News

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan Could Be Removed in March from Bay Area Air Quality Board

Published

6 years ago

February 2, 2018

Sources are concerned Mayor Schaaf advocated for rules change to remove Kaplan.

The Alameda County Mayors’ Conference will decide on March 14 whether it will reappoint Oakland City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan as the county’s representative on the powerful board of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

Sources have told the Oakland Post that Mayor Libby Schaaf was instrumental in advocating for the rule change that would remove Kaplan.
Kaplan has served on the board for the past one-and-a-half years, appointed by the county Mayor’s Conference. Her position is one of two that are reserved for representatives of cities in Alameda County on the 24-member board, whose members come from cities and counties from Napa to Palo Alto.

Kaplan’s supporters say she has helped secure money for major projects to improve air quality for Oakland and other East Bay cities, including for the Broadway Shuttle, replacing a diesel locomotive engine to clean the air around the Port/Army base and setting up a fund to replace old, high polluting diesel trucks.

According to Steven Bocian, executive director of the Mayors’ Conference, the organization “has always had a priority of mayors being the first priority for appointments.”

The amendment that was passed by the mayors in October “clarifies a number of issues,” he said.

One of the changes stipulates, “If a council member applies for a position, the councilmember (must) receive the approval of the mayor,” he said. “That’s the one that is a concern.”

However, he said, Kaplan “is not precluded” from reapplying.

A number of statements have been submitted to the Mayors’ Conference supporting Kaplan for doing important work on the board promoting and winning significant air quality projects for Oakland, something that had been lacking for a number of years before she was appointed.

“Rebecca is doing a very good job representing Oakland and Alameda County on the board,” said Esther Goolsby of Communities for a Better Environment (CBE).

Goolsby said she went to the meeting of the Alameda County Mayors Conference in December and plans to attend again with others in February.

“We’ve tried to get some answers” from the Mayors’ Conference, she said. “We have to keep them accountable for our health. Losing our representation would be devastating to Oakland.”

“We saw a map of air quality in the Bay Area. It has improved everywhere except in certain areas, such as Oakland,” she said.

“Rebecca has stood up and made a difference on the board. Who is it that doesn’t want her on the board? Is it oil or gas (interests)?”
County Supervisor Nate Miley sent a letter to the Conference of Mayors expressing “strong support” for Kaplan’s reappointment to the board.

“Together, Rebecca and I serve as a voice for underserved communities such as Oakland, which suffer from extremely disproportionately high air pollution, and need strong representation in our region’s air quality decision-making,” said Miley.

Miley pointed out that Kaplan worked successfully to win “Spare the Air” funds for the Oakland Broadway Shuttle, which connect “last mile” locations to transit, and key destinations.

She also obtained over $600,000 to replace an old, polluting diesel locomotive engine operating near hard-hit West Oakland communities, with a new, cleaner engine, he said.

According to Michael Hunt from the mayor’s office, “The rule that may cause Councilmember Kaplan to lose her seat existed long before Mayor Schaaf took office.”

He said the mayor wants to add additional seats to the board for Oakland and other heavily impacted cities.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

7 days ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.