A few months ago, keen-eyed residents noticed a significant update to the El Cerrito Wikipedia page. The addition was a statement detailing the findings of the State Auditor’s Report on El Cerrito’s precarious financial situation. This inclusion aimed to provide transparency regarding the city’s fiscal management issues, including reliance on reserves, massive pension liabilities, and unsustainable revenue streams.
However, the transparency was short-lived. A city insider recently removed this critical section from the “Economy” part of the Wikipedia page, replacing it with a rather mundane list of local businesses. In their haste to sanitize the city’s economic profile, they inadvertently left a business listed that’s actually located in Richmond, California—not El Cerrito. This move not only undermined the integrity of the information but also highlighted an attempt to shift focus away from pressing fiscal concerns.
Banned Books on the Mistreatment of Minority Groups
The censorship and alteration of information reminds us of the broader issue of banned books in America, especially those addressing the mistreatment of minority groups. These books have faced challenges and bans across the country for tackling controversial and difficult subjects:
- “Maus” by Art Spiegelman – A powerful graphic novel portraying the Holocaust through the author’s father’s experiences, banned for its depiction of violence and language.
- “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison – This novel delves into the devastating impact of racism and poverty on a young Black girl, banned for its explicit content and themes.
- “Beloved” by Toni Morrison – Another seminal work by Morrison, addressing the horrors of slavery and its aftermath on African Americans, banned for graphic content and themes of sexual violence.
- “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker – This novel depicts the struggles of African American women in the early 20th century, banned for its explicit content and themes.
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie – Primarily about a Native American teenager, this book addresses broader themes of racism and discrimination, banned for its language and depictions of violence.
- “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang – A graphic novel exploring the challenges faced by Chinese Americans, banned for its themes and portrayal of racial stereotypes.
- “George” by Alex Gino – This novel tells the story of a transgender girl named Melissa (who was originally named George). It has been banned for its themes of gender identity and LGBTQ issues.
- “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier – A graphic novel about middle schoolers putting on a play, featuring LGBTQ characters and themes. It has faced bans for its portrayal of same-sex relationships.
These books are crucial for fostering understanding and empathy towards the experiences of minority groups in America. Censoring these books only perpetuates ignorance and misunderstanding. More importantly censoring doesn’t change the truth.
The Unedited Truth: El Cerrito’s Financial Realities
Today, the Wikipedia statement was replaced with a more extensive narrative outlining El Cerrito’s financial woes:
- Reliance on Reserves: Excessive dependence on reserves to cover budget deficits.
- Pension Liabilities: The city has an $85 million pension liability but has only set aside over $1 million, just 1.6% of the total owed to CalPERS, posing a significant long-term financial risk.
- Revenue Projections and Sustainability: Fluctuating and unsustainable revenue streams have led to a low rating from the State Auditor. Despite management’s claims of addressing all State Auditor recommendations, ongoing fiscal mismanagement suggests otherwise.
- The recommendation to reduce ongoing expenses has not been effectively implemented, as evidenced by the city’s persistent reliance on the general fund to cover overspending.
The State Auditor ranks El Cerrito as the 13th most likely California city to become bankrupt, underscoring the urgent need for financial reforms.
A Call to Action
El Cerrito may not like the story, but you can’t erase it. This will always be your history, but it doesn’t need to be part of the future. If you don’t like the story, change your behavior so the truth is written in a narrative you can live with.
Transparency, accountability, and a commitment to change are crucial. The removal of critical financial information from public records only serves to delay the inevitable reckoning with reality. It’s time for El Cerrito to face its fiscal challenges head-on and work towards a sustainable and honest future.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 