Jean Quan 關麗珍
Mayor Jean Quan at Oakland's Lake Merritt
49th Mayor of Oakland
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2011[1]
Preceded by	Ron Dellums
Member of the Oakland City Council District 4
In office January 2003 – January 2011
Succeeded by	Libby Schaaf
Member of the Oakland School Board
In office 1991–2003
Personal details
Born	(1949-10-21) October 21, 1949 (age 62)[2] Livermore, California[2]
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Floyd Huen
Children	William Huen Lailan Huen
Website	Quan for Oakland

Jean Quan (Chinese: 關麗珍; pinyin: Guān Lìzhēn; born October 21, 1949) is the Democratic mayor of Oakland, California. She previously served as City Council member for Oakland's 4th District.^[3] Upon inauguration on January 3, 2011,^[4] she became Oakland's first female mayor.^[5]

Mayor Quan received national criticism for her handling of the Occupy Oakland protests in late October 2011.^[6]

Personal life[link]

Quan's husband, Dr. Floyd Huen, is a doctor of internal medicine for Alameda County.^[7] They met at UC Berkeley as activists on Asian-American issues.^[8]

Oakland School Board and City Council[link]

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Quan was on the Oakland School Board for 12 years,^[7] starting in 1990 after organizing a citywide parent organization, Save Our Schools. As a parent leader she helped save the music program in the Oakland Schools.^[8][9] She served as chair of the California Urban Schools Association, the Asian Pacific Islanders School Board Members Association (APISBMA), and the Council of Urban Boards Association (the urban caucus of the National School Board Association representing the nation's 100 largest districts). She was appointed by the Clinton Administration to represent School Boards on the Title I Rules Making Committee.^{[citation needed]} In these roles she advocated for more funding for urban and immigrant students, more inclusion of minority community history in textbooks, comprehensive school services and after school programs, and expansion of pre-school and adult education programs.^[9]

In 1996 with Quan as president,^[10] the school board instituted a program using Standard English Program strategies to teach standard English to African American students. The move created national news with the perception Oakland schools were teaching students Ebonics because there was discussion about Ebonics being used as a teaching tool.^[10]

In 2002, Jean Quan was elected to her first term as Council Member for Oakland District 4 (Allendale, Brookdale, Crestmont, Dimond, Laurel, Maxwell Park, Melrose, Montclair, and Redwood Heights). During her time on the Council she led several initiatives, including:^[9]

“Measure Q”: To prevent the closure of city libraries and increase funding for materials.
“Oakland Wildfire Prevention District”: Funds annual programs of vegetation control, safety inspections and homeowner education, and green waste/composting programs.
“Oakland Cultural Arts Funding”: Hotel Tax to fund the Oakland Zoo, Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Fund for Arts.
“Measure Y for Public Safety and Measure BB”: These initiatives fund Fire, Police and Violence Prevention Programs. The measure funds 63 police officers including geographically deployed "beat officers" and programs to prevent crimes and violence.

Quan was a past chair of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org)^[11] and the Alameda Recycling Board. She also authored and voted for legislation which banned the use of polystyrene containers for take out foods, now widely adopted in other parts of California.^[12]

In July 2010, Quan along with fellow City Council member and mayoral candidate Rebecca Kaplan were investigated by Oakland police for their actions during a protest following the manslaughter verdict of former BART Police officer Johannes Mehserle. Police claimed Quan and Kaplan joined a "human chain" which prevented officers from clearing a street, while the two countered they were acting as "peacekeepers".^[13] No charges were filed against the Councilwomen. Quan was the victim of a street robbery in September of the same year, in her Fruitvale Avenue neighborhood. Quan attributed the crime to lack of employment opportunities in Oakland.^[14]

2010 Oakland mayoral election[link]

Oakland's 2010 election was held under the city's new instant-runoff voting or ranked choice voting ballot system, which allows voters to indicate their first, second, and third choices of candidate. More than 120,000 voters participated in the largest turnout for a Mayor's race in recent memory. Though ranked choice voting is promoted as a way to reduce mud-slinging between the candidates, Quan paid for several negative hit pieces on her closest rival.^[15] The top three finishers among a field of 10 candidates were Quan, Don Perata, and Rebecca Kaplan.^[16]

In the initial tally on election night, Perata led Quan, 40,342 to 29,266 but did not have a majority of the first-place votes. The votes were then re-tallied by eliminating Kaplan, the third-place finisher, and allocating her votes among Perata and Quan. Three weeks later, the Alameda Registrar of voters declared Quan the winner with 53,897 votes from 119,607 voters (45.06% support).^[16] Previous Mayors Jerry Brown and Ron Dellums were elected with majority support of the voters—Brown with 58.93% and 63.54% of the vote; Dellums with 50.18%. The use of Ranked Choice Voting has caused some concerns in the Bay Area, with studies that have shown low-income voters struggled with concepts behind Ranked Choice Voting.^[17]

On June 30, 2011, the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division filed a complaint in United States v. Alameda County (N.D. Cal.). The complaint alleges that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters (who administered Oakland's RCV Election) violated Sections 203 of the Voting Rights Act by having failed to provide effective access to the electoral process for citizens speaking Spanish and Chinese who need language assistance and translated materials and information to cast an informed ballot.^[18] Only six weeks prior, the US Court of Appeals upheld Ranked Choice Voting as an accepted procedure comparing it to plurality.^[19]

Oakland Mayor[link]

Initiatives[link]

Within her first six months of office, Mayor Quan met with more than 3,000 residents in eight town hall meetings. The resulting priorities reportedly developed by residents at these sessions were to help focus the city’s and community’s agenda.^[20] Her election as Oakland's first woman mayor, and the first Asian-American woman mayor of a major U.S. city, resulted in high visibility nationally and internationally. Quan capitalized on this visibility by traveling to and meeting with potential trade and business partners for the City and Port of Oakland.^{[21][dead link]}

Quan has increased collaboration with the Oakland Unified School District and the community, introducing a program offering late-night youth services in the East and West Oakland areas in attempts to decrease violence with school-age youth.^[22] After a surge in violence in one particular area of Oakland, Quan walked the beat with police in the neighborhood, encouraging residents to join a neighborhood crime prevention council.^[23] With gun violence up 30% from before her term, many residents and press see community policing with skepticism; "Even law-abiding citizens with good intentions aren't going to risk life and limb in areas of the city where the police don't feel safe." wrote one reporter.^[24] Despite the skepticism, the outreach is making a difference: calls to the drug hotline went from 0 to 103 in the first six months; participation in the local Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council has gone from 5 neighbors to almost two dozen neighbors meeting with police each month and identifying hotspots and priorities; calls to the Public Works Agency for blight, streetlights and other infrastructure complaints increased by 53%, and the number of National Night Out events this past August more than doubled.^[25]

Board memberships[link]

She is currently board chair of the Chabot Space & Science Center^[26] and serves on the Board of the California League of Cities.

Criticism and praise[link]

During the second week of Quan's tenure in January 2011, it was discovered Oakland Police chief Anthony Batts was a top-two candidate for the open position of San Jose Police chief.^[27] Two weeks later, Quan introduced a plan for the police department which included updating the technological staff and rehiring 10 of the 80 officers who were laid off the previous year.^[28] Batts announced his intention to remain in Oakland a few days later, but eventually resigned in October of the same year.^[29]

Quan has come under fire due to a relationship with "unpaid legal adviser" Dan Siegel after Siegel represented the "mayor's office on various legal matters, from public records act requests to a private meeting with a judge overseeing a consent decree with the police department", according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The Oakland City Council issued a demand Siegel not represent the city as an attorney in any capacity, which by law falls under the jurisdiction of the City Attorney's office.^[30] Siegel had been considered a controversial figure at City Hall due to his supposed vocal criticism of Oakland Police, and his presence was reported to have exacerbated a feud between Quan and City Attorney John Russo.^[30] In June 2011, Russo left his post as Oakland City Attorney to become City Manager for Alameda.^[31]

A KPIX/CBS5 poll taken just before Mayor Quan's first 100 days revealed that her job performance "garners the approval of the city's residents by a 2-1 margin."^[32] The Capitol Weekly named Mayor Quan one of the top ten "Good" Mayors in the state.^[33] A KPIX poll six months later, taken shortly after the resignation of Chief Batts, listed an approval rating of 28 percent, with 69 percent responding with "little or no confidence" the mayor's ability to reduce the city’s crime problem.^[34]

On October 26, 2011 it was reported Quan responded to a recall petition by saying she believed the signatories were frustrated with her lack of progress in creating jobs. She went on to KGO radio claiming "I'm too busy. ... I haven't even had a chance to look at the petitions."^[35]

2011 Occupy Oakland Protest[link]

Mayor Quan received widespread national criticism in October 2011 for her handling of the Occupy Oakland protest.^[6] On October 11, Mayor Quan visited the protest site.^[36] Thirteen days later more than 500 police officers from Oakland, other area police departments, and the State of California were directed to use tear gas and batons to clear the plaza where the protests were being held. Mayor Quan was in Washington, D.C. at the time on city business.^[37] Quan issued a statement the next morning commending the police chief "for a generally peaceful resolution to a situation".^[38] That night, hundreds of police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang grenades to subdue and arrest over 100 protesters, though denied the use of rubber bullets and flashbang grenades during the press release. The mayor's office was flooded with demands that protesters be released^[39] and her legal adviser opposed the police action and threatened to resign.^[40]

One protester, named Scott Olsen, was hospitalized with a fractured skull after being struck by police projectiles.^[41] On November 2, a second protester-veteran, Kayvan Sabehgi, suffered a ruptured spleen when he was allegedly hit and tackled by Oakland Police in an area away from the protests' center.^[42] By November 14, two of Mayor Quan's top advisors, legal advisor Dan Siegel and Deputy Mayor Sharon Cornu, had resigned.^[43]

Recall Petition[link]

On December 7, 2011, Oakland City Clerk's office approved the request by the Committee to Recall Jean Quan to begin collecting signatures to qualify a recall measure for a future ballot.^[44]

The effort is being led by Gene Hazzard of the Oakland Black Caucus, who has been given until May 14, 2012 to submit to the city clerk 19,811 valid signatures (representing 10 percent of Oakland's registered voters).

References[link]

External links[link]

Biography portal

• Mayor of Oakland Official Webpage
• Jean Quan Personal Webpage
• Jean Quan Facebook Page
• The Committee to Recall Jean Quan Website

v t e Mayors of cities with populations exceeding 100,000 in California     Antonio Villaraigosa (Los Angeles) Jerry Sanders (San Diego) Chuck Reed (San Jose) Edwin M. Lee (San Francisco) Ashley Swearengin (Fresno) Kevin Johnson (Sacramento) Bob Foster (Long Beach) Jean Quan (Oakland) Harvey Hall (Bakersfield) Tom Tait (Anaheim) Miguel A. Pulido (Santa Ana) Ronald O. Loveridge (Riverside) Ann Johnston (Stockton) Cheryl Cox (Chula Vista) Gus Morrison (Fremont) Sukhee Kang (Irvine) Pat Morris (San Bernardino) Jim Ridenour (Modesto) Thomas E. Holden (Oxnard) Acquanetta Warren (Fontana) William H. Batey II (Moreno Valley)* John Drayman (Glendale) Don Hansen (Huntington Beach)* Bob Kellar (Santa Clarita)* William Dalton (Garden Grove) Susan Gorin (Santa Rosa)* Jim Wood (Oceanside) Donald Kurth (Rancho Cucamonga) Paul S. Leon (Ontario) R. Rex Parris (Lancaster) Pat Hume (Elk Grove) James C. Ledford Jr. (Palmdale) Stan Skipworth (Corona)* Dennis Donohue (Salinas) Elliot Rothman (Pomona) Frank Scotto (Torrance) Michael Sweeney (Hayward) Sam Abed (Escondido) Tony Spitaleri (Sunnyvale) Bill Bogaard (Pasadena) Carolyn Cavecche (Orange) F. Richard Jones (Fullerton)* Jacqui Irwin (Thousand Oaks)* Jesus Gamboa (Visalia) Paul Miller (Simi Valley) William D. Shinn (Concord)* Gina Garbolino (Roseville) Jamie L. Matthews (Santa Clara) Osby Davis (Vallejo) Rudy Cabriales (Victorville) Ernest Gutierrez (El Monte) Tom Bates (Berkeley) Rick Trejo (Downey)* Eric R. Bever (Costa Mesa)* James T. Butts, Jr. (Inglewood) Christy Weir (Ventura) Shelley Sanderson (West Covina)* Cheri Kelley (Norwalk)* Matt Hall (Carlsbad) Harry T. Price (Fairfield) Gayle McLaughlin (Richmond) Kelly Bennett (Murrieta) David Golonski (Burbank) Jim Davis (Antioch) Carol L. Klatt (Daly City) Jeffery Comerchero (Temecula) Larry Lavagnino (Santa Maria) ^* Mayor selected from city council Other states AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

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The Cinematics
In performance at the Barfly, Camden, April 2009
Background information
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Genres	Post-punk revival Indie rock Alternative rock
Years active	2003–2011
Labels	The Orchard / TVT Records
Website	http://www.thecinematics.com/

The Cinematics were an alternative rock band from Scotland, consisting of Scott Rinning (vocals and guitar), Larry Reid (lead guitar), Adam Goemans (bass) and Ross Bonney (drums). The original line-up, with Ramsay Miller on lead guitar, formed in Glasgow, however, the members originally met at school in Dingwall.

The band were signed to TVT Records in 2005 after playing at an In the City showcase gig in Manchester. Their debut album A Strange Education was produced by Simon Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Editors, Kaiser Chiefs) and Stephen Hague (New Order, Blur, Pet Shop Boys), and released on 6 March 2007. The band has, to date, enjoyed success predominately in the USA and continental Europe.

In early 2008, it was reported that TVT Records was suffering financial difficulties and was forced to file for Chapter 11/Bankruptcy. The label and its assets were purchased by New York-based digital-distribution company, The Orchard. Much of the TVT roster was dropped, but The Cinematics’ recording contract was retained. Around the same time, the band parted company with Ramsay Miller, who was replaced by Larry Reid, who had previously played with the band live on tour.

In their Myspace blogs, the band reported at various stages that they were writing and self-producing their second studio album, despite suggestions that it would be produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Dr Feelgood, Richard Hell).

The Cinematics' second album, Love and Terror, was released on 6 October 2009.

The band released a five-track EP, entitled Silent Scream EP, on 22 May 2010. The EP was recorded partially live while on tour during late 2009 and early 2010. As with Love and Terror, the EP was produced by guitarist, Larry Reid.

In 2010, Reservoir Media Management acquired 100% of the Cinematics publishing assets which had formerly been administered by TVT Music Enterprises, LLC.^[1]

The Cinematics began recording their third studio album in Berlin in 2010. In July 2011, however, Reid announced in an interview with The Pop Cop blog that the band had split up before completing it.^[2]

The track 'Rise and Fall' from their debut album appears in the 2011 Hollywood box office hit 'What's Your Number', starring Anna Farris, Chris Evans and British actor Martin Freeman.

Band members[link]

• Ross Bonney: drums
• Adam Goemans: bass
• Scott Rinning: lead vocals, guitar
• Larry Reid: lead guitar

Former member[link]

• Ramsay Miller: lead guitar

Equipment[link]

• Ross Bonney: Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth sticks
• Adam Goemans: Fender 76 Precision bass, Ampeg bass head and 4x10 cab
• Scott Rinning: Fender Telecaster, Boss / MXR pedals, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Amp
• Larry Reid: Fender Jazzmaster, Boss/Electro Harmonix/Ibanez pedals, Vox AC30 Amp

Discography[link]

Studio Albums:

• A Strange Education (March 2007)
• Love and Terror (September 2009)

Singles:

• "Chase" (October 2005) (UK #197)
• "Break" (November 2006) (UK #129)
• "Keep Forgetting" (February 2007)
• "Love and Terror" (10 August 2009)
• "New Mexico" (14 September 2009)

EPs:

• Break EP (27 March 2006)
• Live Sessions EP (2007) (iTunes exclusive download)
• Silent Scream EP (22 May 2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Cinematics' MySpace
• The Cinematics' Official Website
• The Cinematics – A Strange Education Album Review
• The Second Supper Review of "Love and Terror", plus interview with the band

Rebecca Kaplan (born September 17, 1970)^{[citation needed]} is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party. She currently serves as City Councilmember At-Large for Oakland, California.^[3][2] She ran for Oakland mayor in 2010 and placed third.^[4] She is openly lesbian.^[5]

Career in elected office[link]

Oakland City Councilmember At-Large[link]

Kaplan's contributions to Oakland policy making have included a focus on budget balancing measures, legislation which eased the permit process for new restaurants, creating a new public transit line downtown, and re-working and passing a law which mandates registration of abandoned and vacant buildings.

Budget-balancing measures[link]

In 2009, Oakland's budget shortfall ran into the tens of millions, and as a solution, Kaplan proposed Measure F, which raised taxes on medical cannabis businesses. The measure, which dramatically increased taxes on these businesses, was strongly supported by the businesses themselves. Kaplan received national media attention from this initiative, appearing on PBS's NewsHour and Fox Business Network to discuss it. The measure passed overwhelmingly in a special election. Three other ballot measures, also campaigned for by Kaplan, were passed in a successful effort to balance the year's budget.

Vacant building registration[link]

Also in 2009, Kaplan re-designed a failed City Council measure which would require owners of certain vacant properties to register their buildings with the city. Oakland's vacancy problem had led to rampant use of empty buildings for illegal activities, and earlier in the year, Councilmember Desley Brooks had attempted to pass similar legislation, which had been voted down due to unclear language and an overly aggressive^{[citation needed]} fine regime. Kaplan re-wrote the measure with a simpler scope, and was able to pass it by a wide margin of support.

Election history[link]

In November 2008, Kaplan won her current post in a run-off election against BART executive Kerry Hamill^[1] by a margin of 62% to 37%, with Kaplan receiving a total of 82,531 votes to Hamill's 50,387.^{[citation needed]} She succeeded Henry Chang, Jr., against whom Kaplan had campaigned unsuccessfully in 2000.^[2]

Kaplan previously served as the Member At-Large on the Alameda - Contra Costa Transit Board of Directors, elected unopposed in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.^[2] In this post, she represented 1.5 million residents^[2] of western Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

In April 2010 Kaplan formed a campaign committee to explore running for Oakland mayor.^[6][7] In the November election Kaplan placed third in ranked choice balloting after winner Jean Quan and runner-up Don Perata.^[4]

References[link]