Community

GoFundMe Campaign Is Helping Veteran Save His Home

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2019

On Friday, Feb. 22, about 30 supporters went to court with Mr. Leonard Powell, who has been on the verge of losing his family home after the City of Berkeley brought in code inspectors and a receiver who ran up hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary renovations.

Mr. Powell is a senior, veteran and retired postal worker who has been a member of the South Berkeley community for 45 years. It is where he has raised all of his children and the place that he calls home. He has owned his home outright for over 25 years.

The Berkeley City Attorney and assistant city attorney, the appointed receiver and his lawyer, Powell and his lawyer and loan broker all went into chambers to meet with Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Brand in Hayward.

After one-and-a-half hours they returned to the courtroom, where it was announced that there would be two phone conferences and then they would return to court March 11.

The judge felt that the discussions were constructive and that the goal was to get Mr. Powell back into his home. It was also indicated that on top of the $571,000 in a VA loan, he would need an additional $68,000.

Since that time the debt has continued to increase. Mr. Powell, his lawyer and his broker have tried to get a cap put on the increasing costs.

The judge keeps approving additional fees passed on by the Receiver to Mr. Powell. He and his supporters are hoping the costs will not exceed $88,000.

A GoFundMe campaign, begun by Friends of Adeline for Mr. Powell, was tweeted by stand-up comic and television host W. Kamau Bell. Over 1,670 people have contributed, and over $80,000 has so far been raised.

The deadline for this campaign is now March 20. and the goal is $88,000. People locally and all over the country have recognized the injustice here and have responded.

Mr. Powell told the Oakland Post he has no problem paying for repairs to his home that are fair but not the extensive renovations “installed to garner top dollar in the event of a sale by the Receiver.”

To contribute, go to gf.me/u/ q2zrn6

Gene Turitz is a member of Friends of Adeline in Berkeley.

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Related Topics:housing crisis Leonard Powell Veterans

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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

Published

7 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.

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

2 weeks 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.

Oakland Post

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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

2 weeks 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.