East Palo Alto Today Page 10 September - October 2008
Voting rights continued from page 1 "Laws that directly affect and Alameda, stated that Shelley to clarify the voting ing a felony conviction cannot Ultimately, most jail inmates will be decided this inmates cannot vote under rights of those in jail and on vote, while those in jail for a inmates' rights do not hinge November, so please share any circumstances; four other probation, and learned that misdemeanor or awaiting trial on the outcome of that partic - this information and encour - counties, including Fresno both groups were eligible to can. Organizations like the ular disagreement. According age them to vote," Evans told and Sacramento, said vote. In November 2005, new ACLU, All of Us or None and to state data, more than two the women. inmates with felony convic - Attorney General Bill Lockyer Berkeley-based Voting Rights out of three California jail "Wait," one woman asked, tions were disenfranchised; officially denounced Shelley's for All, and even the county of inmates have not yet been slowing her pace. "You mean Orange County's Registrar's interpretation, and declared San Francisco, take a differ - convicted of any crime and they can vote while they're in office said that jail inmates that those on probation and in ent stance, arguing that the would qualify as potential vot - jail?" are eligible to vote as long as jail for a felony are legally dis - 2006 Court of Appeals Court ers even under the Secretary "Yes they can," said Evans. they are citizens; and in Los enfranchised. All of Us or decision enfranchises even of State's own reading of the "It's the law." Angeles County-- which holds None, the American Civil those jail inmates who have a law -- though four of the ten While there is a law that the nation's largest jail popu - Liberties Union (ACLU) and felony conviction. county registrars polled allows inmates to vote, it is a lation of 19,000-- a registrar several other organizations The confusion may ulti - believed all jail inmates were law that is hardly clear. After employee admitted to not took the debate to court. In mately boil down to the pre - ineligible to vote. "If most peo - years of disagreement and knowing what voting rights jail December 2006 the California cise meaning of "a felony sen - ple in jail haven't been con - legal wrangling, authorities at inmates held, and suggested Court of Appeals Court sided tence." According to Peter victed, the state already every level still disagree calling Secretary of State with the activists, ordering the Sheehan, an attorney with the agrees that most people in jail about the voting rights of Deborah Bowen. Secretary of State to inform Social Justice Law Project can vote," said Evans. "So California's more than 82,000 "The law is the same in all Election Officials that "the who served as co-counsel in why isn't there some kind of jail inmates - most of whom of California. Registrars are only persons disqualified from the 2006 appeals case, the institutionalized procedure to are Black or Latino, and have supposed to be the authority voting are those who have decision holds that someone make that easier and to make not been convicted of any and people are going to trust been imprisoned in state sentenced to jail for a felony is that known?" crime. Less than three what they tell them. Their prison, or who are on parole incarcerated as a condition of According to a legal repre - months before one of the answers shouldn't vary by as a result of the conviction of felony probation, and not sentative from the Secretary most historic elections in where they are, or who picks a felony." technically serving "a felony of State's office, the state is national history, California is up the phone," said Dorsey Following the 2006 deci - sentence." That makes the only required to inform coun - still without a clearly estab - Nunn, co-director of All of Us sion, the Secretary of State's actual number of disenfran - ties of the law, while each county registrar is responsible lished policy on jail inmate or None and its parent organ - office complied by informing chised jail inmates very small. for ensuring that employees voting - and, depending on ization, Legal Services for county registrars that only Or it would, if the average cit - correctly follow it. Sheehan whom you ask, the interpreta - Prisoners with Children. those "in prison or on parole izen-- or public official-- believes the state has a duty tion of "the law" varies. However, inspite of Nunn's for a felony" were ineligible to understood that distinction. "If to do more. "Let's say we Ten California counties hold definitive statement about the vote - but did not fully explain the Secretary of State is sim - were talking about women or about 70 percent of the state's voting rights of inmates, what that meant for those ply saying people in jail for a Catholics or Blacks, instead jail inmates. Calls to the regis - uncertainty has surrounded held in jail, creating a network felony cannot vote, that's a of people in jail," he said. "We trars of voters in each of these this issue for years. of state elections officials who misrepresentation unless they all know these groups can counties yielded a variety of In June 2004, San disagree amongst them - follow up with a detailed vote under the law. If some opinions on whether or not Francisco non-profit Legal selves. explanation of the distinction counties wouldn't let them, those inmates can vote. Services for Prisoners with According to the Secretary between felony probation and we'd expect the state to take action, whether it involved Representatives from four Children asked then- of State's lawyers, individuals a felony sentence," Sheehan making phone calls or holding counties, including San Diego Secretary of State Kevin serving a jail sentence follow - said. continued on page 11
Stealing a nation continued from page 11 voting machines that con - precisely this type of ions on TV but then sistently switched votes passivity that has formulate your own. for the same one candi - allowed corruption to Show up at the date to the other,system - slip by the wayside in polls and tell the atic ballot destruction, the past. world that you do in and investigative The reality of it is that fact care who will reporters sidelined when each and every one of become the next attempting to report on us gets to decide face of the American such irregularities. whether history is people. And be Is it possible, this film doomed to repeat itself. prepared to refuse a asks, that an election can By showing up at the spoon fed truth actually be stolen, not polls in higher numbers should it smell and with guns or tanks, but than ever before, we taste of foul vote by vote? If so, what demonstrate that we play. does this mean for our DO want to have a say For more informa - democracy, or lack there - in the way this country tion on "Stealing of? And most importantly, is run and in the direc - America: Vote by if we have in fact been tion o f its future. Vote", visit misled in the past, is By facing the ugly www.stealingameri - there any good reason truth of fraud and mis - cathemovie.org or that it wouldn't happen conduct in elections, call 650-568-4340. again this coming we'll know how to rec - November? ognize it if it happens Jessica Weiss is a Initial reactions to this again. Empowering our - writer, teacher, and film can easily take the selves with awareness outreach correspon - form of despondency and of the shadowy side dent for progressive even resentment. With behind the bright and organizations and only a month left until the shiny smiles of politics, movements in the election, how could we the media, and our sta - Bay Area including possibly begin to address tus as the most power - Concentric Media. the enormity of electoral ful nation in the world is For questions insecurity? Why even the surest route to about the film and bother to make that trek action when the stories other related issues, to the polls if, in fact, the don't match up, when please contact her stickers we wear to our intuition tells us at proudly announce that something has gone ter - jess.concentric@gm we voted on November ribly wrong. ail.com. 4th really deserve a So go and read the question mark on the newspapers, but read end? Yet it is many. Watch the opin - East Palo Alto Today Page 11 September - October 2008 Stealing a nation vote by vote By Jessica Weiss stand behind issues most was almost (and still is, in stories and a bad feeling in EPA Today Contributor important to us? many minds) too close to their gut. Fears of central command call. Many eyebrows were That's all changed now As one of history's most falling into the hands of raised at hazy messages with the release of a new paramount presidential elec - another botched and coming from the media about documentary film, "Stealing tions draws near, questions corrupt regime mean that all ballot miscounts, voters America: Vote by Vote." weigh heavy on voters' eyes are on the debates, the standing in line for hours Released on DVD and in minds. Which candidate pos - polls, and the campaign upon hours to cast their bal - screenings across the coun - sesses the right combination mudslinging, breath abated, Jessica Weiss lots, and odd stories from try this summer, this film of experience, intellectual waiting perhaps for a golden pollworkers who noticed shows behind the scenes competency, nonpartisan moment of breakthrough glitches and technical break - perspectives on election give a hoot about who will integrity, and trustworthiness when one candidate will rise downs in electronic voting results since 1996 and sheds to lead this country out of an up and prove himself to be swing at the last minute. machines. It felt to many like light on the mysterious mis - increasingly bleak economic exactly what this country What we're talking about one of those horror movies, match between votes cast and environmental future? needs right now. here is an unimaginable where the victim can sense and the votes that were Who will provide the right Yet there is another aspect threat to our democracy, one an intruder in the house and actually counted. "Stealing hat, if founded, could mean solution to the seemingly to the upcoming election that t looks and looks to find America" is a frightening rev - the very essence of endless mess in the Middle is more frightening than one's his whereabouts, but can't elation of anomalies at every freedom in America has been East? preferences being severely seem to pin down his loca - level of the electoral process, taken from our hands; our How do McCain and disappointed. This particular tion until it's too late. The from basic voter harassment right to not only vote, but to Obama fundamentally differ aspect is perhaps the most results of the 2000 and 2004 to senior level complicity on actually have our vote count on issues like health decisive one, yet it cares elections provided many glaring omissions of raw exit in the selection of the next care, energy, foreign policy, nothing for debate victories with this same sense of poll data. It highlights and President of the United taxes, and how can we as or poll leads. shadowy business conducted weaves together instances of States of America. voters see between the politi - It says nothing about the just out of sight, but the few uncounted ballots, technical The last two presidential cal rhetoric lines to under - length of McCain's resume or who even dared to discuss it glitches in electronic elections came down to such stand which candidate Obama's quick-witted, articu - unfortunately had little more a narrow margin of victory, it will not only promote, but late presence. It doesn't even as evidence than a few odd continued on page 10 Local Rapper Makes Good Deal By Maria Olivares had curse words just like the Kontac's main purpose with song rotation. In his promo - EPA Today Intern other rappers. He got the idea of creating a disc tional material, Kontac said inspired by that, and now his with the song "Stay in that he had received atten - This September, Kontac songs don't have any curse School" and a video was to tion from television shows, also known as Stephen words or talk about bad get more kids to not drop out. Barack Obama, and The U.S Ashford signed a deal with things. He used kids in the video, Department of Education. To SMC/ Fontana a company Kontac and the producers and the kids got to interact see the video he made at the that works with over 70 created a video at the East with the rappers. The rappers East Palo Alto Charter Palo Alto Charter School to involved were E-40, Mugzi, School, go to artists to distribute their Kontac aka Stephen Ashford music. Kontac is a Physical motivate the students about Keak Da Sneak, Battle www.myspace.com/beats - Education teacher at the school. He made a song with the advantages about being Locco, Dem Hoodstarz, San bythebay and you tube. East Palo Alto Charter Bay Area rappers to show in school. They are using the Quinn, Mac & A.K., the School, and he is also a local that rap isn't just about money from the video "Stay Jacka, Cellski, and Erase-E. Maria Olivares is a soph - rapper. money, cars, drugs, women, in School" and their disc to The radio stations Wild more at East Palo Alto In his music, Kontac is try - etc. One day a student point - send to the schools in the 94.9 and 106 Kmel have the Academy High School. ing to motivate kids to stay in ed out to him that his music Bay Area. song "Stay in School" in their
Voting rights for inmates continued from page 10 a training. This should be no and the ACLU have sought a he's never asked me to help because I'm Black," said different." meeting with Secretary of him sign up to vote." Nunn, also a former prisoner. But it is different. "The mis - State Deborah Bowen for Activists argue that this is "But I get plenty of Black and information is widespread and several months, peaking in not a question of whether or Brown people who falsely goes all the way to the top," April when All of Us or None not inmates want to vote, or believe they can't vote said the Co-chair of Voting led a protest at the State who they will vote for. "I don't because they're on probation Rights for All Judy Gerther, Capitol. That meeting hasn't think most people in jail or have a felony conviction. I who coordinated volunteers to happened. understand the power of their know there are plenty of Black register voters outside of When it comes to inmate voting. They often think voting and Brown people who are Oakland's county courthouse voting, jail facilities are no Two women discuss the won't change anything," said told and believe they can't in 2004. "There were judges more regulated than county voting rights of inmates. All of Us or None member vote because they're in jail. we ran into, then, who read registrars. Don Allen of Elder Freeman. A former So the effect is the same." our materials on eligibility and California's Correctional Black Panther and state pris - Whether the question of information if they ask," said said, 'We don't believe you.' Standards Authority, the oner, Freeman fears many in inmate voting rights will be Kathy Kahn, a retired defense This has been the law since agency responsible for jail today don't know what vot - settled with a conference or attorney and Voting Rights for 1973, but it's never been pub - designing state jail and prison ing can accomplish. "Getting require further legal action, All co-Chair. "Until we can licized or clarified in layper - policies, admits there are no them the vote is just the first organizers and advocates are assure accurate information is son's language. Lawyers mandated procedures for pro - step," he said. "We need to determined not to see another available, we don't know how don't know, judges don't viding inmates access to vot - teach them it's not all about election pass without a many inmates don't want to know." ing information. "We have a federal elections. State and statewide policy protecting vote, and how many are being Along with this month's Day broad rule that jails need to local elections determine poli - incarcerated voters' rights incorrectly told they can't." of Action, grassroots efforts to have some kind of policy to cies in the communities under the law. "Even if the law says raise awareness have includ - accommodate inmates' rights where they live." "Even with the law on our inmates can vote, they're in ed a Northern California to vote," said Allen. "The onus Though All of Us or None side, we are being disenfran - jail. They've got bigger prob - ACLU billboard campaign and is on the county to design pro - has sought support for this chised by misinformation," lems and priorities," said All of Us or None lobbying cedures that fulfill that obliga - issue from the state said Nunn. "That is a blow to Michael Robinson, an state officials for better educa - tion. Some may do the mini - Democratic Party with little our communities and to our Alameda resident perplexed tion and enforcement. As in mum and some may do more.” success, Nunn emphasizes democracy." by the campaign to secure 2004, Voting Rights for All For some, that minimum is that defending the voting Jennifer Rae Taylor is a inmates rights he's not sure plans to conduct outreach far too low. "Many individuals rights of those in jail is about journalist and law student they want. "My nephew talks outside several Bay Area in jail have no reason to think civil rights, not partisanship. originally from Southern Cali- to me about all kinds of stuff courthouses in mid- they can vote, and little "Nobody I try to register fornia. She can be reached when I go see him in jail, but September. All of Us or None chance of receiving accurate ever says, 'Oh, I can't vote at [email protected]. East Palo Alto Today Page 12 September - October 2008 Brunch leads to awards At its August brunch, the Mothers for Equal Education gave five hundred dollar schol - arship awards and one thou - sand dollar scholarship awards to 24 local college bound recip - ients. The following students seen in the picture to the right were scholarship award recipients. They are:
Alvaro Alvarez- Foothill College Jason Hinckson - Loyola Marymount University Rodney Josh Thomas - Golden State Baptist College Jammo Amanuel - DeAnza College, Cupertino Anthony M. Jones - DeVry University, Fremont Justin Tigner - Paine College, Augusta, GA Pavlova J. Bigsby - S.J. City College Syesha N. Lewis - Hilltop Beauty School, Daly City Kenietha William-Turner - San Jose State University Shaheerah Bradshaw - CA State Univ., East Bay Raymond McElroy - Santa Monica College Gertrude Wilks is the founder and president of Miriam Cruz - Foothill College Chelsea McLaughlin - Fordham University/Lincoln Center Mothers for Equal Education and serves on the Dorian Dawson-Everest College, Hayward, CA Lori Patton - Foothill College Ashley Donnell - Foothill College organization’s board with the following members: Michelle Phinizee - Foothill College David Rages, vice president; Naja Hendrix, sec - Chiqueena Lee - Chapel Hill University/Law Department Danny Sparks - California State University, East Bay retary; Clarene Watts,treasurer; board members Porchea `Fort- CA State Univ., North Ridge Nicholas Spears - San Jose State University Le’Creasha Grigsby - Johnson C. Smith University Nigel Spears - San Jose State University Inez Taylor and Saundra T. Webster and Martha Jessica Hawkins - Foothill College Hanks, a consultant. Local INCH scholarship winners worthy students. scholars have graduat - high school and enroll in various congregations, School; Silvia Vasquez By David Tenisi college, where the through an annual and Wendy Vargas from EPA Today Intern If a scholarship was ed from high school and not claimed in the fall of entered college. scholarship is used dur - spring gospel festival, Eastside College Pre- The Interfaith Network 2007 or later, then the When they are still in ing their freshman year. and through individual paratory School; Joanna for Community Help scholarship award high school, scholarship Lester Ezrati, Senior contributions. Maldonado from James (INCH) is a nonprofit increased to $2,500 due recipients are provided Vice President Director, This year's recipients Flood, and Laura organization that has to the increased cost of a mentor who oversees Tax of Hewlett-Packard are Marco Ayala and Ambriz-Magana from operated since 1983. Its education and increas - their high school career. Company in Palo Alto Jose Cruz from San Francisco 49ers Students apply for the mission is to link the in gcontributions. INCH said, "We are also trying Beechwood; Cassandra Academy. scholarship in the spring needs of the community scholarships are award - to raise funds to extend Morales and Victor For more information, of their eighth grade. If with the resources that it ed to qualified eighth the scholarship to cover Alvarez from Belle see INCH on the web at: selected for the award, obtains. graders who attend each scholars sopho - Haven; Jessica Torres- http://www.inch-elp.org/ students only receive For the past 17 years, schools in the Ravens- more year as well." Vasquez and Camry David Tenis i was a the actual scholarship INCH has awarded wood City School INCH raises its schol - Davenport from East summer intern at East when they complete $1,000 scholarships to District. Over 100 INCH arship money through Palo Alto Charter Palo Alto Today.
Joanna Maldonado Victoria Vargas Laura Nunez Luis Torres Francisco Tamayo Silvia Vasquez
Joanna Maldonado will Victoria Vargas will be Laura Nunez will be a Luis Torres will be a Francisco Tamayo will be a Silvia Vasquez will be a freshman at Eastside be a freshman at a senior at Eastside sophomore at Stanford junior at MIT in the fall. senior at Eastside College College Preparatory Sc- University in the fall. Sparked by his passion Preparatory Sc-hool in the fall. College Preparatory Sc- Carlmont High School in hool in the fall. She wants hool in the fall. She She is currently working for his family, his He plans to major in the fall. to major in Engi-neering wants to give back to at College Track and Mexican heritage, and Mechanical Engi-neering and She wants to major in and plans on giving back the Eastside and East wants to help the youth the City of East Palo wants to help others in his co- to her parents for all their psychology with the Palo Alto communities in East Palo Alto after Alto, he is a role model mmunity succeed. "The INCH support. “I just really want hope that she can one in some way. college. When asked to the youth that wish to Scholarship Foundation does to live my own life for who I day help children who "I was one of few stu - why she thinks she was take a similar route. not award scholarships only to am and not for what others Currently majoring in want me to be. I've chosen have lost their parents dents in my graduating chosen,Laura replied "I th-ose students who have class that showed an have no idea. I wasn't Nuclear Engineering, he straight A's or are great ath - my own way to make my as she had at the age of interest in wanting to do the smartest, but I wants to work for an letes, but if you show that you family proud of me and even though everyone seven. guess maybe they saw energy company to help are trying your best, and that well in school." makes mistakes, I'd like to alleviate the energy cri - that I had potential." your goal is to further your edu - make as little as possible.” sis in the world. cation, then they will consider you." Crossing paths continued from page 6 who will integrate the news - perceptions, especially when Americans. done in the media and by the choice. rooms of America. it came to racial differences. While we still have a long media. Goodbye Nancy. Many of Each time I hear of the The goal my colleagues and way to go, with Sen. Obama’s I’ve been fortunate to be us will still work to bring about death of someone I knew from I were trained and, in some nomination as the presidential able to cross paths with some the changes for which we that early period it feels like a cases, hired to achieve has candidate elect of the remarkable people. Nancy were trained. Your deeds and personal loss - personal not been completed, certainly Democratic Party, we’ve, Hicks Maynard and her hus - accomplishments will make because our paths crossed not with the polls showing that obviously, come a long way. band Robert are in the top - you a lasting role model for all and we set out together, many will not vote for Sen. Nancy Maynard’s passing section of that list. who are interested in making trained to write and deliver the Barack Obama because of his brings back many personal It’s so sad to have to say a positive difference in the news to present the truth and race and the negative images memories and reminds me of goodbye. But there are times world around us. also to broaden the public’s that they have of African the work that still needs to be when life gives us no other East Palo Alto Today Page 13 September - October 2008 Summer Interns make a contribution favorite movie is Lion King. she'd go out with him. Park. She has ten siblings - About Rubye She loves listening to any A goal in life that he would five brothers and five sisters. song with Chris Brown in it like to achieve is build his Her mother was born in By David Tenisi and her favorite dish is her future wife the dream house Louisiana, he r father born in EPA Today Intern mom's homemade macaroni she has always wanted. L.A. and she was born and and cheese. As a child and now as a raised in East Palo Alto, She plans on attending young man his idol has been Roniesha attended Menlo Harvard or Princeton in order Robert "Bob" Hoover who use Oaks Middle school and sev - to study to become an OB to be his golf coach and who eral high schools, with Technician as well as opening now works at free at last. Redwood being her last high a beauty salon in the near David Tenisi, 18 A few words to describe school. future. She wants to give back David and his Personality wo- She enjoys Mexican Foods to East Palo Alto and admires Tonga. David has five sisters uld be prideful, patient, and and likes watching reality t.v. Sharifa Wilson, Executive and is the third oldest He was generous. Her favorite color is yellow Director of East Palo Alto's born in East Palo Alto. and her favorite shoes are her Rubye Price, 15 College Track. He attended elementary pointy toed hills. When asked about her most school at Brentwood and About Roniesha Her hobbies are shopping, Daughter of Jeannie and memorable childhood memo - went to middle school at spending time with family, and Deloyd "Jr." Price, Rubye ry, she responded, "The Pea- McNair. He is now attending going out to movies, restau - By Rubye Price Price is the youngest of five ce March from Home Depot to college at UC Merced, major - rant, clubs, and malls. She EPA Today Intern children. Rubye's favorite col - Jack Farrell Park because ing in science and engineer - also enjoys reading. Her ors are apple green and lime everyone came together as a ing. favorite book is The Crucible . green. She currently attends family." The march was held David loves playing sports, Her favorite childhood memo - Carlmont High School and on February 3, 2007 and con - drawing, and sleeping in his ry is going swimming at the dances with a group of friends sisted of over two thousand spare time. His favorite TV pool on hot summer days. in a dance group called "Ge- people who marched in order show is George Lopez and She plans on attending the t'em Gurlz" in her spare time. to stop the violence in East his favorite movie is "A Walk College of San Mateo and She enjoys reading Forged by Palo Alto. to Remember." majoring in media. Her major Fire by Sharon M. Draper and His favorite color is regular goals in life are to have a sta - when asked to say three About David blue and his favorite shoe ble career, buy a house, trav - words that would best des- brand is Nike. He enjoys lis - el the world at least once, and By Rubye Price cribe herself, she responds, tening to any type of love get married. EPA Today Intern "Intelligent, confident, and song and has a favorite book Roniesha Meacham, 20 She said that the three joyful". called All the Pretty Horses. words that describe her and Outside of her academics, Eighteen year old David David said the most memo - and her personality the best she likes watching Fresh Tenisi, son of Mele and Aloisio rable moment in his childhood Roniesha Meacham is twenty are: beautiful, smart, and out - Prince of Bel-Air and her Tenisi, was both born in came when his girl friend said years old and lives in Menlo going.
Point, click continued from page 7 guages, the latest news and physical activity among all on and enjoy the fruit of the Visit www.yspacesmc.org Rose Jacobs Gibson is a information about childhood children in San Mateo Task Force’s labor. with your kids and grandkids, San Mateo County Super- These websites are the County.” It has done a phe - I firmly believe that every - and click on www.geth - visor who represents Menlo great work of the Get Healthy nomenal job uniting people one in our community can ealthysmc.org yourself. The Park, East Palo Alto, Red- San Mateo Task Force. The within our communities to learn something valuable information will help you and wood City, and the unincor - Task Force’s stated mission address obesity and health about nutrition and wellness your family grow happier and porated area of North Fair is “to work collaboratively disparities within our County. while visiting these websites. healthier together. Oaks. with all stakeholders to devel - This is exactly the type of op strategies that will reduce work that I envisioned when I and prevent obesity and convened the Healthy other health risks of Communities Summit in unhealthy eating and lack of 2004, and I urge you to log Esquire
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By Tim Gatto on TV, the radio and the stories about being ordered, •Consistent use of one activities EPA Today Contributor internet. upon their release from cus - dominant color (blue, red, •Acts of violence Our cities and communities tody, to set up shop as black, brown, white etc.) •Possession of weapons Gangs are in the news are launching gang task “recruiters” to bolster the •Wearing clothing that “rep - •Frequent use of abusive everywhere these days, from forces and using gang injunc - ranks of their respective resents” a neighborhood, language the world wide headlines tions to curtail the illicit activi - gangs. What are the signs area code, or city (Da Vil; Da •Secretive behavior about reporting on Mara Salva- ties of gang members. that one can look for as a Mid; Midtown; Check Mob; friends and activities and trucha or some other trans- Yet with all this negative parent and as a concerned G-Town; Menlo-Mid; 650; stays out late national gang killing witness - publicity regarding gangs, citizen in the community? Rep the Bay •Suspected drug use indi - es, or taking over a prison, to they continue to grow. San •Wearing altered head cated by mood changes stories of the growing popu - Mateo County has experi - Here are some examples: wear (gang members often •New fear of the police lation of gang members in enced nearly a 50% increase SIGNS OF GANG put gang information on the * Police, parents, and edu - Colorado now reaching over in gang membership over the INVOLVEMENT inside of ball caps) cators need to be aware that 12,000. past dozen years. •Change in attitude about •Use of nicknames, gang it is a combination of warning Stories abound of Crips Youth are attracted to school and hobbies (may terminology or hand signs signs and high factors that and Gangster Disciples oper - gangs for a variety of rea - include poor school grades (unknown jocularly-gangs may indicate an individual is ating in multiple states to a sons, including: the excite - and disinterest in school) have many slang words) involved in a gang. new gang forming comprised ment, (or as one gang mem - •Poor school attendance •Graffiti writing or doodling Obviously some of the signs of “drop outs” from the gang ber states “the adrenalin rush and grades on books, papers, personal are, as we well know, simply life in California. I get;”) money: women; fear •Disrespect of teachers’ belongings, folders, desks, teenagers being “teenagers,” It’s all to easy to hear protection (due to intimidation authority and school rules walls or buildings but consistent behavior as about gang fights, assaults, from gang members). •Habitual truancy and cuts •Having a new nickname indicated and the combina - armed robberies and mur - Youth are lured into gangs classes •Unexplained sources of tion, as noted above, should ders right here in the Bay by older gang members who •Change in hairstyle/dress money or property serve as a warning. Area. need to fill their ranks as (may include special haircuts, •Disrespect of parents’ Tim Gatto serves on the Stories of gang violence members get locked up for eyebrow marking or ball authority Gang Intelligence Unit in the and crime which used to be longer terms. Former gang caps) •Desire for excessive Office of the Sheriff for the an occasional occurrence are members from right here in •New friends with the same privacy County of San Mateo. now commonplace in reports our county have shared their hairstyle/dress •Withdrawal from family
EPA policy a model for other cities continued from page 1 luncheon, Marie McKenzie, When asked what she IKEA when it opened, but To see the East Bay the city’s redevelopment proj - would say to local govern - there were only 200 positions Alliance for a Sustainable ect manager, told the group ment officials who say that available. “You can see why Economy ‘s report, “Building that the First Source Hiring this isn’t the time to create people feel frustrated,” she a Better Bay Area: program, which was devel - more regulations, McKenzie said. “If they didn’t get the Community Benefit Tools and oped by the city in 1998, was replied that cities must not let job, if their relative didn’t get Case Studies to Achieve a way of addressing the city’s their residents down, that a job, if their friends weren’t Responsible Development,” double digit unemployment they still need to set the stan - hired, then it appears to them go to www. rate, level of violence and dard, since developers will that no one got hired,” she http://www.workingeastbay.or drug sales. A graphic on the East Bay come, and when they do said. g/article.php?id=620 Since it was enacted, Alliance for a Sustainable come, they will come to a city the First Source Hiring pro - Economy website. with the expectation that they gram has resulted in hun - ceeded as a way of educat will have to provide benefits dreds of jobs for residents at for those who live there. the Four Seasons, IKEA, ing developers, since they McKenzie told the lunch - Home Depot, Circuit City, are informed that their devel - eon attendees that her Best Buy and at other retail - opments must provide bene - biggest challenge and what ers in the city’s major com - fits to the local residents. hurts her the most is that mercial sites. “Setting policy standards there are not enough jobs for absolutely improved project According to McKenzie, all who apply. She said that Logo from the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy the program has also suc - based outcomes,” McKenzie 1, 586 people applied to said. website.
M. F. CHESTER PALESOO Are you a self starter? Want to make a Difference about FOR CITY COUNCIL
"Diversity Council-Unite dWe Succeed!" Bay Area Transportation? Are you interested in work - ing with people? Then Step Up to the Challenge! Vote for me for the East Palo Alto City Council
Apply to serve on one of the Metropolitan Transportation (650) 327-0432 Are you interested in sales? Commission (MTC) advisory committees — the Advisory M. F. CHESTER PALESOO Greetings! I'm a Human Services Advocate and resident of our Council or the Minority Citizens Advisory Committee — and community for over 25 plus years and thank you for electing me to If you’ve answered yes to serve on our school district Board of Education. My leadership participate in making decisions about how transportation the above three questions, style is to promote efficiency in human services and providing then consider being an impacts communities. To find out more and to apply, contact opportunities for people, and is prepared with governance leader - ship experience to create ways and means of supportive policies the MTC Public Information Office at 510.817.5757, within our community government. During my tenure on the school board standardized test scores and graduation rates has risen, our EPA Today Sales or click on MTC’s Web site at www.mtc.ca.gov schools have been modernized for improvement, our school dis - Associate trict consistently maintained a financial solvency rate determined to or visit MTC at 101 Eighth Street, Oakland. be a Triple-A accountable rating, and innovative programs in place for academic improvement for all ethnic students as necessary. I have progressive governance leadership experience, vision, Get more information, call consensus building ability, team player attitude, know-how skills, (650)327-5846, ext. 311 and expertise helping ALL ethnicities improving their quality of life within our government. I've provided assistance to help many fam - ilies and children including youth to have a livable life within their means of support to become safe and healthy in our diverse com - munity. "I'm here as a public servant to serve and not to be served!" East Palo Alto Today Page 15 September - October 2008 Community Calendar
EPA Rock the Vote Concert Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will 2008 Public Works E-Cycling Every Sunday there is a Location: Bell Street Park hold town hall meetings in Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Event Farmer's Market at St. University Avenue and Bell Campbell, Cupertino and Location: Ecumenical Hunger Saturday, October 18, 2008 Francis of Assisi Church Street Willow Glen on Wednesday, Program (2411 Pulgas Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm (1425 Bay Road) between East Palo Alto, CA 94303 October 1, Wednesday, Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA Location: City Corporation 3:00pm and 6:00pm. When: 10/18/2008 2:00 October 15 and Thursday, 94303 Yard (150 Tara Road, East PM-5:00 PM PST October 16, respectively. He Beat Three Meeting Palo Alto, CA 94303) Please call 650-324-2769 or EPA Rock the Vote Concert invites residents of the 11th Date: Thursday, October 9th, e-mail is our creative solution to cul - Senate District to bring their 2008 farmersmarket@collective - tivate local San Francisco questions, comments, and Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Brentwood Court roots.com
East Palo Alto City Council Candidates Forum Thu, October 16 at 7:30-9:30 pm East Palo Alto City Hall, 2415 University Ave, East Palo Alto Ravenswood School District Candidates Forum Tue, Oct 14 at 7:30-9:00 pm Ravenswood District Board Room, 2120 Euclid Ave, East Palo Alto Menlo Park City Council Candidates Forum Wed, October 8 at 7:30-9:00 pm Saree Mading, Court Skinner, Henrietta J. Burroughs, and Sharifa Wilson on the set of Menlo Park City Council Chamber, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Talking with Henrietta on September 25, 2008. Park Forum Explaining the State Ballot Propositions (Pros & Cons) On this show, Another Election to Make a Difference, three local candidates tell Sat, November 1 at 11:00-12:00 noon why they think they are the best qualified candidate to serve on the Ravenswood Menlo Park Main Library, 800 Alma St, Menlo Park City School District Board of Trustees. Saree Mading, Court Skinner and Sharifa Wilson discuss their qualifications, their For more information on any of the above events, contact the experiences and the goals they would like to achieve if elected. League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County at This edition of Talking with Henrietta can be seen until October 11 on Channel 27 650-325-5780. View the League’s website at on Fridays @ noon, Saturdays @1:30 p.m., Sundays @5 p.m., Mondays @8 a.m. www.lwvssmc.org. and Thursdays @8 p.m. on Channel 27, which airs locally. It can also be seen on the web at the above days and times at: The candidates forums (first 3 events listed above) will be www.communitymediacenter.net. taped by the Media Center and rebroadcast on channel 27 multiple times, as well as linked to www.smartvoter.org for on-demand viewing. East Palo Alto Today Page 16 September - October 2008
The regional treatment plant, located in Palo Alto, treats about 26 mil - lion gallons of wastewater per day to ensure that water discharged into the Bay meets with the strict qualifications of the Environmental Protection Agency. Revenues to pay for the needed treatment are collected from resi - Summer Pipe Rehabilitation Project Finished! dents and businesses whose properties are connected to the sewer sys - tem. The charges are placed on the San Mateo Property tax statements, This August, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD), completed their for purposes of convenience but are not related to the assessed value of summer Cured-in-Place Pipe Rehabilitation project at Poplar Avenue, a property. Runnymede Street, O’Connor Street, and Woodland Avenue. The most effective way for commercial and industrial customers to The project was constructed by J.F. Pacific Liners, Inc. at an estimated reduce the charges for sewer treatment is to conserve water. Since cost of $409,874. to EPASD. charges are directly tied to volume of water used, installing low-flow toi - “A lot of these pipes are just old [which causes them to deteriorate],” said lets and faucets is a great way to reduce your sewer bill. Lee Hawkins, EPASD General Manager. “And, since this is California, the ground is always moving around and shifting and that will cause some of the sewer pipes to crack. We basically have a project like this every year.” The rehabilitation of sewer pipes helps the Sanitary District reduce the cost The EPASD Summer 2008 Internship Program of sewage treatment. Waste water from East Palo Alto Sanitary District is sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant and treated before it can be released into the Bay or reused in irrigation projects. The summer of 2008, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District was happy to “The problem is when pipes get old, groundwater or creek water infiltrate receive three college interns from East Palo Alto. Mary Latu, James the pipes and then water that doesn’t need to be treated is sent to the treat- Edwards, and Natalie Rios were given positions in the District offices ment plant,” said Hawkins. where they worked on a variety of projects with Karen Maxey, Director of The customers of EPASD have to pay for the waste water treatment and it Administrative Services, as well as the rest of the staff members. costs about $1.5 million a year to “clean” the sewer water produced by the The students were given insight into the kind of work and planning that Sanitary District. According to District Engineer Rich Laureta, if all of the old goes into various District projects and policies. and cracked pipes in EPASD were to be fixed, the EPASD could shave off “There’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind closed doors,” said Edwards about 10% from its annual water treatment bill. But this is unlikely to happen who will begin his first year at Foothill College in September. “As far as anytime soon. grease traps go, there’s a lot of work that goes into the maintenance of Hawkins agreed saying that it’s impossible to repair all of the pipes the receptor tanks.” because “just as you finish fixing one, you find that another one has broken.” Students also had a chance to perform office duties and help with He added that, on average, the EPASD repairs about five sewer mains per clerical work which, Edwards thinks, is probably the most valuable part year usually because there are not enough funds to complete larger projects. of the internship since it helped him be “consistent everyday” and make However, to ensure that the available financial resources go toward actual- sure that he was getting his work done. ly renovating pipes, said Laureta, the EPASD used the “cured-in-place” For Mary Latu, who began her first year at Dominican University in method which allows for fixing and replacing pipes without tearing into the August, the most interesting part of the internship experience was work - pavement, which would be inconvenient and costly once the cost of repaving ing with people of EPA. the streets is factored in. “Since we’re all living and working in EPA, we can really connect,” she said. “It’s a laid back [environment] but it’s really hands on so you learn Sewer Service Charges and Changes stuff here and there.” “Anybody can benefit,” said Edwards. “They’ll learn a lot of skills that will help them in the future.” In FY 2008-09, the East Palo Alto The internship program is a collaboration of the EPASD and One Sanitary District will increase the sewer service fee to $415.00 a year per indi- East Palo Alto’s Sponsored Employment Program which provides jobs vidual household. In an apartment building, each individual apartment is an and internship opportunities for EPA students every summer. individual household and residents will be charged accordingly. Summer job openings are filled in June-July and students are For commercial and industrial customers, the fees are determined encouraged to stay through August based on the volume and pollutant strength of the water being treated.
East Palo Alto Academy
A Stanford New School OPEN HOUSE Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 475 Pope Street Menlo Park 94025
Para más información llame al 650- 329-2828