Back in 2020, Jennifer Greel stepped up with purpose and clarity. In a thoughtful response to the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government’s budget question series, she demonstrated both compassion and a firm understanding of El Cerrito’s financial challenges. With her roots in criminal justice, re-entry work, and community outreach—from San Diego to San Quentin—Greel knew firsthand how limited resources impact public safety and rehabilitation efforts. She acknowledged the city’s deficit and underscored the importance of exploring alternative solutions rather than accepting it as a fate already sealed.
Fast forward to today: nearly five years later, despite such evident early leadership, the Lyman-led Democratic club has yet to endorse a candidate who shares that brand of fiscal responsibility. Where is that kind of vision now?
What Jennifer Showed in 2020
Commitment to Community: Greel’s background—working with parolees, teaching anger management, and advocating for those re-entering society—anchored her public service in empathy and practical reform. Financial Awareness: She clearly recognized El Cerrito’s budget issues and called for proactive, creative responses rather than maintaining the status quo.
Fact Box: El Cerrito’s Ongoing Financial Challenges
Reserves Drained: Millions taken from reserves to cover recurring shortfalls. Structural Deficits: Reliance on temporary fixes instead of long-term planning. Debt Burden: Pension and benefit obligations continue to grow. Spending Priorities: Costly capital projects launched without funding for ongoing operations. Grant Gap: Failure to aggressively pursue state and federal funds.
What’s Missing Today
Endorsement Gap: The Lyman-led Democratic club, charged with uplifting capable leadership, hasn’t stepped forward to back any candidate who has displayed a transparent, responsible approach to budget challenges – Not Jennifer, Not Vanessa, Not William.
The Way Forward
El Cerrito deserves leadership that doesn’t shy away from tough questions—especially when finances, public safety, and justice are on the line. The silence from the club is not just empty. It’s a missed opportunity for real progress. We need more Jennifers, more Vanessas and more Williams.
Now it’s time for new and fresh faces to step forward—leaders who genuinely care about the community and who put fiscal responsibility at the heart of their decisions. El Cerrito’s future depends on it.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 