San Leandro Bytes

San Leandro Campaign Activity Quiet During Second Half of 2011

The latest financial statements from San Leandro's candidates show little activity during the last half of 2011. San Leandro District 4 Councilmember Joyce Starosciak reported the most activity, with payments to four organizations totaling $650.

Starosciak previously closed her Mayoral campaign account and transferred all of its remaining funds to a campaign account for City Council in 2016. Starosciak will be termed out in 2012, but will be eligible to run for the same seat in 2016.

Former San Leandro Mayors Tony Santos and Shelia Young previously closed their campaign accounts, as did Councilmember Diana Souza and formal Mayoral candidate David Anderson.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or more.

Semi-annual campaign statements for the period from July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, were due January 31, 2012, and are summarized below. Reports are not required for candidates that neither raised nor spent more than $1,000.

Joyce Starosciak
For her 2016 City Council campaign committee, Starosciak reported $429 in her campaign account at the end of the reporting period.

Starosciak reported no contributions to her campaign.

Starosciak contributed $250 to Anthony Portantino's Congressional Exploratory Committee and $100 each to the San Leandro Police Officers Association, Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, Building Futures for Women and Children, and Stepping Stones. Anthony Portantino's California Assembly Campaign Committee contributed $500 to Starosciak's Mayoral campaign in 2010. The San Leandro Police Officers Association also contributed $1,000 to Starosciak's campaign in August 2010 and $900 to previous campaigns.

Starosciak's City Council 2016 Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

Stephen Cassidy
Cassidy reported an ending cash balance of $155 with $1,380 in campaign debt. The sole contribution was $250 that Cassidy loaned his campaign.

Cassidy's sole expense was a $150 to the United Democratic Campaign of Alameda County.

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

Sara Mestas
Mestas had not filed a campaign statement at the time

District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory reported $323.53 in his campaign account and $19,781.26 in debt. Gregory's only campaign account activity was an expense of $50 to the San Leandro Downtown Association for office expenses.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

District 2 Councilmember Ursula Reed reported no cash in her campaign account, no debt, and no campaign account activity.

Reed's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

Reed's declared opponent Chris Crow reported $787.55 in his campaign account and $500 in debt.

Crow's contributions included a $500 loan from himself to his campaign and $100 contributions from Ronald Crow, J&D Painting Company, and David Jagoda.

Crow's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

Former District 2 City Council candidate Linda Perry reported $1,542.48 in her campaign account and $11,250 in debt. No other campaign account activity was reported.

Perry's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

District 5 Councilmember Pauline Cutter reported $981.65 in her campaign account and no campaign debt. Cutter reported a $100 contribution to Wilma Chan's Supervisor campaign and $75 to the Alameda Building Trades Council for a meeting.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

Former District 5 City Council candidate Corina Lopez reported $161 in her campaign account and no debt. No other campaign account activity was reported. Lopez subsequently noted that the campaign still had $23,503 in debt and would be filing an amended statement.

Lopez' Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

District 6 Councilmember Jim Prola reported $3,778.45 in his campaign account with $4,000 in outstanding debt. Except for a $50 contribution, no other account activity was reported.

Prola's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2011

The next election for San Leandro City Council is November 6, 2012, unless the City Council . Although the information is not yet posted on the City of San Leandro web site, the candidate nomination period for the November 6, 2012 election is expected to begin on July 16 and end on August 10, 2010.

Reed faces re-election for the District 2 seat against opponent Chris Crow, who was recently removed from the Planning Commission. In District 4, Starosciak is termed out and cannot run for re-election. Benny Lee, who was appointed to the Personnel Relations Board by Mayor Cassidy, is the only person to announce his intention to run for the seat. In District 6, Prola faces re-election, but no opponents have emerged yet.

Update: Updated 2/2 to add Chris Crow's late filing and Lopez' loan correction.

San Leandro Democrats Support Hancock for Senate and Bonta for Assembly

At a pre-endorsement meeting held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, local Democrats turned out for State Senator Loni Hancock and Alameda Councilmember Rob Bonta to represent San Leandro in the ninth Senate District and 18th Assembly District, respectively. The results of this meeting determine who will make it onto the agenda at the California Democrats State Convention and receive the Democratic Party endorsement for the June 2012 primary.

Each candidate was given two minutes to make their case for support of the Democrats in attendance, but by that time, most of the ballots had already been submitted.

For the 18th Assembly District seat, Bonta received votes from San Leandro School Board member Hermy Almonte, San Leandro Councilmember Pauline Cutter, Doug Jones, Margarita Lacabe, and Eden Township Healthcare District Board Member Carole Rogers. Joel Young, one of four candidates for the seat and a current AC Transit Board member, received votes from Linda Perry, Diana Prola, and Jim Prola. Andrew Kopp voted for Kathy Neal. Former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young chose not to vote for any of the candidates while former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett, Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Robin Torello, and Sue Kleebauer did not submit ballots.

Young picked up support from former Alameda Labor Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Sharon Cornu, but failed to secure the endorsement of early supporter Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, who chose not to vote for any of the candidates. Current Alameda Labor Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Josie Camacho and Alameda County Building Trades Secretary-Treasurer Andreas Cluver

Bonta received the most votes of any candidate, 18, with Young receiving 16, Abel Guillen 9, and Kathy Neal 8. However, no candidate met the 70% threshold for having an endorsement move on to the agenda for approval.

Swanson is termed out this year and is running against Hanock, who is seeking re-election. For Senate District 9, which includes most of San Leandro, Hancock picked up support from Almonte, Corbett, Cutter, Kleebauer, Kopp, Lacabe, Perry, Diana and Jim Prola, and Rogers. The only San Leandro support came from Doug Jones. Swanson picked up labor's support, including Camacho, Cluver, and Cornu and was also supported by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan.

Hancock received 136 votes while Swanson received 21 and will be on the agenda for the Democratic Party's endorsement.

The California Democrats State Convention, where the endorsements will be voted on, takes place February 10-12 in San Diego.

Bob Wieckowski and Loni Hancock at California DISCLOSE Act Kickoff

On January 7, 2012, local elected officials joined the California Clean Money Campaign in a kickoff event for the California DISCLOSE (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections) Act, which would require disclosure of political campaign funders in the political ads that they fund.

California State Senator Loni Hancock was joined by California Assembly Member Bob Weickowski, Oakland Councilmember Pat Kernighan, Trent Lange, President of the California Clean Money Campaign, and Michelle Romeo, Our Democracy Program Manager for the Greenlining Institute for event, held at Oakland City Hall.

Hanock, Wieckowski, California Assembly Members Mary Hayashi and Sandré Swanson, and California State Senator Ellen Corbett are all co-authors of the California DISCLOSE Act, AB 1148.

The California DISCLOSE Act would require that television political ads show the top five funders in a readable manner, radio ads disclose the top two funders, and print ads list the top five funders.

Hancock is running against termed out Swanson in 2012 to represent San Leandro in a newly-drawn Senate District. Wieckowski was expected to face termed out Hayashi in the new Senate District 10, but Hayashi's political future is in doubt after pleading "no contest" to shoplifting charges.

Below are the opening statements from Hancock and Wieckowski:

Chris Crow May Be Removed From San Leandro Planning Commission

The agenda for the January 17, 2012, meeting of the San Leandro City Council includes an item for replacing Planning Commissioner Chris Crow. Chris Crow was appointed to the Planning Commission on November 1, 2010, by District 2 Councilmember Ursula Reed, who is up for re-election this year.

Reed said that she appreciates his service and wishes him well. Crow did not respond to questions at the time of this posting, but posted that the first he learned of his potential removal from the Planning Commission was today, a claim denied by Reed.

Appointments to commissions and boards are typically political decisions and appointees tend to be supporters of the Council member who appoints them. The nominations come from individuals members of the City Council but are voted on by the entire City Council. According to paperwork on file with the City of San Leandro, Crow filed to run for the District 2 City Council seat currently held by Reed on September 6, 2011. Former San Leandro School Board member Ken Pon is his campaign treasurer.

Crow isn't the first one to be removed from the Planning Commission. In March 2008, Marcene Nardine was removed from the Planning Commission. Nardine had been appointed by former Mayor Tony Santos, whom she endorsed shortly after finishing third in the June 2006 election. Nardine missed five of 12 Planning Commission meetings since being appointed, including three consecutive meetings.

The City Council Handbook section on Boards and Commissions is silent on reasons for removal of commission members, except for the following:

"If members of a board or commission absent themselves from three consecutive regular meetings of each board or commission, unless by permission of such board or commission expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector of the City, their office shall become vacant and shall be so declared by the Council."

Crow works for McDermott Costa Insurance Brokers and graduated from San Leandro High School in 2002. On his application for the Planning Commission, Crow listed his qualifications for the appointment as, "AA, Certified Ins. Counselor, smart, go-getter, care about city, problem solver, hard worker." Crow is on the Board of the San Leandro Education Foundation, active in San Leandro Rotary, and an Assistant Wrestling Coach at San Leandro High School.

Former San Leandro Councilmember Ed Suchman Dies at 99

Edwin Suchman

After he served in World War II in Europe and retired at the rank of Sergeant, Suchman was a Reserve Officer in the San Leandro Police Department for 13 years.

After leaving the police department, Suchman ran for San Leandro City Council in 1978, losing to Johan Klehs. Two years later, he ran for San Leandro School Board and lost to Lois McDonald. In 1982, he defeated Bud Rames to take the District 3 City Council seat and won re-election in 1986 over Julian Polvorosa. After being termed out in 1990, Suchman ran again in 1998, losing to Glenda Nardine. Suchman also served as the City of San Leandro's representative to the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District for 17 years.

Suchman remained active in local politics, even after he moved out of town, endorsing Bill McCammon for Assembly in 2006 and Charles Gilcrest for San Leandro City Council in 2008. Suchman also contributed to Tony Santos' mayoral campaign in 2006.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 1:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.

Corbett Begins Fundraising for 2014 Congressional Campaign

After filing paperwork to run for the 15th Congressional District seat on September 13, 2011, California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett will hold her first fundraiser later this month for her 2014 campaign. Corbett has previously served in the California Assembly and will be termed out of the California Senate in 2014.

Representative Pete Stark has said he will run for the 15th Congressional District seat in 2012. Stark faces a challenge from Dublin Vice Mayor Eric Swalwell in 2012, who had raised $70,000 as of October 10, according to the Mercury News.

As of August 1, 2011, Corbett filed paperwork showing that she had more $300,000 in two campaign accounts, which she can transfer over to her Congressional campaign account. This gives her a huge head start over former Obama administration official Ro Khanna, who also plans on running for the 15th Congressional District seat in 2014.

San Leandro Passed Over for Grant for More Cops

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on September 29, 2011, that 23 different California police agencies were awarded nearly $72 million to pay for 190 police officers over the next three years. San Leandro, which was awarded a COPS grant in September 2010 for five police officers, was not among the grant recipients this year.

The COPS grants fund police officers for a total of three years and require the grant recipients to fund the positions for a fourth year. For San Leandro, that means budgeting more than $800,000 in 2013-2014.

According to the COPS Scoring Methodology, the COPS Office tried to balance "the need for federal assistance, as measured by economic and fiscal health questions along with crime rates, with an applicant’s current commitment to community policing and their proposed community policing plan." San Leandro's score of 142.31 placed it 138th out of the 217 California police agencies that applied for a grant, according to the applicant rankings.

Former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett Files Papers to Run for Pete Stark's Seat

On September 13, 2011, California Senate Majority Leader and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett filed papers to run for Pete Stark's seat in the 15th Congressional District.

The paperwork submitted to the Federal Election Commission was dated September 9, 2011.

Stark, the longest-serving member of the California Congressional delegation was elected in 1973 and has been re-elected 18 times, only twice with less than 60% of the vote.

Corbett was elected to the San Leandro City Council in 1990, two years after losing a City Council campaign. In 1994, she was elected Mayor of San Leandro, defeating the appointed incumbent Mayor John Faria and six other candidates. Corbett served in the California Assembly from 1998 to 2004 was elected to the California Senate in 2006 after defeating John Dutra and Johan Klehs in the Democratic primary.

Corbett resides in San Leandro with her son.

Assembly Budget Release Details Portion of Hayashi Expenses

Calif. Assemblymember Mary Hayashi

For example, according to the California State Assembly Summary of Expenditures for December 1, 2010, to July 31, 2011(8 months), local Assemblymember Mary Hayashi's expenses totaled $207,485.08. The table below shows the breakdown of those expenses:

The expenses do not include any portion of Hayashi's annual salary of $95,291.00.

However, according to a list of Assembly staff salaries published by the California Assembly and dated May 31, 2011, the expenses for Hayashi's staff for that same time period (December 1, 2010, to July 31, 2011) total $518,264.00, more than double the amount released by the Assembly Rules Committee. The table below lists names and salaries for Hayashi staff members, and excludes a Committee Secretary:

San Leandro Bytes has not received a response from Hayashi's District Coordinator Christopher Parman about the discrepancy. But Hayashi's expenses are not alone in being confusing and incomplete.

Judy Lin, in an AP story published on August 27, 2011, wrote …"the committee [Assembly Rules Committee] released documents that present an incomplete and at times contradictory picture. The figures show some rank-and-file Republican lawmakers with more lavish budgets than the Assembly speaker or the Democratic heads of powerful committees….It showed Portantino with the highest Assembly staff salary, having spent $213,263 so far this year. That compares to $160,832 for Perez, who controls the Assembly."

Unlike most of California's government, which is subject to the California Public Records Act, the California Senate and Assembly fall under the Legislative Open Records Act, which was passed in 1975. The Legislative Open Records Act enables the Senate and Assembly to determine which, if any, records, will be released publicly. The recent controversy over the release of the office budgets of members of California's legislature started when California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino refused to vote for the state budget and subsequently had his office budget slashed by Assembly Speaker John Perez. Perez has introduced a bill that would repeal the Legislative Open Records Act and subject the same disclosures as the rest of California's government.

Former San Leandro Mayor Young Closes Campaign Account

Former Mayor Shelia Young had the most active of the remaining campaign committees. Young, who had changed the name of her committee to "Shelia Young for Mayor 2014" in July 2010, gave away all of the $6,608 in her campaign account in the first half of 2011.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due August 1, 2011, and are summarized below.

Shelia Young

Former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young terminated her campaign account on June 15, 2011. Before doing so, Young made the following contributions to empty her campaign account:

• $1,000 to Leadership San Leandro


• $1,008 to SOS Meals on Wheels


• $1,000 to San Leandro Boys and Girls Club


• $1,000 to California Conservatory Theater


• $1,000 to Davis Street Family Resource Center


• $1,000 to San Leandro Education Foundation


• $500 to Oakland Zoo


• $100 to Joyce Starosciak for Mayor

Young's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

San Leandro Police Officers Association Political Action Committee

The San Leandro Police Officers Association Political Action Committee (PAC) reported $2,495 in its campaign account. Contributions included $2,106 from the San Leandro Police Officers Association in six $351 monthly payments. The sole expense was $500 to Joyce Starosciak's City Council campaign.

San Leandro Police Officers Association PAC's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Michael Gregory

Vice Mayor Gregory reported $375.53 in his campaign account at the end of the reporting period with $19,781.26 in outstanding debt. Gregory raised $99 during the reporting period and repaid $1,000 towards a personal loan he made to his campaign.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

David Anderson, who was Gregory's opponent for the District 1 City Council seat in the November 2010 election, terminated his committee in July 2011.

Ursula Reed

District 2 Councilmember Reed reported no money in her campaign account, no money raised, nor spent.

Reed's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Linda Perry

Former District 2 City Council Candidate Perry reported $1,542.48 in her campaign account and $11,250 in campaign debt. Perry had no expenses or contributions.

Perry's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Jim Prola

District 6 City Councilmember Prola reported $3,798.45 in his campaign account and $4,000 in campaign debt from a personal loan to his campaign. Prola had no expenses and contributed $200 to the Alameda Labor Council, likely for the Unionist of the Year Dinner in May.

Prola's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Cash for Cutter and Debt for Lopez in Latest Financial Disclosures

Despite raising less money than her opponent in the 2010 District 5 San Leandro City Council race, Pauline Cutter has money in her campaign account and no debt. Her opponent, Corina Lopez, has more than $23,000 in campaign debt and $161 in her campaign account.

Cutter raised a total of $25,820 for the campaign while Lopez raised $32,567.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due August 1, 2011, and are summarized below.

Pauline Cutter

Cutter reported $1,161.55 on hand at the end of the reporting period with no outstanding debt. Cutter's contributions included:

• $500 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
• $500 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 104
• $100 from Kenneth Perez

Cutter's expenses consisted of $1,510 to campaign manager Louis Heystek for literature and office expenses.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Corina Lopez

Lopez changed the name of her campaign committee to "Corina Lopez for City Council 2018," but otherwise reported no changes from her previous financial disclosure. She had $161 at the end of the reporting period with $23,503 in debt.

Lopez's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Updated 8/17 at 8am and 10:50am: Changed to reflect a name change in Lopez' campaign committee and corrected amount raised by Cutter.

San Leandro Mayoral Candidates Fundraise to Pay Off Debt and for Future Campaigns

The latest financial statements from San Leandro's mayoral candidates show that fundraising continued after the 2010 election as candidates tried to pay off campaign debt, usually personal loans that they made to their own campaigns. San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy raised $10,826 during the period from January 1 to June 30, 2011. Former Mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak raised $6,649 and paid off a $5,000 loan that her company Starotech made on December 28, 2010. Former Mayoral candidate Tony Santos raised $2,202 and closed his campaign account.

Starosciak also closed her Mayoral campaign account and transferred all of its remaining funds to a campaign account for City Council in 2016. Starosciak will be termed out in 2012, but will be eligible to run for the same seat in 2016, just as Santos did in 2000, when he ran for a third term.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or more.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due August 1, 2011, and are summarized below. Reports from Lou Filipovich and John Palau were not required since neither candidate raised nor spent more than $1,000.

Joyce Starosciak

For her City Council 2016 campaign committee, Starosciak reported $1,119 in her campaign account at the end of the reporting period.

Significant contributions to her City Council 2016 campaign committee included $300 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 and a $900 transfer from her Mayoral campaign account. Starosciak also reported $125 in unitemized expenses.

For her Mayoral campaign committee, Starosciak reported no money in her campaign account and $5,000 in outstanding debt from a loan from her company Starotech.

Significant contributions to her Mayoral campaign committee included:

• $500 from EF Communities, a local developer


• $500 from the San Leandro Police Officers Association


• $200 from Teamsters # 853


• $200 from Michael Pretto


• $200 from Windsor Partners


• $200 from Hayward Fire Chief Craig Bueno


• $150 from former San Leandro Councilmember Gordon Galvan


• $125 from Hayward Councilmember and California Assembly candidate Bill Quirk


• $100 from Simon and Company, the lobbyist for the City of San Leandro


• $100 from Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley's campaign account


• $100 from former San Leandro Police Chief Joe Kitchen


• $100 from San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy's campaign account


• $100 from Shelia Young for Mayor 2014, a campaign account


• $100 from Isabel Polvorosa's San Lorenzo School Board campaign account


• $100 from former San Leandro Councilmember Johan Klehs


• $100 from former San Leandro District 5 City Council candidate Corina Lopez' campaign account

Significant expenses included:

• $900 transfer to Joyce Starosciak City Council 2016, a campaign committee


• $750 to Christine Wise for professional services


• $500 to Mon Cafe for a fundraiser on January 13, 2011

Starosciak's City Council 2016 Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011
Starosciak's Mayoral Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Tony Santos

Santos reported an ending cash balance of $0 at the end of the period and has terminated his campaign account. Significant contributions included $1,400 from consultant Charles Gilcrest and an $802 from himself.

No expenses were reported, but a loan of $2,600 from Charles Gilcrest and a $3,898 personal loan to his own campaign were reported as forgiven.

Santos' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Stephen Cassidy

Cassidy reported an ending cash balance of $130 with $1,130 in campaign debt. Significant contributions included:

• $1,180 from Karma and Willian Denyer, a financial consultant at Charles Schwab


• $500 from David Irmer of Creekside Associates


• $500 from Eric Hohmann of Madison Marquette, the company that owns Bayfair Center


• $500 from John Gooding of the Quadric Group


• $500 from Louis Pellegrini of Aladdin Properties (previously reported as with Alameda County Industries)


• $425 from Earl & Charlene Kehret, retired


• $400 from Brad & Kim Nichols, a mortgage broker at Pret Capital Group


• $250 from former District 5 City Council Candidate Corina Lopez and Luis Colon of Pinnacle Vista Technology


• $200 from Anthony Batarse of Lloyd Wise automobile dealerships


• $100 from Allan and Joyce Starosciak


• $100 from Dale and Michael Gregory


• $100 from Hayward Councilmember and Assembly candidate Bill Quirk

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Sara Mestas

Mestas reported an ending cash balance of $789 with $357.97 in campaign debt. She reported a $658 refund from the City of San Leandro for her candidate statement and a $658 payment to Chad Pennebaker for rent.

Mestas' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2011

Souza Seeks Support for Pot Ordinance at Town Hall Meeting

San Leandro District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza spoke at a recent Town Hall meeting about a proposed ordinance that would have prohibited marijuana collectives and cooperatives. That ordinance failed to pass on May 16, 2011, with Councilmembers Ursula Reed, Pauline Cutter, Jim Prola, and Michael Gregory voting against passing the ordinance.

While Souza did not explicitly encourage members of the audience to pressure their council members to pass an ordinance, it was clear that was her intent. The following is a transcript of her comments regarding the marijuana ordinance:

The thing that I'm going to talk to you about is medical marijuana dispensaries and grow facilities. How many of you know what those are? Great. We're moving along. So the Council directed staff at the end of last year, I believe it was, to put together an ordinance. Well first of all, we put a moratorium on medical marijuana in the City and we then directed staff to say create an ordinance to prohibit dispensaries and grow farms. So staff diligently did the work that we asked them to, When they brought that ordinance back to us, the ordinance was rejected by Council. So now we still have a moratorium and it's going to expire to expire, but we'll probably extend it another year. But we're going to be needing to give staff direction on what we want them to create. They have no direction right now and we haven't given them any. So I just want you as residents to be aware that coming down the road we're going to be giving them direction, so if you want to have a conversation with your council member or if you want to have input on how the council should provide that direction, I encourage you to contact your council members. And again, I don't really want to get into a debate about anything else about the situation right now. But I do want to just encourage - make you aware that's coming up and if you have an opinion, share it with your council members coming up.

The history of San Leandro's prohibitions of dispensaries dates back to December 2004 when the City Council enacted a moratorium on marijuana dispensaries to prevent one from opening in San Leandro. Subsequent ordinances were passed in January 2005 and January 2006.

However, the moratorium on marijuana dispensaries ended as of December 4, 2006, because the State of California places time limits on urgency ordinances like the ones San Leandro enacted to prohibit marijuana dispensaries within the City. According to the City Attorney, marijuana dispensaries cannot be licensed in San Leandro because they possess and distribute a federally-controlled substance. San Leandro Municipal Code Sec. 2.2.420 permits the Finance Director to reject a business license application if there is "reasonable cause to believe...that a proposed business will not comply with any applicable laws..." This seems to give the City of San Leandro the flexibility to ban or license marijuana-related businesses depending on the current climate.

More recently, on October 4, 2010, the City Council approved a 45-day interim urgency ordinance that placed a moratorium on dispensaries and grow facilities. After a work session on November 8, 2010, City staff recommended that the City Council adopt a 22-month moratorium at the November 15, 2010, meeting. That recommendation failed and a shorter 10-month moratorium was approved with only Councilmember Joyce Starosciak opposed (she voted for the longer moratorium).

At a February 28, 2011, work session, the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Cultivation. On May 16, 2011, that ordinance was defeated, as noted above.

The current moratorium expires on September 30, 2011. Since the City already has the authority, under its municipal code, to prohibit licensing of marijuana-related businesses, the expiration of the moratorium is unlikely to produce any change in the status of marijuana-related businesses in the City of San Leandro.

Michael Gregory is New Vice Mayor

The San Leandro City Council voted unanimously for Michael Gregory as San Leandro's Vice Mayor at its meeting on May 2, 2011.

After a motion by a motion by Vice Mayor Ursula Reed and a second by Councilmember Jim Prola, Gregory was elected Vice Mayor without further comment.

According to the City Charter, "In the absence of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor shall possess and perform the powers and duties of the Mayor." This typically means representing the City and chairing meetings of the City Council in the Mayor's absence.

From 2000 to 2008, Vice Mayors had served for at least two terms. That ended with the selection of former Councilmember Bill Stephens, who served one year as Vice Mayor after a failed substitute motion by Councilmember Diana Souza to elect Councilmember Starosciak as Vice Mayor. Last year, Reed was elected Vice Mayor after a failed motion by Gregory to elect Prola Vice Mayor. No councilmembers from Districts 3 or 6 have served as Vice Mayor for more than 12 years. Below is a recent history of San Leandro's Vice Mayors:

• 1998 - Gordon Galvan (District 1)
• 1999 - Gordon Galvan (District 1)
• 2000 - Bob Glaze (District 4)
• 2001 - Bob Glaze (District 4)
• 2002 - Bob Glaze (District 4)
• 2003 - Bob Glaze (District 4)
• 2004 - Orval "OB" Badger (District 1)
• 2005 - Orval "OB" Badger (District 1)
• 2006 - Surlene Grant (District 2)
• 2007 - Surlene Grant (District 2)
• 2008 - Bill Stephens (District 5)
• 2009 - Joyce Starosciak (District 4)
• 2010 - Ursula Reed (District 2)
• 2011 - Michael Gregory (District 1)

Ellen Corbett Address the 2011 California Democratic Convention

On the second day of the California Democratic Convention, California Senator and Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett talked about the continuing fight for the "California dream."

Corbett criticized California Republicans for not allowing voters to decide on a special election for tax extensions. "Republicans say the people don't have the right to vote on the solution. I guess we now know how the party of Honest Abe has become the party of Donald Trump. And isn't that ironic? Because you know, in last year's election, California voters told Republicans, 'You are fired!'"

Souza and Gregory Mostly Re-Appoint Board and Commission Members

San Leandro District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza appointed one new Commissioner and re-appointed four others. Library-Historical Commissioner Lawrence Smith was neither re-appointed nor replaced - he is planning to move and will continue to serve until he moves or is replaced, according to the City Clerk.

Souza re-appointed Denise Abero to the Planning Commission and Janice Woychesin to the Senior Commission. Abero has been on the Planning Commission since 2007 when she was appointed by Souza. Woychesin has been on the Senior Commission for slightly more than a year.

Robert Leigh

Souza appointed Lee Thomas to the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA), where he replaces Darryl Shields. Shields was appointed to the BZA by Souza in 2007.

Shields was appointed to the Recreation and Parks Commission, where he replaces Debra Vandiver. Souza appointed Vandiver in 2007.

Souza was unopposed for re-election and had no campaign contributions.

In District 1, Michael Gregory re-appointed Philip Daly to BZA, Deborah Cox to the Human Services Commission, Donna Reed to the Library-Historical Commission, Dale Reed to the Planning Commission, Ed Shapiro to the Recreation and Parks Commission, and Sandi Forese to the Senior Commission. Donna Reed has served on the Library-Historical Commission since 1986 and her husband Dale has been on the Planning Commission since 1987. Shapiro was appointed to the Recreation and Parks Commission in 1996. Forese has been on the Senior Commission since 2003 while Daly and Cox were both appointed in 2007. Daly contributed $250 to Gregory's campaign while Donna Reed contributed $500.

District 5 Councilmember Cutter's Board and Commission Appointments

Councilmember Cutter's New Commission and Board Appointments
Marguerite Mazzitti	Jennifer Heystek

San Leandro District 5 Councilmember Pauline Cutter retained four of the commission and board members appointed by her predecessor, Bill Stephens. Those are Sabrina Almazan on the Human Services Commission, her partner Thomas Fitzsimmons on the Planning Commission, Peggy Combs on the Recreation and Parks Commission, and Elinor "Pat" Free on the Senior Commission. Combs had originally planned to run for the District 5 seat, but pulled out of the race three months after announcing her candidacy. Combs contributed $100 to Cutter's City Council campaign.

Cutter nominated Marguerite Mazzitti to the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA), where she will replace Neal Pearson, who has served on the BZA since May 2004. Mazzitti is the owner of the Tutto Mio, an importer of Italian ceramics, and was previously on the BZA from 2002-2003. She is also in the Leadership San Leandro program and a member of the Political Action Committee for Excellence (PACE). PACE contributed $1,000 to Cutter's campaign.

Jennifer Heystek was nominated by Cutter for the Library-Historical Commission, a position which is currently vacant. Heystek runs a midwifery service and served on the Youth Advisory Commission from 1996 to 2000. Heystek was employed by the City of San Leandro from 2004 to 2005 and is also a member of PACE. She and her husband Louis, who was Cutter's campaign manager, contributed $252 to Cutter's campaign.

The appointments will be voted on at tonight's meeting of the San Leandro City Council. The meeting starts at 7pm and will be held at City Hall at 835 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

Mayor Cassidy's Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Some of Mayor Cassidy's Commission and Board Appointments
Janet Palma	Leah Hall	Nestor Cuellas	Scott Rennie
Johanne Dictor	Louis Heystek	Tyree Jackson	Phyllis Gee

Commission and Board appointments are one way that newly-elected San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy can extend his influence and repay campaign donors and supporters.

The San Leandro Mayor has one appointment each to the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Planning Commission, Library-Historical Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission. The Mayor also has three appointments each to the Human Services Commission and Senior Commission and all five appointments to the Personnel Relations Board.

Once the Mayor submits the name of his nominees to the City Clerk, the City Clerk circulates the name to the City Council and if there are no objections, that person's nomination goes on the City Council agenda for a vote. This happened at the February 7, 2011, meeting and is done to avoid a situation in which the City Council might vote against a person's nomination and cause embarrassment for that person. The City Council approved the nominations on February 7 and are now on the February 22, 2011, agenda for City Council approval. Once a nomination makes it on to the City Council agenda, it will likely be approved.

Commission and board members frequently serve far longer than those who appointed them. Library-Historical Commissioner Donna Reed has served since 1986 and Planning Commissioner Dale Reed has served since 1987. Term limits were briefly implemented in the 1970s when term limits were also enacted for the Mayor and Councilmembers but were subsequently eliminated.

The Board of Zoning Adjustments and the Planning Commission are the most powerful of the boards and commissions and these are generally seen as "plum" appointments. Relevant campaign contributions have been included when available. In a message to supporters, Cassidy wrote, "I have sought to expand the leadership capacity of our city by bringing new persons that are active in our community into city government. I also wish to see that the diversity of San Leandro is reflected on our commissions and boards."

Mayor Stephen Cassidy nominated Janet Palma to the Board of Zoning Adjustments to replace Charles Gilcrest, who served for nearly three years. Palma works as an Environmental Health Technician for the San Francisco Department Public Health and served on the Association of Environmental Professionals Board of Directors.

Nestor Cuellas, MaryAnn Frates, and Leah Hall were nominated to the Human Services Commission to replace Corina Lopez, Suzanne Rudisill, and Alice Sarafian, who had served a year and a half, nearly 10 years, and nearly 27 years, respectively. Cuellas is an insurance salesman who served on the transit-oriented development committee, was a representative and organizer for the SEIU, and was on the boards of the Farrelly Pond Neighborhood Association and Estudillo Homeowners Association. Hall is an architect and stay-at-home mother and has served on the board of St. Paul's Episcopal School in Oakland. Hall also volunteered on Cassidy's mayoral campaign. Frates is working on her Doctorate in Education while working at the Castro Valley Unified School District as the Coordinator of Special Education.

Scott Rennie was nominated to the Planning Commission to replace Anna Claveria Brannan. Brannan served nearly four years on the Planning Commission. Rennie is an attorney for the City of Fremont and served on the Board of the Estudillo Homeowners Association. Rennie also served on Cassidy's transition committee.

Liliana Rosas-Cruz was nominated to the Library-Historical Commission to replace Frederick A. Reicker, who has served almost eight years. Rosas-Cruz works as a therapist for the East Bay Agency for Children and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Johanne Dictor, Louis Heystek, Benny Lee, and James Browne were nominated to the Personnel Relations Board to replace Adan Alonzo, Hilary Van Austen, Shirley McManus and Kent Myers. Orval "OB" Badger was re-nominated and has served just over a year. Alonzo, Van Austen, McManus, and Myers have served nearly two and a half years, two and a half years, nearly 12 years, and ten years, respectively. Browne was an business litigation attorney an is a member of the Roosevelt PTA. Heystek is the Deputy CFO for Dutra Enterprises, served on the Youth Advisory Commission, served two terms on the San Leandro School Board, and is on the Board of the San Leandro Education Foundation. Dictor works for CPC International and served as President of the Estudillo Homeowners association. Dictor volunteered on Cassidy's campaign and contributed $550 to his campaign. Lee has worked at United Commercial Bank and East West Bank. Lee served on Cassidy's transition committee and was appointed by former Mayor Tony Santos to the Recreation and Parks Commission in 2007 .

Cassidy nominated Tyree Jackson to replace Benny Lee (4 years) on the Recreation and Parks Commission. Jackson works for the Castro Valley Sanitary District and was a resident manager for San Leandro rental property.

Phyllis Gee, Darlene Daevu, and Cimberly Tamura were nominated to the Senior Commission to replace George Tucker (11 years), Barbara Hamrick (11 years), and Michal J. Myers (8 months). Tamura is a retired educator, President of Alameda County Home Economics Teachers, Vice President of San Francisco Chinatown Optimists, and a Board Member of Wa Sung Community Club. Daevu works as an Administrative Analyst for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, is a member of the Professional Fiduciaries Association of California and has been active with the Allen Temple Baptist Church. Gee is also a retired educator active with the San Leandro Friends of the Library and All Saints Episcopal Church. Gee volunteered on and contributed $750 to Cassidy's campaign.

Commission and board appointees will be sworn in at the San Leandro City Council meeting on February 22, 2011. The meeting starts at 7pm and will be held at City Hall at 835 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

Final District 1 City Council 2010 Campaign Reports

Incumbent Michael Gregory defeated opponents David Anderon and Carol Libbrecht (a write-in candidate) in the race for the District 1 San Leandro City Council seat, and raised the most money during the last reporting period from October 17 to December 31, 2010. Most of Gregory's $3,248 came from a $2,400 personal loan to his campaign. Anderson filed his final financial report on February 4, 2011. Libbrecht was not required to file financial disclosures because she neither raised nor spent more than $1,000.

Gregory raised a total of $13,552 during the campaign while Anderson raised $6,013.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due February 1, 2011 and are summarized below.

Michael Gregory

Gregory reported $734 on hand at the end of the reporting period with no outstanding debt. Gregory's contributions included

$250 from Alameda County Industries owner Robert Molinaro
$150 from Simon and Company, the City of San Leandro's lobbyist in Washington, DC

Gregory's expenses included:

$2,330 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting, campaign literature, and office expenses
$500 to Californians Vote Green for a slate mailer

Gregory's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

David Anderson

Anderson's campaign account was empty at the end of the reporting period with $4,933 in debt. His sole contribution was a personal loan of $364.

Anderson's expenses included:

$364 to Go Daddy for automated calls to registered voters

Anderson's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Final District 5 City Council 2010 Campaign Reports

Pauline Cutter may have won the race for the District 5 San Leandro City Council seat, but her opponent, Corina Lopez, raised the most money during the last reporting period from October 17 to December 31, 2010. Nearly all of Lopez' $10,506 in contributions were from $10,382 she loaned to her campaign. Cutter raised $1,691.

Cutter raised a total of $19,576 during the campaign while Lopez raised $32,567, including personal loans to her campaign totaling $23,503. Cutter won the race with 53.14% of the vote to Lopez' 45.79%.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due February 1, 2011, and are summarized below.

Pauline Cutter

Cutter reported $1,221 on hand at the end of the reporting period with no outstanding debt. Cutter's contributions included:

• $500 from Steamfitters Local 342
• $100 from Bal Theatre owner Dan Dillman
• $100 from former San Leandro School Board Trustee Janet Plankenhorn
• $99 from San Leandro City Councilmember Michael Gregory

Cutter's expenses included:

• $2,747 to Handled With Care for postage and mailing
• $610 to Autumn Press for campaign literature
• $250 to Lester Connect for campaign consulting

Cutter's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Lopez had $161 at the end of the reporting period with $23,503 in debt. The only significant contribution was a personal loan of $10,382.

Lopez's expenses included:

• $5,228 to Autumn Press for campaign literature
• $3,537 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting
• $1,000 to Gilcrest Management for literature distribution

Lopez's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Final Mayoral Campaign Reports for 2010

The final financial statements for the 2010 San Leandro Mayor campaigns show that Joyce Starosciak raised a total of $16,513 during the reporting period from October 17, 2010 to December 31, 2010, including a $5,000 loan from Starotech, her business. Former Mayor Tony Santos raised $3,774, including a $1,000 personal loan to his campaign while Mayor Stephen Cassidy raised $5,608, including a $2,950 personal loan to his campaign.

Together, Cassidy, Santos, and Starosciak raised a total of $185,795 for the mayoral campaign, which stretches back to 2009. Starosciak, who finished third in the November 2010 election, raised $82,636, the most of all candidates. However, if you subtract the $21,589 of Starosciak's funds that came from the campaign account she used when she ran for City Council, she raised $61,047, just $3,000 more than Santos. Santos followed with $58,050 and then Cassidy, with $45,109.

Santos spent $37,314 on consultants, the most of all the mayoral candidates. Starosciak was next with $26,454, not including $5,000 spent on polling, and Cassidy was last, with no funds spent on consultants.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or greater.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due February 1, 2011, and are summarized below. No campaign statement from Sara Mestas had been filed as of February 2. Reports from Lou Filipovich and John Palau were not required since neither candidate raised nor spent more than $1,000.

Joyce Starosciak

Starosciak reported $59 in her campaign account at the end of the reporting period and $5,000 in campaign debt from a loan from her business, Starotech. Significant contributions included:

• $5,000 from the Economic Development Alliance
• $1,000 from contractor Jeff Houston
• $500 from Resolution Services of Gardena, Calif., which is related to Cal-Coast, the developer selected for the Marina
• $500 from San Leandro Publishing
• $399 from Louis Pelligrini of Alameda County Industries
• $250 from Alameda County Industries owner Robert Molinaro

Significant expenses included:

• $25,467 to Print Pro for campaign literature
• $5,000 to Statewide Information Systems for polling
• $1,205 to Tramutola for campaign consulting

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Santos reported an ending cash balance of $2,202 at the end of the period, with $8,700 in campaign debt. Significant contributions included:

• $1,000 from the San Leandro Police Officers Association
• $500 from Sunny Tong of Westlake Development Partners
• $250 from Alameda County Industries owner Robert Molinaro
• $250 from Good Jobs PAC

Significant expenses included:

• $5,166 to Handled With Care for postage and mailing
• $4,704 to Autumn Press for campaign literature
• $4,000 to Gilcrest Campaign Management for campaign consulting and fundraising
• $3,893 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign literature, web site, email, robocalls, and graphic design

Santos' Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Cassidy reported an ending cash balance of $544 with $12,030 in campaign debt. Significant contributions included:

• $1,200 from Kerry & Associates and related entities
• $250 from Mitch Huitema

Cassidy's expenses included:

• $7,120 to Handled With Care for mailing and postage
• $4,450 to Autumn Press for campaign literature
• $1,653 to San Leandro Times for print ads

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for October 17 to December 31, 2010.

Mayor Tony Santos' Farewell Statement

At the December 6, 2010, meeting of the San Leandro City Council, Mayor Tony Santos gave a farewell statement at the end of the meeting. These statements are typically made at the last City Council meeting of the year, which occurs on December 20.

In his statement, Santos noted that "San Leandro has always been known to have a stable government."

Santos said, "This is one of the first cities to have developed a sewer system, one which allowed the community to grow in the early part of the 20th century. In fact, that led to a great deal of annexations in San Leandro."

He thanked Stephens for his work on General Plan and for ensuring the budgets he worked on were balanced. "It was difficult but the budget has always been balanced."

Santos listed his achievements as helping to stop southern crossing and route 61, and forming NACSL, which "led to quieter skies and the school district was able to received over $5 million to sound insulate several of our schools." Other achievements he noted were passing the very first neighborhood preservation ordinance, a noise ordinance, and preserving 400 acres of open space along the shoreline.

On city employees, Santos said, "They have sacrificed much over these past several years - they have had their pay cut and we have lost 20% of the best employees in the county. We were involved in discussing pension reform before it was vogue. I say to our employees: 'Hang in there. Don't give up. You cannot give up what you have earned and deserved.'

On education, Santos stated "I do see a problem with our school system and it needs to be improved."

He ended his statement with, "And I say to all, as stated in my first State of the City address: Know your city and be proud to live, work, and play in the best city in the country."

Registrar Certifies November Election Results; Cassidy the Official Winner

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced today the official final results of the November 2, 2010, election. The official results were released 11 days ahead of the November 30 deadline to certify the election results.

San Leandro Mayor-elect Stephen Cassidy defeated incumbent Tony Santos by 232 votes in San Leandro's first ranked choice voting election. Santos had 62 more first-place votes than Cassidy (7,956 to 7,894), but Cassidy took the lead when Sara Mestas' second-place votes were distributed to Cassidy, Santos, and Joyce Starosciak.

In the District 1 City Council race, the final result was Michael Gregory with 12,973 votes (65.05%) and David Anderson with 6,701 votes (33.6%). Write-in candidate Carol Libbrecht received 120 votes (0.6%).

Incumbent Diana Souza was unopposed for the District 3 City Council seat.

In District 5, Pauline Cutter received 10,719 votes (53.21%) to defeat Corina Lopez, who received 9,215 votes (45.74%).

The 0.25% sales tax increase, Measure Z, passed with 12,630 votes (61.11%) and the $50.1 million school bond, Measure M, passed with 10,638 votes (63.08%).

In San Leandro School Board races, Lance James received 8,244 votes (57.14%) to defeat Victoria Wang, who received 6,056 votes (41.97%) and incumbent Mike Katz [Note: the author] had 8,432 votes (58.05%) over Latrina Dumas' 5,963 votes (41.05%).

The complete election results for Alameda County can be found at http://www.acgov.org/rov/current.htm.

Registrar Says All San Leandro Ballots Have Been Counted

According to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, all ballots from the November 2, 2010, election have been counted. That means that the vote counts released on November 13, 2010, will likely be final.

On Monday, November 15, 2010, the Registrar began a manual tally of 1% of the votes cast, a standard procedure conducted after every election. The deadline for Registrar to certify the vote is November 30, but the Registrar hopes to be able to certify the vote on November 19.

Mayor-elect Stephen Cassidy and newly elected and re-elected members of the San Leandro City Council will be sworn in at the end of the December 20, 2010, meeting. Each person will have the opportunity to give a speech after they are sworn in. You can see the speeches from 2008 here.

At the November 15 meeting of the San Leandro City Council, City Attorney Jayne Williams was asked to respond to RCV concerns expressed by Mayor Tony Santos. Williams said that she agreed with the analysis by FairVote's Rob Richie and stated, "It is a 50% plus one vote of the votes cast per round and then the majority candidate is declared the winner. So there has been some discussion that I'm aware of in terms of the interpretation of that as it pertains to our charter but I do believe that our charter comports with the ordinance that was adopted by the Council in April which sets forth clearly what the process was."

New Vote Counts Increase Cassidy's Lead

In new vote counts released by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters on Saturday, November 13, 2010, San Leandro Mayor-elect Stephen Cassidy increased his lead over incumbent Tony Santos from 172 votes to 231 votes after invoking the ranked choice algorithm. This gives Cassidy 50.57% of the continuing ballots cast to 49.43% for Santos. There were 2,134 exhausted ballots out of 23,493 ballots cast and a total of 20,321 continuing ballots in the final round.

Santos has not conceded the race and has recommended that the San Leandro City Council revoke the ranked choice voting ordinance and that the City return to run-off elections.

The totals also show that write-in Lou Filipovich received nine write-in votes, with most of his second-place votes going to John Palau. Cassidy received the most of Sara Mestas' and Joyce Starosciak's second-place votes.

In the District 1 San Leandro City Council race, Carol Libbrecht is shown with 120 write-in votes compared to 148 unknown write-in votes. Incumbent Michael Gregory won the contest with nearly double the votes of challenger David Anderson and 65.05% of the vote.

San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter defeated Corina Lopez 53.21% to 45.75% of the votes.

Measure M, the San Leandro Unified School District athletic facilities bond surpassed 63% approval in the latest results tally, while Measure Z, the City's 0.25% sales tax, held on to its 61% approval.

The vote won't be certified for a few more weeks, but the results are unlikely to change.

Cassidy Lead Narrows in New Vote Count

Mayor-elect Stephen Cassidy's lead narrowed to just 172 votes today in the race for mayor in San Leandro's first use of ranked choice voting. A previous run of the ranked choice voting algorithm on Friday, November 5, 2010, had Cassidy with a 281-vote lead over incumbent San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos. The unofficial count gives Cassidy 10,119 votes to 9,947 for Santos.

Data from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters show that 941 San Leandro voters didn't vote for any candidate in the Mayor's race and 52 voted for more than candidate. There were a total of 23,184 ballots cast and 20,066 ballots with votes in the final round.

According to coverage in the Daily Review, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters acknowledges that there could be a small number of ballots that are not yet counted, but not enough to change the outcome of the race.

Prior to the ranked choice algorithm, Santos had taken the lead by 117 votes. Cassidy had led by 58 votes as of the November 5 vote count. Once again, Cassidy received the most of Sara Mestas' second place votes, but was behind by 51 votes until Joyce Starosciak's second place votes were allocated. Cassidy received 1,960 of Starosciak's second place votes compared to 1,737 for Santos.

Cassidy served on the San Leandro School Board from 2004 to 2008. Santos served on the San Leandro City Council from 1984 to 1992 and again from 2002 to 2006, when he was elected Mayor.

Results will not be final until later this month.

County Registrar Violated Agreement with Cities on Ranked Choice Voting

When the Alameda County Registrar of Voters ran the ranked choice algorithm on November 5, 2010, it violated a Memorandum of Understanding it agreed to with the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro.

The agreement clearly states, "Given the nature of RCV voting, the Registrar shall not under any circumstances, provide any RCV election results until all of the ballots have been tallied, including, but not limited to, vote by mail, provisional, and early voting ballots. The Registrar will provide only final election results once all of the ballots have been tallied."

The Registrar ran the ranked choice algorithm on November 5, 2010, with an estimated 15,000 ballots still to be counted. An estimated 2,000 ballots from San Leandro have yet to be counted.

Earlier today, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters issued a press release acknowledging that the counting of ballots for Oakland will not be completed today. ""We still have a relatively small number of provisional ballots that are taking a little longer to process than expected," stated Alameda County Registrar Dave Macdonald.

The press release indicated that updated vote totals would be released this afternoon, but the ranked choice algorithm would not be run tonight. Vote counting is done each day until 10pm, so there is still a chance that updated vote totals will be released later tonight.

The latest vote count on November 5, 2010, prior to the RCV algorithm shows Stephen Cassidy with a 58 vote advantage over Tony Santos in the race for San Leandro Mayor. That lead extends to 281 votes after RCV is implemented.

Stephen Cassidy is San Leandro's New Mayor

Stephen Cassidy is San Leandro's new Mayor after the ranked choice algorithm was run by the Alameda County Registrar of voters on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Cassidy ended up with 7,471 (50.96%) votes to 7,190 (49.04%) for Tony Santos. The majority of Joyce Starosciak's votes went to Cassidy. See the detailed report at http://www.acgov.org/rov/rcv/results/rcvresults_3192.htm.

The vote count is not final, but Cassidy's lead prior to the RCV algorithm increased from 27 votes yesterday to 58 today. When RCV was run, Cassidy gained 37% of Mestas' second/third place votes and 53.2% of Starosciak's second place votes.

According to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, 15,000 ballots from Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro remain to be counted. San Leandro's portion of those uncounted ballots is unknown. 16,698 ballots have been counted so far, including 447 ballots in which no vote was cast for the Mayor's race and two ballots where the voter marked more than one candidate as their first choice for Mayor.

In the November 2006 election, which most closely approximates this election, 20,298 votes were cast for Mayor. In November 2002, 16,857 were cast for Mayor. Based on those numbers, it appears that up to 4,000 San Leandro ballots may have yet to be counted, but are unlikely to change the outcome of the election.

Historically, no elected Mayor has been defeated since at least Jack Maltester was elected in 1962. However, John Faria, who was appointed Mayor in June 1993, lost his bid to remain Mayor in April 1994 to Ellen Corbett.

Ballots will continue to be counted over the weekend and final results should be available Sunday.

Updated 10:33pm

Updated Numbers Narrow Cassidy's Lead to 27 Votes Over Santos

Additional ballots counted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters today narrowed Stephen Cassidy's lead in the race for San Leandro Mayor to 27 votes over incumbent Tony Santos. Today's vote count for the Mayor's race totals 15,010, an increase of 736 from yesterday's count.

Final results of the race for San Leandro mayor won't be known until 4pm on Friday, November 5, when the Registrar runs the ranked choice algorithm. The eventual winner will be decided by Joyce Starosciak's second place votes.

Mayoral results so far:

Here are the updated totals for the San Leandro City Council races where Pauline Cutter and Michael Gregory were the winners.

District 1:

District 5:

Lopez Loans Her Campaign Another $7,000 Day Before Election

San Leandro District 5 City Council defeated candidate Corina Lopez loaned her campaign another $7,000 on November 1, 2010, according to a statement filed on November 2, 2010, with the San Leandro City Clerk. To date, Lopez has loaned her campaign $29,621 of the $38,561 total she has raised.

Pauline Cutter, the winner of the District 5 City Council seat, reported no campaign debt and a total of $13,942 raised in her most recent filing on October 21, 2010. Cutter replaces Bill Stephens who will be termed out after serving eight years on the City Council.

Contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the election. The election was held on November 2, 2010.

James Joins San Leandro School Board; Katz Re-elected

With all 45 precincts reporting, Hayward teacher Lance James and incumbent Mike Katz [the author] cruised to comfortable victories over their opponents for the San Leandro School Board.

Both James and Katz received nearly 57% of the vote.

Katz was elected to the School Board in 2006 when he defeated Pete Lismer.

City Sales Tax and School Bond Pass

Measure Z, the 0.25% sales tax increase, passes with more than 61% of the vote and all 49 precincts reporting.

Similarly, Measure M, the $50.1 million school bond, passes with nearly 63% of the vote and all 45 precincts reporting.

Updated 1:08am

Cassidy Leads Mayors Race; Cutter and Gregory Win

With all 49 precincts reporting, Stephen Cassidy is leading the race for San Leandro Mayor by just 66 votes over incumbent Tony Santos. Joyce Starosciak is a distant third. Incumbent Michael Gregory has a huge lead in the District 1 City Council race and Pauline Cutter has a smaller, but still substantial lead in the District 5 City Council race. Gregory retains his seat and will be joined by San Leandro School Board member Cutter.

Final results of the race for San Leandro mayor won't be known until later this week. With ranked choice voting, the eventual winner will be decided by Starosciak's second place votes.

Mayoral results so far:

District 1:

District 5:

Updated 1:03am

Starosciak Reports Late In-Kind Contribution from Polling Firm

San Leandro mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak reported an in-kind contribution of $1,500 from a polling firm, according to a report filed today with the San Leandro City Clerk. According to the filing, the in-kind contribution was received on November 1, 2010.

The polling firm, EMH Opinion Sampling in Sacramento, was also paid $10,000 in early October 2010 by Nadia Lockyer, who is running for Alameda County Supervisor. Starosciak and Lockyer have both paid for Tramutola to run their campaigns.

Starosciak previously reported a $1,000 late contribution from Ken Houston on October 22, and $4,000 from the Economic Development Alliance on October 25, 2010.

Starosciak's reported campaign contributions (cash only) now total more than $71,000, including $21,589 transferred from her City Council campaign account.

Contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the election. The election is today and polls are open until 8pm. If you haven't mailed your absentee ballot, you can turn it in at any polling station. It is too late to mail in absentee ballots.

Lopez Reports Late Loan of $9,500

San Leandro District 5 City Council candidate Corina Lopez loaned her campaign $9,500 on October 28, 2010, according to a statement filed on November 1, 2010, with the San Leandro City Clerk. To date, Lopez has loaned her campaign $22,621 of the $31,561 total she has raised.

Pauline Cutter, Lopez' opponent for the District 5 City Council seat, reported no campaign debt and a total of $13,942 raised in her most recent filing on October 21, 2010.

Contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the election. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Cassidy Reports Late Loans Totalling $2,950

San Leandro Mayoral candidate Stephen Cassidy loaned his campaign an additional $2,950, according to a report filed today with the San Leandro City Clerk's office. That brings Cassidy's total in loans to his own campaign to $12,030.

Tony Santos, the incumbent running for re-election, has a campaign debt of $4,700, while Joyce Starosciak has no debt and Sara Mestas has a debt of $365.97. During Santos' previous campaign for mayor, he loaned his campaign more than $27,500.

Contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the election. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Santos Reports $1,000 Late Contribution from San Leandro Police

On October 27, 2010, San Leandro mayoral candidate Tony Santos reported a $1,000 contribution to his campaign from the San Leandro Police Officers Association (POA).

The San Leandro POA endorsed Joyce Starosciak for mayor early in August 2010 and weeks later gave a dual endorsement to Santos. Mike Sobek, President of the POA, was quoted in the San Leandro Times, "We still think Joyce will be a great choice for mayor and Tony has done well for us too....We felt that they (Santos, Starosciak, and Cassidy) are the top three candidates and we don’t want to see Stephen Cassidy elected."

During this election cycle, the San Leandro POA has contributed $1,000 to Starosciak, $2,000 to the campaign for Measure M, and $30,000 to the campaign for Measure Z.

Contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the election. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

San Leandro District 1 City Council Candidate Libbrecht

Carol Libbrecht became the third candidate for the San Leandro District 1 City Council seat earlier this month, after both candidate forums were held.

In order to provide voters with some more information about Ms. Libbrecht, San Leandro Bytes asked her some questions, including those that were asked at the second candidate forum.

Q: Why did you decide to run?

A: I entered the race because I feel that I can add a new demention [sic] to the council.. I was raised in this town, went through the public school system here, have a home, and business here for many years.  I have been involved in many organizations in San Leandro as well as going through the Chambers Leadership program.  Leadership taught me that no one person can achieve the ultimate goal, you need a group of people working together as a team.  I feel that I can bring a positive attitude to the position..

Q: Why didn't you file during the nomination period?
 
A: I entered the race after the nomination period because I was urged to do so.  Did not realize the level of support that I had in the community until family, friends and clients pushed me to be a write in candidate as an alternative choice. 
 

Q: What is your reaction to the headline story in the San Leandro Times about the recent rash of robberies in the City and what do you think is the solution to this problem?

A: The San Leandro Times robbery reports are alarming.  We need a strong police dept. but they can't be everywhere.  I would like to see more neighborhood watch groups and residence educated that it's ok to call the police dept if they see something suspicious.  National night out is good but we need more than one night a year for people to get to know each other.

Q: What specific plans do you have to identify and secure sustainable funding to open and operate the senior community center?

A: We need to make this a priority.  Council needs to be assertive and clear of our priority with staff. Finding a non profit organization to manage the center.  There are organizations out there we just need to find one SOON? 

Q: What is being done to bring new large companies to San Leandro? What type of incentives would you recommend you offer?

A: I have been involved in and with business for many years.  We need to update the San Leandro Business Plan and check to see why other towns can reinvent themselves and bring in new businesses.  Need to offer business incentives and retention packages to reinvent our town.  Also needs to be a transparent process. 

 
Q: Do you feel Measure Z could have a negative impact on our City? Might big ticket items such as cars be purchased in other cities, thus decreasing revenue?

A: All towns are looking to increase revenue.  Union City is asking for a 1/2 %, San Leandro is asking 1/4%.  We have to do something to keep our police, fire, and services strong.  My biggest concern is the 7 year time line, but I do like that it will be reviewed by a citizens oversight committee.

Q: What are San Leandro's plans for electric vehicle charging stations, specifically the Callan Start Garage Project?

A:  Exciting to realize a state of the arts structure.  Great start need to be innovative and promote green technology.  Looking forward to future green projects.

As a write-in candidate, Libbrecht's name does not appear on the ballot and must be written on the ballot to vote for her. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Measure Z Campaign Takes in Almost $1,000 in Latest Fundraising Report

According to the most recent financial disclosure from the Protect San Leandro Services Committee for Measure Z, the campaign raised just under $1,000 in the first two weeks of October 2010.

Contributions included:

• $500 from Tom Silva of Eden Realty
• $250 from City Council candidate Corina Lopez
• $150 from San Leandro City Attorney Jayne Williams

Expenses included:

• $5,833 to Lew Edwards Group for campaign consulting
• $4,977 to AdMail for print ads and campaign literature
• $2,066 to Sphinx Graphics for print ads
• $1,875 to Christy de Maria for campaign worker salaries

Click here to download the committee's disclosure for October 1 to October 16, 2010.

Starosciak Reports $5,000 in Late Contributions

Financial disclosures were published today by the San Leandro City Clerk indicating that mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak received $5,000 in late contributions to her campaign. Oakland contractor Ken Houston contributed $1,000 on October 22, 2010, and the Economic Development Alliance contributed $4,000 on October 25, 2010.

As previously reported, the Economic Development Alliance is a Los Angeles-based political action committee run by Afton Kobayashi, who is also Director of the Iris Alliance Fund, a mental health foundation founded by Mary Hayashi. The Economic Development Alliance has contributed money mainly to Dennis Hayashi and candidates endorsed by Mary Hayashi.

The contributions bring Starosciak's total raised for the campaign to more than $71,000, including $21,589 transferred from the campaign account used while she was running for San Leandro City Council.

Starosciak Leads Campaign Contributions in Race for Mayor in Latest Period

Once again, San Leandro Councilmember Joyce Starosciak raised $10,780 during the most recent reporting period, leading the field of candidates for San Leandro Mayor. Former school board member Stephen Cassidy followed with contributions of $4,342 and Sara Mestas raised $900. San Leandro's incumbent mayor Tony Santos raised just $600. Lou Filipovich and John Palau are not required to file paperwork because they do not expect to raise or spend more than $1,000.

With 11 days until the election, Starosciak reported $15,868 in her campaign account, followed by Santos with $12,191, Cassidy with $10,473, and Mestas with $1,004.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or greater. Future financial statements are due on January 31, 2011. From now until the election, any contributions of more than $1,000 are required to be reported within 24 hours. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Pre-election campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due October 21, 2010, and are summarized below.


Joyce Starosciak, San Leandro City Councilmember, District 4

Starosciak reported campaign funds of $15,868 at the end of the reporting period and no campaign debt. Significant contributions included:

• $1,000 from the California Real Estate PAC
• $1,000 from the Deputy Sherills [sic] of Alameda County PAC
• $1,000 from the Peace Officers Research Assoc. of California
• $500 from Mark Riley of PrintPro
• $500 from Foodnet Supermarket
• $500 from Gail Reilly of Van Mulder Sheet Metal
• $500 from contractor James Hussey
• $500 from Side Walk Strategis [sic]
• $500 from Therma
• $500 from Advance Tech Collision
• $200 from former San Leandro School Board member Ken Pon

Contributors to Starosciak's campaign included $600 from three employees of Tramutola, the consulting firm to which she has paid more than $25,000 for campaign consulting. In addition, Side Walk Strategies, a firm with the same address as Tramutola, contributed $500 to her campaign.

Starosciak's largest expense was $3,633 to Adept Printing for campaign paraphernalia, followed by $1,233 to Bruce Gordon of Gordon Commercial Real Estate Services for rental of her campaign office at 1505 E. 14th St., and $600 to Daniel Ziegler for campaign literature.

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for October 1 to October 16, 2010


Stephen Cassidy, former member of the San Leandro School Board

Cassidy had $10,473 at the end of the reporting period with $9,080 in debt. Campaign contributions included:

• $500 from Sunny Tong, Managing Director of Westlake Development Partners
• $250 from Veronica Mendoza and Robert Mercer
• $250 from Nikii Torres-Menasco and Ken Menasco
• $250 from Robert Caruso
• $250 from Kevin and Nicky Cassidy

Cassidy's expenses included $4,846 to Autumn Press for mailer printing and lawn sign wires, $3,300 to the San Leandro Times for two ads, and $2,520 to Handle With Care for mailing literature.

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for October 1, 2010 to October 16, 2010.



Tony Santos, Incumbent

Santos' reported $12,191 in his campaign account and $4,700 in campaign debt. Contributions included:

• $250 from Northern California NECA
• $250 from Construction and General Laborers
• $100 from Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

Santos' expenses included $4,922 to Handled With Care for postage and mailing services, $3,297 to Autumn Press for campaign literature, $1,294 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting and automated calls, and $565 to Voter Information Guide for a slate mailer.

Santos' Campaign Statement for October 1 to October 16, 2010

Mestas reported $1,004 in her campaign account after raising $900 during the reporting period. Contributions included:

• $500 from Kent Entertainment in Las Vegas
• $250 from Roundtable Pizza
• $150 from Marguerite Mazzitti, owner of Tutto Mio Italian Ceramics

Mestas' treasurer, Alexander Morey, has the same address as Kent Entertainment.

Expenses included $299 to Sign Depot for lawn signs and $185 to Chad Pennebaker for an office.

Mestas' Campaign Statement for October 1 to October 16, 2010

Full disclosure: the author, Mike Katz-Lacabe, is on Stephen Cassidy's campaign committee.

Cutter Leads Latest Fundraising Round but Lopez' Loans Even it Up

San Leandro District 5 City Council candidate Pauline Cutter raised $2,835 during the most most recent reporting period of October 1 to October 16, 2010. Her opponent, Corina Lopez, raised $1,644, but also loaned her campaign $3,500, bringing the total loaned to her campaign to $13,121.

Both candidates are seeking the seat held by Bill Stephens since 2002. Term limits limit the Mayor and members of the City Council to two consecutive terms.

With 11 days until the election, Cutter has $3,230 in her campaign account, compared to Lopez' $1,450.

Overall, Cutter has raised $21,617 and Lopez has raised $9,827, not including the $13,121 she has loaned to her campaign.

Future financial statements are due on January 31, 2011. Between now and the election, any contributions or expenses of more than $1,000 must be reported within 24 hours. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due October 21, 2010, and are summarized below.



Pauline Cutter, San Leandro School Board Trustee

Cutter reported $3,230 on hand at the end of the reporting period with no outstanding debt. Cutter's contributions included:

• $1,500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 595 PAC
• $250 from Construction and General Laborers Local Union 304 PAC
• $250 from Eden Realty
• $250 from Northern California Chapter of NECA
• $250 from RCS Associates

Cutter's expenses included $3,865 to Autumn Press for campaign literature and $2,806 to Handled With Care Mailing Service for postage and mailing services.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for October 1 to October 16, 2010.



Corina Lopez, Human Services Commissioner

Lopez had $1,450 at the end of the reporting period with $13,121 in debt. The campaign received the following contributions:

• $500 from Bulmaro Lopez, a truck driver in Soledad
• $250 from car dealership owner Anthony Batarse
• $100 from lobbyist and former California Assembly Member Johan Klehs

Lopez's expenses included $2,500 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting, $1,940 to Autumn Press for her walking piece, and $305 to EM Two Technologies for automated phone calls.

Lopez's Campaign Statement for October 1 to October 16, 2010.

Third Candidate Joins Race for District 1 City Council Seat

On October 11, 2010, Carol Libbrecht qualified as a write-in candidate for the San Leandro City Council District 1 race. Libbrecht, whose name does not appear on the ballot and has had just 10 days to campaign, faces an uphill battle against incumbent Michael Gregory and former Oakland School Board member David Anderson. Libbrecht's supporters will have to write her name on the ballot in order for her to receive a vote.

Libbrecht entered the race about 3 weeks before the election and has an ad in this week's San Leandro Times. She owns Hair Trap Designs on E. 14th St. and is on the boards of the California Cosmetology Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of San Leandro. According to her ad, she is also a member of the San Leandro Historical Society, Alta Mira Club, and San Leandro Downtown Association.

Libbrecht's entry into the race means that there is a small chance that ranked choice voting (RCV, aka instant runoff) could be used for the District 1 San Leandro City Council election if neither Gregory or Anderson receives more than 50% of the vote in the first round.

The election will be held on November 2, 2010, and the deadline to register to vote has already passed.

Local Political Committees Recent Financial Disclosures

On October 5, 2010, candidates for political office were required to disclose financial details of their campaign contributions and expenditures. Committees were also required to disclose their finances as well.

Citizens for San Leandro Schools received $59,790 in contributions during the July 1 to September 30, 2010, reporting period. The largest contributions were:

• $15,000 from WLC Architects
• $5,500 from AEDIS
• $5,000 from Jeff Luchetti Construction
• $5,000 from Harris & Associates
• $5,000 from Sheet Metal Workers' International Association

Other contributions included

• $2,000 from the San Leandro Police Officers Association
• $250 from former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis
• $200 from Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker's campaign committee

Total expenditures for the reporting period were $37,698. The largest expenditures were $15,000 to campaign consultant Connell Lindh, $8,685 to Accurate Mailings for mailing three letters, and $6313 to Bayside Printed Products for printing of door hangers and letters.

At the end of the reporting period, the committee had $51,398 in its account with no debt.

Citizens for San Leandro Schools' Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Protect San Leandro Services Committee for Measure Z received $58,375 in contributions during the reporting period. The committee received the following contributions:

• $30,000 from the San Leandro Police Officers Association
• $20,000 from the International Association of Firefighters Local 55
• $5,000 from Professional & Technical Engineers Local 21
• $500 from the Police Officers Research Association

Expenditures for the committee totaled $20,525 and included $8,333 to the Lew Edwards Group, $3,750 to Christy de Maria for campaign worker salaries, $2,000 to Sphinx Graphics for campaign literature, and $1,890 to Election Education Guide, a slate mailer. The Lew Edwards Group is the same organization hired for $61,000 in November 2009 by the City of San Leandro to educate San Leandro voters about the City's need for increased revenues.

At the end of the reporting period, the committee had $37,850 in its account with no debt.

Protect San Leandro Services Committee for Measure Z's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

The Sentinels, a group of local business owners, received $3,850 in contributions during the reporting period, including contributions from new Sentinels members René Mendieta, a member of the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Ken Pon, a former member of the San Leandro School Board, and Chad Pennebaker, owner of Douglas of Electronics.

Expenditures for The Sentinels totaled $10,100 and included:

• $4,000 to Tony Santos' campaign
• $3,000 to Corina Lopez' campaign
• $1,500 to Michael Gregory's campaign
• $1,000 to Measure M
• $600 to Frank Melton (sic), a candidate for the East Bay Municipal Utility District Board

The Sentinels' Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

The campaign disclosure for Political Action Committee for Excellence (PACE) was not available at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters as of October 15, 2010. However, most of the group's expenditures were noted in a previous post.

San Leandro Teachers Advocating New Directions (STAND) reported no contributions in the most recent reporting period. Expenditures included $250 to Citizens for San Leandro Schools and $250 to San Leandro School Board candidate Lance James. At the end of the reporting period, STAND reported $10,633 in its account with no debt.

STAND's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

The San Leandro Police Officers Association filed paperwork to establish a recipient committee on October 1, 2010. A previous San Leandro Police Officers Association recipient committee was terminated in October 1997. The group has contributed at least $2,500 to candidates since 2004. No financial disclosures were available for the group.

San Leandro Police Officers Association Statement of Organization.

District 1 San Leandro City Council Candidates at Second Candidate Forum

The District 1 San Leandro City Council candidates met at a second forum on Thursday, September 30, 2010, to make their case to San Leandro voters. Former Oakland School Board member David Anderson is seeking to unseat incumbent San Leandro City Council member Michael Gregory. Gregory was elected to the City Council in 2006. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, was held at the Marina Community Center.

Here are the candidates in their own words:

Opening statements:

What is your reaction to the headline story in the San Leandro Times about the recent rash of robberies in the City and what do you think is the solution to this problem?

What specific plans do you have to identify and secure sustainable funding to open and operate the senior community center?

More after the break.

What is being done to bring new large companies to San Leandro? What type of incentives would you recommend you offer?

Do you feel Measure Z could have a negative impact on our City? Might big ticket items such as cars be purchased in other cities, thus decreasing revenue?

What are San Leandro's plans for electric vehicle charging stations, specifically the Callan Start Garage Project?

Closing statements:

District 5 City Council Candidates at Second Candidate Forum

The District 5 San Leandro City Council candidates met at a second forum on Thursday, September 30, 2010, to make their case to San Leandro voters. San Leandro School Board Trustee Pauline Cutter and Human Resources Commissioner Corina Lopez are both seeking the seat currently held by Bill Stephens, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, was held at the Marina Community Center.

Here are the candidates in their own words:

Opening statements:

What is your reaction to the headline story in the San Leandro Times about the recent rash of robberies in the City and what do you think is the solution to this problem?

"What specific plans do you have to identify and secure sustainable funding to open and operate the senior community center?

More after the break.

What is being done to bring new large companies to San Leandro? What type of incentives would you recommend you offer?

Do you feel Measure Z could have a negative impact on our City? Might big ticket items such as cars be purchased in other cities, thus decreasing revenue?

What are San Leandro's plans for electric vehicle charging stations, specifically the Callan Start Garage Project?

Closing statements:

Lopez Edges Cutter in Recent Fundraising for District 5 City Council Race

In the race for the District 5 San Leandro City Council seat, Corina Lopez raised $7,296 during the most recent reporting period, slighting edging out the $6,395 raised by Pauline Cutter. With less than a month to go before the election, Cutter had $5,666 more in her campaign account than Lopez.

Both candidates are seeking the seat held by Bill Stephens since 2002. Term limits limit the Mayor and members of the City Council to two consecutive terms.

Future financial statements are due on October 21 in 2010 and January 31, 2011. The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 18 and the election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due October 5, 2010, and are summarized below.

Pauline Cutter, San Leandro School Board Trustee

Cutter reported $7,328 on hand at the end of the reporting period with no outstanding debt. Cutter's contributions included $1,000 each from local women's group Political Action Committee for Excellence and California Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $500 from the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, and $250 each from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Steamfitters Local 342.

Cutter's expenses included $1536 to BelAire Displays for lawn signs, $1,296 to Autumn Press for campaign literature, and $600 to Vo's Restaurant for a fundraiser.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Corina Lopez, Human Services Commissioner

Lopez had $1,662 at the end of the reporting period with $9,621 in debt. The campaign received contributions of $3,000 from The Sentinels, $500 each from former City Councilmember Gordan [sic] Galvan, Alameda County Firefighters Association, Pleasanton Garbage Service owner Robert Molinaro, and Michael Lopez, a student in Soledad, California. Lopez also loaned her campaign an additional $6,554.

Lopez's expenses included $5,500 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting, $1,980 to Prime Signs for lawn signs, $984 to Voter Guide Slate Cards for slate card mailers, and $743 to Van Austen Creative for web page and content design.

Lopez's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Gregory Leads Fundraising in DIstrict 1 City Council Race

Councilmember Michael Gregory outraised challenger David Anderson $6,674 to $605 in the race for the District 1 San Leandro City Council seat during the most recent reporting period.

Future financial statements are due on October 21, 2010 and January 31, 2011. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due October 5, 2010, and are summarized below.

Michael Gregory, Incumbent

Gregory reported $7,059 on hand at the end of the reporting period. Gregory's contributions included $1,500 from The Sentinels, $1,000 from the California Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $500 each from the Change Income Property Partnership, Creekside Associates, and Donna Reed (wife of Planning Commissioner Dale Reed), $300 from the Alameda County Firefighters Association, $250 each from Board of Zoning Adjustments member Philip Daly and Eden Realty, and $200 from car dealership owner Anthony Batarse.

Gregory reported no expenses except for a filing fee.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

David Anderson, former member of the Oakland School Board

Anderson had $2,338 at the end of the reporting period. The campaign received contributions of $100 each from Mary Anderson, Mildred Gardner, and Gloria Ricardo. Although most financial statements don't include contributions smaller than $100, Anderson listed contributions of $20 from former San Leandro City Councilmember Surlene Grant and current San Leandro City Councilmember Joyce Starosciak. Anderson also loaned his campaign an additional $1,733.66.

Anderson's expenses included $631 to Oakland Print and Copy Center for campaign literature, $350 to unlisted recipients for food for a fundraiser, and $304 to the US Post Office for postage.

Anderson's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Mayoral Candidate Starosciak Leads Latest Round of Fundraising

Councilmember Joyce Starosciak raised $14,962 during the most recent reporting period, leading the field of candidates for San Leandro Mayor. Former school board member Stephen Cassidy followed with contributions of $10,270, followed by San Leandro's incumbent mayor Tony Santos with $8,899. Sara Mestas raised $785. Lou Filipovich and John Palau are not required to file paperwork because they do not expect to raise or spend more than $1,000.

With less than a month to go, Santos reported the most cash on hand, with $22,954, followed by Cassidy with $18,380, Starosciak with $11,181, and Mestas with $588.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or greater. Future financial statements are due on October 21 in 2010 and January 31, 2011. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due October 5, 2010, and are summarized below.

Joyce Starosciak, San Leandro City Councilmember, District 4

Starosciak reported campaign funds of $11,181 at the end of September and no campaign debt. Significant contributions included $3,500 from Creekside Associates, $1,000 each from the San Leandro Police Officers Association, government relations-advocacy firm owner Christopher Townsend, and local women's group Political Action Committee for Excellence, $750 from property developer Brandenbury, Staedler & Moore [sic], and $500 each from Thomas Dlugosh, Chang Income Property, Bayfair Center consultant Quadric Group, and 7-11 owner Amarjit Sekhon,

Starosciak's largest expense was $5,032 to Tramutola for campaign consulting, followed by $1,667 to Bruce Gordon of Gordon Commercial Real Estate Services for rental of her campaign office at 1505 E. 14th St., and $1,200 to Belleci Designs for campaign literature.

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Stephen Cassidy, former member of the San Leandro School Board

Cassidy had $18,380 at the end of the reporting period with $9,080 in debt. The campaign received contributions of $590 from property manager John Sullivan, $500 each from Creekside Associates, attorney Joseph Saveri, Charles Ramsey's campaign committee, attorney Melissa Obegi, and Innisfree Ventures .

Cassidy's expenses included $4,575 to Autumn Press for campaign literature and lawn signs, $2,851 to Handle With Care for mailing literature, and $900 to Costco for campaign literature.

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Tony Santos, Incumbent

Santos' contributions included $4,000 from The Sentinels, a $3,700 loan from Santos to his campaign, $1,000 from the Central Labor Council, and $500 each from Alameda County Firefighters Local 55, Marina Mechanical owner James Hussey, Overhead Doors owner Eric Eisfeld, and Creekside Partners.

Santos' expenses included $5,000 to Alliance Campaign Strategies for campaign consulting, $2,500 to Community Outreach Services for various campaign services, $1,716 to Autumn Press for campaign literature, $1,000 to Charles Gilcrest for campaign Consulting, and $934 to Voter Guide Slate Cards for a slate mailer.

Santos' Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Sara Mestas, Member of the Rent Review Board

Mestas reported $588 in her campaign account after raising $785 during the reporting period. Contributions included $396 from Mestas to her own campaign and $350 from Round Table Pizza.

Expenses included $370 to Chad Pennebaker for an office, $100 to CVS for gift cards, and $100 to Tasche Cryor for a DJ at a fundraiser.

Mestas' Campaign Statement for July 1 to September 30, 2010.

$53,000 to Campaign Consultants So Far

Campaign consultant Tramutola has received $25,249 from Starosciak's campaign, while Community Outreach Services has received $18,127 from Santos' campaign. Santos also paid $9,000 to Alliance Campaign Strategies and $1,000 to Charles Gilcrest for campaign consulting.

Oakland-based Tramutola also manages campaigns for Alameda County Supervisor-elect Wilma Chan, Alameda County Supervisor candidate Nadia Lockyer, and Oakland mayoral candidate Don Perata. Hayward-based Community Outreach Services is run by Eden Realty owner Tom Silva of San Lorenzo. Alliance Campaign Strategies is run by Alice Lai-Bitker Chief of Staff Shawn Wilson, Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee Vice Chair Royce Kelley, and Angela Ramirez Holmes.

Cassidy's campaign is managed by volunteer Tim Holmes and Mestas is managing her own campaign. Filipovich and Palau are not expected to campaign at all.

Full disclosure: the author, Mike Katz-Lacabe, is on Stephen Cassidy's campaign committee.

Mayoral Candidates at Second Forum

San Leandro Mayoral candidates met at a second forum on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, was held at the Marina Community Center.

Here are the candidates in their own words:

What is your position on Measures M and Z and why?

What are your specific plans to identify and secure sustainable funding to open and operate the senior community center?

More after the break.

What percentage of the city's budget goes to police and fire salaries and pensions and how much to pay retired police and firemen and what will you do to reduce those costs?

What is your position on the legalization of marijuana and its production in San Leandro?

Why are you the best qualified candidate?

Closing statements:

Second Candidate Forum Thursday, September 30

A second candidate forum that includes candidates for San Leandro Mayor, San Leandro City Council and San Leandro School Board will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The forum will be held at the Marina Community Center and is being hosted by the Eden Area League of Women Voters and the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce.

The schedule for candidates is:

Pauline Cutter and Corina Lopez are the candidates for the District 5 City Council seat, David Anderson and Michael Gregory for the District 1 City Council seat and Stephen Cassidy, Sara Mestas, John Palau, Tony Santos, and Joyce Starosciak are the candidates for Mayor. District 3 City Councilmember Diana Souza has no opponent and will serve a second term.

The San Leandro School Board candidates are Lance James and Victoria Wang for the Area 2 seat held by Pauline Cutter and Latrina Dumas and Mike Katz for the Area 4 seat held by Katz. No candidate filed for the Area 6 seat held by Lisa Hague.

The forum will be held from 6 to 9pm on Thursday, September 30, 2010, at the Marina Community Center, located at 15301 Wicks Boulevard in San Leandro.

Sentinels Endorse Santos, Gregory, Lopez

The Sentinels, another local group that endorses local political candidates and contributes to campaigns, recently indicated its support for incumbent San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos, District 1 City Councilmember Michael Gregory, and District 5 City Council candidate Corina Lopez.

The endorsement usually comes with campaign contributions that range from $500 to $2,000. The Sentinels contributed $2,000 to Santos and his opponent, OB Badger, during the 2006 campaign for San Leandro Mayor. Starosciak received a $1,000 contribution from the group in 2008 and Gregory received $1,500 in 2006.

The Sentinels are a group of mostly local business owners and political insiders, including Personnel Relations Board Chair Kent Myers, former San Leandro Councilmember Gordon Galvan, Eden Medical Center CEO George Bischalaney, Planning Commissioner Tom Dlugosh, Alameda County Industries Executive Louie Pelligrini, Planning Commissioner Dale Reed, and Board of Zoning Adjustments Chair Charles Gilcrest.

PACE Endorses Starosciak over Mestas and Cutter over Lopez

In the race for San Leandro Mayor, Councilmember Joyce Starosciak secured the endorsement of Political Action Committee for Excellence (PACE) and a $1,000 contribution to Starosciak's campaign.

In the District 5 City Council race, Pauline Cutter received PACE's endorsement, along with a $1,000 campaign contribution.

In other races, PACE endorsed Ellen Corbett ($1,500) for California State Senate, Victoria Kolakowski ($1,000) for Alameda County Superior Court Judge, Elsa Ortiz ($500) for AC Transit Board, Shelia Young for Oro Loma Sanitary District Board, and Stacy Blom and Isabel Polvorosa ($250 each) for San Lorenzo School Board. Young did not request financial support from PACE.

PACE is a local group that supports candidates for political office, much like political action committees. PACE is a group of politically active women that includes Denise Kaplan,, Polvorosa, Catherine Ralph, Starosciak, Ursula Reed, Dale Gregory, Anna Brannan, Harriet Engberg, and Esther Collier. The group typically endorses only women for office, but did endorse some men in the 2002 election.

Labor Endorses Santos, Cutter and Lopez, But Not Gregory or Anderson

The Alameda County Central Labor Council endorsed incumbent Tony Santos for San Leandro Mayor today.

In the San Leandro District 1 City Council race, neither incumbent Michael Gregory nor former sheet metal worker David Anderson secured Labor's endorsement.

Both San Leandro District 5 City Council candidates Pauline Cutter and Corina Lopez received Labor's endorsement. Cutter has already secured endorsements from nine labor unions, including the Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenters, and Electrical Workers.

The endorsement of the Alameda County Central Labor Council is considered critical for support of union workers and generally includes financial support. It may also include phone banking and precinct-walking support.

City Council Candidates Anderson and Gregory at Candidate Forum

Below is more video from the candidate forum at the Marina Community Center on September 8, 2010, this time from the San Leandro District 1 City Council candidates. In San Leandro city elections, Councilmembers must reside in specific areas, but everybody in the city votes for candidates in each City Council district.

The candidates for San Leandro's District 1 City Council seat are David Anderson and Michael Gregory. The position is currently held by Gregory, who was elected in 2006 after his sole opponent withdrew.

Opening statements of the District 1 City Council candidates:

What does your Council oath of office mean to you?

Do you intend to rollback unsustainable salaries and benefits and sales taxes in San Leandro?

If you are elected, what is the most important thing you will get done while you are in office?

More after the break.

Tell us about what is your plan for the San Leandro Marina.

What are you going to do to strengthen the families in our community?

What specifically will you do to bring new stores such as Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market to San Leandro?

What ideas do you have that are new that would bring revenue to our city?

There are two Wal-Marts in San Leandro. Can you attract businesses to San Leandro other than Wal-Mart and 99-cent stores?

The School Board adjusted retirement benefits for retirees in 2000. The City Council did not. When would a proposal to limit pensions and mandate contributions by employees be appropriate?

Closing statements of the District 1 City Council candidates:

City Council Candidates Cutter and Lopez at Candidate Forum

If you missed the candidate forum at the Marina Community Center on September 8, 2010, you can still see and hear it all with the videos below.

The candidates for San Leandro's District 5 City Council seat are Pauline Cutter and Corina Lopez. There are competing for the position held by Councilmember Bill Stephens, who is being termed out after serving since 2002.

Opening statements of the District 5 City Council candidates:

What does your Council oath of office mean to you?

Do you intend to rollback unsustainable salaries and benefits and sales taxes in San Leandro?

If you are elected, what is the most important thing you will get done while you are in office?

More after the break:

Tell us about what is your plan for the San Leandro Marina.

What are you going to do to strengthen the families in our community?

What specifically will you do to bring new stores such as Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market to San Leandro?

What ideas do you have that are new that would bring revenue to our city?

There are two Wal-Marts in San Leandro. Can you attract businesses to San Leandro other than Wal-Mart and 99-cent stores?

The School Board adjusted retirement benefits for retirees in 2000. The City Council did not. When would a proposal to limit pensions and mandate contributions by employees be appropriate?

Closing statements of the District 5 City Council candidates:

Democrats Endorse Santos, Gregory, Souza

The Alameda County Democrats endorsed incumbent San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos after a day long session of interviews on September 11, 2011. City Councilmember Joyce Starosciak, the only other candidate under consideration at yesterday's interview, failed to get the endorsement, despite support from the local Assemblymember. Santos was endorsed by Democrats when he ran for Mayor in 2006 and Starosciak was endorsed by Democrats when she ran for City Council in 2008.

In the District 5 City Council race, neither Pauline Cutter nor Corina Lopez secured the Democratic endorsement. Cutter was endorsed by the Democrats in her re-election run for School Board in 2006. Cutter's failure to obtain the endorsement is somewhat surprising since Lopez registered as a Democrat after 2008 and Democrats are generally reluctant to endorse new converts over long-time members.

District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory and District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza, who is unopposed, received the Democratic endorsement last week.

Mayoral Candidates at the Candidate Forum

If you missed the candidate forum at the Marina Community Center on September 8, 2010, you can still see and hear it all with the videos below.

The candidates for San Leandro Mayor are former School Board member Stephen Cassidy, Rent Commissioner Sara Mestas, former construction manager John Palau, incumbent Mayor Tony Santos, and City Councilmember Joyce Starosciak.

Opening statements of the Mayoral Candidates:

How do you differentiate yourself from your other Mayoral candidates?

What specific plans do you have to identify and fund resources to open and operate the Senior Community Center?

What is your position on pension reform and why do you feel that way?

More after the break:

What is your approach to solve the budget: more taxes or service cuts?

What is your plan for the San Leandro Marina? This includes the marina, the golf course, restaurants, any developments on that site.

Store fronts are looking trashy on E. 14th Street. Businesses are impacted by the roadwork in the middle of the street. What is your plan to clean it up?

Mayoral Candidates Closing Remarks:

Candidate Forum September 8, 2010

All of the candidates for San Leandro Mayor and City Council are expected to participate in a candidate forum on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. The forum will be held at the Marina Community Center and is being hosted by the Washington Homeowners, Floresta Homeowners, and Broadmoor Neighborhood Associations.

Pauline Cutter and Corina Lopez are the candidates for the District 5 City Council seat, David Anderson and Michael Gregory for the District 1 City Council seat and Stephen Cassidy, Sara Mestas, John Palau, Tony Santos, and Joyce Starosciak are the candidates for Mayor. Diana Souza will also be on-hand, but faces no opponent and will retain her District 3 City Council seat.

Bob Leigh, the committee chair for the event, stated that the City Council candidates will be first and the mayoral candidates will be last, in order to accommodate Santos, who will be attending an earlier event that evening. Candidates will be allowed a two-minute opening statement, followed by questions from the audience and a closing two-minute statement. Interest in the event has been so great, according to Leigh, that the forum was moved to the Titan Auditorium to accommodate a larger crowd.

The forum will be held from 7 to 9pm on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at the Marina Community Center, located at 15301 Wicks Boulevard in San Leandro.

Democrats Endorse San Leandro School Bond and Increase in City Sales Tax

The Alameda County Democratic Central Committee unanimously endorsed the San Leandro Unified School District's bond and the City of San Leandro's 0.25% sales tax increase at its meeting on September 1, 2010.

The school bond would fund modernization of Burrell Field and the swimming pools at San Leandro High School in addition to athletic facilities throughout the District. The sales tax increase would increase the sales tax from 9.75% to 10% and provide an estimated $4 million in annual revenue.

Vida Blue Pitches for San Leandro City Council Candidate

San Leandro District 1 City Council candidate David Anderson's campaign kickoff will feature former Oakland A's pitcher Vida Blue. Blue played with the A's when they won the World Series in 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Anderson is a retired sheet metal worker and former member of the Oakland School Board. He is challenging incumbent Michael Gregory for the District 1 City Council seat. Gregory was elected in 2006 after opponent Frank Lynn moved out of the District 1 area.

Blue isn't the first celebrity to make an appearance in support of a San Leandro City Council candidate. In 2008, actor Danny Glover appeared at a campaign fundraiser for Ursula Reed. Reed went on to win the District 2 City Council race over veteran Linda Perry in a run-off election.

Anderson's campaign kickoff will be held from 1 to 4pm on August 21, 2010, at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall at 1700 Marina Boulevard in San Leandro.

No Candidates File for Hague's Seat on the San Leandro School Board

At the close of the extended filing period at 5pm on August 11, 2010, no candidates had filed for the Area 6 seat on the San Leandro School Board. As a result, the School Board will have to decide whether to hold a special election or make an appointment by the end of January 2011.

Lisa Hague, the current Area 6 trustee, announced at the August 3 School Board meeting that she would not seek re-election. Hague was appointed to the seat in 2005 after Kimberly Wilson was removed from the School Board for moving out of the trustee area.

According to the Board's bylaws, "If a vacancy occurs four or more months before the end of a Board member’s term, the Board shall, within 60 days of the date of the vacancy or the filing of the member’s deferred resignation, either order an election or make a provisional appointment.... (Education Code 5091)"

In the Area 2 School Board race, Lance James and Victoria Wang are vying to replace Pauline Cutter, who is campaigning for the San Leandro City Council District 5 seat. Cutter was first elected to the School Board in 1998, when she defeated Bill Stephens, who she is now running to replace.

In Area 4, San Leandro School Board incumbent Mike Katz (that's me) faces a challenge from Latrina Dumas. Katz defeated opponent Pete Lismer in 2006 to replace Louis Heystek.

The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Economic Interests of the San Leandro Candidates

In order to run for Mayor or the City Council, candidates must submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700) as part of the required paperwork. This purpose of this form is to disclose financial interests that could lead to a conflict-of-interest by elected officials.

These disclosures are public documents and any member of the public can inspect and obtain copies ($0.10 each page) of these disclosures.

Statement of Economic Interests for Mayoral Candidates

• Stephen H. Cassidy
• Sara M. Mestas
• John R. Palau
• Anthony B. "Tony" Santos
• Joyce Rutledge Starosciak

Statement of Economic Interests for City Council Candidates

• David L. Anderson, Sr., District 1
• Michael J. Gregory, District 1
• Diana M. Souza, District 3
• Pauline Russo Cutter, District 5


• Corina N. Lopez, District 5

Candidate Statements from San Leandro Mayoral Candidates

San Leandro Mayoral candidates may submit a 200-word candidate statement that will be mailed to voters with the sample ballot. In order to submit a statement, the candidate must submit the estimated $1,200 fee with the San Leandro City Clerk.

Below are the candidate statements for San Leandro Mayoral candidates. Tony Santos, the incumbent was elected in 2006. City Councilmember Joyce Starosciak was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Stephen Cassidy served on the San Leandro School Board from 2004 to 2008. Sara Mestas was appointed to the Rent Review Board in December 2009. No information was available about John Palau and he did not submit a candidate statement.

Stephen H. Cassidy:

I'm running for Mayor because I care deeply for San Leandro. I bring new leadership, a willingness to listen, and solutions to our challenges. Our gem of a city is threatened by record deficits, crime, and cuts to vital services. As Mayor, I will restore fiscal discipline to City Hall. I will lead by example, refusing a salary until the budget is balanced. Instead of last resort tax hikes, we must reform pensions by asking employees to contribute their share, enact structural changes, and eliminate excessive.overtime. I'll use my experience as a business owner and attorney to attract businesses, grocery stores, and restaurants. This will create jobs and fund our police, senior center, libraries, and pools. Imagine San Leandro a prosperous, thriving community. Our hospital is critical to San Leandro's well-being; I'll fight to keep it. My wife is a former public school teacher. We are raising and educating our daughters here. As School Board trustee, I proposed the Ninth grade campus, championed the Performing Arts Theater, and will collaborate with our schools, supporting student programs from a balanced budget. Elected officials, commissioners, school board trustees, community leaders across San Leandro support me. Working together, let's make San Leandro a safe, vibrant, sustainable city.

Sara M. Mestas:

My name is Sara M. Mestas and I'm running for Mayor of San Leandro because it is time for us to get back to the good old days of education, safety, community, and caring. As someone who has a track record of breaking the mold, overcoming many challenges, and seizing great opportunities, rest assured I am capable of tackling big issues, offering bold ideas and solutions. I will stand my ground and answer first to the Citizens of San Leandro. I promise to track my success by delivering real results. I will be a hands on Mayor who is actively engaged 24-7. I attended Cal State East Bay with a Major in Bio-chemistry. I have held many high profile positions, Executive Marketing Director 6 years, Unix Systems Administrator Electronic Arts, EMT Children's Hospital Austin, volunteer Fire Fighter Austin, and I am currently self-employed. I am dedicated to seniors, public safety & fire, education, jobs, closing our budget deficit and creating a prosperous economy in San Leandro. I have a plan to cut spending, increase revenue, engage citizens, support education, and keep our streets safe all while keeping our small town feel. "Save the View, Save the Bay" www.electsaramestas.org 510-355-2789

Anthony B. "Tony" Santos

Serving the people of San Leandro, as Councilmember and now Mayor, has been my greatest honor.

We have achieved a special quality of life in our city, expanding and preserving open space, strengthening public safety, and keeping our city's financial base strong while other communities struggle.

Even in these tough economic times, San Leandro is moving forward. Under my leadership, we broke ground on the new Kaiser building, built the 9th Grade Academy, constructed affordable housing for our seniors, and preserved child care for our families.

I've taken the lead in preserving our quality of life, authoring neighborhood preservation and noise ordinances and establishing a neighborhood park.

We made San Leandro a "green" city, taking the lead in energy conservation and green building, expanding bike lanes, fighting airport noise pollution, and opening the Bill Lockyer Bridge to connect the bay trails.

With continued prudent management, San Leandro will go on delivering quality services. We will continue to create jobs, fight to keep San Leandro Hospital open, and make public safety our top concern.

Please join our Firefighters and State Senator Ellen Corbett and re-elect me as your Mayor to keep San Leandro the great place it is to live, work, and raise a family. www.santosformayor2010.com.

Joyce Rutledge Starosciak:

As your Councilmember I have been working hard to make San Leandro a better city. However, the Mayor sets the vision and agenda. Our city faces a severe budget crisis and tough choices need to be made. A fresh, positive change in leadership is needed in San Leandro. I am well-qualified to be Mayor, having served this city in public office for 10 years. I grew up in San Leandro and own a San Leandro business. Because of my work on public safety issues, I received the endorsement of the San Leandro Police Officers Association. Because of my work with the schools, I am endorsed by parents and teachers throughout our community. Over the past year I have walked every neighborhood in San Leandro. Citizens tell me they want quality shopping, restaurants, and development. They want streets repaired, ordinances against speeding and panhandling enforced, the senior center opened, schools improved, businesses thriving, and a police department that is fully staffed. These will be my priorities. I would appreciate your vote for Joyce Starosciak for Mayor of San Leandro. Working together to get it done, we'll make San Leandro a place we're proud to call home.

For more information visit www.electjoyce.org

Candidate Statements from San Leandro City Council District 1 Candidates

San Leandro City Council candidates may submit a 200-word candidate statement that will be mailed to voters with the sample ballot. In order to submit a statement, the candidate must submit the estimated $1,200 fee with the San Leandro City Clerk.

Below are the candidate statements for San Leandro City Council District 1 candidates. Michael Gregory, the incumbent, was elected in 2006. David Anderson is a former member of the Oakland School Board.

David L. Anderson, Sr.:

I am a Candidate for San Leandro City Council, District 1. I am committed to making the City of San Leandro a better place today and tomorrow!

I have gone door-to-door and spoke to businesses, community members about issues and concerns and get their views on San Leandro. I have been hearing that we need a local hospital with emergency room; we need to repair our streets and need to support our youth to excel in school and more after school programs, ie. tutoring programs, sports & other extra-curricular activities, and a healthy environment. I will also advocate for the needs of our senior citizens.

I will bring a practical and analytical approach to develop and implement policies that gets to the heart of what is needed to protect and restore the City's revenue and fiscal stability.

It is time to turn our attention to the "Real Business" of protecting vital services by working in partnership with police, businesses, labor unions, Professional Organizations, and Government Agencies.

Tough times require community leaders with the courage to introduce new approach. I will work in collaboration with the community to develop our Marina and bring additional revenue, improve our schools and make our community safe.

Michael J. Gregory:

My wife and I have been your neighbors in this community for nearly 25 years. Our family is proud to call San Leandro home and it has been a privilege serving you on the City Council.

As your Councilmember, I advocated strongly for our schools, initiated the Safe Routes to Schools program, worked for affordable housing for seniors and working families, fought to preserve police and fire services, led the effort to save San Leandro Hospital, championed transit-oriented development and created a more environmentally sustainable San Leandro.

These are challenging times for cities, including our own, but we will weather the storm. We broke ground on the new Kaiser Hospital, recruited new jobs and businesses, mitigated traffic, and envisioned new ideas for the Shoreline.

I am running for re-election to preserve the qualities that make San Leandro special. We need to make our downtown a destination, expand economic development, improve the partnership with our schools, commit to public safety, and continue to deliver quality City services.

I have a vision for a better San Leandro and I want to continue to work with you to achieve it. It would be an honor to have your vote for re-election. www.votemichaelgregory.com

Candidate Statements from San Leandro District 5 City Council Candidates

San Leandro City Council candidates may submit a 200-word candidate statement that will be mailed to voters with the sample ballot. In order to submit a statement, the candidate must submit the estimated $1,200 fee with the San Leandro City Clerk.

Below are the candidate statements for San Leandro City Council District 5 candidates. Pauline Cutter was elected to the San Leandro School Board in 1998 and has served 12 years. Corina Lopez was appointed to the Human Services Commission in July 2009.

Pauline Russo Cutter:

San Leandro faces tremendous challenges right now. Our local economy, businesses, schools and families are feeling the stress of reduced revenues and budget cuts. During these difficult times, we need proven leadership we can trust on the City Council. Through my work as a preschool director and a School Board Trustee, I have made tough decisions to protect critical programs and have achieved results. I have helped balance multi-year budgets, pass two school bonds, and build new facilities. With both bonds, we have secured millions in matching funds, ensured projects are finished on time and under budget, and put people to work in San Leandro. As a parent of three and a 30-year resident, I am invested in the future of our city and want to make sure it remains a great place to Iive, work and raise a family. As your Council representative, I will work tirelessly to restore and expand services for children and seniors, create jobs, and preserve essential police and fire services. I offer a common-sense approach to problem solving and the leadership skills needed to achieve our goals. I will bring a fresh perspective to city government. Please visit www.paulinecutter.com for more information. Thank you.

Corina N. Lopez:

Throughout my life, I have dedicated myself to public service and giving back to the community. I have spent my time listening and working with my neighbors for a better San Leandro while serving as a City Human Services Commissioner, President of the Best Manor Homeowners Association, and Co-Chair of the Latino Business Council. My academic background and professional experience in these tough fiscal times is critical. I have a strong financial background with experience both on Wall Street and as a business owner and investor. We must focus on the financial viability of our city, making sound financial decisions in order to provide needed services to our community from youth to seniors alike. I am running for City Council to bring a fresh perspective to our city and to ensure that our neighborhoods continue to have a strong voice. As your Councilmember, I will make public safety our top priority; promote economic development and create jobs; build a better partnership with our schools; invest in infrastructure like roads and parks; and exercise fiscal responsibility and accountability. San Leandro is a special place. We can do more and we can do better. I would be honored to have your vote. www.CorinaLopez.com

Starosciak Gets Police Endorsement; Santos Gets Fire

San Leandro Mayoral candidate and Councilmember Joyce Starosciak received the endorsement of the San Leandro Police Officers Association (POA) for the November 2010 election while the International Association of Firefighters Local 55 endorsed incumbent Mayor Tony Santos.

The San Leandro POA gave Starosciak $500 in November 2004, $100, in May 2007, and $300 in May 2008. Starosciak, whose husband works with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, also received $1,000 from the Peace Officers Research Association in October 2004 and January 2005 and another $500 in May 2008.

The firefighters contributed $500 to Santos in June 2005 and another $500 in February 2006. They also made contributions in the same amounts to OB Badger, Santos' opponent in the 2006 election.

Since 2004, the POA has not contributed to Santos and the firefighters have not contributed to Starosciak.

Although endorsements from the public safety organizations have historically been highly sought after, it's unclear how much impact they have. Charles Gilcrest had the endorsements of both groups when he came in third for the District 2 San Leandro City Council race in June 2008 and Rick Richards had the endorsement of the police when he lost his bid for re-election to the San Leandro School Board in 2008.

Field Set for San Leandro City Council and Mayor Races

With the deadline for filing passed, the field of candidates for San Leandro Mayor and City Council is now set.

Incumbent San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos faces a challenge from former San Leandro School Board trustee Stephen Cassidy, Sara Mestas, John Palau, and San Leandro Councilmember Joyce Starosciak. Perennial candidate Lou Filipovich had taken out papers to run but failed to submit them before the deadline.

Palau is a newcomer to the race, having taken out papers to run just two days before the filing deadline. Santos was elected in 2006 after defeating OB Badger in a run-off election.

In District 1, incumbent Michael Gregory faces a challenge from former Oakland School Board member David Anderson. Gregory was first elected in 2006.

District 3 incumbent Diana Souza will not face an opponent and will not appear on the November ballot. Souza was elected in 2006 after a run-off election with Julian Polvorosa.

In District 5, where two-term Councilmember Bill Stephens is termed out, San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter will face off against Human Services Commissioner Corina Lopez. Ted Kai, who had previously taken out papers to run, did not complete his filing by the deadline. Stephens did not face an opponent in 2002 or 2006.

The election will be held on November 2, 2010, and will be the first time that ranked choice voting (aka instant runoff voting) will be used in the City of San Leandro. The deadline to register to vote for the November election is October 18, 2010.

Field of Candidates Nearly Set for November Races

In AC Transit Ward 4, which includes part of San Leandro, Board President Ryan "Rocky" Fernandez did not file to run for re-election and may be replaced by Gavin Wilgus, who was an intern at the Castro Valley Sanitary District. In a statement, Fernandez said, "I feel this is the right time to step aside and, among other things, further my education." Wilgus is the only candidate to have completed his filing at this time.

In AC Transit Ward 3, which includes part of San Leandro, incumbent Elsa Ortiz faces a challenge from Dollene Jones and Nancy Skowbo.

Isobel Dvorsky will automatically get the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, Trustee Area 2 seat as no challenger submitted paperwork to run for the office. Her name will not appear on the November ballot. The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is governed by a seven-member board of trustees representing Castro Valley, Dublin, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol and Union City.

For East Bay Municipal Utility District Ward 7, Incumbent Frank Mellon is being challenged by Matt Turner. EBMUD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors representing Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Pinole, Richmond, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, El Cerrito, Alameda, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Crockett, Hercules, Rodeo, Pinole, San Pablo, Hayward, San Ramon, and Castro Valley.

Incumbent Eden Township Healthcare District Director Carole Rogers and at least three challengers will vie for three seats in the November election. The challengers so far are Les Friedman, Susan Reisz, and William West. The five-member at-large Eden Township Healthcare District Board of Directors serves on the governing Board of Directors of Eden Medical Center, which includes San Leandro Hospital, and disperses grants through the Community Health Fund.

Oro Loma Sanitary District Board incumbents Timothy Becker, Howard Kerr, and Frank Sidari face a challenge from former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young and Larry Johnson. The Oro Loma Sanitary District provides sewage treatment, solid waste, and recycling services to an area of San Leandro and San Lorenzo. The five-member Board of Directors is elected at-large.

The San Lorenzo School Board race will see incumbents Isabel Polvorosa and Helen Randall face challenges from Stacy Santos Blom, Rebecca Olivera, Elliot Schneider, and former San Lorenzo School Board member Gene Judson. The five members of the San Lorenzo School Board are elected at-large.

Former San Leandro Mayor and incumbent State Senator Ellen Corbett faces certain victory in November against Republican/Tea Party candidate Rob Maffit and American Independent candidate Ivan Chou.

Likewise incumbent State Assembly Member Mary Hayashi will handily prevail over Republican college student challenger Michael Havig.

Would-be Pete Stark challenger and Tea Party candidate Chris Pareja did not submit enough signatures to qualify as an independent candidate for the 13th Congressional District seat. Stark, who has held the seat since 1973, will likely be re-elected easily in the heavily Democratic district over Republican challenger Forest Baker.

Note: Updated on August 9 to reflect that the deadline to file for some seats has been extended until August 11 since the incumbent did not file for re-election.

Cutter Leads Fundraising Among All City Council Candidates

District 5 City Council candidate and San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter led all San Leandro City Council candidates by raising $4,712 during the first half of 2010. One of her opponents, Corina Lopez, raised $3,067 during the same period, but it came in the form of a loan from Lopez to her own campaign. Ted Kai did not file a financial statement. District 1 City Council incumbent Michael Gregory didn't raise any money during the first half of 2010, while his opponent David Anderson raised $1,319, all but $100 of which was a loan to his own campaign. District 3 incumbent Diana Souza doesn't have an opponent and doesn't have an active campaign committee.

Cutter had $6,469 in her account at the end of the reporting period. Significant contributions included $500 each from Evelyn Gonzalez, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 595, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 104. Former California State Assemblyman John Dutra contributed $250, and former opponent Peggy Combs contributed $100.

Cutter's expenses included $440 to the Postmaster for postage, $345 to In & Out Printing for office expenses, and $306 to Ken Pon for services.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Lopez reported $242 in her campaign account as of June 30, 2010. Her sole contribution came from a $3,067 loan she made to her campaign.

Lopez' expenses included $2,091 to Community Outreach Associates for email services, $431 to Van Austin Creative for graphics and web site development, and $150 to Jerry Hamilton Photography for photography services.

Lopez' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

In the District 1 race, Gregory had $1,613 in his account despite raising no money in the first half of 2010. He had no expenses and $7,223 in outstanding debt.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Former Oakland School Board member Anderson had $1,319 in his campaign account. Anderson received a $100 contribution from Sal Diaz and a $1,219 loan to his own account. Anderson did report any campaign expenses.

Anderson's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Other officials and former candidates with campaign accounts that are still
active are summarized below:

Councilmember Bill Stephens, who will be termed out this year, continued to deplete his campaign account. Stephens had $1,169 in his campaign account after contributing $200 to the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club, $160 to the San Leandro High School Boosters, and $150 to the Martin C. Kaufmann 100 Club of Alameda County.

Stephens' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

District 2 Councilmember Ursula Reed had no expenses and raised no money during the first half of 2010 and ended the reporting period with no campaign debt and an empty campaign account.

Reed's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Former District 2 City Council candidate Linda Perry had no expenses and raised no money during the first half of 2010. Perry ended the reporting period with $1,542 in her campaign account and $11,250 in campaign debt.

Perry's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

District 6 City Councilmember Jim Prola contributed $200 to the Alameda Labor Coundil in the first half of 2010. Prola raised no money and reported $4,168 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding debt.

Prola's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Former District 6 City Council candidate Estelle Clemons reported $84.82 in her campaign account with $1,900 in debt. Clemons didn't raise any during the first half of 2010.

Clemons Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Former Mayor Shelia Young, who was recently elected to the Alameda County Central Democratic Committee and is running for Oro Loma Sanitary District, did not raise any money in the first half of 2010. Young contributed $100 to Wilma Chan's campaign and $100 to the San Leandro Players. As of June 30, 2010, Young had $7,778 in her campaign account and no campaign debt.

Young's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Santos and Cassidy Lead Mayoral Fundraising

San Leandro's incumbent mayor Tony Santos raised $20,402 and challenger Stephen Cassidy raised $10,705 during the first half of 2010 to lead the field of mayoral candidates. Councilmember Joyce Starosciak raised $9,333 and Sara Mestas raised $1,285. Lou Filipovich is not required to file paperwork because he does not expect to raise or spend more than $1,000.

There are no campaign contribution limits in San Leandro, so individuals and businesses may contribute any amount of money to local campaigns. Donations of $99 or less do not have to be itemized, but candidates are required to report the source of any donation of $100 or greater. Future financial statements are due on October 5, and October 21 in 2010 and January 31, 2011. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due August 2, 2010, and are summarized below.

Tony Santos, Incumbent

Santos' contributions included $2,500 from Electrical Workers Local 595, $1,500 each from Manuel Vieira and the California Apartment Association, and $1,000 each from UA Local 342, District Council of Iron Workers, East Bay Leasing Co., Charles and Wanda Bray, and Steven Leung. Other notable contributions included $750 from former Councilmember Kent Myers, $500 from car dealership owner Anthony Batarse, $250 from his wife Melitta Santos, and $250 from former Councilmember Gordon Galvan.

Santos' expenses included $15,627 to Community Outreach Services for various campaign services, $4,000 to Alliance Campaign Consultants [sic] for campaign consulting, and $960 to Vo's Restaurant for a fundraiser held in January.

The statement indicated that $4,081 was still owed to Community Outreach Services, so while Santos reported an ending cash balance of $23,943, it would actually be $19,862 if that debt was paid.

Santos' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Stephen Cassidy, former member of the San Leandro School Board

Cassidy had $20,346 at the end of the reporting period with $8,830 in debt. The campaign received contributions of $1,050 from Tim Holmes, $1,000 each from fellow attorney Elizabeth Cabraser and Juan and Evelyn Gonzalez, and $500 each from Ron Musgrove and John and Mary Sullivan.

Cassidy's expenses included $746 to Costco for campaign literature, $269 to In & Out Printing for campaign literature, and $253 to the T-Shirt Factory for campaign paraphernalia.

The total raised for the period rises by $7,560 when including the loan made to the campaign by Cassidy.

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Joyce Starosciak, San Leandro City Councilmember, District 4

Starosciak reported campaign funds of $6,324 at the end of June and no campaign debt. Significant contributions included $500 each from Southern California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's (D-Pasadena) campaign committee, Pacific HVAC Depot, Robert Molinaro, owner of Alameda County Industries, and PAM Companies. Other contributions included $300 each from Creekside Associates and Windsor Partners, $150 from EMS Management, $100 from Innisfree Ventures, and $100 from Oakland Supervisor Nate Miley's campaign committee.

Starosciak's largest expense was $10,200 to Tramutola for campaign consulting, followed by $3,857 to Print Pro for campaign literature, and $606 to Marcy Ramsey for a fundraiser.

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Sara Mestas, Member of the Rent Review Board

Mestas reported $263 in her campaign account after raising $1,285 during the first half of 2010. Contributions included $1,060 from Mestas to her own campaign and $100 each from Litvinchuck [sic] Realty and Clancy's Ice Cream.

Expenses included $740 to Chad Pennebaker for an office, $124 to Office Depot for toner and ink, and $120 to FX Dream for photos at a press conference.

Mestas' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2010.

Campaign consultant Tramutola has received $20,217 from Starosciak's campaign, while Community Outreach Services has received $15,627 from Santos' campaign. Santos also paid $4,000 to Alliance Campaign Consultants (actually Alliance Campaign Strategies) for campaign consulting.

Oakland-based Tramutola also manages campaigns for Alameda County Supervisor-elect Wilma Chan, Alameda County Supervisor candidate Nadia Lockyer, and Oakland mayoral candidate Don Perata. San Leandro Bytes could not find any information about Hayward-based Community Outreach Services, but it has the same address as Eden Realty, a local real estate company run by Tom Silva. Alliance Campaign Strategies is run by Alice Lai-Bitker Chief of Staff Shawn Wilson, Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee Vice Chair Royce Kelley, and Angela Ramirez Holmes.

Cassidy's campaign is managed by volunteer Tim Holmes, who has contributed more than $1,000 to the campaign while Mestas is managing her own campaign. Filipovich is not expected to campaign at all.

Note: Full disclosure: the author, Mike Katz-Lacabe, is on Stephen Cassidy's campaign committee.

Pete Stark Town Halls This Saturday July 24

Pete Stark, San Leandro's Member of Congress, will hold town hall meetings on Saturday, July 24, 2010, in Hayward and Alameda.

The Hayward town hall will be held in the Council Chambers of Hayward City Hall at 777 B Street from 9 - 10:30am.

The Alameda town hall will be held in the Council Chambers of Alameda City Hall at 2236 Santa Clara Avenue from 11am - 12:30pm.

Alameda County Democrats Endorse Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Although the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party decided to remain neutral on July 18, 2010, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee endorsed the ballot initiative to legalize the sale of marijuana at its meeting on July 7, 2010, with only one member opposed.

The initiative will appear on the November 2, 2010, ballot as Proposition 19, the California Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010.

The resolution passed by the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee reads:

Whereas, controlling and taxing cannabis, like we do with alcohol and cigarettes, will generate billions of dollars in annual revenue for California to fund what matters most to Californians: jobs, health care,· schools and libraries, roads, and more.

Whereas, California should stop arresting thousands of non-violent cannabis consumers, freeing up police resources and saving millions of dollars each year, which could be used for apprehending truly dangerous criminals and keeping them locked up, and for other essential state needs that lack funding.

Whereas, if a controlled and taxed cannabis market operated on the same level as the California wine industry, it would generate tens of thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in new yearly wages for workers.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee endorses the California Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, appearing on this November's statewide ballot, and

Be it further resolved that the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee urges the California Democratic Party to endorse the California Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, appearing on this November's statewide ballot, at its Executive Board meeting scheduled July 16-18, 2010.

After the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996, San Leandro took no action regarding the marijuana dispensaries that were permitted under the new state law until 2004 when the City Council enacted a moratorium on marijuana dispensaries in December to prevent one from opening in San Leandro. Subsequent ordinances were passed in January 2005 and January 2006.

However, the moratorium on marijuana dispensaries ended as of December 4, 2006, because the State of California places time limits on urgency ordinances like the ones San Leandro enacted to prohibit marijuana dispensaries within the City. According to the City Attorney, marijuana dispensaries cannot be licensed in San Leandro because they possess and distribute a federally-controlled substance. San Leandro Municipal Code Sec. 2.2.420 permits the Finance Director to reject a business license application if there is "reasonable cause to believe...that a proposed business will not comply with any applicable laws..." This seems to give the City of San Leandro the flexibility to ban or license marijuana-related businesses depending on the current climate.

Even before California voters decide whether to legalize marijuana in November, the City of Oakland will decide on Tuesday whether to permit four large marijuana growing operations that could generate millions in tax revenues. Meanwhile, discussions about a possible growing operation in San Leandro have faded as quickly as they appeared.

Election Filing Period Begins for November 2010 Election

The election filing period for the November 2, 2010, election opened on Monday, July 12, 2010. In San Leandro, the office of Mayor and City Council seats in Districts 1, 3, and 5, will be decided in November. The Mayor and members of the City Council are elected by all San Leandro voters, but Councilmembers are required to reside in specific District areas.

Numerous candidates have already entered the races for Mayor and City Council, although none of them will be official until the required nomination papers with the signatures of 20 registered voters are validated.

In the Mayor's race, incumbent Tony Santos faces a challenge from San Leandro City Councilmember Joyce Starosciak, former San Leandro School Board member Stephen Cassidy, and newcomer Sara Mestas.

District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory faces a challenge from former Oakland School Board member David Anderson.

When asked, District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza said that she will seek re-election. For now, Souza has no declared challengers.

With District 5 Councilmember Bill Stephens unable to seek re-election because of term limits, San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter, Human Services Commissioner Corina Lopez, and newcomer Ted Kai have all stated their intention to seek the seat.

Candidates have until August 6, 2010, to submit the paperwork required to appear on the November ballot. See http://www.sanleandro.org/howdoi/run/defaullt.asp for more information on running for Mayor or City Council.

3:13pm: Updated to show that Souza is running for re-election.

Ted Kai Files to Run for San Leandro City Council District 5

Burkhardt "Ted" Kai filed his Candidate Intention Statement for the District 5 San Leandro City Council seat on June 16, 2010. Kai is a registered Green Party voter and seems to be new to local politics.

Kai joins San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter and Best Manor HOA President Corina Lopez in the race for the City Council seat currently held by Bill Stephens. Stephens has held the seat since 2002 and will be termed out this year.

Candidates can file nomination papers to run for office from July 12 until August 6, 2010, but candidates for three of the four seats have already gotten a head start. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

Chan Wins Her Former Supervisor Seat and Other Local Election Results

With all precincts reporting, former Alameda County Supervisor and member of the California State Assembly Wilma Chan has been elected as the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor with 54.6% of the vote, avoiding a November run-off. Her closest competitor, former Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson, received just 30.8% of the vote. Oakland businessman Harold Lowe and perennial candidate Lou Filipovich were a distant third and fourth. Click here for current results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters (ROV).

State Senator Ellen Corbett and Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi were unopposed in the primaries and can now cruise to their re-elections in November. Similarly, U.S. Congressman Pete Stark cruised to an easy victory over San Leandro resident Justin Jelincic with 83.5% to 16% of the vote and all precincts reporting. Click here for current results from the Alameda County ROV.

In the 18th Assembly District Democratic Central Committee race, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young received the most votes of the 13 candidates vying for the six seats. Young was followed by incumbents Linda Perry and Ryan "Rocky" Fernandez, newcomer Margarita Lacabe [Full disclosure: Margarita is my wife], and incumbents Robin Torello and Diana Prola. Click here for current results from the Alameda County ROV.

San Leandro resident Don Grundmann lost out to Edward Noonan in the American Independent U.S. Senate primary. Grundmann unsuccessfully ran for San Leandro School Board and U.S. President in 2008, the U.S. Senate in 2004 and 2006, and U.S. Congress in 2000 and 2002.

Further south, Nadia Lockyer (38%) appears headed for a run-off with former California State Senator Liz Figueroa (25%) for the District 2 Alameda County Supervisor seat being vacated by Gail Steele. Union City Mayor Mark Green finished a strong third with 23.8% of the vote, just 263 votes shy of Figueroa. With late absentee ballots still to be counted, Green still has a chance at a run-off with Lockyer. Hayward Councilmember Kevin Dowling was a distant fourth with less than 13% of the vote. Click here for current results from the Alameda County ROV.

Updated at 11:19pm and 6:53am.

Aspiring Rapper Enters Race for San Leandro Mayor

San Leandran Sara Mestas, a.k.a. Mo Wiley, filed paperwork on May 17, 2010, indicating her intention to run for Mayor of San Leandro. The Candidate Intention Statement is the first step needed for a candidate to begin raising money and incurring expenses towards a campaign. On the form, Mestas indicates she is a registered Democrat and resides in the Washington Manor area of District 4, the same district fellow mayoral candidate currently Joyce Starosciak represents on the City Council.

Current San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos resides in the Marina Faire neighborhood in District 6 and mayoral candidate Stephen Cassidy resides in Estudillo Estates in District 1. [Full disclosure: I have endorsed Cassidy for mayor.]

Mestas became active in San Leandro politics last year after the San Leandro City Council eliminated funding for crossing guards for all San Leandro elementary schools. Mestas organized a press conference, spoke at a City Council meeting, and volunteered as a crossing guard until the City Council accepted a proposal from the San Leandro School Board to split the cost of crossing guards with the San Leandro and San Lorenzo School Districts.

In late 2009, Mestas had considered running for Mayor until she spoke to Santos and subsequently wrote on her web site, "I endorse Tony Santos for Mayor, 2010-2012, also council persons Prola and Gregory." Asked about her decision to run for mayor after endorsing Santos, Mestas replied, "I have came to the realization that the Mayor is up against many opposing and proposing forces, I just believe I am the better person to stand tall against those forces…"

In December 2009, Mestas was appointed to the City of San Leandro Rent Review Board. The Rent Review Board last met in September 2008 and despite discussions at the City about possibly eliminating it, the board will be retained for now.

In an undated press release sent May 12, 2010, Mestas said she will officially announce her candidacy on May 25, 2010 in front of San Leandro City Hall. According to the press release, her motivation to run for Mayor was "resistance from the San Leandro Police Department and City Manager when I tried to start a San Leandro Police Activities League. They were uncomfortable with me being the face of the organization because the video for my single 'You Can’t Touch It'..." Mestas is an aspiring rapper under the name Mo Wiley. A biography for Mestas' alter-ego Wiley can be found at Luck Media & Marketing.

Mestas' priorities include "A major overhaul on the current education system," "Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Strategies," "incentives for quality new businesses and residents to move to San Leandro," and the environment.

On a possible 0.25% sales tax increase that has been discussed by the San Leandro City Council, Mestas said, "I have mixed feelings I will tell you raising taxes alone will not fix our problem, we are going to have to have a stable plan to create steady revenue streams." When asked about the City's fiscal situation, Mestas replied, "The first thing I think is necessary , is to look at all of the spending my first 30-days of office, and come up with a proposed budget within 90-days of taking office for the entire City, a budget that will support my platform..."

Mestas wants people to know, "I am for the people, and my track record over the past 13 years shows a track record of action, I am ready and willing to do the neccessary work to bring action to the job of Mayor. I understand that by squeezing the life out of my people during hard economic times is not the answer, but to provide solutions for them to get back on track through education, opportunities, and support. If we fostered and environment that welcomed our community, there would 87,000+ ways for us to move towards peace, and prosperity."

Democratic Committee Incumbents Face Numerous Challengers

The race for the 18th Assembly District Democratic Party Central Committee has been a quiet affair in the previous three elections, with seven candidates running for a total of six seats on the committee.

This year, Democratic voters will choose from 13 candidates for just six seats, the most candidates for the committee since 2002, when supporters of Lyndon LaRouche campaigned heavily for seats on the committee.

The committee represents the local arm of the California Democratic Party. One of its most important functions is to endorse local candidates for offices such as City Council, School Board, and County Supervisor.

This year, five incumbents and eight challengers will vie for the six seats.

The incumbents are Rocky Fernandez, Linda Perry, Diana Prola, Robin Torello, and Rick Trullinger.

Fernandez was elected to the Central Committee in 2004. In 2006, he was elected to the AC Transit Board and currently serves as President. He has served as a member of former Assemblymember Johan Klehs' staff.

Perry was elected to the Central Committee in 1980. She served on the San Leandro City Council from 1988 to 1996 and on the San Leandro School Board from 1996 to 2008. Perry previously headed the Halcyon Foothill Neighborhood Association.

Prola was elected to the Central Committee in 2006. In 2008, she joined the San Leandro School Board after running unopposed. Her husband serves on the San Leandro City Council and she has served as a delegate to the California Democratic Convention.

Torello was elected to the Central Committee in the early 1990s. She is the chair of the Alameda County Democratic Party and the Eden Area United Democratic Campaign.

Trullinger was elected to the Central Committee in 2000, lost in 2002, and was re-elected in 2004. He was previously president of the Hayward Demos Democratic Club and has served as a delegate to the California Democratic Convention

The challengers are Tom Kersten, Susan Kleebauer, Margarita Lacabe [editors' note: Margarita is my wife], Julie Lind, Jennifer Ong, Helena Straughter, Mary Warren, and Shelia Young.

Kersten was President of the Hayward Demos Democratic Club from 2007 to 2009. In 2008, he was selected to serve on the Hayward Citizens Advisory Committee. When asked why he was running, Kersten noted "a serious lack of communication between the Democratic Central Committee and the local democratic clubs" and that "it is time for some new voices to emerge and serve as voting members of the committee."

Kleebauer previously served on the Central Committee from 1996 until 2001, when she resigned "out of frustration with the Committee's inability to take positions on important issues." She served on the City of San Leandro's Library Historical Commission from 1995 to 2002 and the City of San Leandro's Planning Commission from 2002 to 2007. When asked why she was running, Kleebauer stated, "I am once again excited and encouraged by the changes in Washington and the chance to elect a democrat as Governor." Kleebauer also supports legalizing and regulating marijuana, ending the death penalty, and bringing "an infusion of new ideas and new leadership" to the committee.

Lacabe is a human rights activist that founded the human rights group Derechos Human Rights. Her work with Equipo Nizkor led to the unprecedented detention of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in England in 1998. Lacabe was one of the founding members of the San Leandro Community Action Network, which has been active in supporting progressive candidates for office in San Leandro. When asked, Lacabe said that she is running "to inject new blood and new ideas into what has become an old-boys-and-girls network" and "have a committee that is more in touch with the grassroots and the true concerns of Democratic voters."

Lind served on the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee from 2004 to 2008. She currently serves as a field representative for California State Senator Ellen Corbett and was on the City of Hayward's Human Services Commission from 2008 to 2010. When asked why she was running, Lind replied, "I want to make sure that young people have a voice in our County party, are part of the decision making process, and have a seat at the table."

Ong is an optometrist in Alameda and currently serves as Vice President of the Hayward Demos Democratic Club and the Eden Area League of Women Voters. Ong is one of the few candidates with a campaign web site. When asked why she was running, Ong stated that she wants to "contribute my efforts and experiences as a health care provider, environmental activist and advocate for underrepresented communities to further diversify the values represented in the Democratic Party."

Straughter is a member of the Hayward Demos Democratic Club and currently works as a real estate broker. She was elected as a delegate to the Democratic Party in 2009.

Warren previously served for more than 15 years on the Central Committee, including ten years as Chair. She was Vice Chair of the California State Democratic Party for two years and served on the Democratic National Committee for four years. Warren says she is "running to enhance the role of the Party in Alameda County and the State of California."

Young previously served on the Central Committee in the 1990s. Young was elected to the San Leandro City Council in 1996, elected Mayor of San Leandro in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. Young has served on the Physician Assistant Committee of the Department of Consumer Affairs since June 2007, when she was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. When asked why she was running, Young replied that "the Party needs to pay more attention to local issues and candidates and to demonstrate fairness and consistency in their activities on behalf of the Party."

More information about the candidates can be found at http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/alm/race/016/

Democrats Endorse Wilma Chan for County Supervisor

The Alameda County Democrats endorsed Wilma Chan for the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor seat after interviewing candidates on April 10, 2010. The endorsements from the Democrats and Labor should make fundraising for Chan easier and will make it much harder for opponents Beverly Johnson and Harold Lowe.

In the District 2 Alameda County Supervisor race, Nadia Lockyer received the endorsement over Liz Figueroa, Kevin Dowling, and Mark Green.

Endorsements don't become official until the Democratic Central Committee votes to approve them.

Hayward Demos Endorse Wilma Chan for County Supervisor

The Hayward Demos Democratic Club endorsed Wilma Chan for District 3 Alameda County Supervisor at its candidate forum on Saturday, March 27.

Three of the four District 3 candidates for Alameda County Supervisor were present for the forum, in which a number of prepared questions were asked followed by questions from audience members. Perennial candidate for office Lou Filipovich was invited, but did not attend the forum.

When asked about her accomplishments in the legislature, Chan responded that she "passed over 55 bills when I was there, and about 20 related to health care…one of the bills I passed, AB356, was the bill that blew the whistle on Anthem Blue Cross," referring to the 39% proposed increase in Anthem's insurance rates. Beverly Johnson said that "the greatest accomplishment I've had in Alameda is the construction of a new library…that opened about three years ago" in response to a similar question. In his response to how his professional experience as a financial planner relates to serving as a county supervisor, Harold Lowe noted that he worked with unions at American President Lines, worked with pharmaceutical companies, and worked with educators to make them more effective as examples of how he had practical experience rather than just "the theoretical."

On San Leandro Hospital, Lowe said that "it's interesting to understand that someone would talk about closing the hospital" when more people are going to have insurance and use hospital services. Lowe said that he would have "top-to-top conversations and broaden the conversation," but referred to Summit as the owner of the hospital (Sutter is the owner). Chan said that she was already working on the issue and there are two viable options: "one would be if Sutter would release the lease and another provider would come in and buy…the other option is for the County to continue the lease, but to do a hybrid model" keeping the emergency room open. Johnson said that she helped lead the process to keep Alameda Hospital open and that the current process needs to be stopped and "take time and really look at this." She sounded skeptical about Sutter's claims that San Leandro Hospital operating at a loss and said that we need to "develop a long-term strategic plan for delivery of health care services throughout the county."

The candidates also addressed questions about county childcare services, county general assistance funding, state and federal funding of county programs, and the three professional sports teams, the possibility of them leaving, and public funds for keeping them.

In the District 2 Alameda County Supervisor race, the Hayward Demos endorsed candidate Kevin Dowling over Liz Figueroa, Nadia Lockyer and Mark Green. Hayward Mayor Mike Sweeney received an endorsement as well, which won't matter much, since he is unopposed and will not appear on the June ballot. Finally, Hayward City Council candidate Sara Lamnin received the endorsement over Mark Salinas and Marvin Peixoto.

The election for District 3 Alameda County Supervisor will be held in June 2010.

Additional links to video from the candidate forum:

• District 3 County Supervisor candidates addressing a question on the three Oakland sports teams possibly moving
• District 3 County Supervisor candidates' closing statements at the candidate forum

Former Oakland School Board Member to Run for San Leandro City Council

Former Oakland School Board member David Anderson filed paperwork on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, indicating his intention to run for the District 1 San Leandro City Council seat currently held by Michael Gregory. Gregory was elected in 2006 and is up for re-election this year.

Anderson, a retired sheet metal worker, says that elected representatives must get out and talk to their constituents. He wants to be the "magnet that brings people together" to solve many of the City's problems. He also highlighted the importance of keeping the Boys and Girls Club pool open for the city's senior citizens. San Leandro Bytes asked Anderson about the city's financial situation, transit-oriented development, and other issues, but Anderson has not yet responded.

Anderson grew up in Oakland, graduating from McClymonds High School. From 1987 until 1992, Anderson served on the Oakland School Board, including as School Board President in 1991. In 1992, after Anderson lost his bid for re-election, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that "police are investigating accusations that Anderson offered to vote in favor of renewing the $ 92,500-a-year contract of [Oakland Unified School District] general counsel Dan Siegel if Siegel would help to arrange for Anderson to get a consultant's job with the district." According to the article, Anderson denied the charges and "accused Siegel and Superintendent Pete Mesa of suggesting that he could have the consulting job and retire his campaign debts if he supported Siegel." Siegel handed a tape to police that he claimed substantiated his allegations, but the Alameda County district attorney's office that there wasn't enough information to file any charges.

During a telephone conversation, Anderson referred to the accusations as baseless innuendos and said that when he left the Oakland School Board, the District had a multimillion dollar surplus. Ten years later, the state of California took over the Oakland Unified School District and provided a $100 million loan to help resolve the district's fiscal crisis.

In 2000, Anderson ran again for the Oakland School Board, losing the race and finishing fourth out of five candidates.

In 2005, Anderson moved to San Leandro, but registered to vote in San Leandro just within the past six months. When asked about this discrepancy, Anderson replied that he owned a house in Oakland on 30th Street.

San Leandro's District 1 includes some of the central downtown area up to and including the San Leandro Hills, where Bay-O-Vista is located.

The City Council election will be held in November 2010.

Tam Drops Out of County Supervisor Race; Three Left

On March 15, 2010, Lena Tam announced that she would not run for the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor seat. The move surprised some observers because she had the endorsement of Alice Lai-Bitker, who currently holds the seat.

In her announcement, Tam stated, "...the City of Alameda needs my experienced leadership more at this time....It has become even more clear to me that campaigning for the Board of Supervisors at this time is distracting my attention from taking care of business and governing the City of Alameda." For the full text of the announcement, see The Island.

To date, only Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson and Wilma Chan have completed the necessary paperwork to become an official candidate. Harold Lowe has until March 19, 2010, to complete his filing. Young announced this weekend that she has withdrawn from the race and is endorsing Chan for the seat.

The election will be held June 8, 2010.

Young Out of County Supervisor Race; Endorses Chan

According to a press release issued today, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young has decided not to seek the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor seat and has endorsed Wilma Chan.

Labor Endorses Chan for Supervisor

The Alameda Council Central Labor Council has endorsed Wilma Chan for District 3 Alameda County Supervisor over rivals for the seat held by Alice Lai-Bitker. Alameda Mayor Bev Johnson's campaign issued a press release today announcing her official entry into the race and endorsements from Senator Loni Hancock, Assemblyman Sandre Swanson and former state Senate President Don Perata.

According to Johnson's press release, her first priority will be to keep San Leandro Hospital open. Chan is also opposed to the closure of San Leandro Hospital, inviting her supporters to the vigil scheduled for Monday, March 22, 2010.

County Supervisor Race Gets Crowded

Harold Lowe became the fifth potential candidate in the race for District 3 Alameda County Supervisor late last week. Although the filing deadline is normally March 12, 2010, the deadline will be extended until March 19, because incumbent Alice Lai-Bitker will not be running for re-election. As of March 5, none of the candidates had completed the paperwork to become an official candidate.

Like all of the other candidates, Rowe is also a Democrat. He has served on the Advisory Board for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley for more than 10 years. Unlike the other four potential candidates, Lowe has not been elected to office before.

Lowe is currently president of Forus Financial Services , an independent financial planning company he recently started.

He faces a highly competitive field with former California State Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson, and Alameda Councilmember Lena Tam all vying for the seat.

When it comes to money, Johnson leads the field with $13,893 in her campaign account and no debt. Young has $8,324 in her campaign account and no debt. Tam has $1,844 with an equal amount of campaign debt. Chan has an active campaign account, but the amount of money she has from previous campaigns could not be determined. No information was available on whether Lowe has existing campaign funds.

However, the money situation could change if Lai-Bitker uses the $83,982 in her campaign account to help Tam, whom she has endorsed.

A recent poll asked voters about the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor race, but assumed only four candidates. While the source of the poll is not known, as of December 31, 2009, only Lai-Bitker had enough money to bankroll it.

The election will be held on June 8, 2010. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a run-off election will be held in November.

The Race for Alameda County Supervisor

With less than two weeks to go until the March 12, 2010, filing deadline, only four candidates have been issued the necessary paperwork to run for the District 3 Alameda County Supervisor seat held by Alice Lai-Bitker.

Former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, who ran for the seat in 2006, is the sole candidate from the southern area covered by the seat, which includes Alameda, San Leandro, part of Oakland, San Lorenzo, and other unincorporated areas of Alameda County. Young was elected to the San Leandro City Council in 1996 and served two years before being elected Mayor in 1998.

Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson is termed out after serving two terms and Councilmember Lena Tam has served just one term on the Alameda City Council. Lai-Bitker endorsed Tam for her seat in early February, which could give Tam an edge in the race.

The fourth candidate is Wilma Chan, who held the County Supervisor seat from 1994 until 2000, when she was elected to the California State Assembly, where she served three terms. In 2008, she ran for California State Senate against Loni Hancock and lost. In 2005, Chan named Tam as Woman of the Year for her community service and later endorsed Tam for Alameda City Council.

Although the race is non-partisan, all of the candidates are Democrats. Unlike the California State Senate or Assembly, County Supervisors have no term limits, which, combined with the salary and staff, and no long commutes to Sacramento, make the position quite attractive.

The complete list of candidates and whether they have submitted paperwork is available at http://www.acgov.org/rovrpt_app/cfsRptList.do

3/2 Update: Corrected dates of Young's elections and number of terms for Johnson.

Economic Development Alliance and its San Leandro Political Connection

In a recent campaign finance filing for San Leandro mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak, the Economic Development Alliance was reported to have contributed $1,000 to Starosciak's campaign, her single largest donation in the second half of 2009. The Economic Development Alliance is a Los Angeles-based political action committee. In April 2008, the group contributed $500 to Starosciak when she ran for re-election to the San Leandro City Council. It also contributed $500 to Councilmember Jim Prola's campaign in 2008.

The Economic Development Alliance has no web site. However, you can use its FPPC ID# (1303625) to find it on the California Secretary of State's web site.

According to information from the California Secretary of State, the Economic Development Alliance has raised $89,200 since January 2008, with $30,000 from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, $15,000 from the California Medical Association, $12,000 from Indian gaming tribes, with lesser amounts from Securitas, PG&E, EdVoice (a proponent of charter schools), Norcal Mutual Insurance, Anthem Blue Cross, and Dentists Insurance Company.

Of the $59,950 it has spent since its inception, $49,575 (83%) went to support the election of Dennis Hayashi to Alameda County Superior Court Judge. Hayashi is the husband of California State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, who was elected in 2006 and represents San Leandro. Prola and Starosciak, who received contributions from the Economic Development Alliance, were both endorsed by Mary Hayashi during their campaigns. Other candidates who have received contributions from the group, Francisco Zermeño, Nadia Lockyer, Jean Quan, and Marvin Peixoto, have all been endorsed by Hayashi during their campaigns.

The phone number and address for the group, lead to the Los Angeles company David L. Gould Company, an organization that performs political finance, reporting and consulting services.

According to the David Gould Company, the Economic Development Alliance was formed in January 2008 and its principal is Afton Kobayashi. The purpose of the group is "Voter education and awareness." Kobayashi is the Director of the
Iris Alliance Fund, a mental health foundation founded by Mary Hayashi.

Click here for a complete list (in Excel format) of expenditures and income for Economic Development Alliance.

In future articles, San Leandro Bytes will look more closely at other political contributors.

Unions Dominate Early Political Contributions for 2010 Mayoral Race

With the date of the 2010 election set for November, the candidates are in full fundraising mode. San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos took full advantage of the power of incumbency, raising $20,000 during the second half of 2009. Similarly, Councilmember Joyce Starosciak transferred $21,589 from her City Council campaign account to her mayoral campaign account.

Semi-annual campaign statements for active campaign accounts were due February 1, 2010, and are summarized below.

Santos' first fundraiser last year contributed significantly to the $24,628 reported in his account at the end of 2009. Contributions included $2,500 each from the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Electrical Workers Local 595. Santos also received $1,500 from the Teamster DRIVE committee, $1,000 from the District Council of Iron Workers, and $500 each from former Councilmember Kent Myers, Galvan and Associates, Robert Molinaro of Pleasanton Garbage, Batarse Family Trust (Anthony Batarse owns auto dealerships), and UA Local 342. Galvan and Associates is the lobbying firm owned by former San Leandro Councilmember Gordon Galvan. This does not include contributions from a fundraiser held on January 26 at The Vo's Restaurant.

District 5 City Council candidate and recent Human Services Commission appointee Corina Lopez contributed $250, former California Assemblyman and current lobbyist Johan Klehs contributed $250 and Hayward Councilmember Bill Quirk contributed $100.

Santos' only expense was $300 for an Alameda County Labor Council fundraiser.

The previous campaign statement for the Santos campaign listed $27,500 in campaign debt, but no campaign debt was reported on this statement nor is there any indication that it was paid off.

Santos' Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Starosciak reported campaign funds of $13,675 at the end of 2009 and no campaign debt. Significant contributions included $1,000 from the Economic Development Alliance, $500 from Tom Dlugosh, a retired member of the Sentinels, $500 from contractor Jim Hussey, $500 from Milledge Hart, a retired resident of Dallas, Texas, and $500 from Creekside Partners. The Economic Development Alliance seems to be a political action committee funded by Indian gaming interests and corporations. Galvan and Associates contributed $250, half of what was contributed to Santos' campaign. District 4 Human Services Commissioner Amada Robles contributed $100. This does not include contributions from a fundraiser recently held in southern California.

Starosciak's largest expense was $10,017 to Tramutola for campaign consulting, followed by $3,857 to Printopro for campaign literature, and $642 to In & Out Printing for campaign literature.

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Former San Leandro School Board member Stephen Cassidy reported $5,053 at the end of 2009 with $1,270 in campaign debt. Contributions included $1,000 from fellow attorney Robert Lieff, $750 from retired couple Phyllis and Steven Gee, and $500 from former California State Controller Steve Westly, a venture capitalist.

Cassidy's biggest expense was $1,051 to Autumn Press for campaign literature.

Cassidy's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

San Leandro School Board member Pauline Cutter reported $3,696 at the end of 2009 with no campaign debt. Most of her funds came from the $1,649 transferred from her School Board campaign committee. Significant contributions included $500 from Steamfitters Local 342, $250 from Jennifer Heystek and former School Board member Louis Heystek, and $100 from current School Board member Carmen Sullivan. Cutter has a fundraiser scheduled for February 4, 2010, at Zocalo Coffeehouse.

Cutter's sole expense was $246 to In & Out Printing for campaign literature.

Cutter's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Corina Lopez, Cutter's only opponent so far for the District 5 seat, hadn't raised any money by the end of last year.

Councilmember Bill Stephens, who will be termed out this year, contributed $100 to the San Leandro Scholarship foundation, but raised no money last year. Stephens had $2,014 in his campaign account at the end 2009 and no campaign debt.

Stephens' Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory, who will seek re-election in 2010, didn't spend or raise any money during 2009. Gregory had $1,613 in his campaign account and $7,222 in outstanding campaign debt.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza, who will also seek re-election in 2010, doesn't have a active campaign account.

District 2 Councilmember Ursula Reed had no expenses and raised no money during 2009 and ended the reporting period with no campaign debt and an empty campaign account.

Reed's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Former Councilmember Surlene Grant contributed the remaining $272 of her campaign account to the Stephanie Brown Cadet Foundation in Redwood City. Grant did not raise any money and had no money in her account at the end of 2009. Grant was termed out of office in 2008 and was succeeded by Ursula Reed.

Grant's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Former District 2 City Council candidate Linda Perry had no expenses and raised no money during 2009. Perry ended the reporting period with $1,542 in her campaign account and $11,250 in campaign debt.

Perry's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

The financial statement for former City Council candidate Charles Gilcrest was not available as of February 2, 2010, but City officials expected to receive it soon.

District 6 City Councilmember Jim Prola reported $234 in unitemized expenses in the last half of 2009. Prola raised no money and as of December 31, 2009, had $4,403 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding debt.

Prola's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Campaign statements from former District 6 City Council candidates Estelle Clemons and Wafaa Aborashed were not available as of February 2, 2010, but were expected soon.

Former Mayor Shelia Young, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for San Leandro Mayor, Alameda County Supervisor, and Oro Loma Sanitary District, did not raise any money in all of 2009. Young contributed $250 to the Chabot College Foundation and $90 to the Political Action Committee for Excellence, a women's political organization. As of December 31, 2009, Young had $8,324 in her campaign account and no campaign debt.

Young's Campaign Statement for July 1 to December 31, 2009.

Update: Corrected to show that Cutter is not yet a former School Board member.

Alice Lai-Bitker Won't Seek Re-Election in 2010

Alameda County District 3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker announced today that she will not seek re-election in 2010. Lai-Bitker represents San Leandro, Alameda, San Lorenzo, and parts of Oakland, Ashland, and unincorporated Alameda County.

Lai-Bitker was appointed District 3 Supervisor in 2000 as the anointed successor to Wilma Chan. Lai-Bitker won election to the seat in 2002 and re-election in 2006.

Possible successors include her current Chief of Staff, Shawn Wilson, who is reportedly already seeking endorsements, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, who lost to Lai-Bitker in 2006, current Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson, and, ironically, Wilma Chan, who ran for Don Perata's Senate seat and lost in June 2008.

The complete text of the press release is below.

Third Supervisorial District ● County of Alameda

Representing the communities of Alameda, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, portions of Ashland, and the Chinatown and Fruitvale Areas of Oakland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Shawn Wilson

January 5, 2010 510-272-6693

COUNTY SUPERVISOR ALICE LAI-BITKER NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION

Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker announced today she will not seek another term as County Supervisor in 2010. Currently the President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, she has represented District 3 since December, 2000.

Lai-Bitker has been a strong advocate for children, working families and seniors. She has fought for access of health care for the uninsured, championed increased services for sexually abused children and domestic violence victims. The Supervisor has committed to making government work by initiating projects and programs that provide services in a more efficient, fiscally responsible and streamlined way, such as in the area of eligibility of health insurance and mental health services for at-risk youth.

Supervisor Lai-Bitker has worked tirelessly to promote new economic development for San Lorenzo and will continue to work on these projects while winding down her very successful tenure on the Board.

"I am honored to have served the County and District 3 for the last nine years," Lai-Bitker said. “By the time I complete my term, it will be a decade of service." "I have been part of a great many things that have happened in the County. It's been a real privilege, but it's time to move on and allow someone else the opportunity to serve. I look forward to working with my successor to fully implement the many programs that I have started over the years."

Supervisor Alice Lai- Bitker chairs the Board's Health Committee, Unincorporated Committee, and serves on the Social Services Committee. On the regional level, she chairs the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority, serves on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, co-chairs the Oakland Airport Community Noise Forum, and serves on the Board of Bay Area Partnership.

Alice Lai-Bitker represents District 3, which includes Alameda, San Leandro, parts of Oakland, and the unincorporated communities of San Lorenzo, Hillcrest Knoll and part of Ashland.

Peggy Combs Withdraws from District 5 City Council Race

Just three months after getting into the race for San Leandro's District 5 City Council seat, Peggy Combs has announced that she is withdrawing from the race. Her exit helps San Leandro School Board trustee Pauline Cutter, whom Combs has endorsed, and who has greater name recognition than the other remaining candidate, Corina Lopez.

In a statement emailed to supporters, Combs wrote, "While I deeply regret disappointing those who have been so generous with their time, energy, support and counsel, this decision is the best one for me and my family at this time." She concluded her statement, "I certainly plan to remain active (and vocal!) in the community, through the Recreation and & Parks Commission, the Shoreline Citizens Advisory Committee, and in any other ways that help to benefit the San Leandro community."

Combs serves on the Recreation and Parks Commission and was Chair last year. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Shoreline Citizens Advisory Committee.

Corina Lopez Enters the Field for District 5 City Council Seat

Corina Lopez filed paperwork today to become the third candidate for San Leandro's District 5 City Council seat, currently held by Bill Stephens. Stephens cannot run for re-election because of term limits imposed in 1974. Lopez will face Recreation and Parks Commissioner Peggy Combs and School Board Trustee Pauline Cutter.

Lopez, together with her husband, run a small technology consulting company called Pinnacle Vista Technology. She is also current president of the Best Manor Homeowners Association and is working with Rene Mendieta to form a new Latino Business Council.

In July 2009, Lopez was appointed as an At-Large member of the Human Services Commission.

The San Leandro City Council will decide in January 2010 whether the election will be in June 2010 or in November 2010.

Cassidy to Kickoff Campaign Thursday Night

San Leandro mayoral candidate Stephen Cassidy will hold a campaign kickoff party on Thursday, November 12, at Zocalo Coffeehouse.

The event comes one week after Joyce Starosciak's fundraiser and will take place from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Zocalo is located at 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.

Cassidy was elected to the San Leandro School Board in 2004 when he defeated incumbent Ken Pon for the At-Large seat. He served one-term and is now campaigning against incumbent Tony Santos and Councilmember Starosciak for mayor.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010 unless moves to instant run-off voting (IRV), also known as ranked-choice voting, which would move the election to November 2010.

Tis the Season...for Campaign Fundraisers

San Leandro Mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak will hold her first fundraiser at Sergio's Pizzeria in San Leandro on November 5, 2009.

According to the flyer, the three donor levels are bronze: $25, silver: $100, and gold: $500+. The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Sergio's Pizzeria is located at 150 W. Juana Ave. in San Leandro.

The flyer notes that "There are no campaign contribution limits for the Mayor's race." In fact, while state senate and assembly campaigns face contribution limits of $3,900, San Leandro City Council and Mayoral candidates have previously chalked up $5,000 contributions.

Starosciak currently holds the District 4 San Leandro Council seat, which she has held since she defeated Mike Mahoney in a runoff election in February 2005. Starosciak was re-elected in June 2008 and, if successful in her campaign, the City Council would likely appoint her replacement, as happened when Tony Santos became Mayor in 2006.

Three candidates have announced their intention to run for Mayor: Starosciak, Santos, and former San Leandro School Board trustee Stephen Cassidy.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010, but if the San Leandro City Council decides to implement instant run-off voting (IRV), also known as ranked-choice voting, the election could be moved to November 2010.

Cassidy Joins the Race for San Leandro Mayor

Stephen Cassidy announced today that he will join Mayor Tony Santos and Councilmember Joyce Starosciak in seeking to be elected Mayor of San Leandro in 2010. Cassidy also filed his Candidate Intention Statement with the City on October 7, 2009, indicating that he will seek to become Mayor.

Cassidy served on the San Leandro School Board from 2004 to 2008 and was Vice President in 2006 and 2007.

According to the press release, Cassidy also serves on the Board of Directors of Building Futures with Women and Children and the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation.

Peggy Combs Joins the Race for the San Leandro City Council

On September 24, 2009, Peggy Combs filed her Candidate Intention Statement to run for San Leandro's District 5 City Council seat. That seat is currently held by Bill Stephens, who will be termed out of office in 2010 after serving for eight years. Coincidentally, it was Stephens who defeated Combs in 1994 when she ran for the San Leandro School Board.

Combs will face San Leandro School Board trustee Pauline Cutter in the race for the District 5 seat.

In addition to her run for School Board in 1994, Combs served on the Steering Committee for a school bond in 1994 and was co-chair of the successful 1997 school bond. More recently, Combs has been on the Recreation and Parks Commission since April 2007 and now serves as Chair. Combs is also the Vice-Chair of the Shoreline Citizens Advisory Committee.

Congressman Pete Stark Town Halls on September 12

Pete Stark, San Leandro's Member of Congress, will hold a town hall meeting on September 12, 2009, at San Leandro City Hall from 10:30am to 11:30am. Health care reform is expected to figure prominently once again at these meetings.

San Leandro City Hall is located at 835 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

Other town hall meetings will be held at the Fremont Senior Center at 40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy at 9am and Alameda City Hall at 2263 Santa Clara Ave. at noon.

Diana Souza Files to Run for Re-Election

Diana Souza, the current District 3 San Leandro Councilmember, filed paperwork on September 9, 2009, to run for re-election.

Souza was elected in 2006 after defeating former Councilmember Julian Polvorosa in a run-off election. District 3 runs from Davis Street on the north to Washington Manor on the south and is bounded by railroad tracks on the east and west with Interstate 880 running down the middle.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010, but may be moved to November 2010 if San Leandro implements instant runoff or ranked-choice voting.

Senator Corbett Speaks Against San Leandro Hospital Closure

California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor spoke out against the closure of San Leandro Hospital at the annual Labor Day picnic held by the Alameda Labor Council on September 7, 2009.

Corbett was joined on stage by Eden Township Healthcare District Board member Carole Rogers, who joined two other Board members in voting against the sale of San Leandro Hospital to Sutter Health. Corbett sent a letter on August 26, 2009, asking Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate Sutter Health's "alleged misrepresentation of hospital finances, economic and medical redlining, abuse of nonprofit status, anti-trust violations, questionable allocation of public assets, and execution of contracts that may be in conflict with existing law..."

Other local elected officials at the event included California Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, San Leandro Councilmembers Jim Prola and Joyce Starosciak and San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos.

The event also featured Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty becoming a registered Democrat, to the delight of the crowd.

Santos Hosts First of 2010 Campaign Fundraisers

San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos will host the first of the 2010 campaign fundraisers on September 17, 2009, at Vila Cereja restaurant in San Leandro.

According to the flyer for the "Annual Fundraiser," the honorary host committee consists of California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett, Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, San Leandro Councilmembers Jim Prola and Michael Gregory, former San Leandro Councilmembers Gordon Galvan and Kent Myers, and former California Assemblymember and San Leandro Councilmember Johan Klehs.

According to the flyer, host committee sponsorships are $2,500 and nine of them are listed, a total of $22,500. Tickets are $99 (for those who wish to remain below the $100 reporting threshold) and the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Vila Cereja is located at 1045 MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro.

Santos is running to be re-elected Mayor of San Leandro, a position he has held since November 2006, when he defeated San Leandro Councilmember Orval "OB" Badger. Santos previously served as the District 6 Councilmember from 1994 to 1992 and from 2000 to 2006.

Although there had been speculation that former San Leandro Mayor Young might run again for Mayor, her listing as an honorary host of the fundraiser confirms that Young will not be running for Mayor. So far, San Leandro Councilmember Joyce Starosciak is Santos' only opponent.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010, but if the San Leandro City Council decides to implement instant run-off voting (IRV), also known as ranked-choice voting, the election could be moved to November 2010.

Starosicak and Cutter File to Run in 2010

Joyce Starosciak, the current San Leandro City Councilmember for District 4, and Pauline Cutter, the current San Leandro School Board member for Area 2, filed papers recently to run for office in 2010.

San Leandro Bytes has obtained copies of Cutter's filing and Starosciak's filing from the San Leandro City Clerk's office.

Starosciak will be running for Mayor of San Leandro against incumbent Tony Santos. Other possible candidates include former Mayor Shelia Young and former School Board member Stephen Cassidy. Starosciak served on Recreation and Parks Commission from 1993 to 1994 and the San Leandro School Board for one term from 1994 to 1998. In 2005, Starosciak defeated Mike Mahoney in a run-off election for City Council and successfully ran for re-election in 2008. Her current term ends in 2012.

Cutter will be running for the San Leandro City Council seat currently held by Bill Stephens, who is being termed out after serving two full terms on the City Council. Cutter was first elected to the San Leandro School Board when she defeated Stephens in 1998.

In addition to the District 5 City Council seat and the Mayor, District 3 Councilmember Diana Souza and District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory are up for re-election in 2010.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010, but the City Council is considering instant runoff voting (IRV), which would likely move the election to November 2010.

2010 Candidates Begin Fundraising

While the date of the next election for the City Council and Mayor hasn't been decided yet, Mayor Tony Santos has started fundraising for his re-election campaign. However, City Councilmember and likely mayoral candidate Joyce Starosciak out-raised Santos in the first six months of 2009 and has nearly $17,000 more in her campaign account than Santos.

The semi-annual campaign statements for current or former candidates were due last week and are summarized below.

District 2 Councilmember Ursula Reed had no expenses and raised no money during the first six months of 2009 and ended the reporting period with no campaign debt and an empty campaign account.

Reed's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Former Councilmember Surlene Grant spent a total of $320, including $150 to the 100 Club of Alameda County and $140 to the Black Elected Officials of the East Bay during the first six months of 2009. Grant did not raise any money and had $272 in her campaign account as of June 30, 2009. Grant was termed out of office in 2008 and was succeeded by Ursula Reed.

Grant's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Former City Council candidate Linda Perry had no expenses and raised no money during the first six months of 2009. Perry ended the reporting period with $1,542 in her campaign account and $11,250 in campaign debt.

Perry's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

The financial statement for former City Council candidate Charles Gilcrest was not available as of August 5, 2009.

During the first six months of 2009, District 4 Councilmember Starosciak spent $1,511, including expenditures of $198 to CITIPAC, a political action committee of the League of California Cities, and $150 each to Christine Wise and Girls, Inc. Starosciak raised $2,553, including a contribution of $1,000 from the California Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $500 each from Eden Realty and consulting company Quadric Group, and $250 from John Sullivan. As of June 30, 2009, Starosciak had $21,589 in her campaign account and no outstanding debt.

Starosciak's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

District 6 City Councilmember Jim Prola's only expense during the reporting period was a $100 contribution to the AFL-CIO. Prola raised no money and as of June 30, 2009, had $4,637 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding debt.

Prola's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Former City Council candidate Estelle Clemons had a single expense of $800 to repay part of her campaign debt during the reporting period. Clemons received a $500 contribution from John Gooding of the Quadric Group and ended the reporting period with $85 in her campaign account and $1,900 in campaign debt.

Clemons' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

The financial statement for former City Council candidate Wafaa Aborashed was not available as of August 5, 2009.

Mayor Santos spent $400 during the first six months of 2009 for a fundraiser for the Alameda County Labor Council. Santos raised $1,750, including a contribution of $1,000 from the California Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $500 from Eden Realty and $250 from John Sullivan. As of June 30, 2009, Santos had $4,625 in his campaign account and more than $27,500 in outstanding campaign debt.

Santos' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Councilmember Bill Stephens, who will be termed out in 2010, spent $518 during the first six months of 2009, including expenditures of $150 to the Martin C. Kaufmann 100 Club of Alameda County, $130 to the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, and $100 to the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club. Stephens had $2,115 in his campaign account as of June 30, 2009 and no campaign debt.

Stephens' Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Councilmember Michael Gregory didn't spend or raise any money during the first six months of 2009. Gregory had $1,613 in his campaign account and $7,222 in outstanding campaign debt.

Gregory's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Former Mayor Shelia Young, who has also been mentioned as a potential mayoral candidate, spent $440 during the first six months of the year, including $250 to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and$100 to Eden Housing. As of June 30, 2009, Young had $8,799 in her campaign account.

Young's Campaign Statement for January 1 to June 30, 2009.

Former San Leandro Mayor Jack Maltester Dies

Former San Leandro Mayor Jack Maltester died Friday, May 1, 2009, at the home in San Leandro where he was born in 1913. Maltester was 95 years old.

Jack Maltester was first appointed to the San Leandro City Council in 1948 to replace Helen Lawrence, who served as his mentor. He served for just a few months and lost when he campaigned for City Council in the April 1948 election. He was subsequently elected to the City Council in 1956 and became Mayor in 1958. In 1962, Maltester became the first Mayor elected directly by the residents of San Leandro instead of the City Council. Maltester was re-elected in 1966, 1970, and 1974, but was forced to leave office after term limits were enacted and he had served as Mayor for 20 years.

On May 6, 1967, Maltester testified at a hearing of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which was investigating housing discrimination.

While he was Mayor, Maltester served as President of the US Conference of Mayors from 1969 to 1970 and introduced a resolution at the 1971 annual conference calling for the US to withdraw from Vietnam. In the resolution, of which he was quite proud, he stated, "I might ask you: Have we left anything up until now to the military experts or have we been running a political war in Vietnam? My city, a small city in California with less than 70,000 people, proposed this resolution and it is supported by the citizens of the community. It is not a resolution of condemnation. It is not offered in rancor. It is a positive statement of principle. To support this position, I believe, is an obligation none of us can ignore in the name of humanity. I ask your vote for an end to this war."

In 1973, Maltester ran for the California State Assembly against San Leandro School Board member Bill Lockyer after Robert Crown was killed while jogging in Alameda. Lockyer, who served as one of Crowns' aides and was helped by Willie Brown in his campaign, prevailed over Maltester.

Maltester remained active in San Leandro affairs, founding The Sentinels, a group of local businessman that provide campaign contributions to local candidates and ballot measures. He also served as President of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce and President of the California League of Cities.

San Leandro residents who knew him remarked that Maltester always worked to bring resources and development to San Leandro and described his passing as a great loss to the City and community.

Former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis said that "all of us that had opportunity to meet and know him benefited greatly." Jermanis also described Maltester as a "great political leader" who had a "major influence on development of the City," especially the Marina.

Former Councilman Kent Myers, who has known Maltester for 30 years, noted that Maltester's "mind was still active to the very end. The City is going to miss him."

San Leandro resident Brian Copeland, who has had a successful solo performance and book based on his experience growing up in what was an essentially segregated San Leandro said of meeting Maltester at his most recent birthday, "Although he was in a wheelchair and past 90, he was as sharp as a tack and regaled us with stories about how he loved (and knew) JFK yet hated Bobby Kennedy. We talked some about the research I had done. I found him to be gracious, charming and funny."

Copeland continued, "I got word a few weeks back that his daughter had called Jake at Vila Cereja and said that Jack was happy and excited to have met me and wanted to have me to his home for lunch and to talk more about the era I've written about. We were supposed to pick a date soon. Sorry I won't get the chance.

"The one thing you can say about Mayor Maltester, whether you agreed with policies enacted and maintained during his 20 year tenure or not, is that he truly loved this city and gave it his all. I am truly sorry to hear of his passing and my sincere condolences go out to his family."

San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos learned of Maltester's on Friday afternoon and stated that Maltester "was obviously San Leandro's icon. He and his colleagues on the City Council in the 1970s set the industrial base for San Leandro and was instrumental in developing the Marina."

Maltester continued to be involved in politics until the end as Santos confirmed that Maltester endorsed him for Mayor in 2010. Maltester had endorsed Orval "OB" Badger for Mayor in 2006 and previously endorsed Santos for City Council when Santos was unopposed.

City flags will be flown at half-staff until services are held for Maltester.

More Than $100,000 Spent by San Leandro City Council Candidates in 2008 Elections

According to financial disclosures filed on February 2, 2009, San Leandro City Council candidates spent more than $100,000 in the June 2008 and November 2008 elections. The most expensive individual campaign was waged by Jim Prola, winner of the District 6 San Leandro City Council seat. None of the races, however, were as expensive as those waged in 2004 for the District 4 seat by Joyce Starosciak and Mike Mahoney or in 2006 during the race for Mayor between Tony Santos and Orval "OB" Badger.

Ursula Reed, winner of the race for the District 2 San Leandro City Council seat, spent $32,138 during the campaign, nearly double the $16,566 spent by former School Board member Linda Perry. Reed spent about $3,000 less than Prola, who secured the District 6 City Council seat in the June 2008 election. Reed and Perry faced a run-off election in November after none of the candidates secured more than 50% of the vote in the June election.

Reed's campaign raised a total of $8,357 between October 19 and December 31, 2008, including $2,500 from The Sentinels, $1,000 from the PAC Political Action Committee, $500 each from UA Local 342 PAC, Sheet Metal Workers, and Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, and $250 each from the Central Labor Council of Alameda County Solidarity PAC, Teamsters 853, and Waste Management. Reed's campaign raised a total of $37,773 for the entire campaign and has $4,500 in outstanding debts.

Reed's expenses included $8,124 to Pacific Print Resources for campaign literature and mailing, $6,767 to The Next Generation, a campaign consulting firm run by EBMUD Director Doug Linney, and $460 to Mikko Design for campaign literature.

As of December 31, 2008, Reed had $5,635 in her campaign account.

Click here to download Reed's latest financial disclosure.

Linda Perry raised $745 between October 19 and December 31, 2008, and a total of $18,109 during the campaign. Contributions to Perry's campaign included $200 from Harold Kitzmann and $545 in contributions of less than $100 each.

Perry's campaign spent $4,189 for postage with Handled with Care Mailing Services, $740 for campaign signs from BelAire Displays, and $1,315 for campaign literature with In & Out Printing.

As of December 31, 2008, Perry had $1,542.48 in her campaign account and $11,250 in outstanding debt.

Click here to download Perry's latest financial disclosure.

Charles Gilcrest had not filed his semi-annual financial disclosure as of February 3, 2009

The Yes for Public Safety Campaign, which was formed to pass Measures RR, SS, and TT, reported $6,550 in contributions between October 19 and December 31, 2008. Measures RR and SS to revise the utility users tax and convert the 911 fee into a tax both passed, but Measure TT, a public safety parcel tax, failed to get the 66.7% approval needed for passage. Contributions included $3,000 from the Peace Officers Research Association, $1,000 from Meyers Nave, the City of San Leandro's law firm, $1,000 from the Alameda County Firefighters Association, $1,000 from The Sentinels, $250 from Jayne Williams, the attorney for the City of San Leandro, $200 from then Police Captain Ian Willis, and $100 from Carolyn Knudtson, the Recreation Director for the City of San Leandro.

Yes for Public Safety's expenses included $4,110 to Gilcrest Campaign Management for campaign consulting, $3,195 to Autumn Press for a mailer, $1,522 to BelAire Displays for lawn signs, $2,632 to Handled with Care Mailing Services for mailings, and $1,106 for a full-page ad in the San Leandro Times.

As of December 31, 2008, there was no money in the campaign account for Yes for Public Safety.

Click here to download Yes for Public Safety's latest financial disclosure.

District 6 Councilmember Jim Prola raised $5,200 between July 1 and December 31, 2008, to help pay down his debt from the June 2008 election. Prola's contributions included $1,000 each from the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, Electrical Workers Local 595 PAC, and UA Local 342 PAC fund, $500 each from Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 and the Peace Officers Research Association, $250 each from UFCW Local 5, Gordon Galvan, and Pacific Gas & Electric, and $100 from former San Leandro School Board member Ray Davis.

Prola's expenses included $4,000 to pay off loans he made to his campaign, $290 to Ken Pon for professional services and a $250 contribution to United Democratic Campaign of Alameda County.

As of December 31, 2008, Prola had $4,434.55 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding loans.

Click here to download Prola's latest financial disclosure.

District 6 candidates Estelle Clemons, Hermy Almonte, and Wafaa Aborashed had not filed their semi-annual financial disclosures as of February 3, 2009. Mark Tichy did not plan to raise or spend more than $1,000 and is not required to file financial disclosures.

District 4 Councilmember Joyce Starosciak raised $396 between July 1 and December 31, 2008. The filing didn't include any information about the contributions, but expenses of $1,127 included $200 to Dennis Hayashi's campaign for Superior Court Judge, $150 to Christine Wise for professional services, and $100 each to Joan Buchanan's Assembly campaign, the San Leandro Public Library, and the Fund for Union Democracy.

As of December 31, 2008, Starosciak had $20,547 in her campaign account and no outstanding loans.

Click here to download Starosciak's latest financial disclosure.

District 4 candidate Lou Filipovich did not plan to raise or spend more than $1,000 and is not required to file financial disclosures.

Mayor Tony Santos report no contributions during the reporting period. Expenses consisted of a $2,500 loan to campaign consultant Charles Gilcrest, which will be used for a fundraising event later in 2009. As of December 31, 2008, Santos had $2,915 in his campaign account and $25,084 in outstanding debts.

Click here to download Santos' latest financial disclosure.

District 5 Councilmember Bill Stephens reported almost no activity during the reporting period and had $2,632.42 in his campaign account as of December 31, 2008.

Click here to download Stephens' latest financial disclosure.

District 1 Councilmember Michael Gregory reported no activity during the reporting period and had $1,613.45 in his campaign account as of December 31, 2008, with $7,222.94 in outstanding loans.

Click here to download Gregory's latest financial disclosure.

Former District 2 Councilmember Surlene Grant reported no contributions during the reporting period. Expenses included $500 to the Mandela Wist Training Center in Oakland and $200 to the "Adopt-a-Family" program. As of December 31, 2008, Grant had $592.07 in her campaign account and no outstanding loans.

Click here to download Grant's latest financial disclosure.

Former Mayor Shelia Young also reported no contributions during the reporting period. Expenses included $200 to Jerry Hill for State Assembly and $100 each to Ursula Reed's campaign, Tim Sbranti for Mayor, the Carolena Foundation, Calico Center, and Davis Street Family Resource Center. As of December 31, 2008, Young had $9,239 in her campaign account and no outstanding loans.

Click here to download Young's latest financial disclosure.

Second WalMart Opening Merits Only Two Councilmembers

San Leandro Councilmembers Ursula Reed and Bill Stephens were the only two to make it for the opening of San Leandro's second Walmart store on January 14, 2009. Although the new Walmart touts more than 300 new jobs in a tattered economy, other Councilmembers skipped the event. Councilmember Jim Prola has consistently opposed Walmart's labor practices and spoke out against the original San Leandro Walmart on Davis Street while other Councilmembers have or want to have close ties to organized labor.

Councilmembers Swearing-In Speeches

San Leandro City Councilmembers Ursula Reed, Joyce Starosciak, and Jim Prola were given the opportunity to give speeches after they were sworn in at the December 15, 2008, City Council meeting. Reed will assume office as of January 1, 2009, after defeating former City Councilmember and School Board member Linda Perry in a runoff election in November 2008.

If you want to hear what your City Councilmembers have to say, see below:

Ursula Reed:

Joyce Starosciak:

Jim Prola:

New School Board Sworn In

Four new School Board members were sworn in at the San Leandro School Board's meeting on Monday, December 8, 2008. Hermy Almonte, Morgan Mack-Rose, and Diana Prola were sworn in by California Assemblymember Mary Hayashi and Carmen Sullivan was sworn in by Alameda County Judge Gail Brewster Bereola.

The short agenda consisted of electing new Board officers and considering putting forth a nomination for a delegate to the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly. First, Vice President Lisa Hague asked which Board members were eligible to become Board president. The School Board has a policy that states, "Prior to serving as Board President, he/she shall have completed the California School Board Association’s (CSBA) Board Presidents’ Workshop."

Only Pauline Cutter and Mike Katz-Lacabe were eligible under the Board policy, but Pauline indicated that she was not interested in serving as Board President, so Katz-Lacabe was elected unanimously.

Cutter nominated Hague for Vice President and Katz-Lacabe nominated Prola. In a four to three vote, Prola was elected Vice-President, with Prola, Almonte, Katz-Lacabe, and Mack-Rose voting for Prola.

Cutter was asked if she was interested and Mack-Rose nominated her. Cutter was elected clerk unanimously.

Prola replaces Ray Davis as the Area 5 School Board Trustee and was unopposed, so her name did not appear on the November ballot. Davis decided to run for the At-Large seat instead of running for re-election against Prola. Prola is the wife of District 6 San Leandro City Councilmember Jim Prola.

Sullivan replaces Linda Perry as the Area 3 School Board Trustee and was also unopposed. Perry left the School Board to run for the District 2 San Leandro City Council seat and lost to Ursula Reed.

Almonte replaces Rick Richards as the Area 1 School Board Trustee after defeating Richards in the November 2008 election.

Mack-Rose replaces Stephen Cassidy as the At-Large Trustee after Cassidy decided not to seek re-election. Mack-Rose defeated Davis and two other candidates in the November 2008 election.

Corbett Re-Appointed as Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee

California State Senator Ellen Corbett was re-appointed as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 3, 2008, by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. Corbett has served as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee since she was elected in November 2006 to represent Senate District 10, which stretches from San Leandro to San Jose and Pleasanton to the San Francisco Bay.

Ellen Corbett previously served on the San Leandro City Council from 1990 to 1994, as San Leandro Mayor from 1994 to 1998, and in the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2004.

Updated Vote Totals Show Bigger Wins for Mack-Rose and Reed

Updated vote totals from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters released late on Friday, November 7, 2008, showed slightly bigger wins for Morgan Mack-Rose in the San Leandro School Board At-Large race and Ursula Reed in the District 2 San Leandro City Council race. Mack-Rose now has more than 50% of the total vote, In the Area 1 San Leandro School Board race, the win for Hermy Almonte over Rick Richards slightly narrowed.

At-Large 	 	# of Votes  	% of Total
Morgan Mack-Rose 	8751 	 	50.74 	
Ray Davis 	 	6359  		36.87 	
Don J. Grundmann 	1204  		6.98 	
Mark Tichy  		796 	  	4.62 	
Write-in  	 	136 	 	0.79

Area 1 School Board	# of Votes	% of Total
Hermy B. Almonte	9821  		58.28
T.W. "Rick" Richards	6840 		40.59
Write-in 		189 		1.12

District 2 City Council  # of Votes  	% of Total
Ursula Reed 		12113 		56.32
Linda Perry 		9225 		42.90
Write-in 		168 		0.78	

The end result for the San Leandro tax measures was the same, with Measures RR and SS easily passing and Measure TT missing the needed two-thirds by 12 percentage points.

In a very tight race for the second spot on the Eden Township Healthcare District Board, Rajendra Ratnesar has a 96-vote lead over Frank Rico. With more votes to count, this race is still too close to call.

Updated election results can be found at http://www.acgov.org/rov/current_election/index.htm.

Results for Other Local Races of Interest

Democrat Mary Hayashi successfully defended her California State Assembly seat from Republican Lou Filipovich.

Mary's husband, Dennis Hayashi, prevailed in the runoff election for Superior Court judge against Phil Daly, who currently serves on the San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments. Hayashi won with 61.36% of the vote.

In the San Lorenzo Unified School District, Measure O, the $83 million bond measure to modernize and improve school facilities passed with 73.29% of the vote. In the race for the School Board, incumbents Norm Forbert and Helen Foster were re-elected, while Jim Sherman unseated incumbent Gene Judson. Lou Filipovich also lost out in this race.

Chris Peeples overwhelmingly won the At-Large seat on the AC Transit Board and Measure VV, a parcel tax increase of $48 per year won with 71.4% of vote.

The East Bay Regional Park District's Measure WW, which would extend an existing property tax, passed with 71.7% of the vote.

Doug Linney retained his seat on the East Bay Municipal Utility District with 64.73% of the vote. Linney's firm also served as campaign consultants for Ursula Reed.

In the Eden Townshi Healthcare District Director race, Vin Sawhney was the top vote-getter with just one vote separating Frank Rico from Rajendra Ratnesar.

In Lou Filipovich's third race, he lost out to Tim Becker for a seat on the Oro Loma Sanitary District Board.

For more local results, visit http://www.acgov.org/rov/current_election/index.htm

Voters Approve Two of Three San Leandro Tax Measures

San Leandro voters approved a change in the utility users tax and a 911 tax, but a police services parcel tax failed to get the two-thirds majority needed for approval.

With all 48 precincts reporting, Measure RR passed with 83.01% of voters in favor (18,000) and 16.6% (3,684) opposed. RR reduced the existing utility users' tax, but widened the number of services that are now subject to being taxed.

Measure SS passed with 77.94% of voters in favor (16,864) and 22.06% (4,773) opposed. SS converted an existing 911 Emergency Communication System Access Fee into a tax. The City Council approved this ballot measure because of a court decision that invalidated a similar fee in Union City.

Measure TT failed with 55.08% of voters in favor (11,739) and 44.92% (9,575) opposed. TT needed a two-thirds majority to pass. TT would have instituted a parcel tax of $48 per year for single-family homes and differing amounts for other types of properties to maintain current levels of police services.

Since Measures RR and SS are essentially revenue neutral, the City Council will be forced to look for alternatives to raise revenue or cut expenditures to close its budget deficit.

The "Yes for Public Safety" committee campaigned for the three measures, with the San Leandro Police Officers Association providing most of the funding. The committee was chaired by former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young and former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis served as Treasurer.

Newcomers Storm to Victory in San Leandro Elections

Hermy Almonte and Morgan Mack-Rose defeated current San Leandro School Board members Rick Richards and Ray Davis by substantial margins on November 4, 2008.

With all 44 precincts reporting, Mack-Rose had 49.87% of the vote (7,887) to Davis' 37.36% (5,908). Candidates Don Grundmann and Mark Tichy each had less than 10% of the vote.

Almonte had an even larger lead over Richards with 58.41% of the vote (9,027) to Richards' 40.42% (6,246).

Davis currently holds the Area 5 School Board seat, but decided to run for the At-Large seat after Diana Prola filed papers to run for the Area 5 seat. Davis became a member of the School Board when he was unopposed in 2004. Current At-Large School Board member Stephen Cassidy endorsed Mack-Rose to replace him after he decided not to run for re-election.

Richards has held the Area 1 School Board seat since 2000. Almonte is the first opponent Richards has faced since he was unopposed in 2000.

In the race for San Leandro City Council District 2, Ursula Reed defeated San Leandro School Board member Linda Perry. With all 48 precincts reporting, Reed had 56.19% of the vote (11,343) while Perry had 43.03% (8,686).

Reed becomes the first African-American to be elected to the San Leandro City Council without first being appointed. Previous African-Americans on the City Council include Surlene Grant, who was appointed in August 1998, and Orval "OB" Badger, who was appointed in July 2001.

Grant currently holds the District 2 City Council seat and supported Reed to replace her.

San Leandro Tax Measures Seek to Raise Millions for City

Just a week before the election, the campaign for the City of San Leandro ballot measures, RR, SS, and TT, placed signs all around town and purchased ads in the recent issues of the San Leandro Times. The ballot measures are for a change in the utility users tax, a change of the 911 fee into a tax, and a parcel tax to maintain police services. The San Leandro City Council has taken action to reduce its budget deficit, but still faces a shortfall unless the ballot measures pass on November 4, 2008.

Until recently, the only organized opposition to the ballot measures had been an argument against the parcel tax in the voter guide by Tom Silva of the California Apartment Association Political Action Committee. However, in the most recent issue of the San Leandro Times, a full-page advertisement against the City's ballot measures was purchased by San Leandrans for Taxpayer Equity. According to Justin Agrella, San Leandrans for Taxpayer Equity is a loose-knit group of about 25 people that has successfully campaigned against previous tax measures.

Members of the San Leandro City Council have been advocating in support of the ballot measures and Councilmember Surlene Grant sought support for them at a candidate forum held at All Saints Church on October 19, 2008:

Mack-Rose and Richards Lead Fundraising in San Leandro School Board Races

In the race for the San Leandro School Board Area 1 seat, incumbent Rick Richards continues to lead in fundraising, reporting another $2,874 in contributions between October 1 and October 18, 2008. That brings Richards' total to $11,935 since July. Recent contributions included $2,000 from The Sentinels, a group of local business owners and $500 from Teamsters Local 853.

Richards' expenses included $4,893.57 to Handled With Care Mailing Services for campaign literature and mailings, $1,381.13 to In and Out Printing for campaign literature, $480 to KLS Productions to send email, and $305 to Alliance Campaign Strategies, a campaign consulting firm.

As of October 18, 2008, Richards had $1,290.61 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding debt.

Hermy Almonte raised $2,520 between October 1 and October 18, 2008, just a few hundred less than Richards. Contributions included $2,000 from STAND, $200 from Elmer Embry and $100 from School Board trustee Stephen Cassidy.

Almonte's campaign spent $2,057.56 on mailing services from Handled With Care Mailing Services and $1,536.93 on campaign literature from Autumn Press.

At the end of the reporting period, Almonte had $559.88 in his campaign account and $500 in outstanding debt.

San Leandro School Board At-Large candidate Morgan Mack-Rose raised $4,185 between October 1 and October 18, 2008. Contributions to Mack-Rose's campaign included $800 from P.A.C.E., $500 each from Evelyn Gonzalez and Gordon Galvan, $300 from Isaac Medical, and $250 from Donna Reed.

Mack-Rose's campaign expenses included $3,550 for campaign literature from Autumn Press and $2,709 for mailing services from Handled With Care.

As of October 18, 2008, Mack-Rose had $4,923 in her campaign account and an outstanding debt of $550.

No financial disclosure for Ray Davis was on file for the most recent reporting period.

As of September 30, 2008, Davis had $422 in his campaign account and $695.73 in outstanding debt.

At-Large candidates for the San Leandro School Board Davis, Don Grundmann and Mark Tichy all filed paperwork indicating that they would neither raise nor spend more than $1,000. Tichy and Grundmann did not file financial disclosures since they have remained under the $1,000 limit.

The four candidates for the At-Large school board seat are vying to replace Stephen Cassidy, who is not seeking re-election. Cassidy has endorsed Mack-Rose to replace him.

The election will be held on November 4, 2008.

Reed Gets Late $1,000 Contribution for City Council Race

According to a disclosure filed on October 29, 2008, San Leandro City Council candidate Ursula Reed received a $1,000 contribution from a family member in Kentucky on October 28, 2008. So far, Reed has raised a total of $32,416, not including non-monetary contributions, in her race for the District 2 City Council seat. Her opponent, Linda Perry has raised a total of $17,364.

Contributions of more than $1,000 that are received from October 19 until election day are required to be reported within 24 hours. All other contributions will be reported in January 2009.

Reed Continues to Outpace Perry in Campaign Fundraising

According to financial disclosures filed on October 23, 2008, District 2 San Leandro City Council candidate Ursula Reed continued to outpace opponent Linda Perry by raising $5,685 between October 1 and October 18, 2008. Contributions to Reed's campaign included $2,500 from SEIU Local 1021, $800 from PACE, and $500 each from the San Leandro Police Officers Association and Isaac Medical.

Reed's campaign spent $3,000 on door hangers from Pacific Print Resources, $562 on graphic design from Mikko Design, and $100 to on tickets for the Trivia Bee from Project Literacy.

As of October 18, 2008, Reed had $13,629 in her campaign account.

Click here to download Reed's latest financial disclosure.

Linda Perry raised $4,199 between October 1 and October 18, 2008. Contributions to Perry's campaign included $2,000 from Electrical Workers Local 595, $1,000 from the California Apartment Association, and $800 from UA Local 342.

Perry's campaign spent $850 to be included on the Voter Information Guide slate mailer, $422.40 on ads in the San Leandro Times, and $201.19 to In and Out Printing for campaign literature..

As of October 18, 2008, Perry had $7,384.91 in her campaign account and $11,250 in outstanding debt.

Click here to download Perry's latest financial disclosure.

Perry and Reed are vying to replace Surlene Grant who cannot for re-election because of term limits. Grant has endorsed Reed to replace her.

In the June 2008 election, Perry received 41.52% of the vote, Reed received 31.12% of the vote and Charles Gilcrest received 26.82% of the vote. A run-off election is being held in November because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. The November election is expected to bring out many more voters than the 10,587 who voted in June.

The election will be held on November 4, 2008.

Police Fund Campaign for City Tax Measures

According to the most recent financial disclosures from the "Yes for Public Safety" campaign to pass San Leandro tax measures RR, SS, and TT, the San Leandro Police Officers Association has contributed $10,000 of the $13,000 raised so far. The disclosures cover the period from October 1 to October 18, 2008. Measures RR, SS, and TT are on the ballot for the November 4, 2008, election and are for a utility user tax, 911 tax, and police services parcel tax, respectively. The parcel tax would raise money to maintain police services and would expire after four years.

Other contributions to the "Yes for Public Safety" campaign included $2,000 from campaign treasurer and former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis and $1,000 from Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson, the law firm that represents the City of San Leandro.

Expenses included $3,131.75 to Handled With Care for mailing literature to absentee voters and $1,016.41 to the San Leandro Times for an advertisement.

As of October 18, 2008, the "Yes on Public Safety" campaign had $7,851.54 remaining in its campaign account.

In addition to former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis, the "Yes for Public Safety" campaign has former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young as its Chair.

San Leandro School Board Candidates Sound Off at Candidate Forum

As a candidate forum held at All Saints Church on October 19, 2008, Hermy Almonte and Rick Richards, candidates for the San Leandro School Board Area 1 seat, provided the sharpest contrast, with Almonte criticizing Richards for the School District's legal fees and Richards defending his decisions in a difficult year.

In the At-Large seat, former Presidential candidate Don Grundmann faced off against Morgan Mack-Rose's representative, Andy Kopp. Candidates Mark Tichy and Ray Davis did not attend, despite telling organizers that they would attend.

The forum was captured on video and here are the School Board candidates' opening statements:

Hermy Almonte:

Rick Richards:

Don Grundmann:

Morgan Mack-Rose:

For more video of the San Leandro School Board candidates answering questions and their closing statements, see below:

The School Board candidates on their qualifications:

The School Board candidates on their top priority:

The School Board candidates on the Transit-Oriented Development Strategy and San Leandro Crossings:

The School Board candidates on why the School Board instead of City Council:

The School Board candidates on finances, morale and teacher salaries:

The School Board candidates' closing statements:

Morgan Mack-Rose
Don Grundmann
Rick Richards
Hermy Almonte

Mack-Rose Top Fundraiser in San Leandro School Board Races

Political newcomer Morgan Mack-Rose was the top fundraiser in all of the San Leandro School Board races, according to financial disclosures filed on October 6, 2008. At-Large candidate Mack-Rose's total of $9,123 was slightly more than the $8,561 raised by Area 1 incumbent Rick Richards. Mack-Rose faces a field of three other candidates while Richards faces a single opponent.

In the race for the San Leandro School Board Area 1 seat, incumbent Rick Richards raised $8,561 between July 1, 2008, and September 30, 2008, including a loan of $4,000 from his wife Pam Richards. Contributions included $500 each from David Irmer of Creekside Associates and Gordon Galvan of Galvan & Associates, $200 each from Tom Silva of Eden Realty, former Muir Middle School Principal Vince Matthews, and Esther Collier of Holcomb's Home Repair, and $100 from San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos.

Richards' expenses included $910 to Bel Aire Displays for lawn signs, $864 to In and Out Printing for campaign literature, $275 to California Voters Guide for a slate mailer, $150 to the Englander Sports Pub for a fundraiser, and $332 for three other slate mailers.

As of September 30, 2008, Richards had $5,696 in his campaign account and $4,000 in outstanding debt.

Hermy Almonte raised $4,399 during the reporting period, including a loan of $500 from his wife Maria Almonte. Contributions included $2,000 from STAND, $200 each from the Hayward Demos Democratic Club and Rodolfo Almonte, and $150 from School Board trustee Stephen Cassidy.

Almonte's campaign spent $989 on campaign literature from APS, $896 on lawn signs from Bel Aire Displays, and $450 on a filing fee to the SLUSD.

At the end of the reporting period, Almonte had $1,634 in his campaign account and $500 in outstanding debt.

San Leandro School Board At-Large candidate Morgan Mack-Rose raised $9,123 between July 1 and September 30, 2008, including $550 that Mack-Rose loaned to her own campaign. Contributions to Mack-Rose's campaign included $2,000 from San Leandro Teachers Advocating New Directions (STAND), $1,000 from Margaret Walker, $500 from Tim Holmes, $400 from L. Kent Rose, and $300 from Jill Quaye.

Mack-Rose's campaign spent $1,186 on lawn signs from Bel Aire Displays, $450 for a filing fee, and $212 to In and Out Printing for campaign literature.

As of September 30, 2008, Mack-Rose had $7,095 in her campaign account and an outstanding debt of $550.

Ray Davis raised $1,068 between July 1 and September 30, 2008. Contributions to Davis' campaign included $695.73 that Davis loaned to his campaign. Additional contributions of $372 were not accounted for in the disclosure.

Davis' campaign spent $450 on a filing fee to the San Leandro Unified School District and $195.73 to In and Out Printing for campaign literature.

As of September 30, 2008, Davis had $422 in his campaign account and $695.73 in outstanding debt.

At-Large candidates for the San Leandro School Board Davis, Don Grundmann and Mark Tichy all filed paperwork indicating that they would neither raise nor spend more than $1,000. Tichy and Grundmann did not file financial disclosures since they have remained under the $1,000 limit.

The four candidates for the At-Large school board seat are vying to replace Stephen Cassidy, who is not seeking re-election. Cassidy has endorsed Mack-Rose to replace him.

The election will be held on November 4, 2008. The deadline to register to vote is October 20, 2008.

Forum for San Leandro City Council and School Board on October 19, 2008

All Saints Episcopal Church will hold a candidate forum on Sunday, October 19, 2008, for San Leandro City Council and San Leandro School Board candidates. The candidates for San Leandro City Council District 2 are Linda Perry and Ursula Reed and the San Leandro School Board candidates are Hermy Almonte and Rick Richards for the Area 1 seat and Ray Davis, Don Grundmann, Morgan Mack-Rose, and Mark Tichy for the At-Large seat.

The forum will start with City Council candidates Reed and Perry, followed by the School Board candidates for the At-Large and Area 1 seats. Candidates will have an opportunity to make an opening statement, answer questions from the audience, and make a closing statement.

Although the Hayward Demos Democratic Club held a candidate forum for Democratic School Board candidates on September 20, 2008, this will be the first forum at which voters will have the opportunity to question all candidates for the San Leandro School Board and City Council.

The forum begins at 6pm. All Saints Episcopal Church is located at 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro, CA, across the street from Roosevelt Elementary.

Reed Files Amended Financial Disclosure

San Leandro City Council District 2 candidate Ursula Reed was asked by San Leandro City Clerk Marian Handa to refile her financial disclosure because of missing information when it was originally submitted on October 6, 2008. That missing information included the addresses, occupations, and employers of people who had contributed $100 or more to her campaign.

Reed submitted an amended disclosure form on October 13, 2008, showing that her campaign raised $8,168 between July 1 and September 30, 2008, an increase of $1,300 from what was originally reported. Additional contributions to Reed's campaign included $500 each from Bayfair Center owner Madison Marquette and the Quadric Group, and $100 each from Carla Butler, Mynette Theard, and Friends of Shelia Young.

Reed's campaign spent a total of $4,323 during the reporting period, which was unchanged from the amount previously reported.

As of September 30, 2008, Reed had $6,062 in her campaign account, a decrease of $3,077 from the amount previously reported. Reed has raised a total of $19,762 in her bid for the District 2 San Leandro City Council seat since January 1, 2008.

Click here to download Reed's amended disclosure for the reporting period from July 1 to September 30, 2008.

The election will be held on November 4, 2008. The deadline to register to vote is October 20, 2008.

Reed Brings in Most Money for District 2 City Council Race

According to financial disclosures filed on October 6, 2008, District 2 San Leandro City Council candidate Ursula Reed raised $6,868 between July 1 and September 30, 2008. Contributions to Reed's campaign included $2,000 from the Firefighters Local 55 Union, $500 from Laython "Judge" Landis, and $400 from Vernell Reed. Reed also had a non-monetary contribution of $1,494 from American Litho in Hayward for campaign flyers.

Reed's campaign spent $2,500 on campaign consultants The Next Generation, $1200 on a filing fee to the City of San Leandro, and $300 to Project Literacy for the Trivia Bee.

As of September 30, 2008, Reed had $9,139 in her campaign account.

Click here to download Reed's disclosure for the reporting period from July 1 to September 30, 2008.

Linda Perry raised $5,345 between July 1 and September 30, 2008. Contributions to Perry's campaign included a $5,000 loan from Jeanne Perry (her mother) and $200 from former School Board trustee Esther Collier.

Perry's campaign spent $1,200 on a filing fee to the City of San Leandro and $150 to the Washington Homeowner's Association for a print ad.

As of September 30, 2008, Perry had $5,004 in her campaign account and $11,250 in outstanding debt.

Click here to download Perry's disclosure for the reporting period from July 1 to September 30, 2008.

Perry and Reed are vying to replace Surlene Grant who cannot for re-election because of term limits. Grant has endorsed Reed to replace her.

In the June 2008 election, Perry received 41.52% of the vote, Reed received 31.12% of the vote and Charles Gilcrest received 26.82% of the vote. A run-off election is being held in November because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. The November election is expected to bring out many more voters than the 10,587 who voted in June.

The election will be held on November 4, 2008. The deadline to register to vote is October 20, 2008.

Click here to see coverage in the Daily Review.

Local Election Endorsement Wrap-Up

With less than a month to go, candidates for the San Leandro City Council and San Leandro School Board have been working to obtain the endorsements of local groups to enhance their chances of success on election day.

In the run-off for the District 2 City Council seat, Ursula Reed has picked up endorsements from the San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN), Alameda County Firefighters, San Leandro Police Officer's Association, and the Sierra Club. Linda Perry has the Alameda County Democratic Party endorsement, but it came only after a second meeting when a vote at the initial meeting failed to produce an endorsement. The Alameda County Central Labor Council, a prized endorsement for most local candidates, did not endorse either candidate.

The race for the Area 1 San Leandro School Board seat is between incumbent Rick Richards and Hermy Almonte. The San Leandro Teachers' Association and the local chapter of the California State Employees Association endorsed Almonte while the Alameda County Central Labor Council endorsed both candidates. The Hayward Demos endorsed Almonte, but the Alameda County Democratic Party didn't endorse either candidate. SLCAN recommended Almonte in the Area 1 race.

While there are four candidates for the At-Large San Leandro School Board seat, only Ray Davis and Morgan Mack-Rose seem to be actively campaigning. Mack-Rose has the endorsements of the San Leandro Teachers' Association, the local chapter of the California State Employees Association, the Alameda County Democratic Party, the Hayward Demos, the Alameda County Central Labor Council, and SLCAN. The Sentinels did not endorse either candidate. San Leandro Bytes was unable to find any organizations that endorsed Davis or the other two candidates.

Absentee ballots will start arriving in the next few days, along with a flood of campaign mail. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 20, 2008. Voter registration forms are available from the City Clerk at San Leandro City Hall, public libraries, post offices, and DMV offices. Forms can be mailed directly to you by calling the Registrar of Voters at 510-267-8683 or the Secretary of State at 1-800-345-VOTE.

San Leandro School Board At-Large Candidates in Their Own Words

These are the statements from San Leandro School Board At-Large candidates Morgan Mack-Rose, Don Grundmann, Ray Davis, and Mark Tichy that appear in the voter information pamphlet:

MORGAN MACK-ROSE
Occupation: Home maker
Age: 37
My education and qualifications are: I am running for the School Board because it's time for a change in priorities. We need to focus on our high drop out rate, end the contentious relationship between our teachers and the School District leadership, and restore the community's trust in our school system. My daughter attends San Leandro public school, where I am a PTA President, and I serve on the District's Budget Advisory Committee. I was an active member of the campaign committee for Measure B, which provides $109 million in construction projects for our schools. San Leandro has one of the highest drop out rates in Alameda County. This must be addressed immediately through intervention programs at early grades before students fall behind. Our schools must reach out to parents as partners in education. We must prepare our students to excel at college and in today's competitive workforce. San Leandro's teachers are our greatest strength and the School Board must be open to their advice. I will insist the leadership truly engage with the community in open, honest dialogue. This is the way to restore trust In our schools and ensure our children receive a quality education. I would be honored to have your vote.

DON J. GRUNDMANN
Occupation: Doctor of Chiropractic
My education and qualifications are: Many sources johntaylorgatto com; deliberateddumbingdown.com; howtotudor.com; schoolandstate.org have recognized that our public schools are dismal failures. Parents flee from the public schools since home school students outscore their public school counterparts In all categories. The reason for this is that the political and educational elites "teaching" purpose is "social engineering" - reforming the intellectual and, especially, social development of the child to create a docile member of "the hive," - the elite terminology for dumbing down children like lab rats Instead of educating them. The completely outrageous introduction within the SLUSD of homosexual literature and discussion beginning in kindergarten and extending to homosexual clubs in elementary schools proves that the elites are dedicated to a social engineering war against children rather than true education. Our schools are notorious for graduating students who then need remedial courses to enter higher education facilities. The physical safety of children in our schools is compromised as never before. Citizens must give no money to the SLUSD until the elites surrender in their war against the children. We must demand a return to true education and the end of social engineering. Until and unless the elites surrender parents must save their children by abandoning the public schools.

RAY DAVIS
Occupation: Current School Board Member
My education and qualifications are: Thank you for the privilege of serving you as School Board President and Trustee over the past four years. We have made historic and unprecedented improvements to the education, health and safety of our children. I now ask you to vote for me so that I may continue working on your behalf. Our test scores across all ethnic groups continue to rise with the overall Academic Performance Index exceeding 700 for the first time. We achieved the highest gains in Alameda County. Our equity programs are second to none. We exceed the State's requirements for healthy foods. We embrace diversity. We demand providing a safe environment for all of our students. We successfully passed Measure B that addressed the overcrowding and will create a flagship High School with a Career Technology Center, Arts Education Center with theater, new 9th grade campus and modernize all of our schools. We insured all this will be built with Union Labor. We must now focus on maximizing all of the district's resources to address the pay of our teachers, union members, and other employees. This needs to be accomplished before extending our hands to the Community for continued support of our Schools.

MARK TICHY
My education and qualifications are: Mark Tichy has been a resident of San Leandro for over 15 years. He is married and has a two year old daughter; therefore, he has a vested interest in the San Leandro School District. Tichy has been involved in City elections for over 10 years; running for City Council and Mayor. Tichy would like to see local businesses support San Leandro schools. Each business would "Adopt a School" in their area. Tichy envisions a City in which teachers and residents opinions count. He doesn't understand how a school board superintendant who is clearly disliked by 90% of teachers can have their contract renewed year after year. Its time to show our school board that we are tired of their old politics and games. Tichy asks that he have the honor and privilege to represent the citizens of San Leandro. Elect a new voice who doesn't play by the old rules.

The At-Large School Board seat is currently held by Stephen Cassidy, who decided not to run for re-election. Cassidy has endorsed Mack-Rose to replace him.

San Leandro School Board Area 1 Candidates in Their Own Words

These are the statements from San Leandro School Board Area 1 candidates Rick Richards and Hermy Almonte that appear in the voter information pamphlet:

T. W. "RICK" RICHARDS
Occupation: Incumbent
My education and qualifications are: More than 38 years ago I called San Leandro home and for the past 8 years I have worked hard on San Leandro's Board of Education to make our schools the best that they can be. Much has been accomplished. Much more still needs to be done. I am running for re-election to continue the work and improvements that have been started for our children and community. We must continue modernizing our school facilities. Increasing the achievement of all students. reducing the achievement gap, improving the communications with parents, staff and community, controlling expenses, while enhancing revenues, to assist us in the hiring and the retaining of quality teachers and staff, maintaining a safe, clean and positive learning environme