The City of El Cerrito has released its official Notice of Intention regarding a proposed library tax measure. At first glance, it reads like a standard statement of purpose. But when you look closer, several key discrepancies emerge—raising questions about transparency, scope, and what residents are truly being asked to support. The Notice Frames theContinue reading “Is El Cerrito’s Library Tax Too Vague? Key Concerns”
Category Archives: library
Why the City Manager Must Communicate Decisions Clearly
We don’t expect a city manager to answer every email. But we do expect her to lead — and that means explaining the why behind major decisions that affect the people she serves. When residents ask legitimate questions about the library project, bond funding, or use of reserves, they deserve clear answers — not silenceContinue reading “Why the City Manager Must Communicate Decisions Clearly”
El Cerrito’s Selective Spending: Expert Voices Without Expertise
From a recent social media discussion. At the October 7 City Council meeting, the Council considered authorizing an additional $391,000 to Ghirardelli Associates for “construction management services” related to the El Cerrito Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development Complete Streets Project. This wasn’t a competitive bid. It was a contract extension, justified by claims that the originalContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Selective Spending: Expert Voices Without Expertise”
El Cerrito’s Library Plan: Vague Before the Vote, Decided After
One of the most troubling patterns in El Cerrito’s governance is how little concrete information is shared before voters are asked to approve new taxes — only for detailed plans to surface after the initiative passes, when residents no longer have meaningful leverage. The proposed library tax measure is a prime example. Parking Details: Selective,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Library Plan: Vague Before the Vote, Decided After”
El Cerrito Library Proposal: Who Really Benefits?
El Cerrito is moving ahead with plans to build a new library at Fairmount and Liberty, near the Plaza BART station. At first glance, the idea of a modern library sounds appealing—who doesn’t want better facilities for families, students, and lifelong learners? However, upon closer examination, serious disadvantages become apparent. This isn’t about opposing libraries.Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Proposal: Who Really Benefits?”
Libraries are good. This plan isn’t.
El Cerrito deserves a great library—but not at the wrong price. The City’s plan locks residents into $75M+ in new taxes for a ground-floor space in a BART housing project that the City won’t even own. We need a better plan—one that gives El Cerrito a true library, not just another forever tax. 👉 IfContinue reading “Libraries are good. This plan isn’t.”
Grasping at Straws
Proponents of the massive and costly library are grasping at straws. Some community members and leaders in El Cerrito argue that our city’s library is underused because it is “too old.” The implication is that if only we spent $75 million or more on a massive and costly new facility, people would suddenly flock backContinue reading “Grasping at Straws”
El Cerrito Library Tax: What It Really Means for Homeowners
El Cerrito is moving forward with plans to place a new library tax on the ballot. The city is trying to keep itself at arm’s length by having former Councilmember Greg Lyman be the face of the measure. But make no mistake—El Cerrito is behind the scenes, pulling the levers. At first glance, the costContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Tax: What It Really Means for Homeowners”
Library Plan Serves Developers, Not Residents
Across El Cerrito, the agents of the City are holding meetings to promote its so-called “Transit-Oriented Development Library” project. They’re also going door to door promoting this initiative. On the surface, it sounds like progress—finally replacing the undersized, aging library. But residents should look more closely at what’s being pitched. This is not a trueContinue reading “Library Plan Serves Developers, Not Residents”
A $75+ Million Gamble El Cerrito Can’t Afford
El Cerrito voters are being asked to consider a massive $75 million+ tax measure for a new library. But before agreeing to decades of new taxes, residents deserve to ask a simple question: what guarantee do we have that this library will ever get built? The city’s current plan relies on the construction of aContinue reading “A $75+ Million Gamble El Cerrito Can’t Afford”
Rethinking El Cerrito’s Library Expansion: A Community Approach
A recent East Bay Times article highlights the undeniable challenges facing El Cerrito’s public library: it’s overcrowded, outdated, and seismically unsafe. No one disputes that the current facility falls short of what the community deserves (see the full article here). But the article stops short of asking an equally important question—what’s the most responsible and sustainableContinue reading “Rethinking El Cerrito’s Library Expansion: A Community Approach”
A History of Broken Promises and Misplaced Priorities
Thank you to the neighbors and community members who continue raising essential questions about how our city spends taxpayer money. It’s not just about one issue—it’s about a decades-long pattern of financial decisions that don’t align with the promises made to voters. Remember Measure D? In 2008, El Cerrito voters approved a 30-year bond (MeasureContinue reading “A History of Broken Promises and Misplaced Priorities”
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 500Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1”
The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II
Since FY22–23, El Cerrito’s unrestricted General Fund reserves have been in steady decline. And it’s no accident. Behind the scenes, the City has been quietly drawing down those reserves—while hoping the public won’t notice. Why? Because they’re counting on voters to approve the so-called “Forever Tax” to plug the holes. In 2023, the City CouncilContinue reading “The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II”
The El Cerrito Democratic Machine Is Failing Us
A micro blog For years, the El Cerrito Democratic Club and its political allies have backed the same cast of characters—Greg Lyman, Gabe Quinto, Carolyn Wysinger, and their revolving-door circle of endorsements. What do they all have in common? A long record of prioritizing their own egos and personal agendas over the real needs ofContinue reading “The El Cerrito Democratic Machine Is Failing Us”
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”
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?”
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”
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 Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 