[Sosfbay-discuss] [GPCA-MediaComm] McLaughlin leading Anderson in Richmond

[JamBoi]

This is a significantly sized city and may become our largest Green
mayoral position yet.

Green Solidarity!

Drew

From: Mike Feinstein <mfeinstein at feinstein.org>
Subject: [GPCA-MediaComm] McLaughlin leading Anderson in Richmond
	mayoral	race
To: gpca-mediawg at cagreens.org

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/counties/west_county/15957007.htm

McLaughlin leading Anderson in Richmond mayoral race
By John Geluardi, CONTRA COSTA TIMES

City Councilwoman Gayle McLaughlin, a Green Party member, appears to 
have squeaked out a victory over incumbent Irma Anderson to become 
Richmond's next mayor.

McLaughlin was ahead by just under 200 votes when the final precinct 
tally was announced just after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, though an unknown 
number of votes, including absentee ballots turned in at the polls 
Tuesday, had yet to be counted.

Shortly after hearing the news, McLaughlin said she was ready to "roll 
up her sleeves and get to work."

"This is a clear signal that Richmond residents want to go in a new 
direction," McLaughlin said. "It's the interest of the people that have

spoken, and they are clearly standing up for their own interests by 
electing someone whose values and visions are in line with their own. I

feel very honored."

McLaughlin, 54, represents a new type of Richmond politician. Making
use 
of a grass-roots campaign style, she was able to tap into voter 
dissatisfaction with Richmond politics that intensified in 2004 when
the 
city suddenly discovered a crippling $35 million budget deficit.

Voters were motivated by the fact that McLaughlin refused to take 
corporate donations. As of the last reporting deadline, she had only 
spent about $14,000 on her campaign. By contrast, Anderson, 75, whose 
campaign received a great deal of money from Chevron and numerous other

corporations, spent more than $110,000.

McLaughlin was new to politics when she was elected to the council in 
2004. At that time, she had relatively little political experience and 
has a background as a teacher and political activist.

Anderson and the City Council made some difficult decisions during the 
budget crisis that included laying off nearly 300 employees and cutting

city services to the bone. With the help of new City Manager Bill 
Lindsay and Finance Director Jim Goins, the city has regained its 
financial stability.

But Anderson was not able to shake the fact that she was the top
elected 
official when the city was blundering toward the crisis.

In addition, she has been increasingly criticized by other council 
members, who have complained she is a poor consensus builder and too 
quick to take credit for accomplishments that the entire council worked
on.

Gary Bell, the third mayoral candidate, was the only member to be voted

off the council in 2004. In his attempt to win the mayor's seat, he was

a dogged campaigner but finished nearly 1,700 votes behind Anderson, 
1,900 behind McLaughlin.

The city's charter does not allow for a strong mayor, but as Richmond 
struggles to reshape its image, the next mayor will play a critical
role 
in promoting positive changes.

The city is in the midst of a major redevelopment project along 
Macdonald Avenue that includes new residential and commercial 
development in the long-depressed downtown area. It also includes new 
streetscapes, lighting and senior housing in the high-crime Iron 
Triangle neighborhood.

The city also is about to kick off a major rehabilitation of the prized

Civic Center and build a new, state-of-the-art police station.

The mayor and City Council also will have development issues to contend

with in the next four years. Perhaps the most important is how to 
develop Point Molate, a scenic stretch of mostly undeveloped waterfront

property. The city sold the land to a casino developer, though it still

is uncertain if he will be able to get the property approved for Indian

gaming.

The next mayor also will have to be very proactive in working with the 
council to put forth effective anti-violence programs. There have been 
38 homicides so far this year, and in a recent survey the city was
named 
among the most dangerous in the country and state.

The chronic high homicide rate in Richmond is perhaps the single
largest 
obstacle to overcoming a deeply ingrained negative reputation that 
prevents new, job-creating businesses from locating here.

Contact John Geluardi at 510-2622-2787 or at jgeluardi at cctimes.com

___________________

JamBoi
Jammy The Sacred Cow Slayer

"Live humbly, laugh often and love unconditionally" (anon)
http://dailyJam.blogspot.com



 
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