Minutes 2010 0119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Page 12 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-January 19, 2010 Helen Hutchison, Past President of the LWV of Oakland, addressed the City Council, expressing support for the statements made by the previous speakers. Ms. Hutchison commented on the voter education effort, and the coalition of groups that are preparing to do the outreach/education for RCV. Suzanne Barba, President of the League of Women Voters of the Eden Area (LWVEA), addressed the City Council, commenting on the League's experience with voter education. Ms. Barba stated that presentations about RCV can be incorporated with the Leagues Pros and Cons presentations, and LWV members are available to work the polls. Tim Holmes, San Leandro Community Action Network, addressed the City Council, urging the Council to implement RCV and allow residents' voices to be heard. Stephen Cassidy, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council in support of RCV. Mr. Cassidy commented that RCV would save money and is good for democracy. He further commented that the City's budget is hemorrhaging, and he hoped the plan to address the budget did not rely on a June revenue ballot measure. Judy Cox, Past Co-President of the LWV of Oakland, addressed the City Council, commenting that the Secretary of State was pleased with the extensive RCV education plan proposed by Registrar Dave Macdonald. Ms. Cox commented that the three cities together could leverage the educational resources for RCV. Emily Pears, California Common Cause, addressed the City Council in support of RCV. Ms. Pears commented that RCV would improve representation and democracy, and that San Francisco's successful implementation of RCV could be replicated in San Leandro. LiWan Litzsey, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), addressed the City Council, commenting on the need to make voting more convenient for our voters. Ms. Litzsey commented that more people vote in November, and with RCV, voters would only need to go to the polls once. Leslie Bonett, Oakland resident, addressed the City Council, urging the Council to implement RCV now. Ms. Bonett commented that San Leandro would benefit from the energy surrounding the RCV implementation. Blair Bobier, New America Foundation, addressed the City Council, commenting that RCV is used worldwide, and San Francisco has successfully implemented it and saved a lot of money. Mr. Bobier offered NewAmerica Foundation's assistance to the City in helping to educate voters about RCV.