After 12 years as Assistant City Manager, Karen Pinkos became City Manager on January 1, 2019. Since then, several disturbing events have happened under her watch, yet she acknowledges none, nor has she addressed these significant and catastrophic issues. As the City Manager conducts business as usual, she has two patented phrases. One of herContinue reading “Accountability and Transparency Must Be More Than Just Buzzwords”
Author Archives: eccrg
Blog Purpose: Promoting Transparency and Accountability
As the year draws to a close, it’s important to reflect on the core purpose of this blog. Our goal has always been to promote responsible, sustainable, and transparent governance in El Cerrito. Each post we publish is aligned with this objective. At El Cerrito Community for Responsible Government, we’re aware that some of ourContinue reading “Blog Purpose: Promoting Transparency and Accountability”
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result
City Leadership: It’s not Us, It’s You. You just don’t understand. Citizens: Most residents want a new and improved library. We support the City’s efforts, but clearly not at any cost. In 2016, the initial attempt to secure a library bond in El Cerrito faced a resounding rejection from the Citizens. The bond measure crumbled dueContinue reading “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”
A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:
In previous blogs, we delved further into the intriguing world of governance, or more pointedly, the absence thereof. To date, several people have chimed in to say that all candidates live in El Cerrito. But the blog’s crux is governance, and governance is the epicenter of El Cerrito’s woes. In this case: No one hasContinue reading “A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:”
El Cerrito as Charter City – Chaos
The City of El Cerrito was originally incorporated as a General Law City in 1917 and became a Charter City in November 2018. The City is organized as a Council-Manager form of local municipal government. The City Council consists of five members elected at large for four- year, overlapping terms. A California charter city is aContinue reading “El Cerrito as Charter City – Chaos”
Where are the Residency Requirements ?
Understanding the Council-Manager Government: El Cerrito operates under a Council-Manager form of municipal government. This structure involves a five-member City Council, elected at-large for overlapping four-year terms, embodying the legislative responsibilities, while the managerial tasks are overseen by a City Manager. Charter City Status – A Double-Edged Sword: The shift to a Charter City statusContinue reading “Where are the Residency Requirements ?”
Rebuilding Trust: The Key to Advancing El Cerrito’s Library Initiative
The City’s decision to delay the library initiative from the 2024 ballot in favor of public education overlooks a significant opportunity in El Cerrito. Many residents support an improved library, yet surveys reveal a lack of trust in the City’s leadership, a crucial factor for the initiative’s success. To build support, the City must prioritizeContinue reading “Rebuilding Trust: The Key to Advancing El Cerrito’s Library Initiative”
Employee Pension and Benefits
EECRG is rerunning this blog primarily because the unfunded liability of El Cerrito Pension Costs has ballooned to $85 million dollars during the year since this post was written. _______________________________________________ Lost in the din of cheering about the progress of going from the 8th worst-ranked City in California to only the 13th worst (out ofContinue reading “Employee Pension and Benefits”
Hercules, CA: A Model of Fiscal Responsibility and Good Governance
Hercules, a picturesque city in western Contra Costa County, California, may not be as well-known as some of its neighboring San Francisco Bay Area communities. Still, it boasts a unique and commendable feature that sets it apart from the El Cerrito —its commitment to fiscal responsibility and good governance. In this blog post, we’ll delveContinue reading “Hercules, CA: A Model of Fiscal Responsibility and Good Governance”
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government! As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we at the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you – our valued readers and supporters. This year has beenContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving”
El Cerrito Library Survey Results: Public Outcry Leads to Release of Key Findings
After substantial public pressure, El Cerrito has released selected findings from the library survey. The results reveal significant concerns about the city’s management and financial planning, particularly regarding the library project. Key Survey Findings: The survey results suggest a lack of confidence in the City’s management and transparency, especially in financial matters. Despite having aContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Survey Results: Public Outcry Leads to Release of Key Findings“
City Manager Up to Her Tricks – Again
For those who may not have seen it, EECRG is running this blog originally posted on September 29, 2022. We previously shared a blog post a little over a year ago, and it has become increasingly evident that the City Manager is pursuing an independent agenda. Despite the 2020 findings of the State Auditor’s Report,Continue reading “City Manager Up to Her Tricks – Again”
What Is El Cerrito Hiding?
In March 2023, El Cerrito entered into contracts with both Gobe Research and Reynolds Strategies. One was for a contract for a research survey of El Cerrito voters, and the second was to assist the city with planning a strategy for a library bond measure. One contract was for 34,775 and the other was forContinue reading “What Is El Cerrito Hiding?”
More taxes to cover mismanagement – a fool’s errand.
El Cerrito’s Tax Dilemma: A Call for Accountability and Transparency El Cerrito boasts one of the most robust tax bases in California, yet there’s an ongoing push for even higher taxation. Alongside this, questions arise about the city’s responsible use of the previously approved taxes. Sales Tax in El CerritoAs of October 2023, El Cerrito’sContinue reading “More taxes to cover mismanagement – a fool’s errand.”
El Cerrito Speaks: A Call to Action for Our City Council
Carol Bartz, who became the CEO of Yahoo in 2009, stirred controversy by warning her staff against leaking company secrets to f-king Mars suggesting she would take extreme measures against any leakers. The Board said Nothing. However, after overseeing three challenging years with minimal growth at Yahoo, she stepped down in 2011. In 2013, JimContinue reading “El Cerrito Speaks: A Call to Action for Our City Council”
El Cerrito Wants to Charge a $300 / year Forever Tax
While El Cerrito’s population may be relatively small at 25,000, the city is ambitiously proposing a $21 million library project, which translates to an investment of $840 per resident towards its construction. This ongoing tax of around $300 per homeowner will sustain the library’s operations long after its completion. The city commissioned surveys among ElContinue reading “El Cerrito Wants to Charge a $300 / year Forever Tax”
Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito
Holly M. Charléty was appointed as City Clerk for the City of El Cerrito in January 2019. Ms. Charléty began her local government career as a Municipal Clerk in 2011 with the City of Sacramento, where her responsibilities included facilitation of election processes, regulatory filing compliance, and oversight of Board and Commission members. ——————— PromptContinue reading “Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito”
Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract
This Series:YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTIONis titled: Renewal of the City Manager’s Contract: A Call for Consideration During the Public Works presentation, the City Manager, while participating remotely, was heard saying, “Yvetteh, Shut the F word (profanity) up!” The City Manager’s recent conduct has raised significantContinue reading “Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract”
Hostile Work Environment
This is not Theater – It is currently happening in El Cerrito. This is why this episode is titled: You cannot expect those who created the mess to fix it: Hostile Work Environment In California, a hostile work environment is created when offensive or discriminatory conduct present in the workplace restricts an employee’s ability toContinue reading “Hostile Work Environment”
Overtaxed and Underperforming
El Cerrito recently distributed a mailer seeking support for an upcoming tax increase proposal while emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency. However, examining the City Manager’s track record in these areas is crucial before embracing the rhetoric. One concerning instance is the city’s expenditure of half a million dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit,Continue reading “Overtaxed and Underperforming”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 