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City Government

Schaaf’s “Trump-like” Answer, She Denies Saying What She Said – But There Is Video Proof

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Mayor Libby Schaaf (left) listens as Councilmember Desley Brooks criticizes her administration for closing neighborhood career centers, speaking at the April 26, 2016 CED committee meeting. Photo by Tulio Ospina.

 

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, speaking last week to a predominately Black audience, denied she had said she opposes Desley Brooks’ pre-apprenticeship job training proposal. However, the mayor was recorded in a television news interview accusing Brooks of undermining democracy by building up unrealistic hopes for jobs among Black and Latinos who wish to enter the construction trades.

Mayor Schaaf was questioned while she was speaking at an event hosted last Thursday by the Oakland Branch of the NAACP. Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb asked the mayor about her statement in the media that “we should not build up people’s hopes about the possibility of construction jobs,” said Cobb.

“She said, ‘I never said that. There you go again,’” according to Cobb.

However, in an interview on CBS Bay Area and 5KPIX, posted on April 13, Mayor Schaaf said, “To raise the hopes of residents that something like this can get done when the actual basis of the proposal is not possible under existing law is deceptive to residents,” Schaaf said. “And it is harmful to our democracy.”

The news program can be viewed online

Brooks proposal offers four different alternatives for the city to fund pre-apprenticeship training. The City Attorney has not issued a public opinion on the proposal, and Mayor Schaaf has not explained the basis for saying the proposed ordinance is not legal.

Brooks based her proposal on an existing city law, the “Percent for the Arts” ordinance, which requires developers to pay a small amount to help fund public arts projects.
Following up on Cobb’s question, activist Carroll Fife asked Mayor Schaaf to “explain how you compare a Black woman, Councilmember Desley Brooks, to a president who is a racist, sexist, warmongering sexual predator.”

“Schaaf replied: ‘Those were not my words,’” according to Fife.

However, in the television interview Mayor Schaaf said Brooks “is the councilmember who by others in the public has been nicknamed the Donald Trump of Oakland,” and went on to vigorously agree with the statement.

 

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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

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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.

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District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones
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.

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Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.
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.

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