Experience:

Elected EBMUD Board of Directors in 1996 and Chair of Finance Committee;
Appointed by Governor Davis to Water Quality Control Board;
Practice in Government Finance Law;
Former High School and Middle School Teacher.

Commitment:

18-Year Resident of Oakland;
Board Member of Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce;
Executive Board of the Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democrats;
Former Parks & Recreation Commissioner.

Effectiveness:

Redirected EBMUD resources to Oakland Infrastructure Improvements;
Reduced Water and Sewer Fees for Nonprofits;
Banned MTBE-Leaking Boats from Drinking Water Reservoirs;.
Sponsored “Smart Growth” legislation in California legislature.

Contact Me:

One Frank Ogawa Plaza
(One City Hall Plaza), 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-7002
FAX: (510) 238-6910

A Bit of Personal History

During my 18 years in Oakland, I have been a college student, a teacher, a voter education advocate, and now, an elected board member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Most recently, Governor Davis appointed me to serve on the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board.

As a public finance attorney, I know how to finance our infrastructure, parks, and schools in ways that are fiscally and legally responsible and that maximize public input.

After graduating from Cal Berkeley, I taught high school and middle school in Oakland, Union City and San Francisco. I am a founding member of a summer academic program for low-income students that is now in its 15th successful year.

In 1996, I ran for the EBMUD Board and won with the strong support of environmentalists, neighborhoods and labor unions. I am active in efforts to increase voter registration and participation among traditionally low voter turnout neighborhoods.

I was born in Taiwan and am fluent in Mandarin Chinese. I am gay and proud of it.

What I Will Accomplish

Neighborhood and Commercial Area Improvements: What keeps District 2 vibrant is its diverse neighborhoods and local shopping areas. I will focus on upgrading the infrastructure that supports these neighborhoods, including storm water drainage, traffic and pedestrian path improvements, and preservation and expansion of open space at Lake Merritt and other neighborhood parks. I am opposed to development of the Fire Alarm building or further high rise development near Lake Merritt.

Reclaiming Our Neighborhood Schools: The success of Oakland and its neighborhoods hinge on improvements to our schools. Parents and communities must reclaim our schools. A good start is to open schools up for after-school and community activities in which children, parents and community members will participate and invest. I will work with the school district and direct City resources to open the school after hours and on weekends, for after-school sports, arts and community events.

Fiscal Accountability: City Hall has a role in investing our tax dollars for economic development…but WISELY. I will use my skills as a public finance professional to make sure that City Hall holds its staff, contractors and other economic development partners ACCOUNTABLE for taxpayers’ investment. No money should be granted, lent or invested without strict accounting and feasibility analysis.

Representing All Residents of District 2: District 2 is exciting because it has many different diverse areas and populations. From Grand and Lakeshore to Chinatown and San Antonio, each area has its own assets and problems. Also, District 2 has large populations of families, immigrants, young people, gays/lesbians and poor and rich. By spearheading voter registration efforts and encouraging neighborhood organizing, I want to tap into the resources of ALL District 2 neighborhoods to make this District and this City realize their potentials.