Kaplan For Oakland » Answering your questions about Propositions and more…

October 17th, 2008

(Updated Nov 3rd)

Friends, Neighbors, Oaklanders,

Election day is fast approaching! If you need help finding your polling place or information about voting, visit: http://www.acgov.org/rov/ . There has been some confusing mail recently, with contradictory information about the positions of the Democratic party and its leaders. To find out the real Democratic Party endorsements, visit: http://www.acdems.org/endorsements.php

RECENT NEWS:

Thanks so much to Frank Rose (Chair, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Beat 34, and Steering Committee member of the California Senior Leaders Alliance) for his endorsement of my candidacy for the Oakland City Council, at-large seat! For more on this story: CLICK HERE.

Also this week, the San Francisco Chronicle had a fascinating article about this City Council race, available online: CLICK HERE for story.

YOUR QUESTIONS:
While people call with many different questions, a couple questions have been asked often enough to warrant a group response.

Question 1) Why did you pay to be on the “COPS Voter Guide” which includes other positions you disagree with?

ANSWER 1: I did not pay to be on the COPS voter guide. (Note: that voter guide is not affiliated with any local police group). I have discovered that their guide implies otherwise — they apparently decided to list my name, despite the fact that I did not pay to be included. My presence on it should not be taken as an endorsement of their organization nor their positions. I urge everyone to vote NO on Proposition 8. My positions on the Propositions are enclosed at the end of this letter.

Question 2) Two similar questions taken together. First, “Why didn’t you put up signs on Oakland lamp-posts and fences like the ‘Safe Now’ signs the other candidate put up?” And also, “Please promise me you won’t put up signs all over Oakland lamp-posts and fences like those other signs.”

ANSWER 2: In Oakland, it is unlawful to post campaign signs on public property, and to post campaign signs on private property without explicit permission of the private property owner. (Oakland Municipal Code Section 5.06.020.) I respectfully request that my supporters and volunteers refrain from doing this, both because it is a violation of our laws, and because it is a waste of money and resources in terms of our tax dollars paying for public works staff to remove signs. I am aware that this is a common practice, but I would like to discourage it. (Also, it is only fair to note that the unlawfully posted signs on behalf of the other candidate were not posted by the campaign, but rather, by a seperate organization).

There are many legal and appropriate ways to help spread the word about a candidate you support! PLEASE consider helping out now, to strengthen our outreach as we go into the final stretch. Your support can still make an important difference!

To Volunteer: We will be doing get-out-the-vote work all day election day. Join us at Campaign Headquarters: 1915 Broadway. Or call 510-681-8641 to get involved in direct outreach.

To Donate: Yes, it is still expensive to run this vital campaign. Please consider making a contribution today! To donate online by credit card, CLICK HERE for online donation system.

Signs and Literature: It is perfectly legal to post signs on your home or business, and to ask other friends, neighbors, etc to post signs too! Please drop by the headquarters, or call, to get signs to put up in this way.

To reach the Campaign: Phone: 510-681-8641
Email: KaplanforOakland@gmail.com
Office: 1915 Broadway, Oakland (@19th street)

For more information visit: www.KaplanforOakland.org

Thanks and Best Wishes!
-Rebecca Kaplan
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STATE PROPOSITIONS on the NOVEMBER 4th BALLOT

Number / Title / Recommendation

Prop. 1A – YES
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.

Prop. 2 – YES
Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.

Prop. 3 – YES
Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.

Prop. 4 – NO
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment.

Prop. 5 – YES
Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.

Prop. 6 – NO
Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.

Prop. 7 – NO
Renewable Energy. Statute.

Prop. 8 – NO
Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.

Prop. 9 – NO
Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

Prop. 10 – NO
Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.

Number / Title / Recommendation
Prop. 1A – YES Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.
Prop. 2 – YES Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.
Prop. 3 – YES Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.
Prop. 4 – NO Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment.
Prop. 5 – YES Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.
Prop. 6 – NO Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.
Prop. 7 – NO Renewable Energy. Statute.
Prop. 8 – NO Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.
Prop. 9 – NO Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Prop. 10 – NO Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.