How Has Karen Pinkos Made the Lives of Seniors Better?

A recent post from a member of our senior community raised a critical question: How has El Cerrito City Manager Karen Pinkos made the lives of seniors better?

This inquiry was sparked after seniors in our city experienced firsthand the closure of the Senior Center—a space once dedicated to them, now rented out to Kensington. The closure represents more than just the loss of a facility. It represents a disruption to a community that relied on that space for connection, recreation, and support.

In an interview with the California City Managers Association, Karen Pinkos made a bold statement: “We make people’s lives better. What is more important than that?” She emphasized that local government holds the power to make impactful and meaningful changes in people’s lives. But has that power been used to benefit our seniors?

The Senior Center closure looms large, symbolizing the disconnect between the city’s leadership and its elderly population. While the city may claim limited staffing and resources due to pandemic constraints, it’s worth questioning whether other solutions were explored. Could El Cerrito have found a way to keep this essential service open for seniors rather than leasing it to a neighboring community?

In the same interview, Pinkos mentioned “lean staff” as a challenge, but what does that mean in the context of El Cerrito? Lean staff? What other cities our size have an Assistant City Manager? In reality, we already have more staff than we can afford, especially given our current financial situation. It’s hard to argue that El Cerrito is operating with a bare-bones team when the leadership structure includes not only a City Manager but also an Assistant City Manager, an Executive Assistant, and multiple department heads—all while facing significant fiscal challenges.

Moreover, El Cerrito has over $85 million in unfunded pension liabilities and continues to struggle with balancing its budget. Despite this, staff levels remain high, while vital services for seniors, who make up 20% of the population, are cut. Just where exactly are we “lean” on staff? The burden of these financial realities falls on all residents, especially our seniors, who have been directly impacted by these decisions.

Karen Pinkos acknowledged in her interview that public engagement has been a challenge since the pandemic but stressed her commitment to listening to and understanding the community. “The city manager needs to listen to and understand the community, be responsive, and follow through,” Pinkos said. Yet, many seniors have expressed feelings of being unheard and overlooked in the city’s decision-making process.

So, the question stands: How has the El Cerrito City Manager ensured that seniors’ lives have improved under her leadership? Beyond the rhetoric of making lives better, what tangible actions have been taken? As a city manager, Karen Pinkos must listen, respond, and follow through on the needs of all residents—including our seniors, who have long been a vital part of El Cerrito’s community fabric.

It’s time to hold leadership accountable. We urge every concerned resident, especially those in our senior community, to write to City Manager Karen Pinkos and request a specific list of the actions she has taken to improve the lives of seniors and the community at large. Ask her to explain how the closure of the Senior Center, the leasing of community spaces, and the city’s financial mismanagement align with her commitment to making lives better. Let’s ensure our voices are heard and demand transparency on the real impact of these decisions.

Write to Karen Pinkos today at City Manager’s Office Contact Information and ask for clear, concrete answers on what has been done to serve our seniors and the entire community.