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Where EAST meets the Northwest

HISTORIC ELECTION. Jean Quan smiles during a news conference in front of Oakland City Hall in Oakland, California. Quan, 61, was sworn in as mayor of the troubled city east of San Francisco this month. She also became the first Asian-American woman to take the helm of a major U.S. city. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

From The Asian Reporter, V21, #02 (January 17, 2011), page 8.

By Terry Collins

The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland, California native Jean Quan this month urged for community reinvestment as she was sworn in as mayor of the troubled city east of San Francisco.

Quan, 61, also became the first Asian-American woman to take the helm of a major U.S. city.

The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Quan spent her morning marching with supporters through Oakland’s Chinatown to honor her roots before taking her oath of office. She later urged a crowd of more than 1,000 to reinvest in Oakland during her inauguration at a restored downtown theater.

"The first thing that I want to do is to put the children at the heart of the politics and the business of Oakland," Quan said.

Quan said her goals include creating an education council, creating new jobs and training opportunities, and improving public safety with a theme of "Jobs on Top, Violence Down."

Despite not having any major political backing or endorsements, Quan defeated the presumed frontrunner, former state senate president pro tem Don Perata, in a narrow race in November thanks to Oakland’s new ranked-choice voting system.

While not getting the most first-choice votes, Quan garnered enough of the second- and third-choice nods to emerge victorious in a crowded 10-candidate field.

"Grassroots organizing can still beat money," said Quan to thunderous applause.

The former councilwoman and three-term school board member replaces Ron Dellums, who chose not to seek a second term as mayor and was often criticized for being absent.

She now inherits a $40-million budget deficit and low civic morale.

Vowing transparency, Quan said she plans to have a town hall meeting in every council district within her first 100 days in office and present a draft of the city budget by March to allow several months for public discussion.

"Jean is going to be a little different than Dellums. She’s definitely going to be more visible," said councilmember Larry Reid, who was appointed council president. "Jean is like that Energizer Bunny. She keeps going and going and going. We’re excited."

Quan said she plans to work on her often testy relationship with an embattled police force trying to fight crime in perennially one of the nation’s most dangerous cities.

"It’s a new beginning," Oakland police chief Anthony Batts said. "We’re invigorated and ready to go."

Quan, who said she’s met with Batts at least four times since being elected, plans to meet with police rank and file, many still reeling after 80 officers were laid off in July due to budget cuts.

During her inauguration, Quan urged Oakland residents to volunteer at least one hour a week in areas such as mentoring children or cleaning up parks.

She also asked residents to rediscover Oakland and visit other neighborhoods.

"Whether you supported me or didn’t support me for mayor, we are all family because we all love this city," Quan said.