, Dublin etc.

 

One might ask why am I running for mayor?  I am passionate about Oakland and how great a city it really is. Oakland needs change in its leadership. The carpetbaggers who move to Oakland spouting the knowledge they have about Oakland (probably Googled) and the poor decision making by elected officials is painful to watch. Oakland is a City that appears to be spiraling out of control.  It does not have to happen if residents elect individuals with knowledge. No matter what happens, win, lose or draw, I will continue to work and fight for Oakland.

 

Out of all the candidates running I am the only one who knows the history of Oakland and how politics truly works in Oakland.  In order to understand the intricacies of Oakland politics, it’s important to know the players, how they are all connected and how the money flows.

 

I am that person that you should elect as mayor! I have always said, when talking about this great City, it’s important that people get involved and educate themselves. The City works if the right person is elected to office.  THAT’S’ ME.  "I don't care whether you like me or not always agree with me.  Know that I care about this city. This is your City. Get Involved!"