OaklandSeen publisher Aimee Allison (center) moderates the mayoral forum with candidates Marcie Hodge, Don MacLeay and Greg Harland in background

In a forum centered on the jobs issue (to coincide with Labor Day), eight candidates for Oakland’s mayor fielded audience questions on Thursday night. Present were: Don MacLeay, Marcie Hodge, Jean Quan, L.L. Young, Rebecca Kaplan, Joe Tuman and Greg Harland.

The audience numbered about one hundred, including campaign staffers, politics watchers and members of the general public. At the conclusion of the forum, several people weighed in with their opinions of the proceedings.

Anthony Hall of West Oakland said, “I was upset not to see all the candidates here,” noting the absence of candidates Don Perata and Terence Candell.

Kubura Hillburn, an Oakland native originally from the Elmhurst district, had a thoughtful response, but was still undecided.  “Who’s really qualified? It’s not what they promise, it’s what they’re going to do.  For example, with my kids’ education, overcrowded school, and underfunded schools.  The candidates are picking hot topics that people are already inflamed about.  I’m still looking for a realistic view.  I don’t want somebody to claim they can do it.  I’m waiting to hear someone tell me how they’re going to do it and tell me what I need to do to help myself.”

Tarika Lewis of West Oakland had a novel idea to involve youth in the proceedings. “I would have loved to see some teenagers here go up to the mike and challenge the candidates.  If our kids were able to vote, if we are planning for our city 10, 20, 30 years in advance, this is the population who I’d like to see involved in this whole process.  I’d like to see more of our people speak up.  Maybe there could be a separate youth forum.”

OaklandSeen has been a co-sponsor of the last four mayoral forums. Complete audio coverage of the forum will be available shortly.