Orinda (Calif.) mayor donated to Prop 8

[Newsjock]

Source: Bay Area Reporter

Sue Severson, who was appointed mayor of Orinda last month, is believed to be the state's first known mayor to have donated to Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage amendment California voters passed in November.

According to a search of campaign contributions to Prop 8, Severson and her family donated a total of $11,000 toward the Yes on 8 campaign. The Mormon politician also called Orinda residents to urge them to vote for the anti-gay measure, according to residents of the affluent enclave just to the east of the Oakland hills.

LGBT residents of Orinda said they were shocked to learn that their mayor had not only donated to Prop 8 but also actively worked for passage of a measure that stripped same-sex couples of their constitutional right to marry. They question how Severson will be able to represent all Orinda residents as mayor.

... Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, said other than some state Assembly members, he was unaware of any other local elected officials who had donated to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign.

"It is incredibly offensive that an elected official sworn to uphold the constitution gave money to take away the constitutional rights of their constituents," said Kors. "And that that happened from a politician in the Bay Area is especially offensive. Her constituents should be contacting her office and letting her know how much her actions hurt them and how angry they are with her."

Read more: http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3609

[Ken Burch]

1. Isn't Orinda just about the most right-wing place in the Bay Area?

IIRC, Reagan carried it twice and so did both Bushmen.

[CountAllVotes]

2. lots of rich people live in Orinda

and they like things they way they are with the tax breaks for the rich. The Mormon temple is not far from Orinda either.

Brings back some ugly memories that place.

The only thing it has going for it is an old historic movie house called the Orinda Theater.

Otherwise ... :puke:

:dem:

[Athletic Grrl]

6. The Mormon Temple is in Oakland and we sure as hell...

...voted NO on 8.

Everyone I know from Orinda may be filthy rich, but with one exception, all liberal.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. The temple is close to Orinda only if you're a bird

but it's not close by road or politics. ;-)

I know few people in Orinda. They're wealthy enough to live there and I wouldn't call them liberal but the Orindans I know are socially liberal enough to have voted no on Prop. 8.

Frankly, I'm more upset that this article informed me that the f%*^*%( Contra Costa county supes haven't joined the lawsuit. Time to annoy my supervisor.

[CountAllVotes]

10. all rich people and they like those tax breaks

don't be fooled on their allegiance to being liberal. When it comes to money, they'll go any which way.

I studied the viola in Orinda. My teacher was a woman that was fairly well to do it seemed at the time.

I knew kids there too. Most of them were arrogant and rich. Somehow, being liberal didn't necessarily fit into their narrow view of the world.

Frankly, I never much cared for Orinda. As for that Temple in the hills, I was there for a baptism. It was very freaky and weird. I am glad I never had to go back there again, I know that much.

:dem:

[CreekDog]

16. Lamorinda Democrats have been very active as Orinda's politics shifted

Further, Orinda is no longer white and is increasingly diverse with many educated professionals moving in.

[EFerrari]

3. Very white and very right wing. I almost bought a house there

and backed out exactly for that reason. What a horrible woman.

[CreekDog]

15. No, Orinda is not right wing and helped defeat Pombo in 2006

The most right wing part of the Bay Area is not conservative by national standards and is probably Danville, Pleasanton or Gilroy.

While Orinda used to be Republican, Lamorinda has trended Democratic as nearby Walnut Creek became Democratic after years of Republican leads.

Also, this Orinda mayor was appointed, not elected. Not saying she wouldn't get elected since mayorships are nonpartisan positions.

Anyway...

[Ken Burch]

19. Thanks for the info. I've only been to Orinda once in my life

and that was over thirty years ago.

[MasonJar]

4. Who appointed her? Maybe she can be unappointed asap!

[Ken Burch]

5. Probably the city council, whatever they're called in Orinda.

(I mean whatever they're OFFICIALLY called, not what DU'ers would like to call them, of course).

[David__77]

8. A dying breed in those parts.

She's a Republican who donated to Romney and McCain, so I don't see why anyone would be surprised. Orinda is part of a historically conservative section of the Bay Area, but it is rapidly changing. Keep in mind, just 40 years ago, Berkeley had a Republican mayor.

[pink-o]

9. Contra Costa is a whole 'nother world from San Francisco and Alameda Counties

I see all these rich middle-aged women coming on BART from Concord, Walnut Creek and Orinda into the City to see a play, and they look like frightened little deer when they encounter minorities.

You can pick them out from 2 miles away. God forbid they EVER get lost in the Mission District!

[WriteDown]

14. What minorities do they encounter in San Fran?

Asians? Unless they're traveing too far and hitting Oakland, I don't see what the problem is. San Fran is one of the whitest cities I've ever seen. Admittedly, I am an NYCer but my sister is in San Fran and I am there often.

[pink-o]

17. 'Kay

Where does your sister live, Pacific Heights? Tell her to say Hi to Nancy and Dianne for me!

I live in the Excelsior, among Latinos, Filipinos, Indians and African Americans. In my neighborhood, I'm the only white person. At my job for the airlines, there are fewer white people than minorities.

Perhaps your sister can take you to visit my neighborhood or up Filmore Street around Eddy and Turk. Maybe instead of only stopping in Alamo Square to take pix of the Victorian houses, she can show you the surrounding streets, mostly inhabited by non-whites.

It's easy to judge when you only have a superficial knowledge and visit every few years.

[WriteDown]

18. Try every 3 or 4 months Sparky...

I just have noticed that compared to NYC or Chi Town, you can walk through San Fran and not see a single person all day. I should know considering I'm not exactly light skinned.

[anigbrowl]

20. You mean a single black person?

(there seems to be a word missing in your post)
It's true there aren't a lot of black people in SF, and more have moved away in recent years. On the other hand, there are lots of Asian and Latino people. Whites are actually a minority in SF, Asian is the largest ethnic group.

[WriteDown]

21. Yep!

Or red person. Sorry about the missing word. It always amazes me how well the Asian populations have done in places like San Fran and Seattle.

[yardwork]

11. I can't believe that the mayor called citizens to urge them to vote for Prop 8.

Incredible.

[Starry Messenger]

12. It bugs me that she concealed the fact that she was in government when she donated.

That's all I can say right now. This really makes me angry. I'm glad this was uncovered.

[ColbertWatcher]

13. She's the reason why California has recall laws. n/t