Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promises ‘relentless effort' at community inauguration
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promised during a community inauguration Sunday to lead with 'openness, honesty and relentless effort' and invited the community to join her to make the city better.
'If we match hope with hard work, there's nothing that this city can't do, so let's do it,' Lee said on a stage at Jack London Square. 'Let's grab whatever you can grab — a paintbrush, a policy idea, a neighbor's hand, because the next chapter of Oakland starts now.'
She added: 'All of you are co-authors of this next chapter.'
Lee was elected in April and sworn in last month. The former congresswoman replaced former Mayor Sheng Thao, whom voters ousted in November in a recall fueled by a federal investigation that resulted in bribery charges against her. Thao pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lee takes over as the city confronts a historic budget deficit, public safety concerns, homelessness and illegal dumping, among other issues.
By the end of this month, the city must balance its budget, which includes an annual deficit of about $140 million. Lee previously said the city will address the deficit through both short- and long-term solutions, though she did not provide specifics.
During her remarks Sunday, after she again took the oath of office, Lee spoke of her work in the first few weeks of her administration. The goal from the start was to 'turn hope into action,' the Democrat told the crowd, which included faith leaders, business owners and other dignitaries, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Already she's met with faith and business leaders to discuss public safety strategies. She acknowledged that despite violence prevention efforts and a decrease in homicides last year, some residents still don't feel safe. 'We've got to work to change this narrative in Oakland,' she said.
Lee also said she traveled to the state Capitol to advocate for the city, 'because Oakland deserves its fair share of state resources,' she said. 'I made it clear: Investing in Oakland lifts the entire Bay Area.'
State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, a Democrat whose district includes Oakland, said the city needs a 'proven leader with integrity and experience' to unite the city and region. 'That leader is Mayor Barbara Lee,' he said.
Arreguín, who serves as chair of the public safety standing committee, said he's committed to working with Lee to curb crime in Oakland and make the city safer. He pledged to support the city's Ceasefire strategy and other violence-prevention programs.
Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins called Sunday 'a beautiful day in Oakland.' He noted that Lee is the city's fourth mayor in two years. 'But I think we got it right this time,' he quipped.
Jenkins described Lee as a mayor for all, especially Oakland residents 'who don't know where City Hall is.'
'The way she campaigned is the way she's going to govern: with integrity,' he added.
Selena Wilson, CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center, urged the public to support Lee. 'We must continue to stand with her.'
Barbara Leslie, president and CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, picked by Lee as a co-chair of her transition team, said she can attest that Lee 'hit the ground running.'
'Frankly, my goal is just to keep up,' Leslie said, joined by members of the Rotary Club of Oakland #3 and Oakland Restaurant Collective.
'We are here to support you, as your success is Oakland's success,' Leslie said.
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