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Alameda County Board of Supervisors Fails to OK Charter Amendment on Recall Process

In October, the board introduced the amendment after Alameda County Counsel Donna Zieglar brought forward that the existing charter is outdated and needs to align with California’s current recall process. The supervisors had originally planned to vote on the matter at their final October meeting but postponed the conversation when it became clear that there was too much confusion about the implications of the measure.

Published

5 months ago

December 4, 2023

Magaly Muñoz

By Magaly Muñoz | Post Staff

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors rejected, by a 3-2 vote, the proposal to place a measure on the March 2024 ballot to change the county’s recall process to match that of the state’s.

The supervisors had originally planned to vote on the matter at their final October meeting but postponed the conversation when it became clear that there was too much confusion about the implications of the measure.

They recommended that the county counsel develop a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) section about the charter amendment to answer questions that were being raised by the public.

The FAQ featured answers to questions about timelines before and after petitions are signed, signature amounts, and an alternate proposal recommendation on who could be subject to a recall.

The original item that the board discussed and voted on at their previous meeting would change the charter to read: “California state law applicable to the recall of county officers shall govern the recall of county of Alameda elected and appointed officers.”

The alternate item that was newly introduced and added at the Tuesday meeting would change the language from “Alameda elected and appointed officers” to only “Alameda elected officers” meaning that officials who were appointed to their positions would not be subjected to recall attempts.

Attendees in person and online spoke out against the amendment change, saying that it was taking their power away as voters and that even with the FAQ, there remains a degree of confusion.

Chris Moore, a member of Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE), which is currently spearheading the recall efforts against Alameda D.A. Pamela Price, said that their current petition is extremely popular and they believe they can gather all the required signatures before the March deadline.

“The public wants this to happen,” Moore said.

With the current charter, only 73,000 signatures are needed to trigger a recall election, but if the amended charter were to be approved, almost 20,000 more signatures would be required.

Following the conclusion of public comments, SAFE held a press conference outside of the County Administration Building. Carl Chan, a key officer of SAFE, announced that in just five weeks they were able to collect over 70,000 signatures and affirmed that SAFE will not stop until they have 110,000 signatures, keeping in mind the potential changes to the charter.

Price is facing a recall despite her victory at the polls last year when she ran on a platform of judicial reform, defeating Terry Wiley who had been supported by Price’s predecessor, Nancy O’Malley.

Assertions that she is ‘soft on crime’ reached a fervor earlier this year as a surge of theft, robberies and shoplifting crimes alarmed residents in Oakland and other major cities in the Bay Area, the state, and the nation.

Price has had to remind media and citizens alike, that the district attorney can only charge and prosecute criminals after police arrest them.

“DA Price has been working as a civil rights attorney for over 40 years, she’s a fighter for justice and will continue to fight for the safety of the people across Alameda County, no matter how much money they spend trying to take her out.” said William Fitzgerald, campaign spokesperson for “Protect The Win” campaign, in a press release about the county charter amendment.

In contrast, despite Board President Nate Miley telling KQED that he’s “pretty confident the board is going to align our charter with state law,” he spoke and voted in opposition to both amendment recommendations.

Because there is still a lot of confusion on the charter amendment and because it as if the board is taking a side on the matter, Miley said it was unfair to put this measure in front of voters in March.

“I think at this point it doesn’t serve the public interest to move ahead with this at this time only because we would be placing ourselves in the way of an effort to move ahead with a particular recall and tainting that process,” Miley added.

Miley, alongside Board Vice President David Haubert, recommended tabling the discussion until after March 2024.

On the other hand, board members Keith Carson and Elisa Marquez argued that as public officials, they have an obligation to voters to allow them to decide for themselves if they want to change the charter to align it with the state’s. Tabling the issue would only delay a process that they know needs to happen soon.

Board members Miley, Haubert, and Lena Tam voted ‘no’ on the recommendation, while Carson and Marquez voted ‘yes.’

Although the vote to modify the charter to include “Alameda elected and appointed officers” failed, the alternate recommendation for the language to exclude “appointed officials” was approved for further discussion.

The Board of Supervisors will discuss and vote on the alternate recommendation at their Nov. 28 regular meeting.

Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper.

Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.

The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper. Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 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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S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana

Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Elder Jorg Klebingat, Flint Mensah, Richard Burton, H.E. Dr. Maritony Jones, Amb. Jonathan Jones, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Alfred Kyungu. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.

Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.

Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.

The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.

The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.

Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.

The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.