OaklandSeen founder and publisher Aimee Allison holds the "Making Democracy Work" award presented to OaklandSeen by The League of Women Voters of Oakland

Jack London Square’s Scott’s Seafood Restaurant was the scene of the 20th annual League of Women Voters of Oakland All-City Luncheon on April 27, 2011. Following introductory remarks by League Co-president Katherine Gavzy, Mayor Jean Quan took the podium. To a sellout crowd of Oakland “movers and shakers,” Quan emphasized the political struggles she has faced and those of other women in politics, concluding that there is an urgent need for more women to enter the field. Turning to Oakland issues, she spoke of the upcoming city budget with its three recommendations based on city revenues http://bit.ly/kzOCxZ.

Councilwoman Libby Schaaf introduced the day’s program by announcing that, “If you are not reading these (Oakland) blogs, then you don’t know what’s going on in Oakland, what people are saying, what they are talking about.” She highlighted the passion and fervent emotions expressed in the blogosphere, noting that online local publications “post rollicking debate that is exciting and educational.” Clearly, many in the sold-out audience were as yet unaware of social networking and the many alternative news outlets on the internet, so Councilmember Schaaf’s remarks were a revelation to an older generation of political and media leadership in attendance at the event.

Schaaf then turned to the business at hand: the presentation of awards. OaklandSeen publisher Aimee Allison was first to receive a “Making Democracy Work” award on behalf of the OaklandSeen family of online subscribers, its managing editor Pamela Mays McDonald, and the growing community of contributors to OaklandSeen.

Managing editor Pamela Mays McDonald and publisher Aimee Allison celebrate their award at Jack London Square

“OaklandSeen is known for showcasing positive stories about Oakland that often go untold, as well as publishing blogs written by elected and appointed officials about things they’re working on,” read the official program. The League award acknowledged the publication’s major accomplishments in barely a year of existence: OaklandSeen co-sponsored several mayoral forums in the 2010 election, providing public access to the candidates; published content from over 100 local contributors, giving voice not only to officials and organizations, but to grassroots citizens engaged in the process of improving our community; published up-to-the minute, around-the-clock content during the Oscar Grant/Johannes Mehserle disturbances, the 580 shooter chase and other major incidents; and built a vibrant online social network where issues are discussed and debated by citizens from all parts of Oakland.

In a reminder of OaklandSeen’s original mission to be a community engagement project reflecting Oakland’s impact on national affairs, publisher Aimee Allison stated in her acceptance speech, “OaklandSeen was created to reflect the beauty, creativity and diversity of our community. That’s important not only in our conversations with each other, but as we talk to the nation.”

The Democracy awards presentation was followed by a special award presented to the Bay Area Business Roundtable and a stirring keynote address delivered by Martin G. Reynolds, editor, Oakland Tribune. A lively question-and-answer period followed his remarks. Many questions centered on Oakland’s diversity and the Trib’s focus on reporting the negative, problematic aspects of life in Oakland: crime, poverty, educational failure, etc. Reynolds answered each question with candor and the event ended on a positive note.

We at OaklandSeen would like to commend The League of Women Voters of Oakland for hosting an impressive awards ceremony, thank the patrons, donors and sponsors of the annual event and, lastly, we would like to acknowledge the five individual bloggers who also received praise for their work in sharing their opinions on the issues with the wider Oakland community.

COMPLETE LIST OF AWARDEES:

Aimee Allison, Publisher, OaklandSeen
Bay Area Business Roundtable (BABRT), Organization
Debby Richman, Blogger, Today in Montclair
Echa Schneider (“V-Smoothe”), Blogger,  A Better Oakland
Jonathan Bair (“DTO510″), Blogger,  The DTO and Future Oakland
Rebecca Saltzman (“Becks”), Blogger, Living in the O
Zennie Abraham, Blogger, Oakland Focus

For more information about the League, write to: info@lwvoakland.org