By Coalition for Police Accountability

Since February 2023, several stakeholders, including the Coalition for Police Accountability, began to work on amending the Enabling Ordinance of Section 604, Article VI of the Oakland City Charter. The Enabling Ordinance was approved by 83.19% of Oakland voters and established the civilian membered Police Commission (the Commission), the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The recent process to amend was focused on addressing some of the inefficiencies and disruptions that have occurred with the Police Commission and to establish guard rails and procedures to mitigate such issues in the future. Councilmembers Dan Kalb and Kevin Jenkins are the authors of this legislation which is still in process.

A counter proposal was presented by Councilmember Jenkins to drastically amend Article VI, Section 604 of the City Charter. The proposal would remove the selection process of the police chief from the Commission and give that power solely to the mayor.  Currently, the Commission selects the candidates from which the mayor chooses the chief and presents them to the mayor who selects the final candidate. The proposal also moves the OIG to the Auditor’s Office. These proposals would rob the Commission and the OIG of independence from City Hall which 83.19% of Oakland voters sought in voting for Measure LL in 2016 and Measure S1 in 2018.

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Our position is that the issues that have been raised about the hiring of the Chief, the appointment authority of Commissioners, and the scope of CPRA can all be incorporated into the ongoing collaboration of all the stakeholders working on the Enabling Ordinance. Those stakeholders are the two authors, the Coalition of Police Accountability, the Police Commission and the community members who have participated in this extensive work which has yet to be completed and approved by the City Council.  The Charter is very clear that the Commission hires the IG and that the IG is supervised by the Commission. The ordinance cannot override that provision of the Charter.

Amending the Charter is not the vehicle that should be used to make amendments. The proposed Enabling Ordinance should be given a chance to effect positive change before making radical and undemocratic revisions.

For further information, please contact the Coalition for Police Accountability by reaching out to Mariano Contreras at puralata1@gmail.com.

Oakland Post

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By Magaly Muñoz

The Port of Oakland Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland Airport at their board meeting last week.

Despite a six-week battle with San Francisco leaders, residents and even Oaklanders, the Port remained steadfast in their decision to change the airport name in order to bring more revenue to Oakland’s economy.

The Port reassured all parties that the airport will continue to have its OAK three-letter code and ‘I Fly OAK’ phrases, to minimize confusion among travelers.

“Our Board came to these discussions with a shared love of Oakland and a desire to see our city and airport thrive. Since our initial vote, the Port has met with dozens of community leaders and stakeholders and heard their concerns. We are moving forward with a commitment to honoring our past while building a stronger, more inclusive future,” Board President Barbara Leslie said in a statement.

The Board had delayed their decision by a month in order to listen to community members’ concerns about the name change. Bay Area residents accused the Port of trying to rewrite history and hide their current problems with public safety and crime behind a big tourist attraction.

The Port stated that their intention is to boost the number of people who fly into Oakland, which will allow for travelers to get to know the city and spend their money in the local businesses.

According to reports, Oakland Airport (OAK) is the closest major airport to 58% of the Bay Area population.

In the days following the announcement for change consideration, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed a lawsuit against Oakland to protect San Francisco.

The lawsuit argues that Oakland airport’s attempt to “unlawfully incorporate” the San Francisco trademark leaves the city with no choice but to sue for trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition.

San Francisco city leaders and Oakland residents have insisted that the new name will create confusion and chaos for travelers who are not familiar with the area or the distinction between the two airports.

The Port has since responded with a countersuit of their own, asking the courts to rule that their name change does not violate San Francisco Airport’s (SFO) trademark.

The counterclaim says that the Port “seeks to increase awareness of Oakland Airport’s geographic location on San Francisco Bay among potential travelers and thus increase passenger traffic at Oakland Airport, create jobs, and boost economic activity in Oakland and the wider San Francisco Bay Area.”

Two days before the Port meeting, Chiu sent another letter to the Port offering to collaborate with Oakland to find alternative names for the airport and avoid litigation.

Oakland Port Attorney Mary Richardson said in a statement the following day that the Port is willing to partner with SFO to bring as many options as possible to travelers and have an open dialogue on how to move forward, but ultimately will still change the Oakland airport name.

The ‘San Francisco Bay’ rebrand has already made its way to the airport’s website and physical changes such as signage will be coming in the following months. The name swap will cost Oakland about $150,000.

Oakland Post

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By Carla Thomas

Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) honored Martha Humphrey as Oakland’s 2024 Mother of the Year.

Affectionately known as “Ms. Martha,” Humphrey was recognized during the 71st Oakland Mother of the Year Award Ceremony held at Morcom Rose Garden, May 11. Nestled in an Oakland hillside above Lake Merritt, the garden event was hosted beneath a white tent beside a reflection pool surrounded by fragrant flowers and greenery.

Councilmember Nikki Fortunato-Bas, District 2, provided the welcome and 2005 Mother of the Year Naomi Schiff served as mistress of ceremonies.

Oakland Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield-Lynch and Councilperson Carroll Fife, District 3, commended Humphrey for her impact on the community and her various accomplishments.

“So often the sacrifices that our elders make go unacknowledged and I think that it is so fitting to be at the Rose Garden to give roses to Ms. Martha while she is still here,” said Fife.

Humphrey is an inspiration who provided family and structure to so many foster youths, Fife added.

“Ms. Martha giving that to so many children is like planting seeds that will last forever. We are so grateful for you. We love you and we appreciate you. Happy Mother’s Day,” said Councilmember Dan Kalb, District 1, who presented Humphrey with roses.

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Marilyn Reynolds of the City of Oakland Head Start program said, “It’s wonderful to see her recognized.”

OPRYD Special Events Coordinator and organizer Zermaine Thomas ensured the program ran smoothly and was excited to congratulate Humphrey and provide closing remarks.

Dressed in a royal blue satin suit with a matching hat accented with rhinestones, Humphrey was elated to be the lady of honor flanked by family members, foster children, government officials, and members of the community.

“I’m grateful to God,” she said as attendees took photographs with her.

Humphrey began caring for children at 8 years old, starting with her youngest sibling. At an early age, Humphrey decided that caring for children delighted her. When she reached adulthood, she began housekeeping, which would often include caring for her employer’s children. She accepted a job as a nanny caring for the four children of a lawyer and his wife at their home in Houston, Texas. When the family relocated to San Francisco in March of 1950, Humphrey came with them to assist in the caring of their four young daughters. When the last daughter had completed high school and went to college, Humphrey moved out of their home and moved to the Fillmore Center.

In the early 1970s, Humphrey acquired a home with two large bedrooms and decided to start a foster home. She contacted a foster care agency, became certified to work with foster children, and began her ministry.

Humphrey put two cribs in one bedroom and set it up as a nursery. It was not long before she got a call about parenting and began caring for her first foster child.

Over time, she received more and more calls from foster agencies and hospital social workers who begged her to take infants in fragile health because of her excellent reputation. For over 50 years, Humphrey has fostered over 300 children and continues to this day.

“Ms. Martha has been known throughout her community as the person that wants to ‘just serve’ by being a caretaker and a guide for vulnerable children and youth over the past 50 years,” said Post News Group Publisher Paul L. Cobb, who initiated the nomination.

Oakland’s Mother of the Year Award was created by the OPRYD in 1954 to publicly honor an Oakland resident whose contributions to the community symbolize the finest traditions of motherhood.

Past honorees have included hard-working, dedicated community servants whose volunteerism has been exemplary.

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