I was born and reared in Oakland, as were my parents and grandparents. The Oakland I saw as a child, who attended Roosevelt Junior High and Oakland High, was an Oakland I was proud of. I can remember as a child going to downtown Oakland with my family to the indoor movies — there were three — The Fox Oakland, The Paramount and The Roxie.

I can remember going to Lake Merit for 4th of July every year. I can remember trick-or-treating every Halloween with my mother, and in the areas you would consider not going into today.

Today, occasionally, I go to Oakland for a visit to my mother’s grave in Piedmont, and I drive with my car doors locked and my windows rolled up.

Why did Oakland go to hell? Bad politicians, including Jerry Brown, the biggest loser as mayor of Oakland from 1999 to 2007.

For those of you having a tough time deciding whom to vote for, for governor, take a drive to Oakland. It used to be mostly African Americans from the 1960s to 1999, but when Jerry Brown became mayor the African Americans became a minority.

Thanks to Jerry Brown, Oakland looks 10 times worse than Madera; it is totally taken over by illegals.

Jerry Brown let Oakland, one of the major crime cities, just keep on trucking. Is this what you want for California? Jerry Brown is old and tired, and he needs a long vacation, and if we are not smart enough he will take his vacation in Sacramento.

We need jobs in California, and Meg Whitman can make that happen. We need a strong leader. We need someone not ready for retirement, and that is Meg Whitman.

Don’t be confused. We have heard all the lies with Barack Obama. Let’s make California a great state again. Vote for Meg Whitman.

Linda Sousa,
Madera