THIS POST IS INTENDED TO PRESENT LINKS OTHERS MAY READ BEFORE JUNE 8TH.  I AM VERY DISTRESSED TO LEARN ABOUT THE RECENT DISTRICT ATTORNEY SELECTION PROCESS (CIRCUMVENTING VOTER PARTICIPATION) (ORLOFF/o’mALLEY) AND I CAN PERSONALLY TESTIFY THAT THIS JUSTICE CENTER (BELOW) ISN’T DISPENSING AS MUCH JUSTICE AS ITS FUNDING WOULD IMPLY.  LOOK AT LOCKYERS, DRAW SOME CONCLUSIONS…  THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE!

Where were YOU on this date? Where I was (see below photo)…

In the news

http://www.acfjc.org/who_we_are/in_the_news

Contra Costa Times

Governor names new victim advocate
Schwarzenegger vows support for victims’ rights, monitoring of offenders
By Chris Metinko
STAFF WRITER

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his tough-on-crime talk in Oakland this week with a promise to support new rights for crime victims and more determined monitoring of the state’s worst sex offenders.

Speaking before crime victim advocates and local law enforcers Tuesday at the Alameda County Family Justice Center, Schwarzenegger also announced the appointment of Susan Fisher to the newly created position of crime victim advocate. She most recently was chairwoman of the state’s Board of Parole Hearings.

“Being victimized is a life-altering experience,” ** Schwarzenegger said. “Too often, we focus on locking up the criminal and putting more cops on the street. But there’s one very important part of the equation that is too often neglected … and those are the crime victims and their families.”

{{**which he knows from conversing with the bad guys acting in his movies???  }}

And here are the top dogs, getting it together for a press conference.  At this SAME TIME I was struggling to prevent a kidnapping, and being shouted down by a law enforcement officer, same county, and threatened with loss of custody if I falsely reported that this was taking place.  But, being only a mother, what did I know?  . . . .

Two months later, it did.  Still, who was I to try to stop the slow wheels of justice from grinding out their own ruts in a different direction, self-congratulation and centralization. …

06/27/2006

Gov. Schwarzenegger Visits the Family Justice Center
to announce his Sponsorship of a Crime Victims
Bill of Rights andto Announces New Crime Victim Advocate

Governor Schwarzenegger and Chief Assistant District Attorney
Nancy O’Malley speaking at the Alameda County Family Justice Center press conference

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/07/MNCK1D906A.DTL&type=printable

Oakland police seek to cut response time

Matthai Kuruvila, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Oakland police have been taking an average of 15 minutes to get to the scene of some of the city’s most violent 911 emergencies, including fights in progress and domestic violence.

{{This caught my attention at once, because typically, after, say, a murder-suicide, the words “estranged” and “domestic dispute” or “disturbance” are key.  Abuse, maybe.  But not flat-out  “domestic violence.”  So I knew something was up in this report…}}

The change, which took effect March 21, elevates such calls as a person screaming, domestic violence and fights to the top of the list along with shootings, homicides and robberies in progress.

{{WOW — there is that phrase again.  Unbelievable.  Why is the press loosening up and actually calling it this again?}}

That’s because for years, the decision on how fast to respond to a 911 call was left up to the officer on the street or a supervising sergeant. Dispatchers had little say in how urgent the police response should be.

Police Chief Anthony Batts is changing that by expanding the list of crimes that dispatchers and police must treat with the highest urgency – a Code 3, which directs officers to exceed the speed limit by up to 20 mph and drive through red lights after stopping to check for traffic.

. . . .

When someone has a problem that needs an immediate response, there can’t be any delays,” said Link, 65, who has lived in the city for 29 years. “That’s a moment of crisis.”

Faster response times to domestic violence can mean the difference between life or death, said Nadia Lockyer, executive director of the Alameda County Family Justice Center, which provides services for domestic violence victims and their families. Lockyer, an attorney in the Alameda County district attorney’s office who is running for county supervisor, said a faster response is vital for catching suspects and collecting evidence necessary for a good prosecution.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/08/MNCK1D906A.DTL#ixzz0pq9wSpnm

(note also the label:  An attorney in the A.C. D.A’s office….)

So now you know why.  This was posted in May, 2010.  An election is upcoming, and good press is just good press.  Get that name out there:

“Alameda County Family Justice Center.”  Sounds great….  and of course its spokeswoman…

 And of course, the city is broke.  I’m not disputing that:

But, Batts said, that won’t happen until the city can increase police staffing to 878 officers – roughly 100 more than what it has now. But with the city facing a $42 million deficit in the next fiscal year and the prospect of having to lay off police officers, that appears unlikely anytime soon.

E-mail Matthai Kuruvila at mkuruvila@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page A – 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

 

=======

And more on Mrs. Lockyer:

I found this in the SF Chronicle from May 28, 2010…

Setting record straight on candidate Lockyer

(that’s the author.  Not nearly so photogenic as the Executive Director of the ACFCJ….  who looks great in this photo…

http://www.eastbaycitizen.com/2010/04/q-lockyer-on-lockyer.html

ANYHOW, as Mr. Chip Johnson says….  which my last post was mentioning…

Nadia Lockyer, the wife of state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, describes herself on her campaign Web site as an “attorney in the Alameda County District Attorneys (sic) Office.”

And while she is technically correct in describing herself as an attorney who is employed by the district attorney’s office, it’s disingenuous. It implies she’s involved in the prosecution of criminals – and that’s far from reality.

Even more stunning is that Lockyer described herself as a deputy district attorney on her campaign Web site, which she corrected this week after admitting it was a mistake.

Lockyer is a licensed attorney who since 2007 has worked as the executive director of the Alameda County Family Justice Center, a one-stop center for victims of domestic violence. Her position is paid for by the Alameda County district attorney’s office.

When a prospective client walks into the office of a patent attorney, it’s reasonable to assume that he’s not there to consult with an office administrator who also happens to be an attorney. More than likely, he’s looking for a practicing patent attorney with proven trial experience in that specialized area of the law.

AND…

It’s safe, also, to assume that when victims or witnesses come to a county prosecutor’s office they would expect to discuss the details of a case with a prosecutor rather than a department administrator.

Fact is, Lockyer’s biggest legal victory was on the defense side of the aisle in Southern California where she led a pro bono effort to overturn the wrongful conviction of a 16-year-old boy for armed robbery in 1998.

Her supervisor, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, said she believed that all references to Lockyer’s work as an attorney in the office had been removed from her campaign Web site months ago.

But on her campaign Web site Thursday, Lockyer still described herself as an attorney in the D.A.’s office and an executive director for the Alameda County Family Justice Center – as if they were two separate jobs.

“She is not part of the prosecution team and the position she holds is not a classified attorney’s position, but she does use those skills in her daily duties,” said O’Malley.

“I don’t want to be in the middle of her (election) campaign,” she added.

 

Monday, April 12, 2010

You’ve Got Mail From Nadia Lockyer

By NICHOLAS TERRY

After a long days work, I came home to the usual boring junk in the mail; bills, advertisements, bills, greeting card, Proposition 16 literature and a GIANT envelope from the Nadia Lockyer campaign.

Wowza! Someone’s got some cash to spend. Move over Mary Hayashi, Nadia Lockyer is on her way!

To date, I am not sure the exact amount of money Mrs. Lockyer has raised; it’s not that I’m too lazy to look it up, I think sharing the number doesn’t matter. Why? Because if I said the number it would only turn into an argument that she can raise how much she wants; neglecting the other candidates. Someone will then argue, she’s the popular one and I’ll end it there with, “Why the hell is this a popularity contest, because your candidate has a famous last name?”

This envelope contained a letter opening with “Dear Neighbor” and went on to talk about her announcement for county supervisor and that she’s going to tell me more about who she is. First off, Mrs. Lockyer, you’re not my neighbor. As your material points out, you live on Oakes Drive in Hayward…the nice part of Hayward, the part that’s hidden from the problems you think you’ll fix. Perhaps you were referring to your campaign headquarters on A Street. Question: Why does a candidate for county supervisor have a campaign headquarters, let alone, need one?

Nadia goes on to talk about the three other candidates who are looking for a job because of term limits; I think I need to do research.

Hayward City Councilman Kevin Dowling has served on the council since 1998. In fact, Hayward City Councilman Olden Henson has been serving since 1994. Mr. Dowling has served the City of Hayward for 12 years and thinks he’s ready to serve at the county level; that’s admirable, not because of “term limits.” According to an email response from the Hayward city clerk, there are no term limits on councilmember’s; so, Mrs. Lockyer’s literature is not completely true about Mr. Dowling, one of three other choices.

. . . Next, Nadia talks about how people ask her if she’s married to Bill Lockyer. She tells them yes, her husband is the “California State Treasurer.” They were married in 2003, had a kid in 2003 and are both committed to serving and improving their community. Oh, and she’s running with her own ideas in mind, not Bill’s, not Art’s, not Mary’s. A former Santa Ana (Orange County) School Board member that studied law in Los Angeles is somehow more qualified to serve this county then a veteran (and passionate) councilman, or a former State Senator/Assembly Member or Mayor. Yet, so many will think she’s ready, and that her name doesn’t hurt her, nor do her friends that stand in-front and on the side of her.

Then there is a one-page glossy print of three photographs; one of Nadia and her husband, California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, one of their son and one of her with her son. Now, I will not go on about her family, however, I will point out that good money must have been spent for us to know that she has a picture-perfect family. We’re also left to believe that she believes “county government can do more for children and families,” more than, I guess city, state or federal government, “especially in these tough economic times.” One could probably argue if she knows how hard times are for families, living up on Oakes Drive.

And just in case you want to show you support for Mrs. Lockyer and believe in her “track record of delivering government services efficiently while saving taxpayers money” (still waiting on more details of that statement), she’s graciously included a big red and black campaign sign for you to stick in your window. The sign is to “help remind others to vote.” If that’s the case, I’ll just remind them of the election in June, and let them pick the candidate they think is best for the district and county.

All that said…Nadia sure has a lot to live up to.

Nicholas Terry is a resident of Hayward and a former Alameda County Consumer Affairs Commissioner and Hayward Citizens Advisory Commissioner.

HERE”s ANOTHER one talking about the discrepancy in campaign funds available for this campaign:  Ms. Lockyer’s (sorry, MRS.  Lockyer’s?) had less than 1% from within the district she seeks to represent:

(Large font below — unintentional…. where are my “Technical Assistance Grants” anyhow?)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Bill Lockyer Contributes Hefty Sum to Spouse’s Campaign

Bill Lockyer campaign donates over $300,000 in last two months; Less than 1% of Nadia’s fundraising comes from within District By Steven Tavares

 
In the past two months, Alameda County supervisor candidate Nadia Lockyer has raised over $410,000 with most of it coming from the campaign largess of her husband Bill Lockyer’s re-election for state treasurer, according to reports filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

The Bill Lockyer for Treasurer 2010 campaign made two donations totalling $300,000 in April and May to his wife’s campaign. To date, Biil Lockyer has been, by far, the largest contributor to Nadia Lockyer’s bid to replace retiring supervisor Gail Steele on the Board of Supervisors.

Of the $647,000, Nadia Lockyer has raised in this campaign, Bill has contributed over $469,000.

Lockyer’s opponent, Hayward Councilman Kevin Dowling, called the sum “breathtaking” and says reform is needed to manage fund-raising at the county level. “This shows the county needs campaign finance reform,” said Dowling. “If this election was in Hayward, Bill could not be able to give this kind of money because of fund-raising limits we have.”

According to the report filed with the FPPC, Bill Lockyer’s campaign also contributed $2,262.24 in child care services to Nadia Lockyer’s campaign. Dowling told The Citizen Friday afternoon that he questions whether listing the services of a nanny for their young child is a legitimate campaign expenditure.

Dowling’s campaign fund-raising report was not available Friday, but he says he has raised between $15,000-20,000 over the past two months with $10,000 cash-in-hand. Former state Sen. Liz Figueroa, meanwhile, reported raising just $5,000 with $17,000 cash-in-hand. In contrast, Nadia Lockyer brought in over $341,000 over the past two months and over $50,000 in cash-on-hand with the help of her husband’s campaign, but with very little local financial support, something her opponents have long criticized.Less than one percent of Lockyer’s two-month fund-raising total comes from contributions within the district she hopes to represent. A total of $3,025 was raised mostly from supporters in Hayward, according to the FPPC. The campaign has faced lingering criticism from its opponents over the appearance Lockyer’s support only emanates from outside the area

Nadia Lockyer, the wife of state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, describes herself on her campaign Web site as an “attorney in the Alameda County District Attorneys (sic) Office.”

And while she is technically correct in describing herself as an attorney who is employed by the district attorney’s office, it’s disingenuous. It implies she’s involved in the prosecution of criminals – and that’s far from reality.

Even more stunning is that Lockyer described herself as a deputy district attorney on her campaign Web site, which she corrected this week after admitting it was a mistake.

Lockyer is a licensed attorney who since 2007 has worked as the executive director of the Alameda County Family Justice Center, a one-stop center for victims of domestic violence. Her position is paid for by the Alameda County district attorney’s office.

When a prospective client walks into the office of a patent attorney, it’s reasonable to assume that he’s not there to consult with an office administrator who also happens to be an attorney. More than likely, he’s looking for a practicing patent attorney with proven trial experience in that specialized area of the law. 

It’s safe, also, to assume that when victims or witnesses come to a county prosecutor’s office they would expect to discuss the details of a case with a prosecutor rather than a department administrator.

Fact is, Lockyer’s biggest legal victory was on the defense side of the aisle in Southern California where she led a pro bono effort to overturn the wrongful conviction of a 16-year-old boy for armed robbery in 1998.

Her supervisor, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, said she believed that all references to Lockyer’s work as an attorney in the office had been removed from her campaign Web site months ago.

But on her campaign Web site Thursday, Lockyer still described herself as an attorney in the D.A.’s office and an executive director for the Alameda County Family Justice Center – as if they were two separate jobs.

(see my last post, D”.A. Dubious Doings  – SF Bay Area”)– where one researcher ferreted this out a while back… and therefore the two stacked selection committees were basically more likely to provide a facade of accountability for the federal grants supporting this organization, and of course her $90,000 ED salary…)

(I learned more actually by reading about which 3 county supervisors went along with the appointment process of O’Malley, who helped start this justice center… Now this same person wants to be County Supervisor, too.).

HERE is “GUIDESTAR.org.”  Please sign up (for free) and look at some of this mission statements and IRS 990s.  Get to know your groups.

I googled this justice center and found “family Violence Law Center” (Oakland) which says that is’ working with this group:

FVLC has set the following goals for the current year (FY 08-09): 

1. Continue to strengthen collaborative relationships with other agencies co-located at the Alameda County Family Justice Center with FVLC.  This includes the Oakland Police Department, Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, and numerous other community-based agencies.
2. Engage in policy work around domestic violence by playing a leadership role on several state and countywide task forces, including the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic Violence, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Alameda County Family Violence Council, Domestic Violence Advisory Council for the Social Services Administration of Alameda County, and Alameda County Teen Dating Violence Task Force (formed and led by FVLC).
3. With our collaborative partners Youth ALIVE! and Youth Radio, expand leadership training and policy work around teen dating violence at Oakland middle schools through various classroom, after-school, and summer activities, effectively reaching approximately 1,600 adolescents.  This is made possible through a generous four-year, $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation