Good governance is not just about following the rules—it’s about doing what’s right for the people you serve. In El Cerrito, recent actions by city leaders highlight a troubling pattern: decisions that may be technically permissible but lack a moral compass and integrity. These choices raise critical questions about whether city leaders put the community first or prioritize their convenience and control.
Federal Funds Misused: A Missed Opportunity for the Community
The federal government provided ARPA bailout funds to help communities address the challenges brought on by the pandemic. These funds were intended to support residents by improving services, aiding small businesses, or investing in much-needed infrastructure. Yet in El Cerrito, these funds were diverted to balance the city’s need for overdraft protection,
While this may have been allowed by a loophole in the rules, it wasn’t the right thing to do. Balancing the budget is important, but using federal funds as a Band-Aid instead of addressing the city’s structural financial problems fails to solve the root issues. Worse, it betrays the trust of residents who expected those funds to directly benefit the community.
Silencing Voices: Misusing the Morning Rule
The City Council’s recent use of the “morning rule” is another example of leaders acting within their legal authority but outside the bounds of ethical governance. The rule allows the Council to cut off public comments after midnight. However, the way it was applied at a recent meeting has sparked outrage.
Reports suggest city officials anticipated the arrival of a group of concerned citizens and preemptively planned to silence them. By issuing three quick warnings and calling the police to escort them out, the Council weaponized this procedural rule to avoid hearing dissent. This deliberate move to suppress public voices erodes trust and undermines the democratic process.
Integrity in Leadership: More Than Just Following Rules
These incidents reflect a larger issue: a failure of moral leadership. Just because something is allowed doesn’t mean it should be done. True leadership requires asking hard questions:
- Is this decision in the best interest of the community?
- Are we prioritizing the needs of the people over political expediency?
- Are we fostering an open, inclusive dialogue where all voices can be heard?
Leadership demands transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ethical decision-making—even when it’s inconvenient. When leaders cut corners or suppress dissent, they harm the very people they are meant to serve.
El Cerrito deserves better. It’s time for residents to demand more from their city leaders. Moral competence, integrity, and a commitment to the public good must be the foundation of every decision made. Leaders should be held to a higher standard—not just following the rules, but living up to the values of fairness, equity, and service.
As residents, we must stay engaged, hold our leaders accountable, and push for governance that prioritizes the community’s needs. Together, we can build a stronger, more trustworthy El Cerrito—one where decisions are made not because they are easy, but because they are right.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 