Government of the City of Oakland

Oakland Government

Oakland City Council

The most powerful and influential government department of the City of Oakland is the City Council, which consists of the Mayor, City Attorney, City Auditor, City Clerk, City Manager’s office, and seven District Representatives. The seven District Representatives each represent one of the seven districts within the City of Oakland, and each make decisions that represent the views of the people of their respective district. Each of these officials are elected by the public, and are responsible for making good decisions that not only represent the views and feelings of the citizens of Oakland, but will positively affect the well being of the City.

The racial and ethnic backgrounds of the elected officials of Oakland are very diverse, varying from Chinese to African American, and from white to Mexican American. This diversity amongst the City of Oakland's government is crucial because of the cultural diversity of the citizens of Oakland, where the population consists of African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and whites. Oakland has an elected official from each of the ethnic groups just listed, which supports equal representation of all of the people of Oakland.

The racial and ethnic characteristics of the City of Oakland's elected officials are found below, along with a short biography of each of the elected officials personal lives.

	City Mayor: Jerry Brown Former governor of California B.A. Latin and Greek -University of California-Berkeley in 1961 *Graduate of Yale Law School in 1964		City Manager: Robert Bobb B.A. Political Science and Latin American studies from Grambling State University M.B.S.-Western Michigan State *Became City manager of Oakland in 1997
	*City Attorney:* John Russo Graduated with Honors from Yale University-B.A. in Economics and Political Science Earned his law degree from New York University Law School in 1985 *Oakland's first City Attorney		*City Auditor:* Roland E. Smith *Duties include: Auditing, Special Studies, Citizen Surveys, Consulting, an Training
	*District 1:* Jane Brunner Graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Graduate of the University of California-Hastings College of Law *Former public school special education teacher		City Clerk: Cedra Floyd In charge of paperwork and record keeping Researches Data Checks Government codes Provides printouts and copies for citizens *Responds to Citizen questions and complaints
	*District 2:* Danny Wan Graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Founding member of a summer academic program for low-income students *Former High School and Middle School teacher		*District 5:* Ignacio De La Fuente City Council President-2nd term Former Union representative of a foundry in Oakland *Chairperson-Council Committee on Community and Economic Development
	District 3: Nancy J. Nadel Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree-Alfred University in 1966 B.A. in Geology from San Francisco State University in 1979 Master of Science Degree in Engineering and Geoscience from the University of California in 1981 First women president of the City Council		District 6: Moses L. Mayne, Jr. *Education/Background information is unavailable.
	*District 4:* Dick Spees Has represented his district since 1979 Founder of the Chabot Space and Science Center Serves on four of the City Council's Committees Chairperson-City Council's Rules and Legislation Committee		*District 7:* Larry Reid Former Political aide to the Mayor of Cincinnati Served on California's State Assembly for six years Chairperson-Life Enrichment Committee Serves on six City Council Committees

At Large: Henry Chang

*Lived in concentration camp when Japan took over China

*Enjoys flying-he is the youngest pilot to ever obtain an International Flying License

*Implemented the City's Community Policing Program

*Graduate of the University of California-Berkeley. B.A. in Architecture(1961)

*Chairperson-City Council's Public Works Committee

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Created for Political Science 350: Group and Minority Politics @ University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Email our Professor: Rodd Freitag

References used to create this page:

www.oaklandnet.com

www.oakland.com

	City Mayor: Jerry Brown Former governor of California B.A. Latin and Greek -University of California-Berkeley in 1961 *Graduate of Yale Law School in 1964		City Manager: Robert Bobb B.A. Political Science and Latin American studies from Grambling State University M.B.S.-Western Michigan State *Became City manager of Oakland in 1997
	*City Attorney:* John Russo Graduated with Honors from Yale University-B.A. in Economics and Political Science Earned his law degree from New York University Law School in 1985 *Oakland's first City Attorney		*City Auditor:* Roland E. Smith *Duties include: Auditing, Special Studies, Citizen Surveys, Consulting, an Training
	*District 1:* Jane Brunner Graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Graduate of the University of California-Hastings College of Law *Former public school special education teacher		City Clerk: Cedra Floyd In charge of paperwork and record keeping Researches Data Checks Government codes Provides printouts and copies for citizens *Responds to Citizen questions and complaints
	*District 2:* Danny Wan Graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Founding member of a summer academic program for low-income students *Former High School and Middle School teacher		*District 5:* Ignacio De La Fuente City Council President-2nd term Former Union representative of a foundry in Oakland *Chairperson-Council Committee on Community and Economic Development
	District 3: Nancy J. Nadel Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree-Alfred University in 1966 B.A. in Geology from San Francisco State University in 1979 Master of Science Degree in Engineering and Geoscience from the University of California in 1981 First women president of the City Council		District 6: Moses L. Mayne, Jr. *Education/Background information is unavailable.
	*District 4:* Dick Spees Has represented his district since 1979 Founder of the Chabot Space and Science Center Serves on four of the City Council's Committees Chairperson-City Council's Rules and Legislation Committee		*District 7:* Larry Reid Former Political aide to the Mayor of Cincinnati Served on California's State Assembly for six years Chairperson-Life Enrichment Committee Serves on six City Council Committees