City Government
SF’s Whistleblower Ordinance Fails to Protect Whistleblowers, Says Grand Jury
The San Francisco Civil Grand Jury released a report this concluding that the city’s whistleblower protection ordinance fails to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
The Grand Jury found that the ordinance only covers those who blow the whistle through approved channels within city government. Those who disclose government wrongdoing to the news media, or to outside authorities such as the California Attorney General, the F.B.I. or the Congress are not protected.
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It also covers only those who reveal information about certain specified types of wrongdoing. Those who disclose other, equally serious offenses are not protected. The ordinance also provides no substantial remedy to victims of retaliation, and its complaint process is ineffective.
To date, no such complaint has ever resulted in a public accusation of retaliation for whistleblowing. All have been investigated in secret and dismissed without a public hearing.
The jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Ethics Commission and the Mayor take steps to amend the city’s whistleblower protection ordinance so that it provides real protection to whistleblowers. This is mandated by a provision of the City Charter that requires the Board to enact and maintain such an ordinance.
The Superior Court selects 19 San Franciscans to serve a year term as Civil Grand Jurors. The jury has the authority to investigate city government and inspect records, interview officials, and receive relevant information from the public.
At the end of its inquiries, the Jury issues a report outlining its findings, and recommendations to address them. City agencies identified in the report receive copies and must respond with agreement to implement the recommendations, in whole or in part, or to not accept them.
The Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing on each Civil Grand Jury report.
To view the report, visit online at http://civilgrandjury.sfgov.org/report.html.
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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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.
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.
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.
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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