Alameda Fire Chief Ed Rodriguez is retiring from the post he’s held since 2017. Rodriguez made his decision known to Alameda city officials on Dec. 30, according to a memo sent by City Manager Eric Levitt. Any short-term effects on… Read More ›
Jill Keimach
East Bay’s Top 10 November races to watch
Alameda County Supervisor District 1 This race has already been the East Bay’s most punishing for months. The Alameda County race for District 1 supervisor pits candidates from both halves of the roughly equal east county and Fremont district. Amazingly,… Read More ›
Alameda’s progressive majority will be challenged this November
A progressive majority on the Alameda City Council was solidified two years ago with the defeat of its moderate mayor and the addition of a fourth lefty councilmember. But in a city that once represented a conservative island in the… Read More ›
Alameda police chief opts for retirement following arrest of black man dancing in the street
In the wake of an embarrassing incident in which Alameda police officers arrested a black man for dancing or exercising in the street, Alameda Police Chief Paul Rolleri announced his retirement on Wednesday. Rolleri notified the Alameda City Council of… Read More ›
Audio glitch
And just to be clear, I didn’t tell you who to hire. And I don’t think Malia did, either.-Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie speaking to former City Manager Jill Keimach in an audio recording released Wednesday that she secretly made in… Read More ›
Alameda: Release of secret audio recording yields little new information
Audio of a secret recording made by Alameda’s former city manager of a meeting between her and two councilmembers released Wednesday highlights a lobbying effort on behalf of a labor-friendly candidate for the then-open fire chief position, but also immense… Read More ›
Alameda secret recording won’t be released until next week
A certain segment of Alameda clamoring to learn the contents of a secret recording made of two councilmembers will have to wait a few more days. Transcripts and audio of the infamous 2017 recording made by former City Manager Jill… Read More ›
Vella: Secret audio recording should be released in its entirety
Alameda Councilmember Malia Vella said the transcript of a secret audio recording set to be released soon by the city should include as few redactions as possible. She also suggests in a statement that some context could be omitted from the… Read More ›
Oddie: Release the recording
A secret audio recording by Alameda’s former City Manager Jill Keimach made two years ago in hopes of gathering evidence that two former Alameda councilmembers were illegally pressuring her to hire a fire chief of their choosing is again in… Read More ›
Alameda: Oddie pulls claim for city to reimburse him for legal bills
When Alameda’s former city manager made shocking allegations two years ago that Councilmember Jim Oddie threatened her employment if she did not select a candidate for fire chief preferred by the city’s firefighters union, the charge not only kickstarted a… Read More ›
Alameda City Council agrees that two members violated the charter
With a segment of Alameda residents fuming over a scathing civil grand jury finding that two Alameda elected officials violated the city charter, the Alameda City Council on Tuesday night voted to accept its findings and recommendations. Jim Oddie and… Read More ›
ALAMEDA: Proposed responses to grand jury limit exposure to Vella on charter violation finding
An Alameda County grand jury last month determined, among other findings, that two Alameda councilmembers violated the city charter by exerting undue influence on the city manager’s decision to hire a new fire chief. The civil grand jury also faulted… Read More ›
5 observations on the ALCO grand jury’s deferential view of law enforcement
People dying at Santa Rita Jail. Seems fine, says Alameda County grand jury.
Grand jury finds Alameda councilmembers violated charter
Two Alameda councilmembers violated the city’s charter by interfering in the city manager’s duties to independently hire a new fire chief, the Alameda County civil grand jury concluded in a report released Monday. In the case of one of the… Read More ›
Civil grand jury will not recommend removing Alameda councilmember
A forthcoming Alameda County civil grand jury report will include an investigation into allegations that Alameda councilmembers violated the city charter by exerting undue influence on its then-city manager to hire a fire chief candidate of their choice, according to… Read More ›
Alameda names new city manager
Alameda has been without a permanent city manager since last May.
Alameda appears close to naming a new city manager
When keeping tabs on municipal hirings, such as naming a new city manager, there isn’t much you can do other than read the tea leaves scattered within closed session agendas. Alameda, which has not had a permanent city manager since… Read More ›
Alameda loses another top official to a neighboring city
Alameda Assistant City Manager Liz Warmerdam is moving to San Leandro City Hall for the same position, it was announced Monday. Warmerdam will take over the position left open following the elevation of Jeff Kay to San Leandro city manager… Read More ›
ALAMEDA: With new council on horizon, city manager application period is reopened
With a 40 percent turnover of the Alameda City Council following the November elections imminent, the city’s ongoing search for a new city manager is being re-opened for new applicants. Alameda has been without a permanent city manager since last… Read More ›
No charges against Keimach in Alameda secret audio recording scandal
Former Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach was cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office into whether she illegally recorded two councilmembers, a decision that could greatly affect the city’s upcoming November elections. The fallout… Read More ›
Early battle lines drawn in Alameda council race
Despite an admonition that Alameda City Council candidates not address the city’s recent city manager scandal while one of her actions are under review by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, one candidate went there with his very first sentence… Read More ›
ALAMEDA: Mayor Spencer’s re-election campaign reports no money; no worries
Spencer only spent $10,325 in 2014 to register the biggest upset in the East Bay
Former Alameda city manager who secretly taped public officials eyes a comeback in Richmond
Keimach received a $900,000 severance package in Alameda last May.
Alameda names placeholder interim city manager
Former Orange city manager and Stockton interim fire chief is coming to Alameda while the council initiates a search for a permanent replacement.
BANG YOU’RE DEAD: Alameda officials rip newspaper
“The staff report says the Alameda Journal is the lowest responsible bidder” Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie said of its bid for printing legal notices. “I don’t think there’s anything responsible at all about the Bay Area News Group.”
An Alameda council recall effort in its early stages
A recall effort against Alameda Councilmember Malia Vella began in earnest Tuesday night. Proponents of unseating her delivered a notice of intent that could lead to a signature-gathering effort this summer to place the question on the November ballot. Grounds… Read More ›
