Official Blog for Wilma Chan

URGENT MESSAGE

wilma — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:58:50 +0000

An Urgent Message from Wilma Chan

May 24, 2008

Dear Friends and Supporters:

TEN days. That’s it – just 10 days until Election Day.

We’ve made more that 53,000 phone calls to voters and need to reach an additional 20,000 in the next 10 days.

Our calls are generating a positive response from voters, so much so that we are running low on yard signs. If each of you getting this email volunteers just two times between now and June 3 at 8pm when the polls close, we will succeed on Election Day!

So BYOP (Bring Your Own Cell Phone) or use one of ours at phone call sites in Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley. Here is the schedule:
Monday-Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm (or later)
Sunday: Noon-8:45pm

Please contact Isela at Isela@ChanForSenat.com or call 510-464-1077 with the dates and times you can help plus your name, email and phone number.

I’ll see you at the phonebanks. Your support means more to me than words can express. Thank you, thank you and thank you again.

Warmly,
Wilma

PS This week I won the endorsements of the Berkeley Daily Planet and Calitics (a terrific online news source)

CHAN-GRAM May 16, 2008

wilma — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:58:08 +0000

Chan-Gram
Latest News from Wilma Chan, Progressive and Effective
Democrat for CA State Senate, District 9

| www.wilmachan.org | 510-464-1077 | Visit us on Facebook | May 16, 2008 |

In this issue:
A Note from Wilma: Countdown!
Welcome to our Senate Corps
Campaign Stars
Must See TV
Upcoming
Warning

A Note From Wilma…………….

Dear Friends and Supporters:

THIS IS IT! The election is just 18 days away and thousands of people who will be voting by mail are receiving and casting their ballots.

We need your help to win.

Our phonebanks are humming and volunteers are getting a very good response from voters. Our challenge is the huge size of the Senate District – which runs from Richmond to Oakland to Livermore, and just about everywhere in between. Please take out your calendar, figure out what dates you can help make calls to voters, help in the office or other campaign work.

Our Phonebanks are buzzing! Join us:
√ Monday-Thursday from 4:30pm-8:30pm
√ Saturday mornings at 10:00am and Sunday afternoons from 3-8:30pm

My schedule has been packed, with two candidate forums hosted by the League of Women Voters, a candidate forum hosted by Bananas Child Care Resource and Referral, news interviews, successful fundraisers in Piedmont and Sacramento, walking door to door in Oakland, and time on the phone talking to voters.

In between, I taught my last class for the semester at UC Berkeley to a great group of students who are now off to the Capitol for exciting internships. I also got to spend a little time with my new grandson, now two weeks old –– an ever present reminder of why we’re working so hard for quality education, access to healthcare, good jobs and a protected environment.

I don’t have to tell you that the campaign has reached ‘crunch time’. We have just 18 days to reach voters. I need your help and I’d love to visit with you and catch up at a phone bank. Pick up the phone and call 464-1077 or send an email to Isela@ chanforsenate.com and lend a hand! Dislike phoning? Email Wayne at Wayne@chanforsenate.com to help with scanning data and more. He can also arrange for a sign to be delivered to your home or office.

Warmly,
Wilma

Welcome to the Senate Corps

We have been joined by several talented students who make up our Senate Corps. They’re helping with the campaign and learning about leadership opportunities in politics and public policy:
Andrew Adelman is a student at UC Berkeley with an interest in international affairs. He lives in Berkeley. Andrew has been with us since late last summer.
Our newest additions are:
Mo Himod is a student at CSU East Bay with an interest in public policy and government. Mo lives in the Glenview neighborhood of Oakland.
Pedro Terazas-Medina is a senior at Alameda High School. He is interested in campaigns, legislation and public policy. He will be attending St. Mary’s in the fall.
Matt Villegas is also a senior at Alameda High and will be attending UC Irvine in the fall.
Ian Merrifield from Encinal High has just joined us. He is also a senior, bound for Harvard in the fall.
Campaign Stars Who Go the Extra Mile

Gilda G.
Dave C.
Thuy N.
Terry B.
Stephanie K.
Mo H.
Lisa C-S.
Isela R.
Wayne N.
Nora M.
Pat B.
Edith A-W.
Sherry H.
Dong S.
Bill S.
Steve Mc.
Dana E.

Yard Signs

Our yard signs are flying out the door. We have just 160 left, so if you’d like one delivered to your home or office, please email wayne@chanforsenate.com with your name, phone and address. Be sure to specify whether you want a yard or window sign.

Deadline: Fundraising

One of the facts of campaigns is the need for funding to pay for phones, mailers to voters, yard signs and more.

The next deadline for reporting donations is midnight tomorrow, Saturday, May 17. You can help by donating on-line at www.wilmachan.org

The next fundraising event is set for May 21, a Gala Reception in Downtown Oakland. For details, please call Veronica at 510-464-1077.

Must See TV and Smart Voter

Last week, the Alameda League of Women Voters held a candidate forum. You can catch it on Alameda cable 5/19 & 22 at 9pm. The Piedmont League also hosted a forum – details to follow on broadcast dates and times. Meanwhile, our web page on the League’s Smart Voter project is UP. Check it out – it’s one of the very best things the League does.

WARNING

In the final days of the campaign, we will likely face some negative campaigning and nasty rumors. What you read or hear from our opponents should be taken with a grain (or more) of salt. You can reach us to get the facts at 510-464-1077.

CHAN-GRAM May 5, 2008

wilma — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:55:36 +0000

CHAN-GRAM
Latest News from Wilma Chan, Progressive and Effective
Democrat for CA State Senate, District 9

In this issue:
•   A Note from Wilma: This is the week
•   New Endorsements
•   Campaign Stars
•   Phone Home
•   We’re on TV
•   Events and more events

A Note From Wilma…………….

Dear Friends and Supporters:

What an exciting week this has been. I started the week off by becoming a first-time Grandmother to a healthy baby boy, Christopher. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 11oz, 22 inches long. Christopher, his parents, grandparents and great grandparents are all doing well.

Back on the campaign trail, the first Senate candidate debate took place before 800 students at U.C. Berkeley. The student’s questions made it clear that they are ready for change. We recruited quite a few volunteers there. I also spoke at a rare joint meeting of the Richmond-Berkeley-Emeryville Chambers of Commerce. A standing-room-only crowd filled the home of former Albany School Board member Sally Outis and her husband Bob. As I was at the hospital awaiting Christopher’s arrival, a staff member filled in for me in a lively two hour Q & A with the attendees.

On Friday, taking a quick break from the campaign, I attended a wonderful event at Harriet Tubman Educational Center (pre-school) in West Oakland in celebration of The Week of the Young Child. Check out the Oakland Tribune’s story: Preschool cuts would be wrong

Our first major mailer went to the post office a couple of days ago. You should get it in the next day or so. Let me know what you think about it.

I cannot begin to thank all of you who have stepped forward to call voters, scan data, make yard signs and walk door to door. As hard as I know everyone has been working, I am writing to ask you to reach just a little deeper because THIS WEEK the Registrar of Voters is scheduled to begin mailing out Vote By Mail ballots. Fully half of the people expected to vote in this election will vote by mail.

Please take out your calendar, figure out what dates you can help make calls and campaign work and join the Fighting 444s. The Fighting 444s are supporters who have committed to work FOUR times FOR the campaign during the next FOUR weeks. Will you be one of them? I hope so!

Our Phonebanks are going, going, going! Join us:
√ Monday-Thursday from 4:30pm-8:30pm
√ Saturday mornings at 10:00am and Sunday afternoons from 3-8:30pm

Pick up the phone and call 464-1077 or send an email to Isela@ chanforsenate.com and lend a hand! Dislike phoning? Email Wayne at Wayne@chanforsenate.com to help with scanning data, making and delivering yard signs and more. He can also arrange for a sign to be delivered to your home or office.

Warmly,
Wilma

Campaign Stars

Dr. Ben S., *Arnie F., Dave C.,Thuy N., Terry B., * Stephanie K., *Mohamed H., *Jennifer U., *Lisa C-S., John C., Isela R.,Wayne N., *Nora M.., Pat R.., Edith A-W., Lynn Mc, Dorothy K., Janet W., Barbara K., Mei Ling T., Pat B., Marilyn E., *Joel F., Andrew A., Gary L., Ben S., Alice G., Jennifer C., Earl H., Paul M., Dana E., Jane B., Mary Ann S., Steve M., Dong S., Sherry H., Dr. Gregory P., Bruce S., Dr. Christina Y., LaToya L.

*Special Stars who have phoned, walked or helped in the office 3 or more times

We need your living room!

We’re looking for living rooms we can borrow for our ‘Phonebank in A Box’. Whether you can commit to one week or all four, opening your home to us will allow us to call more voters about the election. Here is how it works: We’ll bring 7-10 volunteers, snacks, talking points for calls, cell phones and call lists and stay about 2-3 hours. Please let us know if there is day and time that works for you Monday-Thursday from 5:30-8:30pm and Sunday afternoons from 3pm-8:30pm.

New Endorsements

Hon. Betty Olds, Berkeley City Council ■ Hon. Nat Bates, Richmond City Council
Margaret Fujioka, Piedmont City Council

Upcoming Events

Please join me at any of the fundraisers coming up:
•   May 13: A Special Evening for People in Healthcare, Downtown Oakland
•   May 20: Houseparty in Piedmont
•   May 24: Gala Reception in Downtown Oakland - Sponsorships available

Can’t attend? You can help by donating on-line at www.wilmachan.org For details on any of the events, please call Veronica at 510-464-1077.

Watch the Action on TV

On Tuesday, May 6 the Alameda League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum. You can catch it on cable at 7pm.

CHAN-GRAM April 18, 2008

wilma — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:29 +0000

Hi everyone –

39 days! 14 days!!

There are only 14 days left before people start receiving their Vote By Mail ballots and 39 days until Election Day.

We need your help to reach voters. Our conversations with them tell us that people are ready for change. Help us send a message that politics doesn’t have to be the same-old insider game by helping to set an example right here in the East Bay.

Our Phonebanks are cranking! They are held:
• Sunday-Thursday from 4:30pm-8:30pm
• Saturday mornings at 10:30am and Sunday afternoons from 3-8:30pm

We’ve made thousands of calls but need to bump it up to reach more people before they get their ballots and vote.

Pick up the phone and call 464-1077 or send an email to Isela@ chanforsenate.com and lend a hand!

We’re also still raising money to bring our message to voters. Please visit www.wilmachan.org and donate whatever you can – from $5 to $3600.

Warmly,
Wilma

CHAN-GRAM April 11, 2008

wilma — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:20 +0000

Hi everyone –

There are just 20 days left before people start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots, and I need your help to reach as many supporters as possible before then.

You can make a difference today, right from our offices in Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley and start calling our supporters now.

From Dublin and Livermore to Castro Valley, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont, Albany, Richmond, and San Pablo there are thousands of people who are ready for change — we need to reach out to them, and we need your help.

Never underestimate the power of one person to bring about change. In the East Bay, you can be that voice that makes it happen.

Please don’t set this email aside planning to respond later. Pick up the phone, send an email to Isela@chanforsenate.com or wayne@chanforsenate.com lend a hand!

Warmly,
Wilma

Getting lead out is critical water issue

wilma — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:08:10 +0000

By Wilma Chan and Martha Guzman Aceves - Special to The Bee Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008
In 2006, California took a major step in protecting the health of our children when the governor signed Assembly Bill 1953, which would nearly eliminate lead from our drinking water faucets and plumbing fittings by 2010. We have long known about the toxic hazards of lead, but it has only recently been scientifically proven that extremely low exposures to lead can have serious health effects, both in childhood and later in life. Ailments such as reduced IQs, kidney disease, hypertension, learning impairment in infants, hearing loss, fetal brain damage, nervous system disorders and cardiovascular impairment can be attributed to lead exposure.
Scientific studies estimate the economic and social costs of lead poisoning are almost five times the costs of childhood asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders combined. In California, the costs of these impacts are estimated at a staggering $800 million a year, which could be saved by reductions in lead exposure.
Against the will of the Legislature and the expectations of the public, the faucet manufacturers have repeatedly sought to undermine and delay the implementation of this important health standard ever since its passage. This year they are backing another bill, Senate Bill 1334, by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, that would interfere with the state Department of Public Health carrying out its vital responsibility for compliance oversight to ensure faucets are lead-free and instead hand this important authority over to a private laboratory.
Most faucets are made of copper, zinc and lead. Of these three metals, lead is recognized by the medical community as posing the most serious human health hazards of these metals, even at extremely low concentrations. However, lead costs a fraction of what copper costs, so there are profit incentives to keep lead in the faucet manufacturing process. The Legislature cannot allow industry profits to trump protection of public health from the dangers of lead.
The indictment list against lead is long, and although many have reached a verdict, lead continues to pose a danger to the public. In 1998, the California Department of Public Health found that nearly one in five public schools exceeded the federal level for lead concentrations in drinking water. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that as much as 20 percent of human lead exposure is the result of lead in our plumbing, including brass faucets. The California and U.S. Enviromental Protection Agencies acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead in the bloodstream.
Since the early 1990s, we have seen most of the manufacturing for plumbing fixtures moved offshore. Today, the vast majority of faucets sold in the United States are manufactured overseas, including China as one of the major producers. Concerns have been expressed about the fact that in today’s global economy, it is nearly impossible to identify the source of materials used by manufacturers in each country. As made evident by recent product recalls for toys and pet food, quality control can all too easily be sacrificed in a competitive market.
SB 1334 is another attempt to foil the implementation of AB 1953’s critical public health standard. The hazards of lead are all too well known and the cost to our health, our society and our state is too great to allow faucets to continue to poison our drinking water with lead.
We are proud that California has so often been in the vanguard of improving public health protections, as exemplified by AB 1953. Californians have a right to expect that lead will be nearly eliminated from their drinking water by 2010, without delay.

CHAN-GRAM April 4, 2008

wilma — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:57:30 +0000

Hi everyone -

Campaign volunteers are now talking to several hundred people a day. In addition to making phone calls Monday-Thursday evenings, we’re adding hours on Saturday and Sunday. I’ve been making calls too but the beautiful weather will probably get me out and walking door to door this weekend.

Our latest activity, “Phonebank in a Box” lets us set up phone banks in Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley (so far) as well as at coffee get-togethers in the homes of supporters.

We welcome two new Campaign Team members – Wayne and Isela. When you get their calls in the next few days to lend a hand, please be as generous with your time as possible.

This week I got to take an evening off from the campaign to present Dr. Barbara Staggers with the 2008 Public Health Heroes Award at the annual ceremony hosted by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Barbara is one of my heroes for her work on behalf of teenagers. I named her as the 16h Assembly District ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2006.

Raising money continues via on-line efforts and events. Our goal is to raise $50,000 before the next deadline for reporting donations Please take a moment to donate $25, $100 or up to $3600 by clicking here: http://www.wilmachan.org

Warmly,
Wilma

CHAN-GRAM March 31, 2008 Issue 2

wilma — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:56:26 +0000

Hi everyone!

Our voter outreach is moving right along. Thanks to everyone who helped with the first round of calls to 2000 voters including Joanne McCray, Lena Tam, Joel Freid, DaMonica Robinson, Matt Mullin, Barbara Kahn, Honora Murphy, Lisa Chan, Joann Parenti, Steve McGrath, Noel Gallo, Ron Mooney, Kris Nishioka, Jan Malvin, Sheryl Nureck, Mike McCormick, and Melanie McCormick.

The response has been very friendly. We’re calling voters on weekday afternoons and evenings to talk to them about the campaign and the legislative work I’ve done. If you can lend a hand for a couple of hours in the afternoon or evening, please call Wayne at 510-464-1077. Kudos to the Asian & Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus for being the very first group to sign up for a phone night.

We’re kicking off a new activity, “Phonebank in a Box”. If you’d like to host a coffee get-together or dessert party at your house for 6-10 of your friends, we’ll bring the phones and calling lists.

Warmly,
Wilma

Exciting Times!

wilma — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:17:48 +0000

What an exciting year this is! The Presidential race is one of the most extraordinary in recent history. It’s inspiring to see so many people coming out to vote. As you may know, I’ve endorsed Senator Barack Obama. As a member of his leadership group, I had the opportunity to speak to many Democratic Clubs during the winter leading up to the February 5 Primary.
Even though all of us are watching the Presidential race closely, my campaign for California State Senate is moving into high gear.
Last week we held a get together in Oakland for volunteers. It was SRO as people filled the room to the brim. It was heartwarming to see so many friends. We were joined by students from CSU East Bay, Peralta and UC Berkeley.
After everyone grabbed a snack – special thanks to Joanne Parenti for the homemade foccoccia, we heard from Campaign Consultant Larry Tramutola. He outlined our plans for the next 80+ days until the election. We brainstormed ideas and got assignments.

As always, I value your support. Wilma

New Endorsements!

wilma — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:20:51 +0000

Many thanks to Gilda Gonzales, CEO Spanish Speaking Unity Council* (title for identification purposes only), and Genoveva Garcia Calloway, Councilwoman, San Pablo for their support of our campaign.

You may see the complete endorsements list as of 3/17/2007 here, on the official page.

Thanks to all for your support:

Hon. Mike Honda, Member of Congress, Chair, Asian Pacific American Congressional Caucus, Chair, Ethiopian American Caucus*
Hon. David Wu, Member of Congress
Hon. John Chiang, Controller, State of California
Hon. John Burton, Senate President (ret.)
Hon. Don Perata, Senate President
Hon. Christine Kehoe, Senator
Hon. Gibert Cedillo, Senator
Hon. Jenny Oropeza, Senator
Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas, Senator
Hon. Darrell Steinberg, Senator
Hon. Fabian Nunez, Speaker of the Assembly
Hon. Sally Lieber, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem
Hon. Karen Bass, Assembly Majority Leader
Hon. Alberto Torrico, Chair, Asian-Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
Hon. Mervyn Dymally, Chair, Black Legislative Caucus*
Hon. Joe Coto, Chair, Latino Legislative Caucus*, former Member, Oakland City Council
Hon. Richard Alarcon, Assemblyman
Hon. Mark Leno, Assemblyman
Hon. Lois Wolk, Assemblywoman
Hon. Michael Eng, Assemblyman
Hon. Jim Beall, Assemblyman
Hon. Fiona Ma, Assemblywoman
Hon. Bob Campbell, Assemblyman (retired)
Hon. Betty Yee, Member, State Board of Equalization
Hon. Judy Chu, Member, State Board of Equalization
Hon. Keith Carson, President, Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Hon. Alice Lai Bitker, Member, Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Hon. Charles Plummer, Sheriff, Alameda County (ret.)
Hon. Jerry Brown, CA Attorney General, Former Mayor of Oakland
Hon. Beverly Johnson, Mayor, Alameda
Hon. Nancy McEnroe, Mayor, Piedmont
Hon. Elihu Harris, Mayor (ret.), Oakland and Chancellor, Peralta Community College District*
Hon. Jean Quan, Vice Mayor, Oakland
Hon. Henry Chang, City Councilman, Oakland
Hon. Patricia Kernighan, City Councilwoman, Oakland
Hon. Larry Reid, City Councilman, Oakland
Hon. Doug DeHaan, City Councilman, Alameda
Hon. Marie Gilmore, City Councilwoman, Alameda
Hon. Frank Materesse, City Councilman, Alameda
Hon. Betty Olds, City Councilwoman, Berkeley
Hon. Donna Spring, City Councilwoman, Berkeley
Hon. Kriss Worthington, City Councilman, Berkeley
Hon. Maudelle Shirek, City Councilwoman (ret.), Berkeley
Hon. Leonard McNeil, City Councilwoman, San Pablo
Genoveva Garcia Calloway, Councilwoman, San Pablo
Hon. David Kakishiba, President, Oakland School Board
Hon. Kerry Hammill, Vice President, Oakland School Board
Hon. Noel Gallo, Member, Oakland School Board
Hon. Gary Yee, Member, Oakland School Board
Hon. Alice Spearman, Member, Oakland School Board
Hon. Chris Dobbins, Member, Oakland School Board
Hon. Tracy Jensen, President, Alameda School Board
Hon. David Forbes, Vice President, Alameda School Board
Hon. Janet Gibson, Member, Alameda School Board
Hon. Mike McMahon, Member, Alameda School Board
Hon. William Schaff, Member, Alameda School Board
Hon. Joaquin Rivera, Vice President, Berkeley School Board
Hon. John Selawsky, Member, Berkeley School Board
Hon. Shirley Issel, Member, Member, Berkeley School Board
Hon. Ward Lindenmayer, President, Piedmont School Board
Hon. Ronnie Caplane, former President, Piedmont School Board
Hon. Nicky Gonzalez Yuen, Trustee, Peralta Community College District
Hon. Alona Clifton, Trustee, Peralta Community College District
Hon. Sheila Jordan, Superintendent, Alameda County Office of Education
Hon. William Patterson, Director, East Bay Municipal Water District
Hon. Doug Siden, Board Member, East Bay Regional Park District
Hon. Jean Siri, Member, East Bay Regional Park District
Rob Reiner, Childrens Advocate, Actor and Directo
Mark Friedman, Director, First 5 Every Child Counts Commission*
Dave Kears, Director, Alameda County Health Services*
Gilda Gonzales, CEO, Spanish Speaking Unity Council*