In her recent State of El Cerrito address, Mayor Tessa Rudnick touted the city’s “large fund balance” as a sign of strong fiscal management. However, this narrative failed to acknowledge a critical detail: most of this fund balance is restricted, earmarked for specific uses, and unavailable to address broader community needs. Moreover, the city has gone silent on the unrestricted reserve amount – which indicates that cash flow challenges have forced the city to deplete unrestricted reserves, leaving the city vulnerable once again. This deliberate omission highlights a troubling pattern in El Cerrito’s leadership—one of selective transparency and prioritization of voices that align with their agenda.
The mayor’s approach to public engagement during the meeting revealed an even deeper issue. Through strict time enforcement for some and extended leniency for others, the council showed a clear bias that undermines its claims of equity and inclusion.
Public Comment: Limited Voices, Selective Favoritism
The meeting brought passionate discussions on two electrifying topics: calls for a cease-fire in the Middle East and the proposal for a bike lane on Richmond Street. These subjects elicited heartfelt and divided opinions, highlighting the community’s diversity of thought. Yet, the council limited public comment to a total of 30 minutes, with most speakers restricted to just two minutes each before being abruptly cut off. For many residents, this meant their opportunity to address the council was over before their points could even be fully articulated.
What’s more, the enforcement of these time limits was anything but equitable. While the City Clerk strictly enforced the two-minute rule for most speakers -often cutting them off mid-sentence, a known council supporter and El Cerrito booster was allowed to speak for double the allotted time. This favoritism wasn’t accidental—it was intentional, sending a clear message that some voices are more welcome than others.
Mayor Rudnick’s handling of public comment demonstrated a clear preference for silencing dissent. By limiting time for critical issues and prioritizing voices that align with her agenda, she ensured that opposing viewpoints were suppressed. If this pattern continues, Mayor Rudnick may well be remembered as the mayor who silenced dissent in El Cerrito, undermining the values of equity and inclusion she claims to uphold.
An Intentional Divide
This selective enforcement of rules wasn’t a simple oversight—it was a deliberate choice. By silencing dissenting voices – using the police to assist, while granting supporters additional time, the city demonstrated a troubling disregard for fairness and inclusion.
Public meetings are not supposed to amplify the comfortable echo chamber of those in power; they are meant to be forums for all perspectives, even those that challenge leadership decisions.
The council’s reluctance to engage with contentious topics was equally disappointing. Instead of addressing critical issues like the Middle East cease-fire or the Richmond Street bike lane, the council appeared to retreat, avoiding meaningful discussion and further alienating frustrated residents.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Real Leadership
As El Cerrito moves forward, we are hopeful that the newly seated council members will take their responsibilities to equity, inclusion, and transparency seriously. True leadership requires a commitment to listening to all voices, not just those that align with pre-existing agendas.
To rebuild trust, the council must treat all voices fairly, expand public engagement opportunities, and engage directly with the issues that matter to the community. El Cerrito residents deserve leadership that values every voice and every perspective equally. We look forward to seeing the council commit to the principles of fairness, accountability, and genuine community engagement.
Mayor Rudnick’s approach to leadership serves as a reminder of the dangers of selective transparency and intentional silencing – which would have made Ruth Bader Ginsburg cringe. It is up to the new council members to take El Cerrito in a better direction.
#EquityMatters #TransparencyFirst #InclusionForAll #ElCerritoLeadership #CommunityEngagement #FairnessMatters #SilencedVoices #AccountabilityNow
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 