News
Rebecca Kaplan Could Be Removed from Regional Air Quality Board; Oakland Would Lose Representation
New rule change for Alameda County representatives was proposed by
former Piedmont mayor who resigned for anti-LGBT and racist comments
City Councilmember-at-Large Rebecca Kaplan – who serves on the Bay Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)board and is its first Oakland representative in 25 years –could be removed after a rule change that affects only Alameda County representation on the regional body.
“Oakland stands to lose millions of dollars to improve air quality for its residents,” said Kaplan.
“We can’t afford to lose a representative who will work for our city,” she said. “Parts of East and West Oakland, along with some other East Bay cities, are some of the areas struggling with excess pollution and the related harms to human health.”
Like many regional boards, BAAQMD is not widely known by the public but can have a large impact – by passing [rules] and access to millions of dollars in grants.
Kaplan has served on the board for the past one-and-half years appointed by the Alameda 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, who members come from cities and counties from Napa to Palo Alto.
Kaplan says that while she has served on the board, she has helped secure money for major projects to improve 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.
All that is now is jeopardy after the Alameda County Mayors’ Conference recently passed a new rule saying that only mayors can serve as representatives on regional boards. The change had been proposed by former Piedmont Mayor Jeff Wieler before he resigned from office in a scandal for posting anti-LGBT and racist comments online, according to Kaplan.
A member of the Mayor’s Conference told the Post it is the normal procedure to replace representatives to regional boards when their terms expire and that first preference always goes to a mayor who applies.
But Kaplan, whose term expires in March, says that is not true.
“The last Oakland representative on the board was Councilmember Frank Ogawa, 25 years ago,” said Kaplan. “Lots of counties have city council members serving on this board. No other county is making this change.
“Alameda County would be putting itself at a disadvantage.”
Local and regional leaders sent letters to the Mayors’ Conference in support of Kaplan.
The California Nurses Association (CNA) wrote:
“Before Kaplan was appointed, the hardest-hit areas in terms of air pollution had no voice on the BAAQMD board. As Oakland City Councilmember at-large, Kaplan represents a large constituency (400,000 people), including a community that has been disproportionately hard-hit by pollution, and needs strong representation in our region’s air quality decision-making.
“Through her leadership and commitment, our communities have gained access to funding needed for projects that will ensure that the health of our communities are a priority consideration in devising plans and rules.”
Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) focused on the rule change that the Mayors’ Conference passed.
“CBE is concerned about this rule change and the potential negative impact it could have on the success of Alameda County in winning funding and policies we need on regional boards.”
Said Gregory McConnell, a local business advocate and leader, “I appreciate her effective work on the BAAQMD Board, which has successfully landed funding for needed projects in our area, and improved communication and coordination amongst stakeholders on projects that are vital to our region’s economy.”
Elihu Harris, former mayor and assemblyman, wrote, “I am concerned about the needs and health of our communities and making sure everyone, including those most struggling, have a voice in important decisions.
“Rebecca Kaplan has been a great positive addition to the BAAQMD board (and) is successfully winning improvements and projects for Alameda County while also advancing our region as a whole.”
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia also sent a letter of support.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who is a member of the Mayors’ Conference, did not reply to the Oakland Post’s questions.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 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.
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.”
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.
By California Black Media
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.
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.
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