2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICSHeading into the spring, most a number of East Bay cities had already moved toward declaring sanctuary city status. Some began contemplating the next step: urging Congress to impeach Trump. But issues closer to home… Read More ›
Alameda County grand jury
Alameda County rebuttal to grand jury report unsurprisingly swats away sharp criticisms
Supervisor Wilma Chan confronting protesters during an Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting in 2016. ALAMEDA COUNTYA scathing Alameda County grand jury report last June included a number of sharp criticisms against the county and members of the Board of… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | OCT 20-26 | OAKLAND’s Border Wall biz ban; ALAMEDA lights up pot discussion; ALAMEDA COUNTY rebuts grand jury findings
THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 20-26 –ALAMEDA– Special council meeting workshop, Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]–DRAFT CANNABIS ORDINANCE– It’s been nearly a years since the Alameda City Council backed a referral asking the staff to study the possibilities… Read More ›
EBC AGENDA | SEPT 15-21 | OAKLAND public bank; FREMONT rent review ordinance; HAYWARD shuttle study; KHANNA town hall
THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15-21Without a doubt, affordable housing is the biggest issue facing the East Bay. Last week, the state legislature delivered some help to alleviate the crisis, but only time will tell if the wisdom of allowing developers… Read More ›
Oakland City Council had little interest in questioning Elaine Brown’s non-profit, except her top rival Desley Brooks
Elaine Brown, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Oakland Councilmember Desley Brooks in an undated photo. OAKLAND CITY COUNCILApparently, Oakland Councilmember Desley Brooks and former Black Panther and Oakland activist Elaine Brown have no limits on being in the same… Read More ›
Supervisor Keith Carson knew about conflict of interest when giving $710k in county funds to employee, former Black Panther Elaine Brown’s non-profit
Supervisor Keith Carson ALAMEDA COUNTY GRAND JURYAlameda County Supervisor Keith Carson violated the county’s conflict of interests rules when he hired former Black Panther leader Elaine Carson to his staff and allocated $710,000 in funding to the housing non-profit she… Read More ›
Grand jury: Oakland’s misuse of closed session with developers looks like backroom dealing
A rendering of the 24-story luxury building that was initially proposed fot the sale of Oakland-owned land in 2015. ALAMEDA COUNTY GRAND JURYOakland’s proposed sale two years ago of a sliver of city-owned property near Lake Merritt, known as the… Read More ›
BUSTED! ‘Sick’ McElhaney caught playing hooky from Oakland council meeting
Oakland Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney is becoming her own worst nightmare for re-election. OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL |ELECTION 2016 |A much-anticipated fundraiser for New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker hosted by Rep. Barbara Lee was held Tuesday night at the Oakland… Read More ›
EBCampaign: Did FREMONT’S MAYOR get left hanging? ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMS slam grand jury for racial bias
42 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY |Fremont’s City Hall chambers–not really much of a hall, really, nor a chambers–was packed Friday night to hear from mayoral candidates Mayor Bill Harrison and Vice Mayor Lily Mei. Growth, whether smart, dumb, or ravenous,… Read More ›
Alameda County grand jury comes down hard on Oakland city government
Alameda County grand jury concluded Oakland Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney used her position for personal benefit. ALAMEDA COUNTY GRAND JURY | Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney used her position for her own personal benefit, said an annual… Read More ›
City Hall Insider: City Council notes from around the East Bay, Sept. 1
ALAMEDA/Sept 1, 7 p.m.Environmental protection; hotel appeal; new housing WETLAND MITIGATION Two areas at Alameda Point have been identified for a potential Wetland Mitigation Bank that could bring the city millions in new revenues, said a staff report. Nearly 158… Read More ›
Grand jury: Fremont defied spirit of transparency with email retention policy
Unsaved city emails are purged after just 30 days GRAND JURY REPORT | FREMONT | The Alameda County city government closest in proximity and ethos to Silicon Valley is apparently living in the technological dark ages when it comes to… Read More ›
Alameda County grand jury is examining Oakland’s bungled garbage deal
The Alameda County grand jury’s annual report is typically released in late June. OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL | The spate of controversies that followed the Oakland City Council’s decision last August to initially award a $1 billion garbage contract to a local… Read More ›