For those who routinely interact with the public the pandemic has rendered human touch obsolete, even dangerous. Local stay-at-home orders have hampered a brand of retail politics — hand-shaking, kibitzing, and even hugs and kisses — that has been long… Read More ›
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Not yet sworn-in, Alameda’s Trish Spencer provides a preview of what’s to come
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
Alameda: Covid-19 testing site may open this month, mayor says
Alameda has one of the lowest reported rates of the coronavirus infections in Alameda County. Perhaps, Alamedans are especially cautious about the risks of contracting the virus, but the lack of testing on the island could have be a reason… Read More ›
‘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… Read More ›
Ashcraft on minimum wage delay
We could make this a third rail of local politics or have an intelligent discussion looking at the issue from all sides.-Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft on the council’s discussion on Tuesday for possibly delaying the city’s minimum wage increase.
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
East Bay officials urge state to ban oil and gas production
Elected officials from Alameda, Oakland, and Albany, citing the growing climate change crisis, urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to ban oil and gas production in the state during a press conference Wednesday at the steps of Alameda City Hall. “I want… Read More ›
Ashcraft on license-plate readers
We’re a very safe community, but there are folks who do some pretty horrendous things that pass through here.-Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft in support of a referral that could bring mounted license-plate readers near at bridge and tunnel entry… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
Reforms at the Alameda Housing Authority could be on the way
Alameda resident Arminda Graca received her file last week from the Alameda Housing Authority, a thick stack of documents delivered in quadruplicate. But Graca, whose Section 8 apartment was inundated with mold and mildew following a suspected sewage leak, told… Read More ›
Alameda backs town hall on gun violence, but not without some council resistance
An Alameda City Council referral calling for a town hall on the issue of gun violence was unanimously approved Tuesday night. But not before two councilmembers repeatedly questioned the scope of the event and whether its aims had already been… Read More ›
Alameda: Former mayor is interested in running for city council
Former Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer is contemplating a return to the City Hal, she told the East Bay Citizen. However, not as mayor, but in the November 2020 Alameda City Council election. After four tumultuous years, Spencer lost re-election… 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 places 2.8 percent cap on annual rent increases
Alameda renters scored a major legislative victory late Tuesday night when the Alameda City Council approved an ordinance that places a cap on annual rent increase. The change amounts to a reduction in annual increases from up to five percent… Read More ›
With grand jury in rearview, Alameda begins work on charter reform
Despite a highly critical grand jury report last week that skewered Alameda City Hall and urged them to bolster its city charter with specific interference laws, Alameda officials have actually been working on the issue for more than six months…. Read More ›
Alameda rejects controversial waterfront server farm
A proposed data center on the Alameda waterfront boasting of benefits to the environment through the use of bay water to cool its banks of computer servers, was flatly rejected by the Alameda City Council Tuesday night. In recent months,… Read More ›
Sweeping protections for Alameda renters coming soon
An Alameda City Council, buoyed by a November election that built upon its progressive majority while trouncing a landlords-backed ballot initiative, moved forward Tuesday night with a menu of sweeping new protections coming soon for struggling Alameda renters. The council… Read More ›
Alameda City Council first to offer support for ‘No Tampon Tax’ bill
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill unanimously passed by the Legislature in 2016, citing budgetary concerns.
ALAMEDA: Spencer reserves last words as mayor to criticize Ashcraft
Trish Herrera Spencer’s final comment as Alameda mayor Tuesday night was a biting rejoinder aimed at Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, the mayoral challenger who defeated Spencer last month. In farewell remarks before a packed City Council Chambers, Spencer thanked her family,… Read More ›
Disappointment: Alameda Point VA complex won’t open until 2026; some critical of Urban Shield exercises at site
A sprawling federal Veterans Health Administration complex long slated for Alameda Point will not open until at least 2026–another two years behind schedule. Representatives for the $200 million federal project, featuring facilities for veterans outpatient and administrative services, and national… Read More ›
Too-close-to-call all over the East Bay
At least five seats in various East Bay cities remain in doubt a week after the Nov. 6 election.
With two weeks until Election Day, Alameda mayor takes trip to China
Spencer takes six-day business trip to China while her opponents continue their campaigns.
Shifting alliances highlight pivotal Alameda mayor’s race
ALAMEDA MAYORAL PREVIEW
Alameda: Will voting against popular minimum wage increase hurt Spencer’s re-election?
Time and again, especially in the East Bay, raising the minimum wage has proven to be an extremely popular proposition. But unlike, most neighboring cities, Alameda has done little to accelerate the march toward $15 an hour mandated statewide by… Read More ›
Kissing the ring: These are the East Bay candidates on track for winning the Democratic Party’s seal of approval
The full list of pending Alameda County Democratic Party endorsements here.
Alameda firefighters will sit out the mayor’s race
In recent Alameda elections, the backing of the island’s influential firefighters union has often resulted in victory for candidates. It remains to be seen what happens when they choose to sit out a a race. Somewhat surprisingly, the firefighters’ union… Read More ›
ELECTIONLINE: Pamela Price vs Alameda Dems Central Committee; San Leandro’s ‘Fresh, Clean Slate’; endorsements
ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMS Oakland civil rights attorney Pamela Price lashed out last spring at what she perceived was a lack of transparency at the Alameda County District Attorney office, and will likely do the same during her fall run for… Read More ›