Sean Sullivan: Help support A Better Oakland. Give today.
For the last two years, a growing cast of thousands have flocked to this site, aptly named A Better Oakland. Here we have found an amazing advocate and Oakland devotee in V Smoothe, who dedicates a staggering amount of time to educating us about the detailed dysfunction of our city and the possible pathways towards a city that lives up to its promise. Indeed, the blog often reads like a love letter to a a betrothed who just won’t get up, shower, put on a tie and go get that job.
We come here to his site to find everything we need to know about what is going on in our fair city by the bay. We love Oakland and we love the advocacy for sound planning and policy-making that is so often displayed in its writing. To the constant surprise and astonishment of her readers, V Smoothe turns up, posting after posting, so much data and so much research to validate her points. And if you are inclined to disagree, there are the links for you to get to the same data and draw your own conclusion. Then you can comment, have at it, all on her dime, all after she has done the hard work and heavy lifting.
And that isn’t the only reason why you come to this site. It’s also because the writing is so smart, punchy and fluid. I won’t say it makes up for the depressing and dry coverage that Oakland gets from much of the local media, but it really does captivate you. If you have the time and are clever enough to keep abreast of other national blogs and pop culture you can find sly, topical references throughout her posts. From her National review/Rich Lowry-esque send up of the Rebecca Kaplan-Kerry Hamill debate, to her Gossip Girl take on a simple Community Development Block Grant committee election (which is my favorite post ever and I admit to reading it once a week since last October), you can see the pure genius and dedication she has to keeping us all aware, involved, and entertained.
I know this blog has great reach, and not simply because V Smoothe’s numbers are trackable and range from 3,000-6,000 unique visitors per week. I know because last year when I was walking around the 3rd district I found myself on Mead street, a street I had usually avoided. Drugs and violence are rampant on that particular block, and were on this day. But when one twentysomething pregnant woman came to the door, I started to go into my pitch and she stopped me “Oh, I know who you are. I read A Better Oakland every day.” Even in our most battered neighborhoods, this blog is having an effect, educating and inspiring.
So after two years of ever expanding and well written coverage, I ask, how much is this all worth to you? Yes, the economy is challenged and that the city of Oakland is in duress but there are always reasons to limit you. It’s just like Oakland, you can sit and talk about its potential like so many do or you can step up and do something about it.
Join me in making a $100 contribution to A Better Oakland, or $500, $50, $10, or whatever you can afford. As the future of journalism is debated in other media, do your part to preserve a real investigative treasure right here in Oakland. Give today.
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Newest Comments
- len raphael: Unconfirmed that MJQ laid off 100 employees today, blaming RDA court case. How much did she and the CC waste in legal fees betting against Jerry’s lawyers?
- ralph: No, Livegreen, Occupy Oakland is doing plenty good. They are the poster children for the new, “This is Your Brain on Dope” Campaign.
- Livegreen: They seem to b determined to shut down Oakland and little else. They’ve forgotten Wall St. I can’t help but think the Officers who were preventing them from breaking in to City Hall could have spent...
- gregory mcconnell: The Occupest disrupted City Hall today. They managed to make it difficult, but not impossible, to go into City Hall. They demanded that people who accosted cops on Wednesday should be released. I was out...
- livegreen: I watched the M-Y mtg last night, & it was painful. Jose is a nice guy, but he has difficulty running a meeting that gets anything done. They debated for about 1 hour whether they should discuss recommendations...
- len raphael: The murder of 5 year old Gabriel Martinez. Got a call from an acquaintance who lives in East O and often gets supper at his family’s taco stand. She asked where she can sign up to help on the recall.
- Ravi: I’m sure that all of those Quan diehards (“a recall would be a waste of time and too expensive”) are very gratified that this lovely and deserving woman is having such a good time. No doubt they prefer...
- len raphael: JQ “”I’m actually having a lot of fun,” she said after rehashing many of the lower moments from her first year in office.” “http://www.insidebayare a.com/news/ci_19651889R...
- Ravi: And regarding police reform and the crime thing, Judge Henderson could decide to put OPD under Federal jurisdiction because the terms of the NSA haven’t been fulfilled by the City Administration. Those folks in City...
- len raphael: Harbinger of things to come to the City Council when they eventually have to make similar decisions. But they won’t. The Fed bankruptcy judge will do it for them.
- livegreen: Yeah, but OUSD has to do something. There are way too many schools for the school population. There’s simply no choice. At least they’re willing to make the tough decisions. Unlike the City of...
- len raphael: Are those school board recalls entirely over the school closing decisions? Different groups or one umbrella?
- Ravi: Two recall petitions for Quan; five recall petitions for five school board members.
- len raphael: City says there are now 7 concurrent recall petitions. Not clear how many are for Quan and how many for Council Members. Direct democracy at work.
- Ravi: Can the Oakland City Council lead? Nope, nor can the Mayor. It’s up to the citizens, who are deeply divided and have been for a very long time.
- len raphael: Oakland Local is the only on or offline general circulation media that shows understanding of the depths of our fiscal situation and understands that it’s causes precede the real estate crash. One of these...
- Mkilian: Related to the Cal Supremes haircut to Oakland with respect to RDA and the immediate need for a “fiscal operations plan” is another issue put forth in Oakland’s internet newspaper, Oakland Local, is...
32 Responses to “Sean Sullivan: Help support A Better Oakland. Give today.”
May 12th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Today is marks two years since my first post on this blog. In that time, I’ve had a fair number of people ask me to put up a donate button, and I’ve resisted doing so for a variety of reasons. But writing this blog really takes an enormous amount of time, and if some people want to show their appreciation for that effort, well, who am I to stop them? So I’m finally giving in.
And of course, thanks to Sean for making the pitch for me.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Done.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Done. Finally, I can read this blog without feeling guilty about getting the services for free.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Sean – great post! I know just how hard it is to do this, so kudos to V for lasting more than two years.
V – I’ve been telling you that you need to get paid for the hard work that you do. Cheers to finally letting people donate so that you can spend even more time telling us how we can make for A Better Oakland.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Great work. Keep the city on its toes!
May 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Done! I moved to Oakland last July and have been lurking here for quite some time. I’ve come to rely on this blog to break it all down for me. Thank you so much for your work and for giving us a chance to donate.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Thanks, V. I’m glad I get to donate a little to your efforts.
And thanks, Sean, for writing such a great post.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Happy anniversary V! You’ve been doing an incredible job informing and educating. Without you, I don’t think anyone would have any idea what’s going on with the budget, for example; with the MSM fabricating an anti-police budget, there would be no way for citizens to engage in this important budget process without reading your blog. You do a great service and we’re all very appreciative.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Donated! Thanks to V for schooling us all on what’s going on in Oakland. Keep up the good work!
May 12th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Finally!
For all of you procrastinators out there, I’ve set up a matching challenge to get you to donate in the next 48 hours (well, 46 hours now). So don’t delay.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Of course I will donate and I am more than happy to do so. V, you are doing a fantastic amount of good for the City of Oakland. Even on those occasions where we may not see eye to eye, I appreciate your candor and personal integrity. I certainly hope you did not delay taking donations for fear that anyone would think they could compromise you. Only a lunatic would try to compromise you with a donation
Keep up the good work this city needs you.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I held out for that matching challenge. =) Thank you, to you V, and to Becks for the matching, and to this entire community which really is helping to make…a better oakland.
May 12th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Donated, and happily so. Oakland is a better place because of V’s work on A Better Oakland. The name fits
May 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Done
May 12th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Glad to have the opportunity to support your painstaking efforts, V! You make our community better and help me be a more informed citizen– thank you.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Becks, hope you don’t mind, but I just blatantly plagiarized your matching grant idea (and approach) on the rockridgeresidents.org forums. Not to worry, I gave you full credit for the idea.
Ok folks, go crazy, there’s now two matching grants for donations. Go, ABO, go!
May 12th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
oh, happy anniversary btw. outstanding job, much better reporting than most professional reporters. No idea how you find the time…
May 12th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I agree with everyone. I don’t know how you find the time, but I am eternally grateful. Because of this site, I feel so much more involved with the city in which I live. Truly inspiring.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I am pleased to support the incredible time and energy you spend stimulating important conversations about Oakland.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Dear V,
Great budget analysis! I learned so much, as soon as I have some cash I’ll send some your way. Educating adults is difficult, educating politicians is nearly impossible thank you so much.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:51 am
That’s great Vivek, and anyone else should feel free to copy me. Though I need to correct one thing – I’m not sure why so many people in the blogoaksphere seem to think otherwise, but I’m female.
May 13th, 2009 at 8:17 am
eh, ooops, sorry about that. When I hear Becks, two things come to mind:
1) The male singer
2) The beer
Disculpe, Senorita
May 13th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I’m so touched! My deepest gratitude to all who have donated. You are all so wonderful. Thank you.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
donated too. now let’s get that “parking lot” designed. let me know how i can help.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
So what was the 48 hour total? You can email me if you don’t want to publish publicly, I need to click that link myself with an amount.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
done. While on vacation, too. God, I need help…
May 14th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Done and thank you (but will you lay off a little bit.)
May 14th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Sean what’s your analysis of why you lost to the Noodle and what are you doing now?
May 18th, 2009 at 8:50 am
SF2OAK,
Thank you for questions.
I think your first one was about why we were not victorious when I ran for Council last year. My analysis is twofold: beating an incumbent is very difficult and we started too late. I think the latter made the first point more prevalent. While I always had interest in public service, I had no plan to run at all even a year out. Though Ralph and others like to chide me about this story it’s true. I had not considered throwing my hat into the ring for the 2008 election until asked by a neighbor who happened to be a longstanding friend whom I met through the loss of her son. Following her suggestion, I thought about it for a few weeks, and one morning in October 2007 turned to my boyfriend and said “I think I should run for Oakland City Council” The rest, including his incredible devotion, door walking and campaign coordination, is history. I immediately began doing what I do best. I raised money and raised over $62,000. We came out of nowhere and came within 137 votes of forcing a runoff. I am proud of what we did and what we were able to accomplish. A whole new generation is involved and taking action.
The very next day after the election Equality California offered me a job as the Director of Development. Since then, I have been crisscrossing the state. First for raising money against Prop 8 and we raised $14 million towards No on 8. Since Prop 8′s passing, I have been crisscrossing the state working to build infrastructure for the future. Saturday I was in Palm Springs, in an hour its off to Sacramento. It’s been demanding and led some to wonder if I am still involved in daily life in Oakland.
The election really inspired me to deepen that involvement and so to that end, I was elected with an ethnically and culturally diverse slate of twenty-forty-somethings, homeowners & renters alike to District 3′s CDBG board. That body elected me to serve on the Oakland Community Action Partnership-you know the agency with all the billboards up about foreclosure prevention and free tax help. (I Think Billboards are very effective medium for getting the word out, in case you haven’t guessed.) I serve on the board of the Khadafy Foundation, am helping the Attitudunal Healing Connection with planning for their annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, am helping fulfill a campaign promise to bring a dog park to the edge of Lake Merritt and expect to advise the organizations that our CDBG committee recommended for funding once that commences on July 1st. Additionally, I am in the 2nd year of my presidency of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Gate Chapter. When that ends in January I expect to be even more involved and present in our great city. Until then, I like many others keep abreast of everything in Oakland through this site. Your continued support is still needed and appreciated. Give today.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I’d urge anyone interested in “supporting” Sean Sullivan to pay close attention to what he has tried to do in his short residency in West Oakland. He us supported by Dogtown Development interests, and is a strong supporter of ALliance Metals. AS far as most of the residents of Sean’s newly chosen neighborhood are concerned, he is toxic to the wellbeing of our community.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Sean Sullivan, toxic? I can’t say that I have ever seen those 2 words thrown together in the same sentence.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:20 am
Dogtownguy,
That punk Jay, who runs Alliance Metals, came to City Council with a bunch of homeless addicts that he bribed with fast food to support him. Nadel voted for what Alliance wanted even though it was bad for the neighborhood. Who’s toxic?