El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1

The Committee for a Plaza Station Library wants your support—and your money. But before you sign their petition or vote to raise your taxes, here’s what you should know.

According to their own campaign filing, the Committee spent $12,125.68 in the last quarter alone. That includes:

$203.89 paid to John Stashik’s Premier Graphics for 500 pin-back buttons Thousands more in printing and professional services—all aimed at persuading you this tax increase is worth it

And who’s behind this?

Greg Lyman’s Record: State Scrutiny and Fiscal Despair

Greg Lyman, former El Cerrito councilmember, is the campaign treasurer and co-chair of the library tax initiative. His name is familiar to anyone who’s tracked El Cerrito’s financial unraveling.

Here’s the reality:

When Lyman was first elected in 2008, El Cerrito had an AA‑ bond rating By the time he left in 2016, the city’s rating had dropped to BBB‑—just above junk status In 2020, the State Auditor listed El Cerrito among the 10 most fiscally distressed cities in California

That’s not a coincidence.

Lyman voted for every major budget, supported tax increases in 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2018, and was at the table when the El Cerrito Senior Center was shuttered.

He also served as treasurer for the Measure G scare campaign, which pushed yet another long-term tax under the guise of fiscal survival.

Now he’s back, pushing a new long-term parcel tax—$300 per year or more, with no firm project budget, no cap, and no sunset clause.

Enter Gary Pokorny—Again

According to an email sent Sunday by the grassroots committee behind the library campaign, El Cerrito’s former City Manager, Gary Pokorny, will supervise fundraising efforts for the proposed library project.

Pokorny also contributed $450 to the campaign last quarter. Like Lyman, he was part of the leadership team that helped drive El Cerrito into state scrutiny and fiscal despair.

And here’s something telling:

Even though Pokorny retired with over 35 years of public service, his LinkedIn profile makes no mention of his time as El Cerrito’s City Manager. It only highlights his work with the City of Walnut Creek and the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.

That omission speaks volumes. If leading El Cerrito had been a professional highlight, don’t you think it would be listed?

It’s Not About Libraries—It’s About Trust

El Cerrito already has a functioning library, run by Contra Costa County, which owns the building and could improve it without new local taxes.

But the current proposal calls for a multimillion-dollar facility on BART property that would:

Eliminate parking at El Cerrito Plaza Push traffic into nearby neighborhoods Duplicate digital services that students already receive through WCCUSD

And the price tag? A perpetual parcel tax with:

No project cost limit No expiration date No enforceable financial oversight

Before You Sign or Vote—Ask:

Why should we trust the same officials who oversaw El Cerrito’s financial collapse? Why is this tax uncapped, unmonitored, and unlimited? Why now—when core services like the senior center remain unfunded?

See for Yourself

You can review the library campaign’s official financial disclosure here.

El Cerrito doesn’t need another expensive promise. It requires fiscal discipline, real priorities, and leadership we can trust.

Let’s stop recycling the same decision-makers and expecting better outcomes.

Say no to blank checks—and yes to responsible government.

Note: John Stashik clarified: “Nobody bought the buttons. Premier Graphics printed and gave them away at my request. The library committee is free to use them as they see fit. No one paid for them—understand?”