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OP-ED: An Opportunity for Bridge Building with Libby Schaaf

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When Mayor-elect Libby Schaaf gave the Post/El Mundo News Group an exclusive interview Thursday pledging to involve and “include robust community participation” around jobs and minority participation in development projects, especially in East Oakland, I remembered when she and I rode together across the Bay Bridge in a vintage car during the September 2013 dedication ceremony.

The good news is, she, like many others talked about respecting all sectors of Oakland, but her voice was heard and responded to by many more.

I look forward to riding with her again on another celebration of bridge-building listening tours throughout the city, starting in East Oakland with Councilmember Larry Reid and others later.

The Post/El Mundo will help her identify bridge-building ideas from the faith-based and community-based groups.

I will ask all the candidates we endorsed to join with us to put their multi-various platforms on the mayor’s table and sit with her to work on some solutions. Since 14 others spent plenty to become mayor on the premise that they had some answers and solutions, I now ask them to promise to roll up their sleeves and work to get those suggestions included.

The issues of jobs, schools, public safety, hiring Oakland residents, airport business corridor, coliseum, army base, blight and a more responsive city staff are too many for the losing candidates to be content to just become spectators.

We will publish a special monthly report on how East Oakland is faring. We will also publish ideas for change and budget savings. And we will publish a special Metro Post edition that will speak to bridge-building issues that affect the hills and the flatland residents.

Bruce Beasley, one of Oakland’s leading artists, urged me to endorse Libby, not only because of her support for the arts but also for her interest in helping to solve the housing affordability crisis.

He said, “Remember, she has the heart and know-how to build bridges to all of Oakland’s communities. Political bridge building is an art form.”

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

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District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones
District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing.  Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

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Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.
Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.” 

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm. 

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.

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