Category Archives: Open Government

County Supervisors Tighten Up Election Procedures

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Irene

Alameda County never again wants to see a repeat of the gross mistake made in the November 2022 election, when the wrong winner was declared in the Oakland school board race.  After that election, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors … Continue reading →

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Open Government May Close

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Irene

On February 20, the city council will decide the fate of the Open Government Commission and whether there will be any meaningful oversight of the council itself. On the table is whether to continue having the commission hear complaints about … Continue reading →

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Watchdog has no bite

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Irene

On February 18, the city council stripped the Open Government Commission of its authority to enforce the Sunshine Ordinance, Alameda’s open-government law.  The commission no longer has the power to nullify an action passed in violation of the Sunshine Ordinance … Continue reading →

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Unchecked Executive Privilege at City Hall

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Irene

So authoritarian.  An effort is underway to amend the enforcement provision of Alameda’s Sunshine Ordinance, its open-government law.  The change would grant the city council the sole right to police itself when a violation occurs, unless the matter is taken … Continue reading →

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Holy Smokes!

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Irene

What a mess!  City staff made a mistake by not telling the city council that the amendments to the marijuana (cannabis) ordinance they were considering had not been properly noticed to the public.  Instead of admitting and fixing their mistake, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Businesses, City Hall, Open Government | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Proper Channels to Breakwater Beach

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Irene

There has been a secretive effort by city staff to rename one of Alameda’s beaches.  It’s not only bad form, it’s a bad idea. Breakwater Beach is a small beach located at Alameda Point near the Navy’s former campground and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Open Government, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

AMP Leaves Alamedans in the Dark

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Irene

Our electric company may be publicly owned, but public participation is down because it requires too much energy. In 2017, eight of the eleven monthly public utilities board meetings, including two with important workshops and presentations, have been or will … Continue reading →

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