Oakland not unified

Regarding “Packed agenda for new mayor” (Front Page, Nov. 29): Sheng Thao told The Chronicle, “We have unity at City Hall now,” referring to the fact that her victory, as well as those of other progressives to the City Council, means that they can now ram through their political philosophy in Oakland. Before, a more moderate Mayor Libby Schaaf often butted heads with the council. It’s disheartening to hear Thao speak as if the people of Oakland have given her a mandate. She won the election by fewer than 700 votes and that hardly constitutes a mandate. Thao ought to be reaching out to the moderates of Oakland, not threatening to impose an agenda that half the adult population does not want. Steve Heimoff, Oakland