The Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club
Resolution Condemning the Attempt to Recall Mayor Jean Quan
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Whereas, Mayor Jean Quan is an effective, hardworking mayor who has spent a lifetime fighting for the civil and economic rights of working families, small businesses, and our diverse communities and;
Whereas, a committee of local gadflies is launching a petition drive to initiate the recall of Mayor Quan, using community divisions over serious issues such as: public safety, the Occupy Wall Street/Oakland Movements, and port development to promote conservative and petty agendas including the potential de-legitimization of Ranked Choice Voting, a system which has empowered progressive, grassroots candidates, and;
Whereas, the recall campaign is based on a series of spurious accusations including a claim that Mayor Quan failed to take advantage of an opportunity to create more union jobs in Oakland, when Mayor Quan has worked tirelessly and successfully on the Oakland Army Base project to bring good union jobs to Oakland, and;
Whereas, the false claim is also being made that Mayor Quan is not attending to the issue of public safety in spite of the implementation of a strategy to blanket the 100 most dangerous blocks of Oakland with social services and enhanced policing uniting the City of Oakland with the Oakland Unified School District, and the Alameda County Probation Department including the rehiring of 36 police officers due to the leadership of Mayor Quan, and;
Whereas, we are in the midst of an economic downturn which has caused both unemployment and a fiscal crisis in Oakland and;
Whereas, a recall would distract attention from the crucial task of confronting this crisis, including the possible destruction of redevelopment in California and would only create an additional financial drain on the city, and;
Whereas, a special election would be divisive, expensive and unfair, it would also reduce local involvement in the very pivotal upcoming state and national elections, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club is committed to building a progressive city government that serves the interests of working families and small businesses.
Therefore be it resolved that the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club goes on record as opposing and condemning the effort to recall Mayor Quan as wrongheaded, wasteful and destructive of the unity this community needs in confronting the current economic crises, and;
Therefore be it further resolved, that we call on the sponsors of the recall to end the campaign now, and;
Be it finally resolved, our Democratic club will actively campaign against any attempt to recall Mayor Quan.
