Tension mounts...

The Tazer wasn't the only entity experiencing consternation over this "Safe Streets Now" proposal being shopped by Irma Anderson. Regular Tazer reader and contributor Michael Ali had this to say on the matter:

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In response to the very timely piece that the current edition of the 'RICHMOND TRUTH TASER' put out regarding Mayor Anderson's press conference yesterday (Wednesday-August 9, 2006), let the following facts of truth and public record be known to the readers of the 'TASER'.

Mayor Anderson's current administration over the past 4 1/2 years has had over 182 deaths from violence and killings in the killing fields of Richmond. Her so-called 'War On Violence' has failed and lost years ago. She is using her theme of 'Safe Streets Now!' as nothing more then a campaign tool for her re-election. She is EXPLOITING my family and all other families who are survivors, that have lost family to the violence and killing. She is now asking us to PROSTITUTE ourselves by endorsing a worthless ballot measure, that neither is supported by the Richmond City Council, City Manager, the City Fianance Director or the current Chief of Police, who has remained silent on the matter.

Here are the true facts that the REAL RICHMOND VIOLENCE PREVENTION MOVEMENT knows:

1. That the current Chief of Police Magnus can petition the Richmond City Council for any funding that his Department needs in terms of money, technology, manpower and firepower; his requests will be granted by the Council, that would include the War On Violence. So there would be no need for a special election as Mayor Anderson touts.

2. The so-called 'Safe Streets Now!' monies could not even be used or allocated until July 2007 [time of passage of next budget -- ed.].

3. The Richmond Police Department currently has somewhere between 25 to 30 positions open to recruit and hire new street-level officers. Translated that means there is enough money available NOW to recruit and hire 25 to 30 new street-level officers. Again with that funding available, it negates the need for another rip-off special election.

4. And the most damning thought is that Mayor Anderson was illegally campaigning on City property and on duty as the Mayor at the press conference. She had staff from Supervisor John Gioia's office passing out 'Anderson For Mayor' campaign literature which is a VIOLATION OF THE BROWN ACT AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL!

This information was held back at the so-called press conference! Exploiting our families, lying and deceiving the citizens of Richmond, illegally campaiging! What a sham of democracy!

DAMN DIRTY POLITICS!

Yours in the Struggle for Human and Civil Rights in the City of Richmond,

Micheal Ali

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The Tazer stands ready for all discussion on this matter, no matter how pointed, but reasoned.


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EDIT, August 3rd, 6:31 PM: Mike Ali reports this addendum:

"I got a phone from Contra Costa County Board of SupervisorJohn Gioia, who was concerned when I had mentioned at the Mayor's press conference that one of his staff was illegallly passing out 'reelect Irma Anderson for Mayor campaign literature' on City property and while Mayor Anderson was on duty for the press conference. I stated that it was a violation of the Brown Act to do as such.

Gioia stated that his staffer was a part-time employee and was passing it out on her on time. Nor was she representing his office while she was there. Okay, I promised the Supervisor that I would set the record straight about his pat-time staffer. Now I told him that it was still a violation of the Brown Act to campaign on City Property or doing City business. He contends that this individual was perfectly well within their rights to do as such and did not violate the Brown Act, and was not illegally campaigning. Hhhummm! Yeah right, whatever!"

Duly noted, Mr. Ali, and thank you for that. Supervisor Gioia and Mayor Anderson are welcome to give their own accountings of this incident. The Tazer is more than just fair and balanced, it is equal time to any who wish to participate.