Lies and Deceit Behind Oakland’s Condo-Conversion SchemeLynda Carsonbyline‚ Dec. 15‚ 2006The latest campaign to promote the conversion of 800 or more of Oakland's rental housing units per year into market-rate condominiums failed -- despite the lies, distortions and deceit being used to convince Oakland's renters that they would benefit from the current proposals. At the December 5th Oakland City Council meeting, Councilwoman Delsey Brooks pulled the plug on the scheduled vote before it occurred -- after it became apparent that there were not enough votes to support its passage. The controversy over the proposal really heated up when it became apparent that its backers were willing to use lies and deceit to convince a skeptical public that the condo-conversion proposals would actually benefit Oakland's renters. Only days before the City Council was to vote upon the matter, Oaklanders in different districts received a deceptive mailer that appeared to be from or directly linked to each City Council member, seeking their support to weaken the existing condo-conversion protections. The mailers were tailored differently for each council district, and council members received a flood of complaints about the deceptive mailers. |