El Cerrito Needs Fiscally Responsible Leadership — Not More Endorsements of the Status Quo

Courtney Helion has formed a campaign committee to run for El Cerrito City Council again in 2026, which signals that either Gabe or Carolyn will not seek re-election. In her previous campaign, Courtney was backed by former Mayor Greg Lyman, who helped send the city into near bankruptcy, is a proponent of new taxes and also served as her treasurer.

Courtney doesn’t have her own platform but rubber stamps the status quo. She supports the Plaza Station library proposal and has publicly praised City Manager Karen Pinkos for her performance, including in financial matters. She has previously opposed re-establishing a senior center, stating that seniors should be part of an intergenerational group rather than having a dedicated facility.

Courtney ran two years ago, and throughout every forum and conversation, it was evident that she lacked a clear understanding of the issues facing El Cerrito residents and had no demonstrated financial acumen. Despite this, she continues to offer strong opinions about the city’s performance and is firmly supporting the proposed forever tax.

These positions make one thing clear: Courtney represents a continuation of the same approach that has led El Cerrito into its current financial and service delivery challenges. If you think El Cerrito needs real fiscal discipline, independent thought leadership, and improved services, it’s time to look elsewhere.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

El Cerrito faces significant financial challenges — from an $80 million+ unfunded pension liability to long-term budget gaps that have been papered over with one-time revenues and new taxes. While services have declined, the City has continued to grow its overhead costs and pursue expensive capital projects without transparent analysis or clear community benefit. Residents are asked to trust broad promises while concrete plans and financial tradeoffs remain vague.

Adding to the concern is Courtney’s political backing. Her endorser and former campaign treasurer, Greg Lyman, served on the City Council during the period when El Cerrito was placed on the California State Auditor’s “High Risk” list — one of the most fiscally distressed cities in the state at the time. His leadership was central to the decisions and inaction that created the conditions for that designation.

What the City doesn’t need is another councilmember who will rubber-stamp the City Manager’s agenda. Karen Pinkos has overseen years of fiscal mismanagement and service deterioration. Adding another ally to the council will not lead to better financial oversight, more effective prioritization, or greater alignment with community needs.

What El Cerrito Needs

Our city needs leaders who:

• Understand municipal finance and can scrutinize staff recommendations rather than simply endorse them.
• Prioritize core services that impact daily life — public safety, maintenance, senior services, and community programs — before committing to expensive legacy projects.
• Listen to residents and weigh tradeoffs transparently, not after decisions are effectively made.
• Provide independent oversight of staff, not act as an extension of the City Manager’s office.

Residents Have a Choice

El Cerrito’s future depends on the choices we make at the ballot box. We can continue down a path of financial instability and diminished services by electing candidates who align themselves with the same leadership that put us on the state’s high-risk list. Or we can choose leaders who are fiscally responsible, independent, and committed to serving the community — not just City Hall.

Residents should scrutinize candidates carefully, ask hard questions about their financial understanding and priorities, and support those who will demand accountability and make sound, community-centered decisions. El Cerrito deserves better than more of the same.