Featured

‘Trash Tour’ of Oakland Shows Officials That Not All Neighborhoods Are Treated Equally

Published

6 years ago

March 23, 2018

The first stop on the March 17 “Trash Tour” was outside Mayor Libby Schaaf’s house, which tdhen made its way through flatland neighborhoods in East Oakland, stopping at trash piles in Council Districts 2, 5 and 7. The final stop was at a notorious dumping ground at 89th and G. Shown are Congress of Neighborhoods’ leaders and Councilmembers Desley Brooks and Rebecca Kaplan.

East Oakland residents took local officials on a “trash tour” of the city last weekend to highlight the differences in public services delivered to different parts of the city.

The driving tour visited some of the city’s more affluent neighborhoods, with a stop at Mayor Libby Schaaf’s home, to make it clear that residents expect the mayor to take action to remedy the dumping and potholes that plague the streets of East Oakland.

Other stops in the Trash Tour included underserved locations in East Oakland.

“We’ve been dealing with these issues for years,” said District 7 resident Enrique Martinez.

“We pay taxes just like people in the mayor’s neighborhood. So why do our children have to walk over piles of filth to get to school?”

The tour was organized by residents of Council Districts 2, 5, 6, and 7 who are working a new alliance of community-based organizations, East Oakland Congress of Neighborhoods, to strengthen their impact and influence on the issues that most affect their lives, according to a press statement.

In 2017, the Congress of Neighborhoods held “peoples’ assemblies” that brought together over 800 residents to create an East Oakland agenda that addresses their concerns.

“We know that we are stronger together,” said District 5 resident and Congress leader Andre Spearman. “All of our Flatlands neighborhoods face the same problems, whatever district we live in or whatever language we speak.

“We are tired of cleaning up trash that the city should take care of. We want to tell the mayor and other elected officials that enough is enough—do your job!”

The residents want the city to increase resources to solve illegal dumping, including adding an illegal dumping cleanup crew, restoring trash inspector positions and targeting hot spots with dedicated crews and more lighting.

The Saturday morning Trash Tour started at the offices of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), 2501 International Blvd.

Officials who attended the event included Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan, Desley Brooks and Noel Gallo, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Director of the Public Works Jason Mitchell.

The Mayor’s Office. Councilmember Larry Reid and District Attorney Nancy O’Malley sent representatives, and Councilmember Abel Guillén sent a statement.

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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

4 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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.

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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.