City Government

Oakland Police Association Backs Noel Gallo’s Opponent

Published

8 years ago

September 2, 2016

The Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) has given $1,400 in campaign contributions to Viola Gonzales, who is running for District 5 City Council seat against incumbent Noel Gallo, according to a campaign finance disclosure form.

Gallo, who has been on the council since 2012, has generally been an advocate of the police and had the backing of the Oakland police union when he ran for City Council in 2012.

More recently, Gallo played a strong role in supporting the citizens’ police oversight commission, working closely with the local police accountability coalition to get the measure on the November ballot.

He says he believes that this is why the police union has chosen to financially back his opponent.

“I can honestly say that I’ve supported the Police Department and increasing police in Oakland since I was elected,” Gallo told the Post.

“But when it comes to the police commission, you have to remember that I am elected to represent the public—not the police union. And at the end of the day, the citizens requested that we establish a police commission,” Gallo said.

According to Gonzales’ campaign consultant, Mitchell Oster of Eveleth Group based in San Mateo, the OPOA’s endorsement is a product of Gonzales’ ability to bring people of different views together.

“Her main message to all of District 5 is that her campaign and candidacy is about trying to bridge gaps between people on different sides of the message,” said Oster.

Oster also said that Gallo may have done something as a member of the City Council that cost him the police union’s support.

“It makes you wonder why (the police union) would not support him now,” Oster said. “Maybe there’s something he’s done to turn his previous supporters into opponents, and it makes you wonder about his leadership.”

Gallo said, “It’s my duty to honor the citizens who are paying my salary and who are living here, not those who just come to collect a paycheck and then leave the city.”

The OPOA did not reply to several phone calls seeking comment on why they are choosing to back Gonzales.

The Post reported last week that Mayor Libby Schaaf is also backing Gonzales, donating the maximum individual contribution of $700 to her campaign.

A representative of the mayor told the Post that she would announce her endorsements next week.

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Related Topics:campaign city council District 5 elections noel gallo Oakland OPOA police union Viola Gonzales

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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

Published

24 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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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.

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

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.

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

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.