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 ›
Trish Spencer
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 County registrar certifies November election results
Nearly a month after the November election, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters officially certified its results on Tuesday afternoon. Fueled by a contentious presidential election, voter turnout in Alameda County topped 81 percent. The largely vote-by-mail election necessitated by… Read More ›
Alameda: Kenny the Clown endorses Trish Spencer
Former Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer’s bid for the City Council received the endorsement of Kenny the Clown, the street entertainer ubiquitous at Park Street street fairs and other local events. “Tell us about you’re candidacy. Tell us about what… Read More ›
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 ›
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: 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 ›
5 observations on Alameda’s NIMBY vs. Homeless special election
Alameda’s special election on April 9 pits open space advocates vs. support for the homeless
ALAMEDA: Former mayor says you can’t be a NIMBY if you don’t have a backyard
Alameda County Democrats vote to oppose Alameda special election measure to block a homeless center for seniors.
STEVE TAVARES IS ANGRY: Ep 26–Requiem for a bad mayor; Farewell to Lee Thomas
One clever Twitter user called Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer’s re-election defeat last month an “end to an error.” After covering Spencer for the last four years, I’ll break down the worst mayor that I’ve covering over the last decade in… Read More ›
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 ›
ALCO to spend $23.7M on new voting system | City Hall Tip-Sheet: Dec. 14-20
>>Cost of new Alameda County voting system: $23.7M ALAMEDA COUNTY — Regular board meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 9:30 a.m. ENTIRE AGENDA HERE | Next meeting: Jan. 8. –NEW COUNTY VOTING SYSTEM– The useful life of Alameda County’s voting system has run… Read More ›
War! in San Leandro; Desley; Alameda is weird; Buffy Bunch; Interview with Union City Council candidate Jaime Patiño
The election season is nearing thr end. It’s put up or shut up time for campaigns. If you have mud to sling, sling it now, and races in cities all over the East Bay are getting ugly just in the… Read More ›
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 ›
STEVE TAVARES IS ANGRY–Ep 12: The political consultant scam revealed; Interview with San Leandro renter John Busch
Every election cycle I notice the discrepancy between how individual campaigns perform in public and the amount of money they pay political consultants. In the East Bay, the going rate appears to be around $8,000 a month. That’s a ripoff…. Read More ›
Alameda may raise its minimum wage
If approved, Alameda’s minimum wage would reach the threshold 18 months before the state mandate in 2022.
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 ›
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 ›
FIRST LOOK: Alameda mayoral race
Challengers for Alameda mayor say they support repeal of Costa-Hawkins, Mayor Spencer does not
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
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.
Alameda places half-cent sales tax measure on November ballot
Also: Alameda mayor, put on the spot, suggests she will support the landlords-backed charter amendment this fall