Tag: Jim Oddie

Not yet sworn-in, Alameda’s Trish Spencer provides a preview of what’s to come

Spencer The mere presence of the Alameda firefighters' contract on a city council agenda is certain to elicit howls from island conservatives as it did Tuesday night. The agenda item was placed on consent for Tuesday meeting, but Alameda Councilmember Tony Daysog, a critic of the union who voted against the original contract, pulled it … Continue reading Not yet sworn-in, Alameda’s Trish Spencer provides a preview of what’s to come →

East Bay’s Top 10 November races to watch

Alameda County Supervisor District 1 Alameda County District 1 supervisorial candidates, Fremont Councilmember Vinnie Bacon and Dublin Mayor David Haubert at an Aug. 17 virtual candidate forum. 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 … Continue reading East Bay’s Top 10 November races to watch →

Alameda will issue fines for not wearing masks, those failing to social distance

Alameda became the second city in the county to allow the issuance of citations to those who do not wear masks during the pandemic and fail to adhere to social distancing protocols. Fines will begin at $250 for a first offense, followed by $500 for a second offense, and increase to $1,000 for three or … Continue reading Alameda will issue fines for not wearing masks, those failing to social distance →

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 liberal East Bay, the past is destined to clash with the present this fall. Two … Continue reading Alameda’s progressive majority will be challenged this November →

Trish Spencer plots a return to the Alameda City Council

Alameda's Trish Herrera Spencer was the self-proclaimed "people's mayor," but voters dismissed her from office two years ago after just one term. Perhaps, this fall Spencer is hoping to rebrand herself as the "people's councilmember"? Spencer pulled papers earlier this month to run for one of two at-large seats this November on the Alameda City … Continue reading Trish Spencer plots a return to the Alameda City Council →

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 his decision via a letter on Tuesday evening. Rolleri was elevated to police chief in … Continue reading Alameda police chief opts for retirement following arrest of black man dancing in the street →

Alameda ‘de-names’ park named after Andrew Jackson

Alameda's first city park will no longer be named after President Andrew Jackson. The Alameda City Council voted Tuesday night to "de-name" Jackson Park because of his legacy of slavery and atrocities against Native Americans. The unanimous vote followed a recommendation from the city's Park and Recreation Commission to immediately remove Jackson Park signage and … Continue reading Alameda ‘de-names’ park named after Andrew Jackson →

Alameda police chief moved to vastly reduce calls for service rules without input from city officials

While Alameda largely avoided the type of civil unrest seen in neighboring cities earlier this month, an incident involving the arrest of Mali Watkins, an Alameda resident who is black, for dancing and exercising in the street on May 23, continues to roil City Hall. Alameda Poice Chief Paul Rolleri, without the input of city … Continue reading Alameda police chief moved to vastly reduce calls for service rules without input from city officials →

‘Our sovereignty is being infringed’: Alameda contemplates litigation against sheriff’s curfew

Alameda officials took steps to defy Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern's five-day countywide curfew on Tuesday night when they decided against extending the city's two-day curfew past Wednesday morning. The council went further by directing its city attorney to study the legality of the countywide curfew Ahern order on Monday afternoon. But it was the … Continue reading ‘Our sovereignty is being infringed’: Alameda contemplates litigation against sheriff’s curfew →

Alameda: Oddie says plan to delay minimum wage is a ‘colossal f–k you’ to low-wage workers

Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie is upset about a proposal to delay an increase in the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour for up to one year because of the impacts of covid-19. The city council will discuss the proposal at the April 21 meeting. Two weeks ago, Hayward officials voted to delay their own … Continue reading Alameda: Oddie says plan to delay minimum wage is a ‘colossal f–k you’ to low-wage workers →

Alameda moves to protect renters during COVID-19 crisis, enacts 60-day moratorium on evictions

Alameda officials approved a 60-day emergency moratorium on evictions, along with a prohibition on landlords shutting off utilities as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The moratorium is tied to a state declaration of emergency, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last week. The city council could return in 60 days to renew the moratorium if … Continue reading Alameda moves to protect renters during COVID-19 crisis, enacts 60-day moratorium on evictions →

Doing its part, Alameda passes gun-safety ordinances

Alameda became one of the first city's in the East Bay to approve gun-safety ordinances that regulate safe storage of firearms in homes, and video surveillance of legal gun purchases at retail outlets and dealers. Alameda elected officials unanimously approved the pair of ordinances on Tuesday night as a response to epidemic-level gun violence in … Continue reading Doing its part, Alameda passes gun-safety ordinances →

Bridges up? Alameda is considering license plate readers at island’s entry points

Alameda elected officials backed early consideration for a proposal to could bring mounted automated license plate readers at entry and exits points around the island, including bridges, tunnels, and some intersections. Some Alameda police vehicles have been fitted with license plate readers since 2014. Although the Alameda City Council's vote Tuesday night was unanimously in … Continue reading Bridges up? Alameda is considering license plate readers at island’s entry points →

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 an effort to catch Oddie and Councilmember Malia Vella illegally pressuring her.

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 divisions between the city manager and the powerful firefighters union president. The 55-minute recording, highly … Continue reading Alameda: Release of secret audio recording yields little new information →