More than a decade ago, El Cerrito’s financial warning lights were flashing red. While city officials were promoting visions of sustainability and stability, internal financial records told a very different story—one of depleted reserves, risky practices, and long-term instability. And yet, the city’s leadership looked away. The El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government also reportedContinue reading “They Knew: The Warnings Were There All Along”
Author Archives: eccrg
Why Should We Trust the City’s Financial Information?
When public agencies ask for more funding, whether through tax measures or budget reallocations, they often ask residents to trust their financial stewardship. But what happens when the numbers they present don’t align—even in their own reports? Recently, while reviewing El Cerrito’s financials, a concerning inconsistency emerged. The unassigned General Fund balance for FY 2023Continue reading “Why Should We Trust the City’s Financial Information?”
El Cerrito Must Confront Its Pension Crisis Before It’s Too Late
For years, residents have raised red flags about El Cerrito’s unsustainable pension obligations and the threat they pose to the City’s ability to maintain basic services. Now, with barely a whisper, City management has finally acknowledged the obvious: ballooning CalPERS pension liabilities are crowding out essential services and deferring needed repairs. Buried on the JulyContinue reading “El Cerrito Must Confront Its Pension Crisis Before It’s Too Late”
El Cerrito’s Pension Debt: A Growing Crisis Backed by Hard Data
El Cerrito’s pension liability has grown into a major fiscal challenge—and one a local data scientist is working on to make the problem more understandable for the public and policymakers. Since the California State Auditor placed El Cerrito on her high-risk cities watch list in late 2019, the city has faced heightened scrutiny over itsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Pension Debt: A Growing Crisis Backed by Hard Data”
Richmond Complete Streets: A Resident’s Perspective
Over the holiday weekend, a local resident shared a detailed history of the Richmond Complete Streets public engagement process. Their reflection included conversations with a couple of El Cerrito residents—neither of whom lives on Richmond Street. While both individuals were neutral about the plan, they reportedly felt the project was being pushed from the topContinue reading “Richmond Complete Streets: A Resident’s Perspective”
Library Tax Risks: A Local’s Perspective
A concerned citizen would like to add their perspective to a recent post on Nextdoor, which they believe deserves a second read. The proposed library tax may sound appealing on the surface, but it carries long-term financial consequences that have not been fully explained. Before signing the petition or casting a vote, residents are urgedContinue reading “Library Tax Risks: A Local’s Perspective”
“Seniors Deserve More Than Lip Service”
— Reflections from El Cerrito’s July 4 Event By Concerned Citizens At the July 4 celebration in El Cerrito — a day filled with vendor booths, food, and community spirit — we had the opportunity to speak with Will Provost. Amid the festivities, we discussed something far more serious: how to ensure that senior issuesContinue reading ““Seniors Deserve More Than Lip Service””
El Cerrito Library Campaign Has Significant Presence at July 4 Event
— But Where’s the Cost Analysis? And long-term Forecast From a Concerned Citizen At this year’s July 4 celebration in Cerrito Vista Park, the campaign to build a new El Cerrito library was out in full force — banners, booths, and volunteers circulating petitions for a proposed parcel tax to fund an inaccessible “trophy library”Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign Has Significant Presence at July 4 Event”
Ask the Right Questions – Get Honest Answers
— El Cerrito’s $100M Library Tax Initiative Deserves Scrutiny As El Cerrito residents gather for the 4th of July Festival—complete with vendor booths, food trucks, and carnival rides—you’ll likely see another attraction: petitioners collecting signatures for the $100 million Library Parcel Tax Initiative. But before you sign anything—or agree to fund a project that bindsContinue reading “Ask the Right Questions – Get Honest Answers”
Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?
This blog is informed by the concerns and research of engaged El Cerrito residents. El Cerrito voters are once again being asked to open their wallets—this time for a new library. But before signing on to another tax, residents should ask: Who really benefits? The Pattern: Promise a Service, Divert the Funds This isn’t theContinue reading “Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?”
Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey
This Fourth of July weekend, while many are celebrating with barbecues and fireworks, one El Cerrito resident is inviting neighbors to celebrate in a quieter, more reflective way. Mimu Tsujimura, a local resident and gentle presence in our community, is offering something both simple and profound: a series of walking conversations on Richmond Street. HerContinue reading “Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey”
Why This El Cerrito Homeowner Is Voting No on the $75 Million Library Tax Petition
Informed by a Concerned Citizen, Homeowner, and Democrat Last month, El Cerrito residents received a city-sponsored “message test” poll about a proposed library tax. But rather than inform the public, the survey seemed more like a carefully crafted sales pitch. A closer look reveals that the proposal is less about building a library and moreContinue reading “Why This El Cerrito Homeowner Is Voting No on the $75 Million Library Tax Petition”
Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime
For years, El Cerrito residents have been misled — by City Attorney Sky Woodruff, who quietly shapes how ballot measures are presented, and by former Councilmember Greg Lyman, whose decisions nearly bankrupted the city. Now they’re back, pushing a new library tax through a campaign riddled with misleading claims and questionable tactics. This time, theyContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime”
Transparency Theater — The Reality Behind Richmond Street
El Cerrito’s City Manager would like you to believe that the Richmond Street Complete Streets project is a model of transparency and community engagement. In her June newsletter, she thanks residents for attending the June 26 Open House, touting it as a meaningful opportunity for public input. She references nearly a year of outreach, surveys,Continue reading “Transparency Theater — The Reality Behind Richmond Street”
Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station
Informed by a concerned citizen Yesterday on June 26, 2025, El Cerrito management presented their vision for the Richmond Street project—and if you missed the meeting, you can watch the recording here: 🔗 Watch the Presentation 📊 View the Survey Results Let’s start with the good news. There were a few bright spots: Public EngagementContinue reading “Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station”
El Cerrito’s Budget Games: When the Narrative Serves the Choices
For years, El Cerrito council members claimed to support its senior community. From 2010 to 2018, the City maintained a dedicated senior center. Then, without warning—and despite having just passed a Real Property Transfer Tax touted as a revenue source for the senior center—the City shut it down. Seniors were left with promises and platitudes,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Games: When the Narrative Serves the Choices”
El Cerrito’s Budget Priorities: More Spending, Fewer Services, and Forgotten Promises
El Cerrito is once again on a path toward increased spending—despite acknowledging numerous infrastructure needs that remain unfunded. Instead of addressing those basics, city leadership is setting the stage for higher expenditures in other areas, including potential raises for management. The justification? They’ve “sacrificed” enough- yeah right! Yet, residents are still waiting for real resultsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Priorities: More Spending, Fewer Services, and Forgotten Promises”
Why El Cerrito Residents Should Question the New Library Tax
El Cerrito residents will once again be asked to approve a new tax—this time to fund a library at the Plaza BART station. The campaign is framed as a grassroots effort to promote education and community investment. But behind the glossy messaging lies a troubling pattern of fiscal mismanagement, political maneuvering, and a lack ofContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Residents Should Question the New Library Tax”
EL CERRITO MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER SOLD OUT RICHMOND STREET RESIDENTS FOR AN $8 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT
Despite hosting public meetings and inviting resident feedback, the City of El Cerrito had already accepted $8 million in federal funding before residents were shown the final plan. The public input process was performative—a façade of engagement after the decision had already been made. The Richmond Street Complete Streets Project will remove 160 out ofContinue reading “EL CERRITO MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER SOLD OUT RICHMOND STREET RESIDENTS FOR AN $8 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT”
Budget Approved. Services Denied. El Cerrito’s Fiscal Path Back to the Brink – Again
Despite mounting deficits, rising liabilities, and a shrinking cushion of reserves, the El Cerrito City Council voted 4-1 to adopt the FY 2025–26 budget. The lone dissenting vote came from Council Member William Ktsanes—the only member to stay true to his campaign commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparent governance. He recognized what the others ignored:Continue reading “Budget Approved. Services Denied. El Cerrito’s Fiscal Path Back to the Brink – Again”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 